Crescent moon sighted, Eid Al-Fitr on Sunday in Saudi Arabia

BURAIDAH: Those hoping to escape the scorching Saudi summer heat can head to Buraidah, where its farms have become a favored summer destination.

Buraidah, about 360 kilometers northwest of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region, is a place for those seeking calm, comfort and a distinctive leisure experience.

“This rising popularity stems from ongoing efforts to transform these farms into integrated tourist attractions that cater both to families and individuals, offering an authentic experience with a modern touch,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

These farms stand out for their natural beauty and the balance they strike between simplicity and contemporary features.

Visitors can step away from the pace of city life and enjoy peaceful moments surrounded by lush greenery. The experience is supported by restaurants serving traditional and international dishes, cafes with authentic design and stalls selling local produce. There are family seating areas aplenty, children’s play zones and a variety of nature-based activities.

Ali Mohammed Al-Waili, who is from the Najran region, expressed his admiration of the unique tourism diversity found in the Qassim region. He praised the rural farms that have become an attractive, offering a fully immersive natural experience that reflects the authenticity and agricultural richness of the area.

He pointed out that the farms spread across the region’s governorates provide a well-rounded family tourism experience, featuring traditional seating areas, authentic local cuisine, and a variety of agricultural and recreational activities suited for all age groups.

Another visitor, Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi, noted that rural farms have become a top family destination during the summer holiday because they meet visitors’ needs and offer a range of services that ensure an enjoyable time in a natural and safe environment.

The rising interest in this form of domestic tourism points to a clear shift in public preference toward nature and stillness. Better infrastructure and improved service quality are reinforcing the role of rural farms as a top option for day trips and short breaks.

According to the SPA, the growing interest in domestic tourism and nature helps to support the local economy and achieve sustainable development — aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to improve quality of life, diversify income sources, and enhance the balance between people and the environment.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice has enhanced the competency of legal professionals through its Judicial Training Center, focusing on improving training quality and professional reliability in line with best practices.

“In Q2 2025, the Judicial Training Center at the Ministry of Justice trained over 8,000 individuals through 107 courses. Beneficiaries included judges from the Ministry of Justice and the Board of Grievances, lawyers, notaries, marriage registrars, legal researchers, Judicial Support Center for Enforcement staff, and enforcement service providers,” said the ministry.

The center delivered programs such as lawyer qualifications, judicial assistant training, notary certification, lawyer development, internal conciliator training, marriage registrar training, and enforcement service provider training.

These align with the ministry’s goals to enhance training quality and efficiency.

“The MOJ’s training center plays an important role in qualifying individuals to work in judicial services roles such as qualifying individuals to become licensed attorneys and qualify other individuals to play important roles such as becoming judges and marriage registrars,” Dr Osama Ghanem Alobaidy, adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News.

“It employs best methods to do that including teachers who are well qualified to instill legal skills and knowledge in order to do their jobs,” he added.

The center’s training plan focuses on specialized qualification, continuous professional development, and addressing trainees’ needs, said the ministry.

It incorporates diverse digital training tools and supports research to advance judicial and legal personnel development.

The Judicial Training Center adheres to rigorous standards to deliver specialized qualification programs, continuous professional development, targeted training needs assessments, and a diverse range of digital training tools, reinforcing its role in advancing judicial and legal expertise.

In 2024, the center introduced over 14 new certification and training diplomas. It also developed more than 74 training modules with innovative educational approaches and added over 13 new services to its online platform.