Ramadan nights at Bujairi Terrace offer poetry, food, shopping

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This Ramadan, Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif in Diriyah will offer a curated Michelin star gastronomic experience and a variety of interactive activities and charitable events. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)
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Updated 07 April 2023
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Ramadan nights at Bujairi Terrace offer poetry, food, shopping

  • Over 20 restaurants and several activities curated for the holy month
  • At-Turaif district offers authentic Saudi dishes and heritage shows

RIYADH: Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif in Diriyah is offering visitors a curated Michelin-star gastronomic experience and a variety of interactive activities and events during Ramadan.

Diriyah opened its premium dining district Bujairi Terrace on Dec. 4 last year with exceptional views of the recently-renovated UNESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif.

Bujairi Terrace is inspired by Najdi architecture to evoke images of the past. Guests are pampered with over 20 restaurants, including four Michelin-star restaurants — Chez Bruno, Tatel, Hakkasan and Long Chim — in addition to other fine dining in Saudi and international cuisine.

Shamma Alsubaie, a retired history teacher, told Arab News that Bujairi Terrace has great significance in the region. “Bujairi is considered one of the most beautiful places in Diriyah, and one of the fastest growing and splendid areas in Riyadh. It is the magnificence of the design of the place and its historical importance,” said Alsubaie. 

She added: “If I would describe Bujairi in a sentence, I would say it is the Jewel of Wadi Hanifa.” 

Hessah Abdulaziz, a former kindergarten teacher, said: “The first time I went to Bujairi was back in 2011. I recently visited Bujairi and I saw a great difference. It is one of my favorite places in Diriyah in Riyadh.” 

“The presence of international restaurants and cafes in a historical place with stunning views of distinctive heritage sites is not something you can miss, and I have been going over there almost every month,” said Abdulaziz.  

Maiz is a contemporary Saudi restaurant inspired by food from 13 regions of the Kingdom. Their Ramadan set menu offers dishes with authentic Saudi flavors like lamb with rice and jareesh.

Noor Alawami, a senior marketing specialist, visited Bujairi Terrace prior to Ramadan and dined in Maiz with some friends. “I loved the way the restaurants are laid out and the way the place is set up. The traditional vibe of the place and children running and playing, as well as the great hospitality of the staff there. The place is walkable and parking is very easy. I tried Maiz, which has authentic Saudi food and really liked it.” 

“I want to go to Al-Turaif district next time I visit. I would go after sundown or at night because there is a section with beautiful light fixtures that would look good at night.”




Bujairi Terrace is inspired by Najdi architecture to evoke images of the past. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

After indulging in their cuisine of choice, guests can enjoy various activities ranging from themed storytelling, poetry readings, workshops and shopping.  The Diriyah Coffee workshop will teach guests how to recreate the traditional Al-Arid coffee and dates and hospitality methods.

One of the events, Discover the Ramadan Sky, will have an educational and spiritual program where visitors can learn about the planetary movements and their association with the times of iftar and imsak during Ramadan. Another event, titled Recreate Your Family Tree, also offers stories of kinship and family connections.

Visitors who arrive before sundown will be invited to gather as a community to break their fast with coffee, water and dates at the At-Turaif Iftar Coffee and Date Offering. Taraweeh prayers are also being held at At-Turaif Mosque.

One of the events, Hidden Heritage Trail of At-Turaif, especially created for Ramadan 2023, will give visitors the chance to discover lesser-known places within the World Heritage Site. 

The second installment of the At-Turaif Retrospective (Descendants), a docuseries of short films, is an immersive experience that dives into the history, heritage and culture of the site and its impact on the Kingdom.

Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif’s Ramadan activities will run daily from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. with the last entry allowed at 2 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at Bujairi Terrace restaurant. 


Turaif: Historical, cultural mosaic tracing back to pre-Islamic eras

Updated 7 sec ago
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Turaif: Historical, cultural mosaic tracing back to pre-Islamic eras

  • Located 40 km southwest of Turaif is the archaeological site of Qasr Duqrah, where material evidence indicating human settlement since the Stone Age had been found

 

The governorate is home to a range of culturally and historically rich heritage sites, many of which date back to pre-Islamic times. (SPA)

 

TURAIF: Located in Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region, Turaif governorate stands as a crossroads of ancient civilizations and historical events, serving as a gateway to Iraq and the Levant. The governorate is home to a range of culturally and historically rich heritage sites, many of which date back to pre-Islamic times.

Among the most prominent heritage landmarks is the archaeological site of Qasr Duqrah, situated 40 kilometers southwest of the governorate. Adjacent to it lies a mountain known as “Aqran,” also referred to as Duqrah Mount, which has been recorded under the Comprehensive Archaeological Survey Program.

Heritage Commission sign board at the archaeological site of Qasr Duqrah, located 40 kilometers southwest of Turaif governorate. (SPA)

Saudi Historical Society member Zahi Al-Khalawi stressed that the site known as “Duqrah” is among the Kingdom’s most significant archaeological locations, given the discovery of material evidence indicating human settlement since the Stone Age. 

He noted that habitation at the site continued through the later Roman period (2nd to 6th centuries CE) and persisted into the Umayyad era (661 to 750 CE).

Another landmark is the Trans-Arabian Pipeline (Tapline), one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant industrial heritage sites. The pipeline stretches from the east of the Kingdom to its north, passing through Turaif, and has been registered in the National Industrial Heritage Register. It is the first officially documented industrial heritage site in the Kingdom, representing the early stages of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry and its developmental and economic significance.

Known as the Tapline, this oil pipeline stretches from eastern Saudi Arabia to the northwest, passing through Turaif. (SPA)

Also noteworthy is the site of Qaru Turaif, a water source developed by the Tapline Company in the 1950s to help settle nomadic communities by order of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud. The site has been listed as part of the governorate’s cultural heritage.

To the east of Turaif, about 25 kilometers away, stands Jabal Umm Waal, a historic landmark and northern gateway into the Arabian Peninsula. The mountain tells the stories of Bedouin life and the passage of trade caravans and pilgrims traveling from the Levant and Iraq. For centuries, it served as a safe route for travelers making their way southward.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

  • Kingdom’s foreign ministry said the move would violate international laws

RIYADH: A government minister’s threat for Israel to apply full sovereignty over the occupied West Bank was strongly condemned by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom “condemned and denunciated” the statement made by the Israeli official calling for the imposition of sovereignty over the Palestinian territory.

Such action would be a violation of international law, the statement said. Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements on Palestinian land, the ministry added, while reiterating the Kingdom’s position on the importance of Israel abiding by international resolutions.

The statement followed comments from Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin saying “the time has come” for Israel to apply sovereignty across the West Bank.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967 and has built dozens of settlements, deemed illegal under international law, across the territory.

The Saudi foreign ministry offered its support for the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights and in establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 


Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 88,518 Anker portable chargers across multiple models due to a potential internal electrical short circuit that may cause overheating and pose a fire risk.

The ministry urged consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and contact Anker at the toll-free number 8008500030 to arrange a replacement or full refund, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Consumers can check if their device is included in the recall and start the replacement or refund process by visiting anker.com/mmrc2506.

Users are also advised to verify the model number of their charger against the list of affected products on the Defective Products Recall Center website ecalls.sa.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety and stressed the importance of promptly addressing product defects to prevent potential hazards.


GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Updated 02 July 2025
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GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi participated in the 39th Meeting of the Directors-General of Passports of the GCC countries, held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, he reviewed the latest developments, including the Gulf visa project.

The passport departments of the interior ministries of GCC countries, through a series of joint meetings, are making efforts to launch a unified tourist visa project in the near future, the General Secretariat said in a report.

“Everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterised by rapid change,” Albudaiwi said.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The latest regional and international developments were also discussed.