Hands-on faith: henna tradition inspires first-time fasters in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region

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Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)
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Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)
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Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)
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Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)
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Updated 04 March 2025
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Hands-on faith: henna tradition inspires first-time fasters in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region

  • These cherished customs are integral to the cultural and social identity of the people in the Northern Borders region

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, the holy month of Ramadan brings a surge of traditions, including henna painting for young girls fasting for the first time.

Saudi Press Agency reports that families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable.




Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)

The festive designs, which are tied to joy and celebration, boost the girls’ enthusiasm and pride as they showcase their decorated hands, strengthening Ramadan’s spirit.

Wejdan Al-Anzi, a resident of Arar, told SPA: “For years, we have made it a tradition to apply henna on our daughters’ hands when they begin fasting.




Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)

“It is a delightful custom that helps children feel connected to the Ramadan spirit shared by the adults around them.”

Afaf Al-Thuwaini also highlighted that this tradition extends beyond mere aesthetics; it cultivates essential religious and social values in children, helping them connect fasting with an atmosphere of joy and celebration.

These cherished customs are integral to the cultural and social identity of the people in the Northern Borders region.

These simple yet meaningful traditions foster a deep appreciation for devotion in children, playing a significant role in shaping their religious and social character.

 


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 57 min 38 sec ago
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.