Heritage Commission launches Al-Baha’s Bin Raqoush Palace events
The events are designed to raise awareness of the history, culture and heritage of the Kingdom
Updated 08 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission’s cultural events were launched on Thursday at Bin Raqoush Palace, a historic monument in Al-Baha.
The seven-day program is part of the heritage and cultural series of events organized by the commission.
The events are designed to raise awareness of the history, culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
The program, which starts at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 11:30 p.m., is open to all.
The venue comprises a reception area and a welcome area, the heritage council, the deer pavilion, the camel products pavilion, 3D displays, cultural heritage displays and the World Heritage sites exhibition.
Many visitors attended the event to view the heritage displays, which included crafts such as textiles, Arabic calligraphy, collectibles, decoration and heritage design patterns made by Al-Baha residents.
Craftspeople also enjoyed interacting with visitors.
The heritage villages across the governorates of Al-Baha province are a window into cultural, historical and archaeological tourism, as well as providing an economic benefit, as they attract small business families specializing in preparing popular dishes.
The streets of these heritage villages saw visitors performing folk dances and recording these events.
The alleys of these villages are witness to the past and to ancient history, reflecting the rich cultural and historical identity of the region.
Winter ushers in cool comforts, eases fasting in Saudi Arabia
As temperatures dip, many describe this year’s Ramadan as less physically demanding than those of previous years
Updated 6 sec ago
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: This year, Ramadan is being observed in winter in Saudi Arabia and much of the region, bringing cooler temperatures and shorter fasting hours.
In Riyadh, temperatures have ranged from 8-20 C, while parts of the Northern Borders region have recorded lows of 3 C. The milder weather coincides with the holy month, which this year falls from mid-February to mid-March.
Because the Islamic Hijri calendar is around 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Ramadan shifts each year, becoming gradually earlier. Cloudy skies and intermittent rain have also kept temperatures low in parts of the Kingdom and forecasts indicate continued cool conditions.
Cloudy skies and intermittent rain have also kept temperatures low in parts of the Kingdom and forecasts indicate continued cool conditions. (SPA)
According to the National Center for Meteorology: “Starting Tuesday until the end of the current week, the cold weather will continue in the northern regions, while temperatures will drop from Wednesday in the regions of Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province.”
The forecast added that thunderstorms accompanied by hail may occur in parts of Eastern Region, Riyadh, Najran, Jazan, Aseer and Baha. Fog may also form. Rain showers are expected in parts of Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Hail, Qassim and Madinah.
HIGHLIGHTS
• According to the National Center for Meteorology, cold weather will continue in the northern regions until the end of the current week.
• Temperatures will drop from Wednesday in the regions of Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province, the forecast added.
• Rain showers are expected in parts of Northern Borders, Al- Jouf, Hail, Qassim and Madinah.
For many residents, the cooler weather has made fasting from dawn to sunset more manageable compared with previous years when Ramadan fell during the peak summer heat.
“Ramadan in winter offers a more comfortable fasting experience, characterized by shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures, which significantly reduce hunger, dehydration and fatigue,” Nafisa Usman, an Indian homemaker who has lived in Riyadh for more than two decades, told Arab News.
Cloudy skies and intermittent rain have also kept temperatures low in parts of the Kingdom and forecasts indicate continued cool conditions. (SPA)
Although last year had pleasant weather for much of the holy month, prior to that Muslims had endured the challenge of fasting during long, hot summer days.
Thamr Al-Otaibi, a property dealer in the capital, said shorter days allowed people to break their fast earlier and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
“This pleasant weather is a welcome change, as it lightens the physical burden of fasting,” he added. “The cool weather also enables engaging in outdoor activities during the day as well as after the iftar. It was a tough task during the summer.”
An overcast sky and rain in parts of Saudi Arabia, including the capital, on Tuesday ushered in cool comforts during Ramadan. (AN photo by Rashid Hassan)
Mohammed Asghar, a Pakistani taxi driver in Riyadh, said: “Fasting in winter is (easier), particularly for those of us who cannot always stop for iftar due to the nature of our work. This pleasant weather, warm days, cool nights, not only makes fasting less daunting but also improves our overall well-being, making the spiritual journey more engaging.”
Shahid Anwar, a safety manager, echoed that view, saying fasting at outdoor work sites was much easier in the current conditions.
“The confluence of spiritual reflection and favorable weather makes Ramadan a uniquely enjoyable experience,” he added. “The nights are particularly lively, with traditional decorations and treats drawing more people outdoors than in the hotter days during the summer.”
With milder temperatures, some community groups have opted to hold outdoor iftars, such as the annual gathering of AMUOBA Riyadh, an alumni association of India’s Aligarh Muslim University.
