Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year – set against a historic landscape – as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present and future. (Walid Nassrallah/Roberto Conte, Courtesy of Designlab Experience)
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Updated 19 March 2025
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Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

RIYADH: Layali Diriyah returns for a fourth year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present and future.

The event, from February to April, focuses on three themes: heritage and craftsmanship; education and knowledge; and nature.

More than just a cultural event, Layali Diriyah is an immersive journey that blends heritage with artistic legacy. Since its debut in January 2023, it has attracted more than 110,000 visitors. 

Led by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, this initiative highlights the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s founding place. 

The retreat combines gastronomy, retail, art and entertainment on a picturesque palm tree farm near At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Visitors can take a culinary journey featuring nine restaurants, a retail village, and five stages presenting predominantly local talent.

A standout feature this year is the Chef’s Table, where high-profile chefs present live cooking demonstrations for groups of up to 23 guests. Each restaurant offers distinct themes, ranging from circular pods nestled among trees for privacy to mudbrick-inspired grilling stations, enhancing the dining experience with cultural resonance.

Installations by local and international artists play a central role in Layali Diriyah. Khulod Albugami’s “Lahauj,” inspired by Najdi architectural windows, symbolizes a bridge between past and present. Dr. Saad Al-Huwaidi’s “Three Golden Stages” narrates the evolution of Saudi identity through the use of “Qitan,” a material from traditional garments representing pivotal moments in the country’s history. 

Hibah Albakree, managing partner and co-founder of Designlab Experience, expressed her excitement about the event. “One of the things that is really nice about Layali Diriyah is the familiarity of the guest journey. Each year, it repeats, giving guests a sense of comfort. If you have to turn left instead of right, people might wonder why it’s different. This familiarity is the anchor of the project.”

As guests navigate the event, they encounter an enchanting display of lights. “Layali is always about lights,” Albakree said.

This year, the lighting has evolved significantly. “In the first year, we used vibrant flowers to create a blooming effect. The second year (we) elevated the lights to highlight the palm trees. This year, we are using oversized lighting elements inspired by local flora, such as palm trees,” she said.

The art installations are not merely decorative, they tell stories deeply woven into Saudi culture. For instance, Zahara Alghamdi’s “Birth of a Place” is an elegy to Diriyah’s ancestral foundations through sculptural clay forms that symbolize cycles of destruction and rebirth.

Minzal, another project developed by Designlab Experience in Diriyah, which lasted until Feb. 22, complements Layali Diriyah. Set in the historic birthplace of Saudi Arabia, Minzal offers an innovative cultural retreat that harmonizes with the rugged landscape. It features diverse experiences such as stargazing, horseriding, live performances, and luxury glamping, all while integrating Saudi heritage.

Yvonne Hoffzimmer, chief operating officer of Designlab Experience, said: “We have three distinct areas: glamping, interactive workshops, and hospitality. It’s a casual, relaxed outdoor experience, allowing guests to spend several hours enjoying the atmosphere. While Layali is typically a shorter experience, Minzal invites guests to immerse themselves fully.”

Minzal has areas for glamping and stargazing, while Birwaz is a vibrant community space for cultural and commercial activities, featuring workshops, food kiosks, and performance zones. 

“The architectural language employs mud-textured finishes and colorful geometries, creating a tactile narrative of the region's legacy,” Hoffzimmer said.

Almashab invites social interaction around a central bonfire, with shisha lounges and tensile structures, providing a space for guests to gather and unwind. The stargazing station features intimate pods designed for celestial exploration, allowing visitors to enjoy astronomy sessions while savoring Saudi coffee.

Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal are more than mere festivals, they are celebrations of Saudi identity, innovation and art, presenting the Kingdom’s rich cultural tapestry while paving the way for future artistic endeavors.


Eastern Province carries out health inspections

Updated 6 sec ago
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Eastern Province carries out health inspections

DAMMAM: Eastern Province Municipality carried out 10,540 inspections of commercial and food establishments in Dammam this month. It is part of the municipality’s plans to ensure compliance with health and municipal regulations, while also promoting food safety in markets, restaurants and shops.

Inspectors identified 931 violations, including cases of noncompliance with municipal and health regulations, improper food handling and storage, failure to meet hygiene and safety standards, and noncompliance with activity and operating licenses.

The municipality said that it will increase inspections of all commercial and food establishments, and encouraged the public to report any health or regulatory violations by contacting the dedicated complaints center (940).


KSrelief distributes 400 food baskets in ​​South Africa

Updated 6 min 21 sec ago
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KSrelief distributes 400 food baskets in ​​South Africa

PRETORIA: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed 400 food baskets to families most in need in Bakerton, ​​South Africa. The move will benefit 2,400 individuals as part of the Etaam Ramadan Food Basket Distribution Project in the country.

The scheme aims to distribute more than 390,000 food baskets to 2,304,104 individuals across 27 countries during the month at a total cost of more than SR67 million ($17.88 million).

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief effort to assist people and nations in need worldwide.

The center also distributed 1,500 food baskets in the Bahri locality of Khartoum State in Sudan, benefiting 10,182 individuals from displaced families. This forms part of the third phase of KSrelief’s food security support project in Sudan.

The project aims to distribute 30,000 food baskets to displaced people returning to their homes under the voluntary return program in different parts of Sudan.


Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign

Updated 20 March 2025
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Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign

  • The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country
  • The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Jood Regions 2 housing campaign has exceeded a total of SR1.4 billion $373 million) in donations and agreements received and made, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country and has received support from King Salman in the form of SR100 million donation, and a SR50 million donation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at strengthening and providing housing stability for 8,690 families.
Noting that the campaign’s donations reflect the cohesion between the leadership and the community, and all parties’ commitment to support sustainable development efforts, minister of municipalities and housing and chairman of the board of trustees of the Sakani Foundation, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, expressed his pride in this national achievement.
Sakani Secretary-General Abdulaziz Al-Kraidis, emphasized that this achievement reflects the power of serving the community and its members’ awareness of the value of contributing to improving each other’s lives.
Al-Kraidis explained that the campaign embodies the commitment of various government, private, and civil society sectors to promoting charitable and housing work.
He said the Sakani Foundation’s continued efforts in strengthening partnerships to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and work toward providing more quality of life-improving programs.
The Wad Al-Iskan platform, another Sakani initiative, which aims to engage all people in supporting and enabling deserving families to obtain adequate housing by submitting contributions online, played a pivotal role in the success of the Jood Regions campaign and enhances social solidarity in Saudi Arabia, according to Al-Kraidis.
The Jood Regions campaign was first launched during Ramadan 2024 to provide more than 10,000 housing units for the most needy families across the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.
The initiative includes events to raise awareness and encourage community participation, bringing together entrepreneurs, leaders and others to ensure citizens can access suitable housing with ease and reliability, fulfilling the goals of developmental housing initiatives.


Al-Najdi Mosque on Farasan Island undergoes phase two restoration in crown prince’s project

Updated 20 March 2025
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Al-Najdi Mosque on Farasan Island undergoes phase two restoration in crown prince’s project

  • Al-Najdi Mosque will cover an area of 609.15 square meters and will be able to accommodate 248 worshipers
  • The mosque, which took 13 years to build, features paintings and inscriptions brought from India

RIYADH: The Al-Najdi Mosque is undergoing phase two restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.

Al-Najdi Mosque, constructed in 1929, is one of the oldest worship sites on Farasan Island in the Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia.

It is currently undergoing restoration as part of the crown prince’s project to open it to the public and to preserve its architectural beauty through plant decorations, artistic formations, and glass voids.

Following the renovation, Al-Najdi Mosque will cover an area of 609.15 square meters and will be able to accommodate 248 worshipers.

The mosque, which took 13 years to build, features paintings and inscriptions brought from India. It is named after Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Tamimi, known as Al-Najdi, the founder of the mosque.

The mosque features a unique pulpit, mihrab, and arches supporting a ceiling adorned with 12 ornate and colorful domes, showcasing a distinctive architectural style, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Najdi Mosque is one of 30 mosques that will be renovated as part of the crown prince’s project, which spans all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.

This includes six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and Jazan. Additionally, one mosque will be renovated in each of the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Al-Qassim.


Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students

Updated 20 March 2025
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Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students

  • The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively
  • Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language

RIYADH: Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University has begun a new initiative to develop the Arabic language skills of non-native speakers on international scholarships at the university.
The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively in various cultural and professional settings, officials at IMSIU told Arab News.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language and its role in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
“This initiative comes within the framework of the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to highlighting the status of the Arabic language and its culture globally,” he said.
“The university is working to employ interdisciplinary academic disciplines to serve the Arabic language and provide language services to government and private sectors, enhancing institutional and cultural communication.”
Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector of IMSIU for education affairs, told Arab News: “Investing in Arabic language education represents a cultural responsibility that requires continuous interaction with changing circumstances of the era.”
“The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to enhance the status of the Arabic language as an essential part of national and cultural identity,” he said.
Dr. Khaled Al-Khara’n, dean of the College of Arabic Language at IMSIU, explained that the initiative targets international scholarship students from around the world.
“It seeks to promote the learning of Arabic as a living language capable of expressing authentic Arab culture,” he said.
“The initiative includes a set of enrichment programs aimed at developing students’ linguistic and creative skills, including training them in creative writing, publishing poetry collections, and engaging them in national and international events.”
Mohammed Al-Ammar, director of the initiative, said that it is part of the university’s efforts to prepare a generation of students proficient in Arabic language skills capable of communicating globally in creative and influential ways.
“IMSIU is working to expand the scope of the Arabic language’s influence academically and culturally, reflecting its commitment to representing national cultural identity,” Al-Ammar said.
“The initiative seeks to build bridges of communication with scholarship graduates to enhance the future impact of the Arabic language in their countries.
“With such steps, IMSIU is contributing to consolidating the status of Arabic as a global language and enhancing its presence in the international cultural scene,” he said.