Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter: Where peace reigns

The Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) in the Saudi capital is a tourist attraction by day and a safe haven by night. During the day, it virtually looks like a park.
Both sides of the main road are dotted with date trees, which bear fruit when in season, while embassies with artistic and unique architecture are decked out with ornamental plants and surrounded by shady trees, making motorists and visitors alike immensely admire the place.
Peace and quiet prevail after office hours as darkness slowly descends on the city. Hardly anything can be heard except for the chattering of birds making use of the fast-fading light to take the best possible perch on trees.
Once in a while, the silence is punctured by the sounds of passing cars driven by motorists residing in various residential areas inside the DQ and others passing through.
Police at checkpoints become more meticulous during this time as they flag down motorists entering the DQ, especially when there’s no scheduled event at any of the embassies, the Cultural Palace or the Al-Tuwaiq Palace.
This was particularly true during the crackdown on illegal foreign workers last year.
Motorists, however know that they’re just doing their job to ensure safety inside the diplomatic enclave. It is for this reason that many diplomats and other residents of the Saudi capital have decided to live inside the DQ.
Safety is not an issue. One resident said that he sometimes forgets to lock the main door of their house at night or when the family leaves the house during the day.
“Sometimes, laptop, cell phones and even jewelry are left at the living room, but we have never been robbed over the years,” he said. “This is why my family and I have decided to live inside the DQ in spite of higher rents.”
Policemen in the area are polite and insightful.
Residents routinely jog along the street instead of going to the gym.
Families can also be seen walking together at sunset, or in early evening.
Diplomats also choose to live inside the DQ because their embassies are nearby.
“I don’t need to drive a car anymore to get to work. I just walk. My residence is near the embassy where I work,” said one diplomat, who requested anonymity. “I don’t need to get to work in a frenzy like others who live outside the area, who have to wake up early to avoid rush hour traffic.”
The DQ is self-sufficient, with supermarkets, fast-food chains, coffee shops and a petrol station.