Kingdom marks 93rd Saudi National Day

Children dressed up in military uniforms and the Kingdom’s national colors — green and white — were seen celebrating the Saudi National Day in Riyadh. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 23 September 2023
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Kingdom marks 93rd Saudi National Day

  • Residents enjoy airshows, military parades, musical performances, art and fireworks as part of National Day celebrations 

JEDDAH/DHAHRAN: Residents marked the 93rd Saudi National Day over the weekend with great fervor as they took part in celebratory activities organized across the Kingdom’s regions, captivating audiences and instilling a sense of national pride.

A parade of naval vessels and special marine security boats, helicopter airshows and spectacular aerial ballet by the Royal Saudi Air Force were on show in different cities of the Kingdom. A military parade featuring an array of vehicles and infantry and cavalry units was also held. The Jeddah Waterfront became a focal point of celebration as enthusiastic crowds gathered to savor the day’s activities.
Rehab Al-Dossary, a student at King Abdulaziz University, said: “My family is a big fan of the air shows. It is clear that great efforts were made here.”




Children dressed up in military uniforms and the Kingdom’s national colors — green and white — were seen celebrating the Saudi National Day in Riyadh. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah)

Jeddah Art Promenade witnessed a two-hour folkloric show that showcased Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.
At the Jeddah Yacht Club, the Royal Guard held a parade and the Saudi Hawks Aerobatic Team executed intricate formations and aerial displays, leaving spectators spellbound.
The historic area of Al-Balad saw musical performances, a delectable array of food trucks, traditional folk dances, educational workshops, live shows, and guided tours that allowed both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Saudi Arabia.

FASTFACT

A parade of naval vessels and special marine security boats, helicopter airshows and spectacular aerial ballet by the Royal Saudi Air Force were on show in different cities of the Kingdom.

As guests arrived, they were warmly welcomed in the traditional Saudi way, with Arabic coffee and genuine hospitality.
The air was filled with enchanting melodies as singers and musicians occupied various areas within the historic district, mesmerizing the audience with their performances.




At the Jeddah Yacht Club, the Royal Guard held a parade and the Saudi Hawks Aerobatic Team executed intricate formations and aerial displays, leaving spectators spellbound. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah)

A kids’ corner ensured that little ones had their fair share of fun and entertainment too.
The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts, in partnership with The Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, held family-oriented activities during Saudi National Day celebrations in Al-Balad.
These included workshops on traditional arts like intricate geometric pattern drawing and hands-on woodcarving sessions.
Suzan Al-Yahya, CEO of the institute, said: “Saudi National Day reminds us of our cultural richness and the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving and promoting traditional art. Through our collaborative workshops, we aim to nurture local talent, provide training, and inspire the community to embrace Saudi Arabia’s artistic heritage.”




Saudis across the Kingdom have been taking to flag-decked streets in their thousands on Saturday to celebrate the Kingdom’s 93rd National Day. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

Art enthusiasts were delighted by the diverse range of artworks showcased at the Visual Arts Gallery on Abu Inabah Street.
Traditional games at Al-Falah Courtyard brought people together, fostering a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition. A treasure hunt added an element of adventure to the festivities.
In collaboration with Infuse Advisory, Jeddah’s finest chefs opened a three-day pop-up restaurant, Peninsula, at Tahreek Space —  a gastronomic initiative that celebrated the diversity of Saudi cuisine, infusing traditional flavors with contemporary trends.
Hashim Nazer, CEO of Infuse Advisory, told Arab News: “Peninsula Pop-Up offered a culinary journey, diving deep into the distinctive flavors emblematic of Saudi cuisine. In tribute to the 93rd Saudi National Day, and as a nod to our rich heritage, the menu has been meticulously curated by the dedicated Saudi chef team at Infuse Advisory, which includes Dana Al-Maddah, Abdulrahman Enani, and Taleen Miliany. While it pays homage to our traditions, the menu also captures the nation’s progressive stride towards contemporary trends.”
The menu showcased a fresh take on beloved Saudi classics, innovating with textures, presentation, and culinary techniques while staying true to the authentic flavors and spices that define traditional Saudi cuisine.
At the King Abdullah Economic City, residents enjoyed a traditional Saudi folk band show, an outdoor Arabesque seating area, and other entertaining activities.
Bay La Sun Hotel at KAEC hosted a grand celebration with live music, cultural shows, exquisite dining, and activities for children.
Sheraton Jeddah Hotel celebrated by honoring Saudi heritage with a buffet of traditional flavors, dance performances, and a commitment to authentic Arabic hospitality.  
“Through our National Day celebration, Sheraton Jeddah Hotel aimed to honor the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia and provide our guests with an unforgettable experience that showcased our commitment to authentic Arabic hospitality,” said General Manager Edwin Wijkhuijs.
In Dhahran, the iconic King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, was lit in a neon green with rays of white as it welcomed visitors young and old for the Kingdom’s three-day celebration.
One big attraction — and perhaps the most photographed — was the Aramco-commissioned large painting, titled “Sights of Grandeur.” The oil on canvas framed art piece was created especially for the 93rd National Day by artist Simon Pasini and depicts the previous late Saudi kings as they walk in unison down steps. The painting shows women standing prominently to the side, with familiar Saudi buildings in the background, including the Ithra building.
“We celebrate our homeland, the great anniversary of its unification; a day of strength, pride and renewed belonging,” Ithra said in a statement.
The “Sing Along for Saudi” karaoke experiment returned with two nightly shows, encouraging audience members to sing from their seats. Popular Saudi song lyrics were displayed on a big screen, accompanied by a live orchestra led by Maestro Yahya Musawa.
With 2023 designated as the Year of Arabic Poetry by the Kingdom, the Ithra Museum offered an Arabic Poetry Exhibit, along with musical performances at the Plaza and the famous Selfie Corner.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the night skies across Saudi Arabia were illuminated by breathtaking fireworks displays.
Cities like Jeddah, Alkhobar, Madinah at King Fahad Main Park, Taif at King Abdullah’s Public Park, Hail’s Al-Salam Park, Abha’s Al-Sadd Garden and Al-Fan Street, and Tabuk Rose Garden all came alive with dazzling bursts of color and light.

 


‘The Arts Tower’ brings new meaning and color to Riyadh’s Sports Boulevard

Updated 15 June 2025
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‘The Arts Tower’ brings new meaning and color to Riyadh’s Sports Boulevard

  • For Gharem, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, like “The Arts Tower,” constantly lifts eyes upward, motivating people to leap from the familiar into the unexpected, pushing them to embrace the future with imagination

RIYADH: As you venture down the promenade of the capital’s latest attraction, Sports Boulevard, a new landmark is sure to catch your eye.

A tower at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road bursts with color and character.  

The mind behind this work, named “The Arts Tower,” is renowned Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem, who has centered the mundane within the architectural landscape early on in his career with works like “Siraat” (The Path) and “Road to Makkah.”

The Arts Tower at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road bursts with color and character. (Supplied)

Gharem told Arab News: “This piece is a witness to the transformation that’s happening here. It’s a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community. I think the tower represents this transformation, especially that it, in itself, transforms one of the symbols of energy into a beacon for creative expression.”

Previously one of numerous 83.5-meter electricity pylons, the tower was meant to be removed for the sake of the Sports Boulevard project.

“I asked if I could have one,” Gharem said, explaining that, as one of the nominated artists to propose a work to beautify the boulevard, he was keen to use the existing structure.  

HIGHLIGHTS

• The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower’s vibrant facade to life. 

• The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes. 

Author and curator Nato Thompson said about the work in a statement: “By repurposing a symbol of energy infrastructure and turning it into a beacon of artistic expression, Gharem highlights the evolving role of culture and art in Saudi Arabia’s development journey.

“It stands as living proof of the Kingdom’s commitment to nurturing its cultural landscape, making arts and creativity an inseparable part of its identity just as oil and energy were in the past.”

The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower’s vibrant facade to life.

Abdulnasser Gharem, Saudi artist

It utilizes elements from Saudi architecture and patterns we recognize from our old homes, primarily the triangular shape.  

“I was lucky that the tower was made up of triangles, which is a geometrical shape that brings together the different regions of the Kingdom and the historical features of our beginnings, so it’s a symbol of unity,” Gharem said.  

The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes.

This piece is a witness to the transformation that’s happening here. It’s a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community.

Abdulnasser Gharem, Saudi artist

“The colors are alluding to the connection between our history and heritage and the concepts of cheerfulness and mental hospitality. A tower always forces you to look up.”

For Gharem, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, like “The Arts Tower,” constantly lifts eyes upward, motivating people to leap from the familiar into the unexpected, pushing them to embrace the future with imagination.

“The piece is based on sunlight,” he said. “The daylight gives a completely, completely different dimension to the work compared to its urban illumination during the night.

The sketch of “The Arts Tower” by Abdulnasser Gharem. (Supplied)

“The colors do not just appear; they shift, transform, and come alive in different ways throughout the day. Here, nature becomes a crucial element to the structure.”

Even the wind has played a part in determining the number and placement of the colored pieces used. “It taught me that there needs to be some gaps in order to allow the piece to breathe and I was forced to humble myself upon the power of nature.

“The wind became my partner in design,” he said.

“The Arts Tower” is designed to make people feel represented and connected.

While the Sports Boulevard promotes physical activity, the creative landmark serves a deeper purpose: it is a thoughtful space meant to inspire human interaction and community — and more importantly, invite them to slow down, engage, and ponder the future.

“Culture is one of the key factors for our country’s development path. At the end of the day, culture is just as important as energy. It’s worth investing in, and it’s a certificate that the Kingdom is committed to nurturing its cultural scene,” Gharem said.

 


Acacia rebirth: Saudi royal reserve boosts green cover

Updated 14 June 2025
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Acacia rebirth: Saudi royal reserve boosts green cover

  • The reserve’s development authority focuses on increasing community awareness, supporting biodiversity protection and fostering a sustainable environment for wildlife reproduction and conservation

RIYADH: Nestled in the northeast of Riyadh, the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve is an environmental gem, boasting a mix of nature’s finest features and an array of awe-inspiring terrains.

As well as being a haven for distinctive geological formations, it also contains rare plants and animals featured on the Red List of Threatened Species.

The reserve is undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly Acacia, across its vast 91,500 sq. km area.

The  Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve is undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly Acacia, across its vast 91,500-square-kilometer area. (SPA)

This initiative aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to revitalize the reserve’s vegetation and restore ecological balance, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. They provide grazing, shade and habitat for wildlife while also helping to stabilize the soil and offering a vital nectar source for high-quality honey.

These comprehensive afforestation projects are crucial in combating desertification and enhancing biodiversity, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

FASTFACTS

• Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role.

• This eco haven is the Kingdom’s second-largest royal reserve.

The reserve’s development authority focuses on increasing community awareness, supporting biodiversity protection and fostering a sustainable environment for wildlife reproduction and conservation.

The  Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve is undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly Acacia, across its vast 91,500-square-kilometer area. (SPA)

The authority also provides guided tours and excursions led by environmental tour guides, making it a hotspot for eco-enthusiasts interested in hiking, climbing and other ecotourism activities.

This eco haven is the Kingdom’s second-largest royal reserve. It hosts diverse wildlife and plant species, making it ideal for hiking, wilderness adventures, camping and sustainable hunting.

Its vegetation cover provides a refuge for various bird species, crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling insects, small rodents and carrion.

The reserve stands out with its streams and valleys, where rainwater and floods flow from the Al-Urumah Plateau into the reserve’s valleys, such as Al-Thumama Valley and Ghilana Valley, leading to streams and parks such as Rawdat Khuraim.

 


Swift medical response saves pilgrim in Madinah

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City in Madinah. (SPA)
Updated 14 June 2025
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Swift medical response saves pilgrim in Madinah

  • The case “highlights King Salman Medical City’s capabilities as part of the Madinah Health Cluster and its readiness to provide specialized care for pilgrims”

MADINAH: A swift response from Saudi Arabia’s urgent care system enabled medical teams at King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City in Madinah to save the life of an Iraqi female pilgrim suffering from a brain hemorrhage.

According to the Madinah Health Cluster, clinical assessment and interventional radiology revealed a ruptured artery that required immediate intervention, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Once the patient was stabilized, a targeted procedure using coiling technology was performed. The interventional neuroradiology team sealed the rupture, preventing further complications, the SPA added.

The Madinah Health Cluster said the pilgrim regained full consciousness with “no neurological deficits” and has begun rehabilitation before returning home.

The case “highlights King Salman Medical City’s capabilities as part of the Madinah Health Cluster and its readiness to provide specialized care for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.

 


Saudi authorities intensify efforts against drug traffickers and dealers

Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi authorities intensify efforts against drug traffickers and dealers

  • The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested four citizens in the Eastern Province for the possession of 108 kg of hashish and for selling regulated tablets

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests throughout the Kingdom recently, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Border Guard patrols in Al-Dayer, Jazan region, arrested eight Yemenis trying to smuggle in a total of 240 kg of qat in multiple separate attempts. The same sector also saw authorities thwart the attempted smuggling of 42 kg of hashish.

In another attempt, land patrols in Al-Dayer prevented the smuggling in of 54 kg of hashish, 343,000 tablets regulated for medical use, and 2,000 amphetamine tablets.

In Jazan’s Fifa governorate, security patrols arrested two Ethiopians smuggling 35 kg of qat.

In Al-Raboah, Asir region, Border Guard patrols arrested five Yemenis and Ethiopians smuggling 100 kg of qat and also prevented the smuggling in of a further 280 kg of qat.

Also in Asir, a Sudanese resident was arrested with 125 kg of qat in Dhahran Al-Janoub, and an Ethiopian with 46 kg of qat in Al-Farsha.

Security patrols in the Eastern Province arrested an Indian resident for selling heroin.

Patrols from the General Directorate of Mujahideen in Jazan arrested two Ethiopians selling hashish, amphetamine, and regulated pills.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested four citizens in the Eastern Province for the possession of 108 kg of hashish and for selling regulated tablets.

Officials also arrested two Yemenis in Najran for selling amphetamines, locally known as shabu.

Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items have been handed to the relevant authorities, the SPA reported.

Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or sales by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions. Reports can also be submitted confidentially to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa or by calling 995.

 


Yanbu festival showcases Red Sea culture, marine life

Updated 14 June 2025
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Yanbu festival showcases Red Sea culture, marine life

  • The event included experts’ presentations on financing opportunities for fishermen, aimed at supporting the development of sustainable fisheries

RIYADH: Bahhar, a festival in the city of Yanbu in Madinah province, attracted residents and visitors to its artistic performances and cultural, tourism, and heritage activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The week-long festival also featured prominent Yanbu fishermen sharing stories of their experiences in the Red Sea, the SPA reported.

Bahhar’s event tent included a theater, a children’s art room, performances by a folklore band, a pavilion for marine-related handicrafts and fine arts, and an exhibition of the biodiversity of the Red Sea coast.

Side events included talks and workshops on marine fishing regulations, modern fish-farming systems, and initiatives to protect the sea and the coastal environment.

The event also included experts’ presentations on financing opportunities for fishermen, aimed at supporting the development of sustainable fisheries.