RIYADH: The five-day cultural, educational and recreational display dubbed “Hakaya Festival” concluded here this week with 65,000 taking part in the event from various segments of society.
The event, organized by the Riyadh Development Authority (ADA), attracted an unending stream of visitors till the closing day, said Eng. Khaled Al-Hazzani, the head of the festival.
He said such a creative and innovative event helps the community to spend their valuable time on their culture and learning atmosphere.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, who is also chairman of ADA, attended the opening of the event. The prince likes to remain interconnected through all walks of life in the city, introducing reading as a good habit, especially for youngsters.
“Such events bolster visitors’ potential to imagine and create in story-making, learning how to write it down, draw illustrations, imagine the scenarios, enjoy following it up and turning it into digital content,” he said.
Al-Hazzani said that ADA will continue its role in developing cultural dimensions of the city, which comprises a long development plan by the leadership for the sake of the people and environment.
On the occasion of Martyrs’ Day, the official said: “We have dedicated the fourth day [of the festival] to commemorate the martyrs, who sacrificed their souls to redeem the motherland and died as martyrs defending its soil, in order to remind us of their great heroic role and their enormous sacrifices for the sake of the motherland.”
65,000 visitors take part in 5-day Hakaya Festival
65,000 visitors take part in 5-day Hakaya Festival
Madinah governor launches project highlighting Prophet’s Hijrah legacy
MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan inaugurated the Ala Khutah (In His Footsteps) project, which allows visitors to trace the Hijrah (Prophet Muhammad’s migration) route within an organized framework.
The project highlights the historical significance of the event, promotes awareness of the Prophet’s biography, and supports sustainable cultural and economic development along the route, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Prince Salman emphasized that the project reflects the Kingdom’s leadership in serving the holy sites and enhancing the experience of visitors and pilgrims.
He noted that it integrates faith, knowledge, and development, showcasing Islam’s values of justice, mercy, tolerance, and coexistence, thereby reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as the heart of the Islamic world.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, said that the project’s first phase aims to welcome 1 million visitors, targeting 5 million by 2030, with potential expansion to 10 million.
The project aligns with Vision 2030, strengthening the care of historical sites and enriching visitors’ cultural and spiritual experiences in Madinah and beyond.
