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Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day

Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
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Locals with their children adorned with the national flag, enjoyed shows, parades and cultural exhibitions. (SPA)
Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
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Locals with their children adorned with the national flag, enjoyed shows, parades and cultural exhibitions. (SPA)
Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
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The parade started from the Royal Commission in Yanbu Industrial City and continued to the historic district in Yanbu Al-Bahr. It involved local security forces, industrial security from the commission, and 21 volunteers, all expressing their joy for Saudi National Day. (SPA)
Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
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Locals with their children adorned with the national flag, enjoyed shows, parades and cultural exhibitions. (SPA)
Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
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Locals with their children adorned with the national flag, enjoyed shows, parades and cultural exhibitions. (SPA)
Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
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The General Entertainment Authority also organized fireworks displays throughout the Kingdom to celebrate the day. (SPA)
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Updated 23 September 2024

Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day

Joy on streets of the Kingdom on 94th National Day
  • Art, music, parades, fireworks and more mark occasion enjoyed by children and families

RIYADH: Monday marked a day of joy and expressions of pride as people throughout the Kingdom took to the streets flying the Saudi flag high at various events organized by local authorities to mark the occasion.

The Royal Guard Presidency organized a celebration of the 94th Saudi National Day on Sept. 23 in Jeddah, in the presence of Maj. Gen. Suleiman Al-Hudhaili, the commander of the Royal Guard Group in the Western Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The celebration included musical performances of Saudi melodies, a motorcycle parade, a show by the Honor Guard, and other activities.

The official ceremony began with the national anthem and recitation of verses from the Qur’an, followed by a performance of an operetta titled “And Blessings,” presented by Dar Al-Tarbia Al-Hadetha School, a documentary film about the occasion, and a film by the Royal Guard, all themed around the special day.




The General Entertainment Authority also organized fireworks displays throughout the Kingdom to celebrate the day. (SPA)

The ceremony also featured welcoming words, poems and national melodies, with attendees gathering to enjoy the festive atmosphere and promote the values of national unity.

The 94th National Day celebrations in the Jazan region, organized by the municipality in the northern coastal area of Jazan city, also attracted a large and diverse crowd of visitors of all ages.

Locals with their children thronged the event venue adorned with the national flag, enjoying shows, parades and cultural exhibitions organized by local associations and clubs in partnership with the Ministry of Sports. The activities took place along the cultural street in Jazan.

People visited art stations to admire national-themed artworks symbolizing allegiance, patriotism and admiration for the nation and its leadership.




Locals with their children adorned with the national flag, enjoyed shows, parades and cultural exhibitions. (SPA)

The cultural street, stretching more than 450 meters, featured a wide range of attractions for visitors along its length. People could stroll shaded pathways adorned with decorative motifs featuring the national flag, relax in designated seating areas, and pose for photos next to beautiful sculptures.

Families and children in Madinah also enjoyed an atmosphere of happiness at events and programs held in parks and squares. The events were held under the slogan “We Dream, We Achieve.”

In Hail and Tabuk, thousands of children draped in the national flag and dressed in its colors, also celebrated National Day, joining their families at various public spaces for celebrations organized by the local municipalities.

A bicycle parade in Yanbu featured 130 cyclists carrying national flags to celebrate the day. The event was attended by Yanbu Governor Saad bin Marzouq Al-Suhaimi, government officials and numerous enthusiasts.




A bicycle parade in Yanbu featured 130 cyclists carrying national flags to celebrate the day. (SPA)

The parade started from the Royal Commission in Yanbu Industrial City and continued to the historic district in Yanbu Al-Bahr. It involved local security forces, industrial security from the commission, and 21 volunteers, all expressing their joy for Saudi National Day.

In the Northern Borders region, cities and governorates were decorated with more than 6,000 flags raised in gardens, public parks, streets and squares, and 650 advertising boards.

Festivities included entertainment and cultural events organized by the region’s municipality and held in Arar Water Tower Park.

The General Entertainment Authority also organized fireworks displays throughout the Kingdom to celebrate the day. The fireworks were launched simultaneously in Riyadh, Jeddah, AlKhobar, Buraidah, Tabuk, Madinah, Abha, Hail, Arar, Najran, Baha, Al-Jouf and Jazan.


Madinah wins new WHO ‘healthy city’ accreditation

Madinah wins new WHO ‘healthy city’ accreditation
Updated 01 August 2025

Madinah wins new WHO ‘healthy city’ accreditation

Madinah wins new WHO ‘healthy city’ accreditation
  • Middle East’s second-largest ‘healthy city’ after Jeddah
  • 15 other cities in Ƶ included in WHO list

MADINAH: The World Health Organization has renewed its accreditation of Madinah as a “healthy city,” with Islam’s second-holiest location scoring an impressive 80 points, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Salman bin Sultan, governor of Madinah region, received the WHO accreditation certificate from Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel during a ceremony on Thursday.

Prince Salman said Madinah’s renewed accreditation exemplifies the leadership’s dedication to enhancing quality of life for the Kingdom’s people in urban centers.

 

With the new accreditation, Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, next to Jeddah. (SPA photo)

He emphasized Madinah’s ongoing transformation as a leading development model regionally and internationally, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, after Jeddah, the SPA reported.

To win the WHO’s nod, an entrant must meet 80 criteria, including parks, walking areas, and the promotion of health through primary care centers and schools.

The WHO has also recognized 14 other healthy cities in Ƶ. These include Taif, Tabuk, Ad-Diriyah, Unaizah, Jalajel, Al-Mandaq, Al-Jumum, Riyadh Al-Khubra and Sharurah, according to Leaders MENA Magazine.

With the new accreditation, Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, next to Jeddah. (SPA photo)

 


Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office
Updated 01 August 2025

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

LYON, France: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif visited Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France on Thursday where he was received by the organization’s president, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi.

During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz affirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing support for Interpol and its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in combating transnational crime.

He praised its role in supporting international security efforts and enhancing cooperation among security agencies around the world.

Interpol's current president is from the United Arab Emirates. Al-Raisi was elected at the 89th General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkiye, in November 2021. His term ends this year.

 


Ƶ welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 

Ƶ welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 
Updated 01 August 2025

Ƶ welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 

Ƶ welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 
  • Number of Umrah visa holders entering Ƶ this year up 30 percent from last year’s
  • Pilgrims have been able to secure Umrah permits directly through the Nusuk mobile application

JEDDAH:  Ƶ’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported that more than 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah since the season launched. The faithful have traveled from 109 countries worldwide, reflecting surging international interest and the Kingdom’s enhanced service capabilities for religious visitors.

Ministry data shows a significant 30 percent jump in Umrah visa holders entering Ƶ this year compared to the same period last year. Visa issuances also climbed 27 percent, while more than 4,200 partnership agreements were executed between domestic Umrah service providers and international agents, bolstering the Kingdom’s capacity to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.

The Umrah season was launched with digital visa processing handled through the government’s Nusuk platform. The scheme represents the latest advancement in Ƶ’s efforts to streamline religious tourism as part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s comprehensive modernization blueprint.

Pilgrims have been able to secure Umrah permits directly through the Nusuk mobile application, which functions as a centralized digital gateway for pilgrim services. The platform offers streamlined booking and permit processing, complemented by additional digital tools designed to improve the overall pilgrimage experience.
 


Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival
Updated 31 July 2025

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival
  • When music is played in front of an audience, the spotlight is directly on its role as a hidden narrator that expresses emotions, enhances the plot and deepens the visual experience’
  • The event explores the scores of 4 movies in particular: ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,’ ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘The Lion King’

RIYADH: The second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival began at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University’s Red Hall Theater on Wednesday. The opening night featured a live orchestral performance that blended visuals with sound as music from “Top Gun: Maverick” was performed live on stage alongside a screening of the film.

The event, which is organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and continues until Aug. 9, features composers, directors, filmmakers and enthusiasts from the Kingdom and beyond.

The event is attracting “diverse audiences, (providing) opportunities for local talent, and (contributing) to building a thriving cultural economy in line with Vision 2030,” said Ahmed Al-Ghaith, a live-performance advisor at the commission.

Ahmed Al-Ghaith, advisor at the RCRC. (Supplied)

Talking about the powerful effects of a live performance of a film score, he added: “When music is played in front of an audience, the spotlight is directly on its role as a hidden narrator that expresses emotions, enhances the plot and deepens the visual experience.”

He explained that the festival aims to promote an appreciation of the movie soundtrack as an art form in its own right, and encourage young talent to explore the fields of musical composition and sound production.

The Riyadh Film Music Festival is taking place this year in conjunction with the hosting in the capital of the Esports World Cup, as part of the commission’s efforts to foster cultural and artistic momentum in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.

The second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival which organized by RCRC scheduled to run until August 9. (Supplied/RCRC)

The event aims to deepen the audience’s appreciation of the musical dimension in films through explorations of four movies in particular: “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Back to the Future” and “The Lion King.”

Each film is being screened accompanied by a live orchestral performance of its score, allowing audiences to experience the films in a new way and discover the power of music in cinematic storytelling.

The commission said the festival forms part of its work to enhance cultural and entertainment offerings for residents and visitors to the capital, while reinforcing Riyadh’s status as a global destination for arts and culture.
 


Mauritanian prime minister arrives in Madinah to visit Prophet’s Mosque

Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)
Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)
Updated 31 July 2025

Mauritanian prime minister arrives in Madinah to visit Prophet’s Mosque

Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay arrived in Madinah on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

He will visit the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city and pray inside it.