A journey through time: Tahlel Museum’s tribute to Asir’s culture 

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The Tahlel Museum, located in a small traditional house atop Soudah Mountain, was created by an Asiri woman named Halima Asiri. (AN photos by Rahaf Jambi)
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Updated 25 May 2024
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A journey through time: Tahlel Museum’s tribute to Asir’s culture 

  • The museum is home to many heritage pieces, including coins, traditional costumes, wood art, and agricultural tools
  • It also includes the owner's artistic works of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, geometric shapes, and tribal symbols painted in vibrant colors 

ASIR: Perched atop the Souda Mountains in the Abha region of Asir province in southern Saudi Arabia is a modest museum created by an Asiri woman called Halima Asiri. 

Passionate about old Saudi heritage, Asiri established the Tahlel Museum in a small traditional house. 




Halima Asiri is a woman who is passionate about old Saudi heritage, which led her to establish the Tahlel Museum. The museum is a small house in the shape of old Saudi buildings. (AN photo by Rahaf Jambi)

It includes many heritage pieces, including coins, traditional costumes, wood art, and agricultural tools. It also includes her artistic works of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, geometric shapes, and tribal symbols painted in vibrant colors. 

“This is my small museum, where I exhibit the work of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, a kind of natural color painting that have been certified by UNESCO as part of the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Each pattern has a name and a symbolic meaning. Men do not practice this art, thus women are the only ones who specialize in it,” Asiri told Arab News. 

Asiri is one of the few women who still uses natural materials to create the art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri. These colors are extracted from coal, rice, turmeric, pomegranate peel, stones and other sources. 

“I take 24 colors from nature, such as clover, coal, stone, and leaves, grind them into a paste, and use that paste to paint canvases and walls,” she said.

Ancient coffee and teapots, clay cups, copper household utensils, and other artifacts are on display in one of the rooms. 




Tahlel Museum owner Halima Asiri is one of the few women who still uses natural materials to create the art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri. (AN photos by Rahaf Jambi)

“The handcrafted items found here date back to 400-500 years, and the people of the Asir region used them all,” Asiri said. 

She incorporated a model of the old town in which she formerly resided in the museum. The town has since fallen into ruin. 

“The old roads were difficult, and women had to carry wood, walk, and climb mountains to get to their homes. The model that I constructed depicts the hardship and strength of women in Asir,” she explained. 

The museum also features the traditional attire worn by women in the Asir region. 

“I have items of clothing that Asir women wear on their wedding night. I also have regular clothes, like straw hats,” she added. 

Asiri started collecting antiques that date back centuries when she was young, and she made sure to collect antiques and present them in her museum in a unique way. 

There are numerous kinds of swords, weapons, and clothing that the locals used in battle displayed on the walls. 

The location also features a workshop where guests can learn how to paint Al-Qatt Al-Asiri works, in addition to selling her artwork on commission. 

“I teach Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art as a trainer. I frequently get big groups of people, and not so long ago, I trained a group of foreign women,” she said. 

The museum is also linked to a cafe where she serves traditional Asiri dishes like areekah using natural honey. 

“Many foreigners have visited, including ambassadors and ministers,” she said. 

Asiri greets visitors when entering the museum with a famous Asiri phrase, “a thousand welcomes.”

Owing to its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, the Asir region is highly sought-after by those seeking to explore unspoiled landscapes, wander through charming villages, and explore historic castles. 
 


2nd ‘Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought’ conference concludes in Makkah

Updated 08 March 2025
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2nd ‘Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought’ conference concludes in Makkah

  • Participants from more than 90 countries discuss development of comprehensive Islamic identity
  • 1,800-page ‘Encyclopedia of Islamic Intellectual Harmony’ prepared by 60 scholars

MAKKAH: The second “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought” international conference concluded in Makkah early on Saturday, with participants from more than 90 countries adopting the “Encyclopedia of Islamic Intellectual Harmony.”
Held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the two-day conference gathered senior muftis, scholars, and thinkers who also approved the strategic and executive plan for the document “Building Bridges between Islamic Sects,” a media statement said on Saturday.
The conference was organized by the Muslim World League and held under the theme “Towards an Effective Islamic Alliance.”
The high-level session dedicated to the recitation of the conference’s final statement, which was issued at dawn on Saturday, was attended by the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, and Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, Sheikh Dr. Mohamed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa; Member of the Council of Experts for Leadership in Iran, Sheikh Ahmed Mobalghi; Adviser at the Royal Court in Saudi Arabia, Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid; Head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais; Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Mustafa Qutb Sano; Member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Youssef bin Mohamed bin Saeed; and the Mufti of Sidon in Lebanon, Sheikh Mohamed Osseiran.
The attendees witnessed the launch of the “Encyclopedia of Islamic Intellectual Harmony,” which was supervised by the Intellectual Protection Center at the Saudi Ministry of Defense, and was prepared by 60 scholars over about 1,800 pages.
The encyclopedia was refereed by the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League to be a roadmap for relations between Muslim sects.
Participants also decided in the final statement to consider the “Document on Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought” with its 28 articles as the basis and starting point for the path of joint Islamic action “scientifically” and “intellectually,” with a view to strengthening brotherhood and solidarity among the peoples of Muslim nations.
The attendees further extended their sincere thanks to the leadership of the Kingdom for the great services they are providing to Islam and Muslims.
They also affirmed their pride in the comprehensive Islamic identity, and their supportive stance toward the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land, and their rejection of displacement and destruction projects.
The conference witnessed several sessions addressing developments in Palestine, Sudan, and Syria, as well as issues concerning Muslim minorities around the world.


Medical scooters to help worshippers in Madinah

Madina Health Cluster launches emergency scooter service for rapid medical assistance at the Prophet’s Mosque. (SPA)
Updated 08 March 2025
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Medical scooters to help worshippers in Madinah

  • The new initiative “reflects the Madina Health Cluster’s efforts toward visitors’ safety and wellbeing”

MADINAH: The Madinah Health Cluster has launched a new emergency scooter service at the Prophet’s Mosque to enable paramedics to provide quick medical assistance to visitors during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

With thousands of worshippers filling the mosque’s courtyards, moving through the crowds can be challenging for medical teams. The scooters will make it easier for them to “navigate busy areas, attend to urgent cases, and transfer patients to nearby hospitals and care centers if needed,” according to the SPA.

FASTFACTS

• With thousands of worshippers filling the mosque’s courtyards, moving through the crowds can be challenging for medical teams.

• The scooters will make it easier for them to ‘navigate busy areas, attend to urgent cases, and transfer patients to nearby hospitals.’

Ninety-one people have already benefited from the service since its launch, the SPA reported. All of them were referred to healthcare facilities in the central area, including Al-Shifa Health Endowment, Haram Emergency Hospital, and the Safiyyah and Bab Jibreel Urgent Care Centers.

The new initiative “reflects the Madina Health Cluster’s efforts toward visitors’ safety and wellbeing,” the SPA stated.

 


40 women rangers recruited for Saudi royal reserve

Updated 08 March 2025
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40 women rangers recruited for Saudi royal reserve

  • Additions take female representation to 34% of team on International Women’s Day

RIYADH: Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve marked International Women’s Day by announcing the expansion of its pioneering all-women ranger unit, one of the largest in the Middle East.

“Women are breaking new ground at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, one patrol at a time,” Andrew Zaloumis, CEO at the reserve, said. “Their presence strengthens our conservation efforts, brings new ideas to the table, and helps connect our communities to conservation in ways we have never seen before.”

With 40 new recruits, women now comprise 34 percent of the reserve’s ranger team — surpassing the global average of 11 percent and setting a new regional benchmark. These 84 nature rangers play a critical role in protecting the reserve’s landscapes, culture and wildlife.

The reserve’s all-women ranger unit calls itself Al Anqas (the phoenix), symbolizing a new beginning for Saudi women in conservation. Through their daily patrols and interactions, the rangers challenge perceptions and engage local communities in meaningful discussions around nature protection and conservation practices.

Rogayah Awad Al-Balawi, a ranger from Al-Sudayd in Al-Wajh Governorate, embodies the spirit of the initiative. Her journey, from a traditional Bedouin upbringing to becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s pioneering female wildlife rangers, highlights resilience and determination.

She said: “The job was described as a ranger, which was a new concept for me. No Saudi woman had worked in this field before, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect.”

Now, alongside her colleagues, she regularly patrols the reserve’s vast landscapes, using her local knowledge to help safeguard its wildlife and habitats. “Having local women in these roles is crucial. We understand the land, its people, and its unique needs,” she said.

Asma Khdeer, senior manager of capacity building and natural resource use management, has played a key role in ranger training, and asked: “Who is there better to support local people to make meaningful change in their community than someone who understands the challenges?”

She told of her pride in watching new recruits navigate rugged terrain, track wildlife and participate in their first patrols, and added: “It felt like the stereotypes we’ve faced as women were finally being dismantled — not with speeches but actions. That’s what makes our work transformative. Women bring a unique perspective to conservation, thinking about families and future generations.”

Each year thousands of applicants compete for limited positions on the reserve’s ranger training program. Selected candidates undergo an intensive four-day selection process, testing their physical fitness, teamwork and character. Successful recruits then take on a rigorous nine-week training course led by Ali Al-Balawi, the reserve’s capacity-building supervisor.

The comprehensive training covers essential topics such as conservation management, technical field skills, wildlife monitoring, tracking, off-road driving, cultural heritage conservation, self-defense, incident reporting, first aid, and disaster management.

The reserve continues to reinforce its vision of creating a vibrant society and thriving economy by empowering local women and providing them with employment and training opportunities.


Saudi ambassador meets Mauritanian minister

Abdulaziz Al-Raqqabi (L) and Mohammed Salem Ould Merzoug in Nouakchott. (Supplied)
Updated 08 March 2025
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Saudi ambassador meets Mauritanian minister

  • The officials reviewed relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Mauritania Abdulaziz Al-Raqqabi met with Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad Mohammed Salem Ould Merzoug in Nouakchott, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

During the meeting, the officials reviewed relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop cooperation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji met with Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of Senegal Yassine Fall in Jeddah on Friday.

 


20,000 arrested for violation of regulations across Saudi Arabia

Updated 08 March 2025
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20,000 arrested for violation of regulations across Saudi Arabia

  • The total number of violators apprehended across all regions reached 20,749, including 13,871 violators of the residency system, 3,517 of border security regulations, and 3,361 of labor regulations

RIYADH: Joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations were conducted across all regions of the Kingdom during the period from Feb. 27 to March 5.

The total number of violators apprehended across all regions reached 20,749, including 13,871 violators of the residency system, 3,517 of border security regulations, and 3,361 of labor regulations.

The number of individuals apprehended while attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom was 1,051. Of these, 43 percent were of Yemeni nationality, 54 percent of Ethiopian nationality, and 3 percent of other nationalities. Additionally, 90 people were apprehended for attempting to cross the border out of the Kingdom unlawfully.

Individuals were arrested for their involvement in transporting, sheltering, employing, and harboring violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations.

The total number of violators currently undergoing procedures for regulatory enforcement is 40,173. The figure includes 35,862 men.