Saudi Arabia celebrates National Day with arts, theater, air shows and music

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Updated 22 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia celebrates National Day with arts, theater, air shows and music

  • Traditional dress encouraged for music, folklore shows
  • Popular local and Arab singers to perform live

The marking of Saudi Arabia’s 92nd National Day comes at a momentous time in the nation’s history because of its remarkable journey of transformation and development.

Citizens and residents alike will be celebrating over the course of the week to come, with events paying homage to the Kingdom’s heritage, art and culture.

Riyadh

Riyadh is set to celebrate Saudi National Day with a range of events and activities including music, theater and a specially designed Cirque du Soleil show.




Night view of the national capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

In preparation, the capital city’s main roads have been bedecked with hundreds of green national flags.

The sky will light up with fireworks in front of Al-Thaghr Plaza on Sept. 23 from 9 p.m.

The Royal Saudi Air Force will have an acrobatics display with jets and civilian aircraft that can be viewed from Um Ajlan Park on Sept. 22 and 23 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Royal Guard will conduct a parade at Riyadh Front to the tune of the national anthem played by a military band, ahead of a procession of classic cars on Sept. 23 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission is free to the fireworks display, airshow and Royal Guard parade.




The Saudi Hawks rehearse for the 92nd Saudi National Day celebrations in Riyadh. (SPA)

In addition, Jump Saudi will host a two-day showjumping competition. Tickets are SR57.50 ($15.30) and can be obtained online through Riyadh Platinum or Enjoy Saudi via the General Entertainment Authority website. The event will take place on Sept. 22 and 23 from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

This year, the national circus is presenting a specially designed Cirque du Soleil show entitled “The Wealth of a Nation” at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University theater from Sept. 21 to 24 from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Arab musicians Ahlam and Abady Al-Johar will perform on Sept. 23 at Abo Baker Salim stage from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight.

The Ministry of Interior is organizing its own festivities under the slogan “The Pride of The Nation” at Riyadh Front from Sept. 21 to 24. The event will also feature a live orchestra and 12 interactive pavilions.

A festival will be held at the Diplomatic Quarter’s Grassy Park from Sept. 21 to 24, which will include heritage shows, handicrafts displays, a dancing fountain, action games for children and food stalls.

The AMC-2 theater auditorium is set to feature a live 90-minute stand-up comedy show on Sept. 22 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with three international acts alongside a Saudi performer.

Jeddah

The General Entertainment Authority has organized several events for Jeddah’s citizens and residents to mark the country’s 92nd National Day celebrations, including fireworks, air and marine military shows, music concerts, and interactive festivals.

The city’s coastline will be lit up with a massive, seven-minute fireworks show on Sept. 23 at the Jeddah Season carpark area, which is expected to be seen from any location in the city. This show will coincide with 17 other similar displays around the country.

For three days, from Sept. 18 to 20, Jeddah residents can enjoy an airshow near the Hilton Hotel on the corniche, beginning from 4:30 p.m. This will also be the location for a marine show on Sept. 23.

Jeddawis can also enjoy a military parade at 5 p.m. on national day organized by the Ministry of Interior at the Jeddah Art Promenade. The venue will also see fireworks displays from 9 p.m. on Sept. 22, 23 and 24.

In addition, the Jeddah Art Promenade area will feature a light-and-sound display on Sept. 23. There will also be a Saudi folklore show from 6 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 22, 23 and 24. Moreover, there will be “Layali Watan” events and activities held over the same period.

In addition, the Jeddah Art Promenade will feature a Mosaic Wall with various pieces of art on Sept. 22, 23 and 24, showcasing the history of the Kingdom.

The promenade will also have a National Day Corner, with a Photography Kiosk and an exclusive show for children on Sept. 22, 23 and 24.

The venue will have several music concerts, with Saud Sanan performing on Thursday Sept. 23, female singer Dukhuon on the same day, and Ahmed Ashour on Sept. 24.

Egyptian singer Angham and her compatriot Ahmed Saad will perform at Benchmark Theatre on King’s Road at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 24. According to the Ticketing Box Office website, all VVIP tickets have been sold.

There will also be festivals held from 5 p.m. to midnight at the city’s Prince Majed Park, from Sept. 21 to 24.

Eastern Province

The Eastern Province has a series of fun events for all ages to celebrate the Kingdom’s 92nd National Day including live performances, fireworks, and marine and air shows.

King Abdullah Park in Dammam is set to host a four-day celebration from Sept. 21 to 24 from 5 p.m. to midnight, featuring a variety of festivities including folkloric dances and fountain shows.

During the celebrations, performers will roam through the park dressed in traditional attire. There will be several action games and giveaways for families. The event is free and open to children of all ages.

Families are encouraged to dress up in traditional attire for the events throughout the week.

Dammam will host the annual fireworks show that will be visible from the corniche on Sept. 23 from 9 p.m. Admission is free and open to all ages.

Eighteen cities across the Kingdom will feature fireworks displays simultaneously with Dammam including Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Tabuk and Al-Ahsa.

Nearby Alkhobar will also be hosting a marine show led by the Royal Naval Forces. The show will take place on Sept. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the corniche.

Following the marine show, the corniche seafront will hold an airshow from Sept. 25 to 26 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In addition, King Abdullah Cultural Center in Jubail will hold live concerts featuring some of the most popular regional performers including Moudi Alshamrani, Sultan Khalifa, Shamma Hamdan and Khadijah Moath, from Sept. 21 to 24.

Children will not be allowed to attend the concerts. Tickets are available on the Enjoy Saudi website.

Southern and Northern regions

The southern and northern regions of the Kingdom are preparing to celebrate the 92nd National Day on Sept. 23 with various shows and concerts including “A Homeland Salute” by the Royal Saudi Air Force.

On Sept. 23 from 9 p.m., a massive five-minute fireworks display will be held across several cities.

In Jouf, north of the Kingdom, Sakaka’s residents will be able to gather at King Abdullah Cultural Center to watch the show.

In the Northern Borders region, spectators in Arar can see it at the city’s Water Tower Park.

In the southwest, it can be enjoyed in Al-Nahdah district in Najran, while in Abha in Asir they can do so at Sama Abha Park.

The activities include air and marine shows.

The Royal Saudi Air Force will perform for 10 days with Typhoon, F-15, Tornado, and F-15C fighter jets across 14 cities. The show is titled “A Homeland Salute,” to celebrate the country’s achievements under its leadership.

In Abha, the airshow will be held at Abha Airport Park on Sept. 22 and 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Various festivals with folklore dances, games and handicrafts will be held at several public parks from Sept. 21 to 24 from 5 p.m. to midnight.

People in the north can celebrate at Al-Nakheel Park in Sakaka, and in Al-Refa District in Arar.

Those commemorating the day in the south can participate at Sama Abha Park in Abha, and Aba Al-Rashash Park in Najran.

Prominent artists are set to perform on the occasion. In Abha, a concert by Mohamed Abdo, led by Maestro Walid Fayed, will be held at Talal Maddah Theatre on Sept. 24.


Centuries of Hajj documented in travelers’ chronicles

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Centuries of Hajj documented in travelers’ chronicles

  • Pilgrims’ writings provide valuable insights into the history of Muslim civilization
  • Journeys of barefoot pilgrims, seafaring voyagers and desert caravans preserved

For centuries, the Hajj pilgrimage has stood as Islam’s most profound convergence of spiritual devotion and physical endurance.

This sacred journey, where the trials of travel merge with the sanctity of worship, has been meticulously documented by countless travelers, scholars and rulers whose written accounts have become invaluable chronicles of the history of Islamic civilization.

From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved across generations through detailed testimonies, books and manuscripts that illuminate both the ritualistic and human dimensions of this transformative journey.

From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved throughout history. (SPA)

According to researcher and historian Saad Al-Joudi, the Hajj transcended its purely ceremonial function to become a comprehensive documentation project that captured the essence of Islamic society across different historical periods.

The Andalusian explorer Ibn Jubayr was one of the most meticulous chroniclers, providing exhaustive accounts of his maritime route from Andalusia through Alexandria to the Hejaz from 1183-1185.

His writings detail every stage of the pilgrimage sequence: The ritual consecration at designated boundaries (Ihram), the circumambulation of the Kaaba (Tawaf), the Sa’I (running between Safa and Marwa), the overnight vigil in Mina, the standing at Mount Arafat, the symbolic stone-throwing ceremony, and the final farewell circumambulation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• This sacred Hajj journey has been meticulously documented by countless travelers, scholars and rulers.

• Their written accounts have become invaluable chronicles of the history of Islamic civilization.

• The Andalusian explorer Ibn Jubayr was one of the most meticulous chroniclers, detailing every stage of the pilgrimage sequence.

• Ibn Battuta, who set off on his pilgrimage in 1325, focused extensively on the logistical infrastructure supporting the routes to Makkah.

The renowned traveler Ibn Battuta, who set off on his pilgrimage in 1325, focused extensively on the logistical infrastructure supporting the routes to Makkah.

Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (Supplied/SPA)

His accounts express wonder at the remarkable unity displayed by Muslims of diverse languages, ethnicities and cultures as they performed identical rituals in perfect synchronization.

He documented the overland passages from the Levant to Madinah, describing rest stations, temporary pilgrim markets and mobile medical facilities.

Majed Al-Yazidi, of Umm Al-Qura University, said that Hajj documentation extended beyond travel writers to include sultans and kings.

From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved throughout history. (SPA)

Abbasid caliph Harun Al-Rashid is said to have performed the pilgrimage several times, notably traveling on foot as an expression of humility.

The 13th-century Mamluk ruler, Baibars, established comprehensive supply networks and security installations for pilgrim caravans throughout the Levant and Arabian Peninsula, transforming the Hajj into an integrated socio-political undertaking.

The geographic scope of the pilgrimage routes reflects the civilizational breadth of the Islamic world.

From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved throughout history. (SPA)

Al-Yazidi said that pilgrims from Andalusia and Morocco predominantly traveled by sea, while those from Yemen and the Indian subcontinent used both sea and land routes.

Pilgrims from the Levant, Iraq and Egypt followed established paths, including the famous Darb Zubaidah, Darb Al-Kufa and Egyptian corridor.

These pilgrimage highways catalyzed the development and prosperity of numerous cities along their paths.

Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (Supplied/SPA)

Al-Joudi highlighted how these travel accounts provided systematic documentation of Hajj rites.

These chronicles also captured behavioral patterns, regional clothing styles, commercial activities and accompanying cultural practices with remarkable precision.

Humanitarian and social dimensions of the pilgrimage are exemplified in the works of Abdul Ghani Al-Nabulsi, the scholar who began his journey in 1693.

Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (Supplied/SPA)

Al-Nabulsi documented the extensive cultural exchanges occurring between pilgrims from East Asia to North Africa, recording gift exchanges, manuscript trading and intellectual discussions.

Al-Joudi emphasized that Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details.

He said that among the most prominent was Ibn Battuta, who dedicated extensive passages in his book the Rihla to describing Hajj rituals, sanctuary conditions and caravan movements.

Al-Yazidi also highlighted scholar Mohammed Al-Amin Al-Shanqiti, who authored “The Hajj Journey to God’s Sacred House.”

His writings combine precise descriptions with jurisprudential insights and religious rulings, alongside personal observations and interactions with pilgrims from across the globe.

Modern Arabic literature has been enriched by numerous Hajj memoirs. Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad’s “The Hejazi Journey” captures the spiritual atmosphere through a literary lens, while Ibrahim Abdul Qadir Al-Mazini’s “Journey to Hejaz” employs contemplative prose to explore both humorous incidents and profound spiritual experiences.

Mohammed Hussein Haikal’s “In the House of Revelation” offers intellectual and spiritual analysis of his Arabian journey.

Shakib Arslan’s “Pleasant Impressions in the Pilgrim’s Mind” and Ali Al-Tantawi’s “To the Land of Prophecy” combine travel narrative with reformist and educational perspectives.

The documentation tradition extends beyond Arab authors to include remarkable accounts by converts to Islam.

Leopold Weiss (Muhammad Asad) in “The Road to Makkah” and Takeshi Suzuki (Muhammad Saleh) in “A Japanese in Makkah” provide insights into the pilgrimage experience from the perspective of recent converts, demonstrating Islam’s universal appeal across cultural boundaries.

Al-Yazidi said that these diverse travel accounts, despite variations in language and approach, constituted a living historical archive of the Hajj across centuries.

 


Novice UK sailors arrive in Jeddah after surviving epic Hajj voyage

Updated 18 min 14 sec ago
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Novice UK sailors arrive in Jeddah after surviving epic Hajj voyage

  • 6 crew members set out on ‘sacred journey’ — with no sailing experience
  • Saudi authorities win praise for treating pilgrims ‘like honored guests’

MINA: A group of six pilgrims with no previous sailing experience who set off from London on a 59-day maritime adventure have praised Saudi authorities for the welcome they received after finally completing their Hajj voyage.

The UK-based group, aged between 27 and 47, set sail on April 1 and arrived in Jeddah on May 27, just one week before the start of Hajj.

Each member brought a unique set of skills, from IT professionals to community organizers, but none had formal maritime training. Together, they learned to navigate, maintain their vessel, and endure weeks at sea, often facing unpredictable weather and challenging conditions.

The six pilgrims — Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin, Taher Akhtar, and Ayaz Khan — made several stops across Europe and North Africa during their journey, sharing the highs and lows of life at sea with a growing community of followers on social media.

Speaking to Arab News at Mina during Hajj, Wahid, the captain, said that the voyage had been a memorable and life-changing experience.

His favorite moment came after setting off from the Gulf of Suez on the final leg of the journey. Seeing mountains in the distance — the first sign of Saudi Arabia after days of storms and rough seas — brought pure joy. In that moment, he knew they had made it.

Reflecting on their arrival and experience of Hajj, Wahid praised the exceptional care and organization. He said the pilgrimage itself felt calm and manageable compared with the challenges of the sea voyage.

Wahid said the Saudi authorities treated pilgrims like honored guests, with ambulances stationed throughout, volunteers offering water and ice packs, and a clear sense that everyone was committed to making the experience spiritual and memorable.

“They’re (Saudi authorities) looking after them (pilgrims), and they’re trying to make sure that there’s nothing you need. You’re walking down the street, the Boy Scout is there handing you an ice pack to put on your hot head... The policeman passes you a bottle of water... The fire station isn’t just a fire station, they’re standing outside spraying people down with water to cool them off,” he said.

“Every single person here is engaged in trying to make sure that Hajj is an enjoyable, spiritual, wonderful experience.”

Another crew member, Ayaz Khan, said that the challenge of sailing to Hajj was “about pushing himself beyond limits and embracing the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage.”

Khan also spoke of the profound welcome awaiting them onshore, saying that the reception was beyond anything he imagined — a dream come true.

His family had never been to Hajj before. When he told his mother he was sailing, she was worried, but he told her that this was bigger than him — it was the chance to complete a sacred journey.

The adventure route led the group through the English Channel and on to Marseille before passing the Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Crete. They sailed through the Suez Canal and finally the Red Sea before arriving in Jeddah.

The seafaring pilgrims spent almost two months off-grid and battling storms on the 1978 Westerly 33 ketch.

Khan said that the maritime pilgrimage has reminded the crew members that the path to spiritual fulfillment often requires navigating uncharted waters — both literally and metaphorically. But with perseverance, humility, and trust, even the most turbulent seas can lead to sacred destinations.

 


Umm Al-Qura University becomes academic hub for Hajj

Updated 27 min 3 sec ago
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Umm Al-Qura University becomes academic hub for Hajj

  • Umm Al-Qura’s research arm, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, deployed 34 researchers and 458 data collectors to conduct 17 studies this season

MAKKAH: As millions of pilgrims undertake Hajj pilgimage, Umm Al-Qura University is leveraging its research capabilities to support one of the world’s most complex religious gatherings.

Dr. Wardah bint Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector for investment and community partnership, told Arab News that the university has committed all available resources to support Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah infrastructure, aligning with Vision 2030 objectives.

“We mobilize our human, scientific, administrative, and research capacities annually through specialized educational and training programs, field studies, and consulting services designed to elevate pilgrim experiences and service standards,” Al-Asmari said.

Dr. Wardah bint Abdullah Al-Asmari, the university's Vice Rector for Investment and Community Partnership. (Supplied)

The university’s flagship effort this season, the Licensing and Qualification Program for Helpers of Pilgrims, has provided over 300,000 training opportunities through 20 worker modules and 50 packages for pilgrims available in 15 languages.

Other initiatives include the Rafid Al-Haramain program, offering more than 100,000 training slots and engaging over 3,000 participants from 30 organizations; and the Bus Guide Training Program, which certified 3,500 guides to assist with pilgrim transport.

As part of its global outreach, the university translates Friday sermons and Arafat Day speeches into more than 20 languages, reaching an estimated 600 million Muslims worldwide.

FASTFACTS

• Umm Al-Qura University’s flagship effort this season, the Licensing and Qualification Program for Helpers of Pilgrims, has provided over 300,000 training opportunities.

• The university translates Friday sermons and Arafat Day speeches into more than 20 languages, reaching an estimated 600 million Muslims worldwide.

• This year, 2,027 volunteers were trained in partnership with relevant authorities in health, awareness, and organizational services.

Academic departments have also integrated Hajj-focused curricula in medicine, nursing, computer science, and social sciences, covering crowd control, disaster management, and emergency response. Students gain hands-on experience through partnerships with the Ministry of Health at seasonal medical facilities.

Umm Al-Qura University participated in qualifying and training volunteers in various fields. (X: @uqu_edu)

Umm Al-Qura’s research arm, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, deployed 34 researchers and 458 data collectors to conduct 17 studies this season.

These focus on crowd management, security protocols, sustainability measures, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence applications, and pilgrim satisfaction in 20 languages. The Institute for Research and Studies also contributes to national projects through consulting and research implemention.

Digital transformation is another major pillar. The university delivered 34,000 remote training courses through its Specialized Training platform. The modules cover critical areas such as elderly and disabled assistance, translation, guest experience, crowd management, and safety protocols.

Umm Al-Qura University participated in qualifying and training volunteers in various fields. (X: @uqu_edu)

Other digital initiatives include AI-driven data analysis, pilgrim-focused smart apps, innovation hackathons, and operating the Nusuk Card project center through Wadi Makkah Co.

Al-Asmari noted ongoing collaboration with key government bodies including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Municipal Affairs, as well as the Royal Commission for Makkah City, Pilgrim Experience Program, Civil Defense, Border Guard, and Makkah Health Cluster.

These partnerships span research, training, performance metrics, and volunteer mobilization.

Umm Al-Qura University participated in qualifying and training volunteers in various fields. (X: @uqu_edu)

Volunteerism is central the university’s social responsibility mission. This year, 2,027 volunteers were trained in partnership with civil defense, health, and border authorities in health, awareness, and organizational services.

To meet growing sector needs, the university launched degree and diploma programs in Hajj and Umrah management through its specialized institute and colleges, attracting students pursuing careers in the expanding pilgrim services sector.

Looking ahead, Al-Asmari affirmed Umm Al-Qura’s ambition to expand research, partnerships, and tech innovation in line with the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030.

 


Osaka Expo pavilion celebrates 70 years of Japan-Saudi relations

Updated 08 June 2025
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Osaka Expo pavilion celebrates 70 years of Japan-Saudi relations

OSAKA: Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom — the two countries first established their partnership on June 7, 1955.

“The relations go beyond a mere economic partnership to reflect the depth and diversity of our ties,” said Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan and the pavilion’s commissioner-general.

“Today, we build on the strength of the past and harness the momentum of the present to jointly shape a new vision for the future. With Expo 2025 taking place in Osaka and Saudi Arabia hosting Expo 2030 in Riyadh, our two countries stand at the forefront of global exchange, showcasing the latest innovations and sustainable technologies, and contributing to shaping an inclusive future for all.”

The Saudi Pavilion has hosted various business events and highlighted trade opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, strengthening economic ties between the two countries. 

Additionally, it highlights the Kingdom’s role in bringing Japanese culture to the Middle East through local manga studios, whose works will be featured in August.

The pavilion aims to draw more Japanese tourists to Saudi Arabia, targeting 30,000 visitors annually before Expo 2030 Riyadh. 

Saudi Arabia’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is part of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 strategy, which includes more than 80 projects across industries including culture, food, media and entertainment, energy, and education.

The pavilion, which offers more than 700 diverse and engaging events such as daily shows and live performances, has attracted more than half a million visitors since it opened in April.


More than 5,000 volunteers support pilgrim healthcare

Updated 08 June 2025
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More than 5,000 volunteers support pilgrim healthcare

  • The initiative aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program

MAKKAH: More than 5,000 healthcare volunteers are participating in this year’s Hajj season, the Ministry of Health said, as part of efforts to enhance the quality of services for pilgrims.

The initiative aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, aiming to increase volunteer participation and strengthen their role in serving pilgrims.

Volunteers support healthcare services in three main areas: preventive, curative, and support, the ministry said.

Their efforts cover various locations within the holy sites, including Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, as well as hospitals and healthcare centers.

According to a report, more than 147,000 medical services have been provided to pilgrims so far.

Healthcare data shows that 80,603 pilgrims benefited from primary care centers, while emergency departments received 35,176 cases.

Outpatient clinics treated 7,541 patients, and 5,619 cases were admitted to hospitals, including 2,626 in intensive care.

Additionally, 248 cardiac catheterizations and 18 open-heart surgeries were performed.