Beit Hail Festival showcases regional heritage, attracts tourists
Updated 28 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Now in its fourth year, the Beit Hail Festival has established itself as a prominent cultural, tourism, and entertainment event, attracting many visitors to the region.
The festival showcases traditional handicrafts that reflect Hail’s historical roots and offers interactive activities and performances, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
These elements celebrate the region’s heritage and community identity while blending tradition with modern touches, the SPA reported.
Held under the patronage of the Hail governor and supported by his deputy, the two-week festival aims to highlight local folkloric heritage and strengthen national identity.
It includes artistic performances, traditional crafts, authentic foods, and tourism-focused events aligned with Vision 2030 goals.
Over the past three editions, the festival has drawn steady attendance from local and international visitors, especially during summer holidays.
Visitors appreciate the diverse pavilions, cultural displays, performances, and art exhibitions, according to the report.
The festival also helps promote community participation and support the local economy by offering opportunities and events for productive families and small businesses.
Samia Suleiman Al-Jabri, associate professor of modern history at Hail University, said handicrafts remain a vital part of Hail’s heritage, preserving ancient traditions through crafts such as sadu weaving, pottery, wickerwork, and other arts rooted in Bedouin culture.
Al-Jabri added that over its three editions, the festival has organized events and launched numerous initiatives and workshops to document and safeguard traditional crafts, teach them to younger generations, and connect artisans directly with the public.
Crown prince discusses Palestinian statehood at Saudi cabinet meeting in Neom
Cabinet praises international consensus supporting establishment of an independent Palestinian state
Updated 12 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the cabinet session in Neom on Tuesday, briefing ministers on his recent meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Discussions between the two leaders addressed bilateral relations, regional issues, and developments in Palestine, state news agency SPA reported.
The crown prince also updated the cabinet on his call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who expressed appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting Palestinian statehood and encouraging international recognition.
Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari said the cabinet welcomed announcements by Australia and New Zealand regarding recognition of the State of Palestine, praising growing global consensus around a two-state solution with 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital.
The cabinet also condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, describing them as occupation and accusing the Israeli authorities of committing starvation, ethnic cleansing, and other violations. It warned that the inability of the international community and the UN Security Council to halt such actions undermines international law and threatens global stability.
The cabinet also reviewed matters on Ukraine, reiterated the Kingdom’s support for diplomatic efforts toward resolving the crisis, following a phone call between the crown prince and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The council also welcomed the announcement of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing hope for stability in the region.
OIC condemns killing of journalists in Gaza, calls for international action
The OIC held Israel, as the occupying power, responsible for the incident
Updated 12 August 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Tuesday the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qureiqi, along with several other media professionals, following Israel’s targeting of a journalists’ tent in Gaza City.
In a statement, the OIC described the attack as a violation of international law and a breach of press freedom, noting that 242 journalists have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territory since Oct. 7, 2023.
The organization said these actions form part of what it called systematic violations against the media, aimed at obstructing the flow of information to the global community.
The OIC held Israel, as the occupying power, responsible for the incident and called for an international investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
It also urged relevant international institutions to take urgent measures to prevent the targeting of journalists and ensure their protection in line with international humanitarian law and related conventions.
Saudi crown prince, Ukraine’s Zelensky discuss peace efforts
Zelensky thanked Saudi Arabia for its role in promoting peace
Updated 11 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss developments in the Ukraine crisis on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Mohammed reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for efforts aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and facilitating dialogue.
Zelensky, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting peace.
Local researcher reveals Saudi Arabia’s impressive underground attractions
Updated 11 August 2025
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is home to a vast network of caves and geological cavities formed over millions of years. The sites provide dramatic natural formations and rich stories about the region’s history.
With their adventure appeal, scientific value, and environmental diversity, these underground wonders are emerging as a promising tourism frontier, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
In an interview with Arab News, cave researcher and adventurer Hassan Al-Rashidi shared his experiences exploring these hidden landscapes, describing how his passion began in childhood.
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied)
He said: “The real starting point came in 2018 when I began filming and uploading videos for some friends, which received great interaction from the public. This encouraged me even more, especially after people from across the Kingdom reached out (by) asking to explore unknown sites.”
Among the many sites he has visited, Al-Rashidi enthuses over Abu Al-Waul Cave in Madinah’s Khaybar Governorate, east of Al-Thamad village, as the most remarkable for depth and natural formations.
It lies in the middle of Harrat Khaybar and is surrounded by other notable caves such as Maker Al-Shaiheen, Umm Jersan, Abu Jamajem, and Al-Sibaa Cave.
HIGHLIGHTS
• With their adventure appeal, scientific value, and environmental diversity, caves are emerging as a promising tourism frontier, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
• Cave exploration carries risks such as possible collapses, which may be avoided by steering clear of unstable zones and exiting immediately if danger is detected.
• Some caves in the Kingdom remain closed to the public for safety, or to protect their archeological value.
Abu Al-Waul is the longest cave discovered in the Kingdom so far, stretching 5 km, and is still being studied, Al-Rashidi said.
According to researcher Hassan Al-Rashidi caves are ‘a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.’ (Supplied)
The interiors of caves vary, with stalactites and stalagmites creating unique and stunning visuals.
Wildlife sightings are common, and Al-Rashidi said: “We have observed animals such as foxes, hyenas, and wolves, which use caves as a safe shelter during the day, coming out at night to hunt and bring food for their young.”
He added that cave exploration required careful preparation, from modern distance-measuring devices, and ropes and supports for slippery areas, to food, water, first aid kits, sturdy footwear, helmets, and lighting with spare batteries.
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied)
Al-Rashidi added that volcanic caves form when the outer layer of lava cools while the inner part remains molten and flows onward, while calcareous sandstone caves date back millions of years and are formed from compacted sand layers shaped by rainfall and other climatic factors.
Cave exploration carries risks such as possible collapses, which may be avoided by steering clear of unstable zones and exiting immediately if danger is detected.
Some caves in the Kingdom remain closed to the public for safety, or to protect their archaeological value.
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied)
Highlighting their cultural and economic potential, Al-Rashidi called caves “a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.”
He believes Saudi Vision 2030 — supported by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — offers the Kingdom a real chance to develop cave tourism as a sustainable economic resource.
He said: “Caves can be an economic resource through tourism and scientific research, as well as by opening employment and educational opportunities, in addition to (being the basis of) national research for the benefit of the nation’s citizens.”
According to researcher Hassan Al-Rashidi caves are ‘a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.’ (Supplied)
Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth’s age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within.
Al-Rashidi said that developing the sector will require improved infrastructure and the imposition of strict safety measures, in addition to providing engaging visitor experiences while encouraging strong public awareness of preserving the natural sites.
The Saudi leadership aims to boost ties with African countries at all levels
Updated 11 August 2025
SPA
JEDDAH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi received Ghana’s Consul General Abdul Rahaman Adam at his office on Monday.
The officials held discussions on topics of common interest. The Saudi leadership aims to boost ties with African countries at all levels.
Last month, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership with African countries, promoting trade and integration and enhancing consultation and coordination on shared issues.
The minister described Africa as a continent of opportunities with natural resources, a young population and renewable potential.
“Africa hosts the largest number of Saudi diplomatic and consular missions, and the Kingdom intends to increase its embassies in Africa to more than 40 in the coming years,” he said.
