Diriyah’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace set to bring to life the birthplace of the modern Saudi state

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Updated 30 November 2022
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Diriyah’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace set to bring to life the birthplace of the modern Saudi state

  • Opening season of the two developments will include a vibrant public program of events, performances, and activities for all visitors
  • Visitors to UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif will get a chance to savor Bujairi Terrace’s eagerly awaited culinary district

RIYADH: The first phase of an aspirational project conceived five years ago, with the aim of showcasing the history of the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has come to fruition according to plan.

Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace developments were officially unveiled on Monday at a gala event during the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit.

Delegates from around the globe, Saudi public figures and DGDA staff joined together to witness a momentous development as Diriyah opened its doors to the international community.




Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb inaugurates the historic At- Turaif and Bujairi neighborhoods with a dramatic ceremony witnessed by guests from around the world. (DGDA)

“Tonight is a very historic night,” Jerry Inzerillo, the CEO of DGDA, told Arab News. “We are celebrating two big milestones.

“For the first time in the history of the Gulf, the Kingdom is welcoming the World Travel and Tourism Council, all the ministers of tourism, CEOs of hotel companies, CEOs of airline companies — it’s 5,000 people coming to the Kingdom to see what’s going to be one of the great tourism countries in the world.”

Inzerillo described what it means to him, personally, to see the fruit of the labor of his team in Diriyah on display before the eyes of the world.

“It makes my heart pound because the thing that I am most proud about is that we are 1,600 staff now: 85 percent Saudi, 36 percent Saudi superstar women, 16 percent of which are in management, and 14 percent of our staff is from Diriyah. My heart and soul are my team and that’s the thing that I am most proud about,” Inzerillo said.

Prudence Solomon Inzerillo, Inzerillo’s wife, said: “I think the changes are profound and I think the whole devotion and commitment to celebrating culture, heritage, history art … I think it’s such an incredible gift, it’s really important.

“I think that everyone should appreciate the history and the culture that you have. It’s so rich and diverse and I think that it is a real privilege and a pleasure to be here to witness the changes that have happened over the last four-plus years that we’ve been here and it’s extraordinary.”

The festivities began at the birthplace of the Kingdom, and the first ruling base of the Al-Saud family, the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif. In front of Salwa Palace, a 10,000 square meter complex the original parts of which were built by Mohammed ibn Saud, the first ruler of the First Saudi State, tour guides stood waiting to show visitors around the site, moving along walkways once trodden by early Saudi rulers.




“Tonight is a very historic night,” Jerry Inzerillo, the CEO of DGDA, told Arab News. (DGDA)

Every handmade mud brick in the ancient buildings of At-Turaif has a story to tell, every wall holds the secrets of power struggles, and every corner conceals a tale of hospitality and unity.

The visitors from around the world saw not only the modernity and luxury of the present-day Kingdom but were able to take a step back in time as they watched live performances of traditional ardah dance and walked narrow pathways that paint an atmospheric picture of the Kingdom’s past.

The guests at this private event that marked the official opening of Bujairi and At-Turaif represented a diverse assemblage of visitors from numerous countries

Guadalupe Galvan Hernandez, for example, was visiting from Mexico City to attend the World Travel and Tourism Council summit.

“This is my first time in Saudi Arabia,” she told Arab News. “I have seen many things. Diriyah is amazing; it is all history. When we arrived we saw so many structures and it’s a blend of modernity and traditions.

FASTFACTS

• At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace will open their doors to the public on Dec. 4. 

• The Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council is taking place for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

• At-Turaif will offer 75-minute guided walking tours in both Arabic and English that will take visitors through the original seal of power of the Al-Saudi family.

“The people are very kind, they are very nice people. Sometimes when you come from a country like Mexico it’s hard to understand some things and it makes you fear, somehow, the way you will be treated and they (the Saudis) were really, really kind and nice people.”

Following the tours of At-Turaif and the performances there, the guests made their way to the gates of Bujairi Terrace, where Inzerillo and Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb gave inaugural speeches. Inzerillo began by praising the Saudi leadership.

“I want to praise and give thanks to our dynamic prime minister, our Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been instrumental in every single detail of the Vision 2030 master plan for Diriyah,” he said.

“And thanks to his support we are one of the giga projects that tonight — on this historic night, in the birthplace of the Kingdom, the birthplace of the Arabian Peninsula, the ancestral house of Al-Saud — we open assets of 2030 in 2022.”




Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace developments were officially unveiled on Monday. (DGDA)

Al-Khateeb said: “Today we are celebrating the opening of phase one, (which is) just 1 to 2 percent of the total project, and we thank you for being with us today.

“This is a testimony and proof that Saudi Arabia started its planning and now we are in the execution phase and you will see an opening in all of the giga projects every year. Diriyah is a good example, with the opening of Bujairi Terrace.”

Many DGDA employees could not hide their emotions as the doors of Buajiri Terrace opened to welcome the world.

Among the guests at the inauguration was Helena Zakade Inzerillo, the teenage daughter of the DGDA CEO. In 2019, at the age of 12, she spoke to Arab News during King Salman’s inauguration of the Diriyah Gate project and told how proud she was of her father and his mission to transform the city “with his heart and soul.”

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Three years later, she was delighted to be at Bujairi Terrace to see her father’s passion and ambitions come to life.

“When I first came four years ago and saw Diriyah I was absolutely in shock,” she said. “I mean, this is an absolutely beautiful place that nobody really knew about outside of the Kingdom.

“I really believe that people should be seeing this place, people should know about this place and the significance of it.

“To see it come to this, to see the success, to see so many people come from around the world, and to see people’s perspectives completely change upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, and seeing the hospitality of the people here and seeing the significance of our country here, it means so much to me.”




Diriyah has long been renowned for its hospitality and generosity, its strength and its power — now it opens its gates to the world. (DGDA)

Helena said she truly believes in her father’s mission to spread to the world the message and meaning of Diriyah and its importance to the Kingdom.

“This means so much to me, to my family as a whole,” she added. “We have seen the process over the past four years, the amount of hard work, the tireless hours of my dad’s work for the past four years here in Saudi.

“And we have seen the transformation of Riyadh, of Diriyah, and the passion of the place that my dad has spread and how much he loves this place.”

The scent of bukhour filled the air and the sounds of ardha music echoed through Wadi Hanifah as history and modernity merged in the form of the many luxury dining experiences. Following a gala dinner in Bujairi Terrace, a light show illuminated the pathways and walls of At-Turaif.

The laser and firework display lit up the Najdi architecture of Salwa Palace, and the sky above it, with the words “The city of the earth,” “Only one Diriyah,” and simply “Diriyah.”

“As a 2030 giga project, we are already opening assets in 2022,” Inzerillo said. “So Turaif, all redone; Bujairi district, 20 new restaurants and after tonight we will take a few days and open to the public in a few days; 2 km of the Wadi Hanifah; new sales centers; welcome centers; community centers. So 2030 is now 2022.”




Visitors to the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit enjoy a taste of traditional Saudi hospitality in the Kingdom’s birthplace. (DGDA)

At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace will officially open to the public on Dec. 4, and Inzerello outlined what is next in store.

“After tonight we are going to open up a lot of assets,” he said. “We have the first hotels under construction that will open next year, the first museums that will open next year, we have already planted 6 million trees on our way to 50 million trees, plants and bushes.

“Every year now we will open assets, we will ground-break assets and we will announce assets every year until 2030.”

Diriyah has long been renowned for its hospitality and generosity, its strength and its power — now it opens its gates to the world to give visitors a taste of the past and a glimpse of the future.


Saudi FM discusses international issues of common interest with Peruvian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his Peruvian counterpart Elmer Schialer Salcedo in Riyadh on Thursday.
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Saudi FM discusses international issues of common interest with Peruvian counterpart

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Peruvian counterpart Elmer Schialer Salcedo and the country’s Minister of Mines and Energy Jorge Montero in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, Saudi-Peruvian relations, aspects of joint cooperation in various fields, and a number of international issues of common interest were discussed, Saudi Press Agency reported.


Cameroon joins Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

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Cameroon joins Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

  • Cameroon becomes 43rd member state of the Saudi-led coalition

The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition announced that Cameroon has officially joined, becoming the 43rd member state of the coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The step underscores a growing commitment to combating terrorism and fostering regional and international security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.  

The announcement was made during an official ceremony at the coalition’s headquarters in Riyadh, where the flag of Cameroon was raised alongside the flags of the 42 member states; a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.

The event was attended by Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, acting secretary-general of the IMCTC, Iya Tidjani, Cameroon’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the Cameroonian representative to the coalition, a delegation from Cameroon’s embassy, and representatives of member states.

Al-Moghedi welcomed Cameroon’s admission to the coalition, describing it as a significant step that strengthens joint efforts to combat terrorism and enhances coordination and integration in the intellectual, media, financial, and military fields.


Makkah Municipality approves 3,149 housing permits for Hajj

Updated 33 min 59 sec ago
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Makkah Municipality approves 3,149 housing permits for Hajj

  • This step comes as part of the ongoing efforts to provide pilgrims with a safe and comfortable housing environment

MAKKAH: Makkah Municipality approved 3,149 official housing permits for this year’s Hajj season, following the completion of all required technical and regulatory conditions.

This step comes as part of the ongoing efforts to provide pilgrims with a safe and comfortable housing environment.

The municipality said that the main technical and regulatory requirements include: ensuring compliance with building permits and approved architectural plans; reviewing safety reports, emergency staircases and generators; verifying maintenance contracts and training workers on safety standards; reviewing and approving the establishment’s records and ensuring their consistency with aerial photographs; and fully complying with safety forms among others. 

Makkah officials continue efforts to ensure the highest degrees of technical and regulatory readiness to provide the best possible experience during this year’s pilgrimage.


6,000 Qur’an copies distributed at Tunisia Book Fair

Updated 38 min 46 sec ago
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6,000 Qur’an copies distributed at Tunisia Book Fair

  • At the Kingdom’s pavilion, visitors can browse an extensive collection from the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, including translations of Qur'anic meanings and editions in different narrations and formats

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has distributed more than 6,000 copies of the Qur’an to visitors at the 39th Tunisia International Book Fair.

The distribution began when the fair started on April 25, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The fair will run until May 4. 

At the Kingdom’s pavilion, visitors can browse an extensive collection from the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, including translations of Qur'anic meanings and editions in different narrations and formats.

Visitors to the pavilion can also experience a range of interactive electronic applications that provide educational content and religious services.

Among the highlights are a 3D Hajj and Umrah application, a correct citation application, and virtual reality experiences that offer immersive tours of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The ministry’s participation underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serve the Qur’an and support Islam and Muslims worldwide.


Saudi Arabia to take part at Athens defense expo

Updated 48 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to take part at Athens defense expo

  • Participating countries and international companies will showcase their latest systems in land, naval, and aerial defense, as well as cybersecurity

RIYADH: The Saudi pavilion, organzied by The General Authority for Military Industries, is participating at the Athens International Defense and Security Exhibition, which will take place at the Metropolitan Expo center at Athens International Airport from May 6-8.

Participating countries and international companies will showcase their latest systems in land, naval, and aerial defense, as well as cybersecurity.

The Saudi pavilion will feature the participation of both the General Authority for Defense Development and the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Co.

It will showcase the Kingdom’s significant achievements, programs, and initiatives in the defense industry, along with the latest advanced defense technologies and systems that reflect the high level of development in the national military industries.

Additionally, the pavilion highlights the policies and regulations adopted by GAMI to support both local and international investors, while promoting the promising investment environment in the Kingdom’s defense sector.

DEFEA is sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Defense and hosts over 346 exhibitors from 28 countries, attracting more than 23,000 visitors.

GAMI’s organization of the pavilion reflects its efforts to work in an integrated manner with the beneficiary and supporting government agencies.

It also demonstrates GAMI’s strong commitment to enabling national companies and enhancing partnerships with major international companies in the military industries sector.