The chronicle of how Saudi Arabia’s ancient capital Diriyah was transformed

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Updated 22 February 2023
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The chronicle of how Saudi Arabia’s ancient capital Diriyah was transformed

  • The groundwork was laid in 1727 for a quiet town to emerge as a thriving city in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula
  • Settlers flocked to the new state, sparking huge growth in commerce, agriculture, education and architecture

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ancient capital, once a small and sleepy town, saw a significant movement that shook up its community, transforming it into a thriving and vibrant city in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. It was 1727, the year that changed everything.

Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes, and was once the home of the Saudi Royal Family.

In a town with a small population, historians estimate about 70 houses were built at the time before the establishment of the First Saudi State, which indicates the population did not exceed several hundred in the early 18th century AD.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

The First Saudi State saw a flourishing of activity in the area. New settlers from across the region flocked to the new state, sparking huge growth in commerce, agriculture, education and architecture.

“During Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz’s reign, the First Saudi State witnessed great prosperity, as its influence extended to to most parts of the Arabian Peninsula; from the Levant and Iraq to Yemen and Oman, and from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea, with stabilized security and prosperity enjoyed by its citizens in the Arabian Peninsula,” Dr. Badran Al-Honaihen, an expert in the Saudi history, told Arab News.

“The state’s resources increased as a result of that great unity under economic diversification.”

Many factors contributed to the improvement in the quality of life in Diriyah, from its strategic location at the crossroads of ancient trading routes to its lush lands suitable for farming and the diverse markets that sparked economic growth in the region.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

The city was divided into five central districts; Ghasibah, At-Tarafiyyah, Al-Murayih, Al-Qusairen and At-Turaif, which became the center of power soon after the move from Ghasibah to At-Tarafiyyah due to population growth. Each of the districts had a distinctive character and unification was achieved through community outreach and support from the ruling family.

“At-Turaif district witnessed a great architectural renaissance, represented by the building of palaces, public residences, mosques and walls,” Al-Honaihen said.

“Among the most famous architectural renaissances are Salwa Palace, which was the seat of government during the First Saudi State, the palace of Imam Abdullah bin Saud, and the palaces of Prince Saad bin Saud, Prince Omar bin Saud, and Prince Mishari bin Saud,” he said.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

With time, the city’s community diversified and became a hub for students, farmers, traders and people seeking secure livelihoods, bringing much-needed skills to expand the city, and creating a strong demand for building materials and a workforce.

The majority of Diriyah’s population was made up of workers and families occupied in farming, which was the main source of economic growth for the area. Farming was broken down into different categories; those that owned farms, those that looked over others’ lands.

With time, Diriyah changed from an agricultural to a financier community as its economy transformed into a monetary economy and led to the emergence of professionals and specialists operating to meet the needs of local consumption, Al-Honaihen said.

In the Najd region, hospitality was embedded in the culture very early on, and families across the city welcomed travelers and guests, a tradition still upheld to this day. Members of the upper classes, or perhaps a town prince, were hosted in guest houses suitable for their status, with all their needs provided for by the community, a sign of prosperity.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

As a growing capital, the city’s market, also known as Souq Al-Mawsim, was the center of commercial activity. Located in Wadi Hanifa between the At-Turaif district and Al-Bujairi district, it was named due to the variety of goods brought in from across the land, attracting locals and visitors alike.

Historian ibn Bishr described it as a place where the hustle and bustle was evident “as far as the eye can see, in which you only hear the sound of peoples’ movement buying and selling from the shops and saying, I sold and I bought.”

“The market not only represented a commercial movement but it also became a place for education. Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz had a daily lesson that he held at sunrise, and many of the Diriyah’s inhabitants gathered to attend his lessons. During the summer, they used to gather near the eastern shops, and in the winter, near the western shops,” Al-Honaihen said.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

Education became a pillar of the city as Islamic studies and calligraphy, reading, writing and other subjects schools were established in the At-Turaif district. Education was a focus for leaders at the time, who provided students, educators and scholars with housing from the state treasury or from endowments. This notion has transcended time and is still a pillar today.

Local historians believe At-Turaif Mosque was once the place where seminars were led by the country’s scholars and taught religion and calligraphy to students.

For hundreds of years, ancient trade routes went through the city, mainly from the southwest, passing through Najran, moving north into Al-Yamamah, reaching Daumat Al-Jandal, and then east to Iraq and west to Hijaz.

Though it required a difficult and perilous journey to reach it, Al-Honaihen said that “Diriyah’s geographical location is distinguished as a location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and pilgrimage convoys that contributed to the enhancement of trade movement in the Arabian Peninsula,” and provided safe sanctuary for the weary.


Jeddah’s Balad Al-Fan Festival is haven for creative souls

A musical performance regales audiences at the Balad Al-Fan Festival in Jeddah. (AN photo by Saleh Fareed)
Updated 57 min 44 sec ago
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Jeddah’s Balad Al-Fan Festival is haven for creative souls

  • Festival features art competitions, workshops, cultural talks, weekend markets, and live music shows

JEDDAH: Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district has once again transformed into a vibrant hub of art for the second Balad Al-Fan Festival, which runs until June 13.

The festival, which began on April 5, and is organized by Zawiya 97 in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, features more than 90 events, including artistic competitions, creative workshops, cultural talks, school workshops, live shows, and weekend markets.

Hashem Al-Shawi walks participants through the process of soap making at the festival while Khloud Nass prepares for her pottery class. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)

Abdulrahman Al-Aseri, managing director of Zawiya 97, told Arab News: “Building on our mission at Zawiya 97 to enhance the cultural and artisanal presence in Historic Jeddah, we place creativity at the heart of our vision by bridging living heritage with the spirit of contemporary innovation. Through our participation in Balad Al-Fann 2, we present more than 90 artistic and craft events aimed at reviving Historic Jeddah with a crafting energy.”

The festival includes four themed weekends: handmade crafts; nature and sustainability; youth weekend; and “A Sweet-Scented Farewell,” which focuses on Al-Balad apothecaries.

HIGHLIGHT

The festival includes four themed weekends: handmade crafts; nature and sustainability; youth weekend; and ‘A Sweet-Scented Farewell,’ which focuses on Al-Balad apothecaries.

“This season, we have designed a vibrant platform that celebrates traditional crafts, reimagining them through sustainability, cultural storytelling, and youth empowerment,” said Al-Aseri. “We believe that creativity is not merely about having an idea, but about breathing new life into the timeless alleys of Al-Balad.

Visual artist Khloud Nass will be running one of the workshops. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)

“With a new group of distinguished artisans joining our Artisans Incubator Program, we continue to build a community that preserves heritage and innovates for the future. We welcome everyone who shares this passion to be part of reviving Historic Jeddah.”

Visual artist Khloud Nass will be running one of the workshops. She said: “I have been working with Zawiya 97 for a year to train those who want to learn through workshops such as pottery.”

Azzam Al- Ghamdi from Dar Azzam will be working with fragrances including musk, oud, and rose, to showcase the art of perfumery using native plants of Saudi Arabia. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)

Azzam Al- Ghamdi from Dar Azzam will be working with fragrances including musk, oud, and rose, to showcase the art of perfumery using native plants of Saudi Arabia.

He told Arab News: “Traditional know-how and the perfect soil for growing aromatic plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have given perfume a central role in our lifestyle. (It is) deeply entrenched in Saudi culture. The use of perfumes for cultural and religious purposes dates back many centuries in this country.”

The festival offers visitors the chance to take part in various competitions, including “Your Creativity Revives Al Balad” and  “Handcraft & Calligraphy”. (Supplied)

Beside showcasing his creativity, Al -Ghamdi is also training visitors in his workshops.

Hashem Al-Shawi is offering soap-making workshops at the festival. “Organic skincare methods have always proven reliable and I am so glad to be part of this festival and to share the different types of soap and the process of soap making,” he said.

The festival also offers visitors the chance to take part in various competitions, including “Your Creativity Revives Al Balad” and  “Handcraft & Calligraphy,” which allows them to redesign Al-Balad’s pavements and public spaces into works of art, with the chance of winning cash prizes.

 


Saudi fund CEO sheds light on economic power of culture

A virtual session in progress featuring the Saudi Cultural Development Fund’s CEO Majed bin Abdulmohsen Al-Hugail. (Supplied)
Updated 03 May 2025
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Saudi fund CEO sheds light on economic power of culture

  • Al-Hugail emphasized the economic power of culture, saying that true investment extends beyond infrastructure or innovation alone and lies in securing the cultural sector’s lasting vitality within the economy

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is advancing with unwavering confidence toward a brighter future, honoring its deep-rooted cultural legacy while drawing strength from an ambitious vision for a sustainable cultural sector, the CEO of the Saudi Cultural Development Fund said at Expo 2025 Osaka.  

Majed bin Abdulmohsen Al-Hugail virtually took part in a panel discussion, titled “Creative Sustainability: Investing in Culture with Long-Term Impact.”

The Saudi Cultural Development Fund is committed to driving long-term impact and sustainable growth within the cultural sector through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships between the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Majed Al-Hugail added: “The Kingdom’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka is bringing the best of Saudi Arabia to the world stage and providing an opportunity for the world to witness Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation.” (Supplied)

Through pioneering solutions, the fund is contributing to turning Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector into a powerful economic force, while also fostering long-term sustainability — fully aligned with the ambitions of Vision 2030.

Al-Hugail emphasized the economic power of culture, saying that true investment extends beyond infrastructure or innovation alone and lies in securing the cultural sector’s lasting vitality within the economy.

By embracing visionary sustainable strategies, culture evolves into a living, breathing force, one that fuels economic prosperity, nurtures creativity, and weaves a stronger, more resilient social fabric.

The fund is taking part in Expo 2025 Osaka within the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. (Supplied)

During the panel discussion, Al-Hugail said: “At the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, sustainability is not just a goal; it is at the core of everything we do. Our approach is guided by key indicators that align with global Environmental, Social, and Governance standards.”

In pursuit of economic sustainability with lasting positive social impact, the Saudi Cultural Development Fund focuses on supporting businesses that build capabilities.

A notable example is the fund’s backing of the “CHEFPreneur” program, which has equipped 42 Saudi women with culinary and entrepreneurial expertise, empowering them with the skills to start their businesses in the culinary sector.

The panel also explored sustainable business models in the cultural sector. As funding landscapes continue to evolve globally, the sector is turning to innovative alternatives. This new wave of cultural financing includes emerging models such as public-private partnerships, which play a key role in fostering an economically sustainable cultural sector.

As an example, the fund has forged a pioneering collaboration with several leading Saudi banks and the Saudi Credit Bureau to strengthen its offerings and enhance the efficiency of credit decision-making processes.

Demonstrating its commitment to sectoral growth, the fund also contributed 40 percent to the $100 million Saudi Film Fund, aimed at expanding the Kingdom’s film industry, attracting private sector investment, and driving the sector’s long-term development.

Last year, the fund launched “Cultural Financing,” an inclusive umbrella of financial services designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized cultural enterprises across all stages of the value chain — fostering the growth and expansion of cultural projects.

Al-Hugail concluded the panel discussion by saying: “Through international exhibitions like Expo 2025 Osaka, visitors can experience Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural diversity and preview a forward-looking vision of the country’s future.”

He added: “The Kingdom’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka is bringing the best of Saudi Arabia to the world stage and providing an opportunity for the world to witness Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation.”

The fund is taking part in Expo 2025 Osaka within the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, highlighting the Kingdom’s strategy to position culture as a major economic force while ensuring its sustainable growth.

This aligns with both the National Cultural Strategy and Vision 2030, which focus on diversifying the national economy, with the fund serving as a primary financial enabler for the cultural sector.

 


Saudi academy concludes Arabic program in Spain

Updated 03 May 2025
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Saudi academy concludes Arabic program in Spain

  • Activities featured an exhibition, seminars, training courses, language proficiency tests and student competitions, organized in partnership with Spanish universities and institutions

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has concluded its Arabic Language Month program in Spain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Held throughout April, the initiative is part of the academy’s global project to support Arabic education for non-native speakers and promote collaboration with international academic and cultural institutions.

The program included a range of educational and cultural events across Spanish cities such as Madrid, Granada and Cordoba.

Activities featured an exhibition, seminars, training courses, language proficiency tests and student competitions, organized in partnership with Spanish universities and institutions.

Key collaborators included Casa Arabe, Rey Juan Carlos University, the Autonomous University of Madrid and the University of Granada.

Targeting Arabic learners, educators and specialists, the program offered training sessions, awareness activities and academic forums.

It concluded in Cordoba with an introductory lecture and open forum for Arabic language enthusiasts.

The lecture outlined the academy’s global vision, highlighted its international projects and explored future partnerships with Spanish institutions.

The initiative has also been implemented in countries such as Uzbekistan, Indonesia, China, India, France, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia, expanding its global reach.

 


Saudi-Turkish ministers discuss enhancing cooperation in mining sector, joint investment

Alparslan Bayraktar (R) receives Khalid Al-Mudaifer in Istanbul. (Supplied)
Updated 03 May 2025
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Saudi-Turkish ministers discuss enhancing cooperation in mining sector, joint investment

  • The meeting was held at the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, which brought together experts, leaders and policymakers to explore “evolving global and regional dynamics in energy and resource security”

ISTANBUL: Saudi Deputy Minister for Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Mudaifer met Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkiye’s minister of energy and natural resources, and Mehmet Yilmaz, president of the Turkish Miners’ Association, in Istanbul.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the mining sector as well as joint investment opportunities in the field of minerals, the Saudi Industry Ministry wrote in a post on X.

The meeting was held at the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, which brought together experts, leaders and policymakers to explore “evolving global and regional dynamics in energy and resource security.”

 


Saudi Arabia showcases Islamic heritage at Jusoor exhibition in Kosovo

Updated 03 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia showcases Islamic heritage at Jusoor exhibition in Kosovo

  • The 10-day event coincides with the launch of the final qualifiers for the third international Holy Qur’an memorization competition in the Balkans

RIYADH: Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recently inaugurated the sixth Jusoor exhibition at Skanderbeg Square in the capital, Pristina.

The exhibition is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in cooperation with the religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The 10-day event coincides with the launch of the final qualifiers for the third international Holy Qur’an memorization competition in the Balkans, held in cooperation with the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo.

The exhibition promotes authentic Islamic principles and highlights values such as moderation, mercy and justice, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It features diverse cultural and outreach activities and showcases the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and historical heritage, aiming to foster intercultural dialogue and build bridges between communities.

Kurti praised the Kingdom’s historical and humanitarian support for Kosovo, noting its consistent solidarity, especially during critical moments in the country’s recent history. He added that this reflected the friendship and ties between the two nations.

“The Kingdom is close to the people of Kosovo, and the support it provided — especially during difficult times — is evidence of the strong and sincere friendship between us. We are grateful for it,” he said.

Kurti said that relations between the two countries had developed into a strong and growing partnership. He highlighted cooperation in tourism, education, the economy and culture, pointing to recent citizen exchanges for various purposes.

He added that the exhibition’s name reflected Arab heritage and the Kingdom’s spirit, enriching Kosovar understanding of Saudi culture.

Kurti said that this cultural bridge connected societies, serving as a platform for reflection and interaction.

The Kingdom stood as a model promoting peace and unity, honoring the past and offering hope for the future, he said.

Sheikh Naim Ternava, grand mufti and head of the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo, expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its support.

He said that the event resulted from cooperation between the Islamic Sheikhdom and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, reflecting their shared commitment to promoting Islamic values, cultural exchange and building bridges of communication.