RIYADH: Over 376,000 people visited Riyadh International Book Fair 2016, which concluded Saturday, of whom two-thirds were females and children, according to sources at the fair media center.
Among top visitors were President of Saudi Council for Tourism and National Heritage Prince Sultan bin Salman, British Ambassador Simon Collis, Chinese Ambassador Li Chengwen and Deputy Chief of the US Mission Timothy Lenderking.
Around 500 local, Arab, Islamic, and international publishers, and countries participated in the fair, displaying around 1.2 million titles in science, technology, history, literature, politics, religion, languages, geography, medicine, engineering, education and communication.
Countries participated with national booths of different sizes with Greece the guest of honor country for this year.
The attendant of the Greece booth, Haris Pappis, told Arab News, “We did not want to impress visitors with the size and commercial appearance, but rather with the sensitivity, value and originality of our culture,” he said.
The booth displayed around 100 hundred titles on Greek history, archaeology, literature and philosophy. Around 70 percent of the books were in English while the remaining 30 percent were translations of Greek into Arabic.
He said that the booth received around 800 people daily. While some has asked for books on Greek history and philosophers, others asked for information on travel and tourism in Greece.
“I think our participation has contributed in promoting tourism among Saudis, though it was not meant to. I think we will have more Saudi tourists this summer,” said Pappis.
A visitor to to the booth, Rasha Al-Fawaz, a Saudi graduate student at King Saud University in Riyadh, told Arab that she came to the booth searching for literature on Greek artifacts “because archaeologists say that there are Greek influences on Arabian Peninsula artifacts and this falls within my academic interest.”
The US also had also a booth with books displayed on American culture, history and biographies of prominent Americans. “The fair is a good opportunity for us and all participants and visitors to exchange ideas and information freely,” US Cultural Attaché, and supervisor of the booth, David Edginton, told Arab News.
The fair was not only a place for displaying books, but also became business venue. Books worth over SR60 million were sold during the ten days of the fair.
No visitor would miss the scene of men, women and children carrying their purchases of books in big bags or on wheels. One single purchase reached SR60,000. “Therefore, we very much care about participating in this fair. We time printing some of our books close to the opening of the fair. It a season for us,” an Arab publisher told Arab News.
There was almost a total lack of books on the Muslim Brotherhood and Daesh, or books which could cause misunderstanding or controversy between Sunnis and Shiites.
In addition, there were some books withdrawn, such as the books of controversial Egyptian writer Nawal Al-Sadawi, an extremist advocate of women’s rights, due to a demands by visitors to the fair.
Riyadh Book Fair ‘received more than 376,000 visitors’
Riyadh Book Fair ‘received more than 376,000 visitors’
Saudi economy minister meets with senior Italian official
MILAN: Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, met on Saturday Antonio Tajani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, state news agency SPA reported.
The two officials discussed cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries in various sectors.
Global and regional economic developments were also discussed.
Saudi Arabia continues Hajj 2024 preparations as pilgrims arrive
JEDDAH: Sheikh Aima Diakite, President of the Superior Council of Imams of Mosques and Islamic Affairs in Ivory Coast, has praised the services and facilities provided by the Makkah Route Initiative.
Diakite said the program has enabled pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
The Makkah Route Initiative has facilitated procedures for Ivorian pilgrims and worked on overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in order to alleviate the hardship of Hajj, Diakite told state news agency SPA.
Saudi Arabia in 2019 launched the Makkah Route Initiative to help Hajj pilgrims from seven countries — Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye and Ivory Coast — with their visa, customs and passport requirements.
Pilgrims arriving from Jordan and Palestine have also expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for organizing the Hajj process and caring for pilgrims.
Meanwhile, more than 20,000 pilgrims have arrived from Iraq through the Jadidat Arar border crossing of the Kingdom’s Northern Border Region, ahead of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, and were provided with security, health and guidance services by 194 volunteers.
Over at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, 7,808,112 worshippers and visitors have visited the daily prayers last week, according to SPA.
Enforcement of penalties for performing Hajj without a permit begins
- The no-permit, no-Hajj policy will be in effect until June 20, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has began imposing penalties on pilgrims violating Hajj regulations and instructions by undertaking a pilgrimage without a permit.
The areas covered by the no-permit, no-Hajj policy include the city of Makkah, the central area, the holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centers and temporary security checkpoints, according to a report from state news agency SPA.
The rule will be in effect until June 20, 2024.
Any individual – whether citizens, residents, or visitors – found violating Hajj regulations would be fined 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666), and non-citizens would be deported to their home countries and banned from re-entering the Kingdom for a certain period as specified by laws.
The Public Security also said that repeat offenders would have their fines doubled, as the agency stressed the importance of adhering to Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure that the pilgrims can perform their rituals safely and peacefully.
Furthermore, any individual caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit faces imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine of up to 50,000 riyals (13,328), and the vehicle used for transportation would be confiscated.
If the violator is a resident, he will be deported after serving the sentence and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period, in accordance with the law, Public Security said.
The fines would be multiplied according to the number of transported violators, the agency added.
To report such violations, contact (911) in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or (999) in other regions of the Kingdom.
Al-Aan Palace: a lofty landmark of Najran’s heritage
- Constructed in 1688 using traditional practices that incorporated the use of mud and natural resources
RIYADH: Najran’s ancient citadel, Al-Aan Palace, is a landmark of Najrani architecture and heritage. With its unique design, the structure has become a magnet for tourists visiting the southern region to explore its history and culture.
Najran, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, is a region known for its vibrant culture and rich history. Surrounded by the Sarawat Mountains, it stands out for its mudbrick architecture, winding streets and bustling souks.
Al-Aan Palace — also known as Saadan Palace, because it is situated in the village of Saadan — was built in the 1600s on top of Al-Aan Mountain, and its inhabitants would have enjoyed a mesmerizing view of the surrounding landscape.
Saudi architect Khalid Al-Ojyan, from the Royal Commission of Riyadh City, told Arab News about the concept behind the palace and how it was built.
“Al-Aan Palace is a heritage landmark in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “(It) was built in 1100 AH (1688) by Shaikh Mohammad Ismail and HibatuAllah Al-Makrami, the governors of the region.”
Najani architecture was heavily influenced by the natural materials available, Al-Ojyan said. The mixture of rocks and mud created mudbricks, which have been commonly used in the region for centuries.
The palace was largely constructed using these mudbricks, although other natural materials also feature. For example, the ceilings showcase the intricate use of natural materials such as wood from palm tree trunks as well as tamarisk and sidr trees, along with palm fronds, highlighting the region’s reliance on its natural resources and the craftsmanship of its builders.
The circular and rectangular towers surrounding the palace were likely added for strategic defense purposes, Al-Ojyan said.
He highlighted the shape and size of the palace windows, which were also designed to provide protection. On each of the palace’s four stories, the window size increases. The lower levels of the building were designed with smaller windows to protect against intruders.
The palace was renovated by the Saudi Heritage Commission five years ago, both externally and internally, the architect added.
The palace’s architectural features — the mudbrick construction, the use of other natural materials, and its defensive features — all contribute to the experience that Al-Aan Palace provides for visitors while showcasing the culture, heritage, and ingenious building practices of Najran.
Saudi ambassador receives UN’s terror prevention head in Vienna
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Tawlah received Roberto Arbitrio, chief of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s terrorism prevention branch, in Vienna recently.
During the meeting the two men discussed the possibilities of future cooperation between the Kingdom and the UNODC.
Tawlah also met with Doaa Hassan Mirah, the general manager of training and tourism programs at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, during her visit to Austria.
