Wooden wonders of Baha — female artists revive artistic cultural heritage

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Those taking part learn traditional Islamic, geometric and floral decorative patterns, with several female artists creating striking designs. (SPA)
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Updated 17 December 2024
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Wooden wonders of Baha — female artists revive artistic cultural heritage

  • The initiative particularly empowered women to master skills like wood carving, which are deeply embedded in the region’s cultural fabric and architectur

RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Baha region a new wave of female artists is breathing life into centuries-old decorative arts, preserving a heritage once at risk of fading into obscurity.

The area’s architecture has long been a symbol of cultural richness. Visitors are intrigued by the artistry of Baha’s historic buildings with their carved wooden features. Etched, burned and painted, they are testimony to a vanishing craft.

The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, backed by the Ministry of Culture, has initiated a series of workshops to revive these traditional skills.




Those taking part learn traditional Islamic, geometric and floral decorative patterns, with several female artists creating striking designs. (SPA)

Ali Al-Baidani, director of the society, said: “Through these workshops, notably the ornamental basics course, we preserve these centuries-old techniques while nurturing a new generation of interested individuals and artists,” he said.

So far, the 10-week program — which features a two-hour session every Saturday — has attracted 20 participants across a range of age groups. Those taking part learn traditional Islamic, geometric and floral decorative patterns, with several female artists creating striking designs.

Abdulaziz Al-Majthel, a calligrapher and visual artist, explained the curriculum covers these styles through both theoretical and hands-on training. Plans are also in hand to exhibit the most significant works produced during the workshops.

He added the initiative particularly empowered women to master skills like wood carving, which are deeply embedded in the region’s cultural fabric and architecture.

Laila Al-Hamid, who supervises the workshops, pointed out how art has historically been a marker of distinction in Baha, influencing everything from the decoration of doors, windows, and columns to personal artifacts.

Trainee Eidah Al-Zahrani said the workshop has transformed perspectives on wood carving and ornamentation, shifting it from a cultural identifier to a viable economic craft.

“Our ancestors carved wood with simple yet masterful strokes, creating a spiritual connection between artisan and craft that bridges time, place, authenticity, and history,” he said.

Badriya Al-Zahrani, another artist, added: “The workshop represents more than just skill development. This is about preserving a handicraft that has resisted both technology and time through programs and workshops organized by cultural institutions.”

In Baha, the legacy of ornamental art goes beyond architectural elements, influencing everyday items from farming tools to traditional attire, ensuring the region’s artistic heritage continues to thrive in contemporary times.

 


Turaif traces historical, cultural mosaic to pre-Islamic era

Updated 03 July 2025
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Turaif traces historical, cultural mosaic to pre-Islamic era

  • Evidence of Stone Age settlements in the region
  • Has Tapline, Kingdom’s first industrial heritage site

TURAIF: Located in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, Turaif governorate stands as a crossroads of ancient civilizations and a gateway to Iraq and the Levant.

The governorate is home to a range of rich cultural and heritage sites, many of which date back to pre-Islamic times.

Heritage Commission sign board at the archaeological site of Qasr Duqrah, located 40 kilometers southwest of Turaif governorate. (SPA)

Among the most prominent heritage landmarks is the archaeological site of Qasr Duqrah, situated 40 km southwest of the governorate.

Adjacent to it lies a mountain known as Aqran, also referred to as Duqrah Mount, which has been recorded under the Comprehensive Archaeological Survey Program.

Zahi Al-Khalawi, a member of the Saudi Historical Society, said the site is among the Kingdom’s most significant archaeological locations because there is evidence of human settlements dating to the Stone Age.

He said habitation at the site continued through the later Roman period (2 to 6 centuries C.E.) and persisted into the Umayyad era (661 to 750 C.E.).

Another landmark is the Trans-Arabian Pipeline, or Tapline, one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant industrial heritage sites.

The pipeline stretches from the east of the Kingdom to its north, passing through Turaif, and has been registered in the National Industrial Heritage Register.

Known as the Tapline, this oil pipeline stretches from eastern Saudi Arabia to the northwest, passing through Turaif. (SPA)

It is the first documented industrial heritage site in the Kingdom, representing the early stages of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry and its developmental and economic significance.

Also noteworthy is the culturally significant site of Qaru Turaif, a water source developed by the Tapline Co. in the 1950s to help settle nomadic communities by order of the late King Abdulaziz.

To the east of Turaif, about 25 km away, stands Jabal Umm Waal, a historic landmark and northern gateway into the Arabian Peninsula.

The mountain tells the stories of Bedouin life and the passage of trade caravans and pilgrims traveling from the Levant and Iraq. For centuries, it served as a safe route for travelers making their way southward.

 


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

  • Kingdom’s foreign ministry said the move would violate international laws

RIYADH: A government minister’s threat for Israel to apply full sovereignty over the occupied West Bank was strongly condemned by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom “condemned and denunciated” the statement made by the Israeli official calling for the imposition of sovereignty over the Palestinian territory.

Such action would be a violation of international law, the statement said. Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements on Palestinian land, the ministry added, while reiterating the Kingdom’s position on the importance of Israel abiding by international resolutions.

The statement followed comments from Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin saying “the time has come” for Israel to apply sovereignty across the West Bank.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967 and has built dozens of settlements, deemed illegal under international law, across the territory.

The Saudi foreign ministry offered its support for the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights and in establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 


Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 88,518 Anker portable chargers across multiple models due to a potential internal electrical short circuit that may cause overheating and pose a fire risk.

The ministry urged consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and contact Anker at the toll-free number 8008500030 to arrange a replacement or full refund, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Consumers can check if their device is included in the recall and start the replacement or refund process by visiting anker.com/mmrc2506.

Users are also advised to verify the model number of their charger against the list of affected products on the Defective Products Recall Center website ecalls.sa.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety and stressed the importance of promptly addressing product defects to prevent potential hazards.


GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Updated 02 July 2025
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GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi participated in the 39th Meeting of the Directors-General of Passports of the GCC countries, held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, he reviewed the latest developments, including the Gulf visa project.

The passport departments of the interior ministries of GCC countries, through a series of joint meetings, are making efforts to launch a unified tourist visa project in the near future, the General Secretariat said in a report.

“Everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterised by rapid change,” Albudaiwi said.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The latest regional and international developments were also discussed.