Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya ‘shaping the future,’ says executive ahead of Six Flags opening

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Minister of Media, Salman Al Dosari speaks at Six Flags Press Conference. (AN Photo Basmah Albasrawi)
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Six Flags Qiddiya Iron Rattler Record Breaking Ride. (AN Photo Basmah Albasrawi)
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Updated 22 December 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya ‘shaping the future,’ says executive ahead of Six Flags opening

  • Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari underscored the Kingdom’s recent monumental achievements in alignment with Six Flags Qiddiya City’s symbolic upcoming opening, stating: “We, in Saudi Arabia do not start where others end, we start where others dream”

RIYADH: Qiddiya is “shaping the future of entire sectors,” the entertainment megaproject’s managing director said at a press conference on Monday ahead of the official opening of Six Flags on Dec. 31.

Abdullah Al-Dawood took to the podium to share his pride in Qiddiya City’s speedy progress.




Six Flags Qiddiya City Entrance. (AN Photo by Basmah Albasrawi)

“Today, Six Flags Qiddiya City is complete, and Aquaarabia is over 95 percent complete,” he said.

With doors set to open in nine days, Al-Dawood made sure to remind the audience that this milestone is only the beginning of a grander vision for Qiddiya City and the Kingdom as a whole.




Abdullah Al-Dawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company speaks at Six Flags Press Conference. (AN Photo by Basmah Albasrawi)

“What we are doing today goes beyond simply developing a project, it is about building a city and shaping the future of entire sectors. God willing, the Kingdom will be among the leading countries in the fields of entertainment, sports, culture and tourism” he said.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari underscored the Kingdom’s recent monumental achievements in alignment with Six Flags Qiddiya City’s symbolic upcoming opening, stating: “We, in Saudi Arabia do not start where others end, we start where others dream.”

En route to the park, Qiddiya executives welcomed members of the press to their grand project as mountains made way to rollercoaster views.

Qiddiya’s progress in becoming a hub for entertainment and sports is visible in the daylight as cranes and construction crew gathered to finalize building some of the most anticipated projects such as Aquaarabia, a waterpark, and golf courses in the heart of the desert.

The park is the first Six Flags outside of North America and forms part of Qiddiya Investment Co.’s flagship development.

 


Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

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Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

RIYADH: A new center for Arabic calligraphy under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially opened in Madinah on Monday.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah region.

He was joined by Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, touring the new facility’s exhibition spaces and receiving briefings on cultural programming and the center’s achievements.

They also viewed collections highlighting Arabic calligraphy’s artistic and historical importance.

Speaking at the opening, Prince Badr said: “From this land of enlightenment and scholarship, we proudly launch a global platform dedicated to Arabic calligraphy as an invaluable cultural asset.”

He went on to credit the crown prince’s “generous and boundless support” for the cultural sector.

The minister said that the center demonstrated to the world the legacy of Arabic calligraphy while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural identity and heritage.

According to Prince Badr, the facility represents an ambitious vision to elevate Arabic calligraphy as both a universal communication tool and an integral element of Arab heritage, art, architecture and design.

The center further aims to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural identity and strengthen its international presence, targeting calligraphers, emerging talents, visual artists, Islamic arts researchers, educational and cultural institutions, as well as art and heritage enthusiasts worldwide.

It will deliver specialized programs including research and archival services, calligraphy instruction, academic grants, a permanent museum, touring exhibitions, an international calligraphy association and a business incubator supporting calligraphy enterprises.

Additional offerings feature artist residency programs, expert-led workshops, and standardized curriculum development, complemented by international educational partnerships aimed at heritage conservation and expanding global appreciation for this time-honored art form.

The center’s establishment in Madinah carries particular significance, given the city’s historical role as the cradle of Arabic calligraphy and its association with transcribing the Qur’an and preserving Islamic knowledge.