MAKKAH: Madinah’s date palms provided the perfect backdrop for a 10-kilometer race that attracted almost 2,000 competitors on Saturday.
The race, organized as part of Madinah Dates Season, began at the Madinah National Park and passed through the Khalil farms.
Runners competed on three routes, including one designed for competitors with disabilities, with race stages named after renowned local date varieties, including anbarah, ajwa, berni, saqai, and majdool.
The event was attended by several volunteer groups and government entities. A total of SR30,000 ($8,000) in prizes were awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
The Madinah Dates Season exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in partnership with the National Center for Palms and Dates and the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, was launched in early October.
As part of the exhibition, Camp Wrth for Handicrafts, organized by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), aims to teach and promote awareness of traditional Saudi arts.
The camp brings together 49 young men and women from various regions across the Kingdom.
Sessions at the camp offer opportunities to learn traditional skills, engage in handicrafts, and create products inspired by local heritage, as well as participate in cooking demonstrations.
Abdullah Al-Zawawi, a member of the Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Chamber, told Arab News that each year the Madinah region competes with other regions of Saudi Arabia in the production and export of dates.
“Madinah exports 97.9 million kilograms of dates to more than 60 countries, sharing a message of love, peace, and genuine Saudi generosity with people worldwide,” he said.
At least 28 date varieties are exported, including ajwa, sukkari, safawi, anbara, sagai, majdool, barhi, barni, and mabroom — all cultivated by the region’s 27,000 farms, Al-Zawawi said.
“Each year, more than 20 date factories in Madinah compete to present their finest products to over 14 million visitors, welcoming them with the renowned warmth and generosity of Madinah’s people. Blessed with 4 million palm trees, the region’s date industry generates an impressive SR948.5 million annually.”
He said that the government offers significant support under Vision 2030, as demonstrated by the dedicated efforts of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in the Madinah region.
The ministry prioritizes quality at every stage of date production — from cultivation and harvesting to marketing — ensuring that Madinah dates reach global markets in peak condition.
The exhibition features the harvest of more than 29,000 regional farms, highlighting their vital role in supporting and strengthening food security strategies across the Kingdom.
A virtual reality area allows visitors to immerse themselves in the farming experience, bringing the harvest to life, and fostering greater environmental and agricultural awareness.
More than 50 sales outlets, a tasting and cooking area, and displays of traditional handicrafts are among other attractions.
A range of government and private organizations are also present to highlight initiatives in the agricultural sector, and showcase financial and logistical services available to regional investors.
“The Madinah Dates Season stands out as a vibrant and multifaceted event within our series of date seasons,” Lulu Walid, director of the Madinah Dates Season, told Arab News.
“The season is characterized by a unique visual identity, with colors that represent different elements of the dates sector, such as the distinctive hue of ajwa dates, exclusive to Madinah. This season offers a rich variety of events across multiple fields.”
She said the season’s activities began with auctions showcasing the finest dates from Madinah’s farms, alongside an AI hackathon with prizes totaling up to SR900,000.
The exhibition also features 46 pavilions showcasing and selling date products from local businesses and families, fostering support for the community and promoting small industries.
