Global traditions shine at Ithra’s Eid festivities

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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Highlights included a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, known for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Highlights included a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, known for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Ithra attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs. (@VisitIthra)
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Highlights included a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, known for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles. (@VisitIthra)
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Updated 11 June 2025
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Global traditions shine at Ithra’s Eid festivities

  • Visitors of all ages enjoyed more than 31 events, including artistic displays, live performances and interactive experiences under the theme “The Ribbon of Giving”

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed more than 31 events, including artistic displays, live performances and interactive experiences under the theme “The Ribbon of Giving.”

Highlights included a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, known for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles.

The “A Melody from Every Land” event drew large crowds by showcasing diverse Eid customs and traditions from various cultures.

The center was beautifully decorated to reflect the spirit of giving. The Ithra Library shared Eid stories exploring different aspects of generosity.

The Energy Exhibit featured interactive displays such as “Nature’s Bounty,” “Treasures from the Desert,” “Wings of Giving” and “Wealth of Nature.”

In Ithra Gardens, visitors engaged with experiences such as “The Gift of Storytelling” and “Pathways of Earth and Palm.”

The Children’s Museum offered a range of activities, including “The Kindness Keeper,” “The Giving Reflection,” “The Art of Giving,” “The Eid Journey,” and “The Gift of Us.”

Ithra Cinema screened content featuring the Japanese manga character Chibi Maruko-chan, along with the animated fantasy film “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” subtitled in Arabic.

Other festive highlights included a 96 km trek along the historic Hajj trail, reviving stories of persistence and generosity passed down through generations.


Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah

Updated 19 December 2025
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Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah

  • The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be the first of its kind in the Kingdom
  • The vehicles operate in dedicated bus lanes within a network that includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them

MAKKAH: A pioneering electric bus service took to the road in Makkah this week.

Electromin, the developer and operator of the service in partnership with Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction, said it is expected to serve more than 125 million passengers over the next 15 years, while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 31,500 tonnes compared with traditional vehicles.

The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be one of the first of its kind in the Kingdom. It was inaugurated on Wednesday by Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairperson of Al-Dabbagh Group; Samir Nawar, managing director of Petromin; and Yasser Abu Ateeq, CEO of Umm Al-Qura.

The bus rapid transit project is designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services. (Supplied)

Electromin, a subsidiary of Petromin specializing in energy and mobility solutions, said the new service, which forms part of the Masar Destination mixed-use real estate development project in Makkah, is one the first transport networks of its kind in the country, and represents a significant shift toward a cleaner, more efficient urban transport model.

It operates in dedicated bus lanes, connecting key hubs within Masar and providing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation for residents and visitors, the company added. The network includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them. It has been designed to serve more than 5 million visitors and pilgrims annually, and to be easily accessible to all users.

Operators say the service is designed as a foundation for Makkah’s future transportation system, through its integration with the broader Masar project, which includes pedestrian walkways, more than 5,000 parking spaces, metro services and other urban infrastructure.