More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

Visitors were taken back to ancient trade routes where camels played a key role in transporting goods and facilitating travel. (SPA)
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Updated 19 January 2025
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More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

RIYADH: The Hira Winter events, organized by the Hira Cultural District and which recently concluded in Makkah, attracted more than 84,000 visitors.

Highlights included the Revelation Exhibition, which used cutting-edge technology to simulate the story of Prophet Muhammad’s revelation, blending tradition and innovation.

The exhibition featured a pavilion detailing the Cave of Hira and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the Mother of Believers, along with a depiction of the first revelation.

Rare historical artifacts, such as a photographed copy of the Qur’an manuscript of Uthman bin Affan and ancient stone inscriptions of Qur’anic verses, gave visitors a unique experience that combined the past and present.

Poetic performances inspired by Arab heritage underscored poetry’s role as the Arabs' diwan (repository of culture) and a tool for documenting events and emotions.

Poetic jousts highlighted live interaction and pride in the Arabic language and literature, enriching the cultural experience.

The Caravan Experience revived the cultural heritage of camel caravans, underlining their role in ancient Arab trade and society.

Visitors were taken back to ancient trade routes where camels played a key role in transporting goods and facilitating travel.

The Challenge Zone attracted adventure enthusiasts with various games blending entertainment and competition.

The Winter Theater delighted visitors with interactive performances, including contests and games inspired by winter traditions.

The district also featured a Crafts and Heritage Industries Market, where visitors explored local products, bought souvenirs, and enjoyed traditional and contemporary food and beverages, creating a holistic experience of entertainment, culture and shopping.

The Hira Cultural District is an area of approximately 67,000 sq. meters near Jabal Hira, one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks. It is a tourist and educational destination, bridging the past and present, and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and visitor experiences.


Saudi data platform enhanced with agentic AI as Kingdom drives digital innovation at Davos

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Saudi data platform enhanced with agentic AI as Kingdom drives digital innovation at Davos

  • Feedback from stakeholders has been positive, says MEP official

DAVOS: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning is leveraging agentic artificial intelligence to transform access to economic data and extract deeper insights through its Data Saudi platform, a ministry official told Arab News.

In an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Abdulaziz Azzouqa, the executive director of digital innovation and AI at the MEP, highlighted enhancements to Data Saudi, which presents and analyzes a wide range of the Kingdom’s economic and social indicators.

The platform is now equipped with agentic AI that allows users to query, visualize and download customized datasets, generating deeper insights for policymakers, investors and researchers.

Azzouqa said: “(It) allows users to ask anywhere, from simple questions to specific or complex questions, and the platform responds in a structured format and allows additional features.”

The platform instantly generates visual reports and this enables “more seamless access to quality economic data,” he added.

The ministry has also launched the Data Explorer platform, which allows stakeholders to customize datasets and access the full Data Saudi database.

AI and technological innovation have been central to discussions in Davos this year, with Saudi officials emphasizing the Kingdom’s role as a reliable partner in addressing global challenges such as digital transformation, sustainability, and human capital.

Experts speaking at Saudi House, the Kingdom’s pavilion at Davos, and in related panels have underscored the importance of inclusive, AI-powered data ecosystems in driving economic competitiveness, sustainable development, and people-centered growth.

Azzouqa said feedback from stakeholders had been positive, adding that enhancements to Data Saudi will continue, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of data-driven policymaking and innovation in the region.