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Restoration of Qalaa Mosque in Madinah enhances Ƶ’s Islamic heritage

Restoration of Qalaa Mosque in Madinah enhances Ƶ’s Islamic heritage
An undated file photo of Qalaa Mosque in the town of Al-Hinakiyah, northeast of Madinah, Ƶ. (Photo courtesy: SPA)
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Updated 06 March 2025

Restoration of Qalaa Mosque in Madinah enhances Ƶ’s Islamic heritage

Restoration of Qalaa Mosque in Madinah enhances Ƶ’s Islamic heritage
  • Restoration taking place under Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Development of Historic Mosques
  • The Initiative aims to enhance the Islamic heritage of the Kingdom as the land where the Qur’an was revealed

RIYADH: The historic Qalaa Mosque in the town of Al-Hinakiyah, northeast of Madinah, is among the places of worship undergoing restoration as part of a national project.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques focuses on preserving the building, which is over a century old, in Madinah’s historical architectural style, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The initiative aims to enhance the Islamic heritage of the Kingdom as the land where the Qur’an was revealed, and the location of the Two Holy Mosques.

The project will expand the mosque’s area from 181 sq. meters to 263 sq. meters to accommodate 171 worshippers. The mosque was previously unused, the SPA added.

The renovation will include the use of natural materials including clay and local wood, to ensure the mosque returns to its original form.

It will preserve the unique building techniques that are adapted to the local environment and hot desert climate.

The crown prince’s project aims to balance traditional and modern construction standards to ensure the sustainability of historic mosques, the SPA reported.

Ƶ companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the work.

Phase two of the crown prince’s project follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, which restored 30 mosques in 10 regions across the Kingdom.


AI meets archeology in the hands of Saudi innovator

AI meets archeology in the hands of Saudi innovator
Updated 20 October 2025

AI meets archeology in the hands of Saudi innovator

AI meets archeology in the hands of Saudi innovator
  • Hanin Al-Zahrani is giving Ƶ’s cultural treasures a digital life of their own

ALKHOBAR: For Saudi innovator Hanin Al-Zahrani, the past is not a distant memory — it is data waiting to be decoded.

At 24, Al-Zahrani is one of the few specialists in Ƶ working at the intersection of archeology and artificial intelligence.

Through her two startups, ArchTech and AeroQuest, she is redefining how cultural heritage can be preserved, translated, and experienced in the digital age.

“My interest in combining archaeology and artificial intelligence began with the question: ‘What if technology could help us read the past more clearly?’” she told Arab News.

“While studying archeology, I realized that many ancient inscriptions remain undocumented or misunderstood due to their complexity or deterioration. This motivated me to explore AI as a tool to analyze patterns, recognize scripts, and uncover hidden stories.”

Her vision also extends to smart tourism, where digital tools turn passive sightseeing into immersive learning.

“I see AI as a bridge connecting heritage with modern technology, creating advanced, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences for both researchers and the public,” she said.

AeroQuest offers curated categories, from hotels and restaurants to historic sites and cultural events, transforming flights into immersive smart-tourism experiences. (Supplied)

ArchTech, her flagship project, is an AI-powered platform designed to translate and document ancient Saudi inscriptions.

“ArchTech leverages AI to analyze high-resolution images of ancient inscriptions, including Thamudic, Sabaean, and Nabataean scripts,” she said.

The system identifies characters, deciphers patterns, and translates content into Arabic, English, Chinese, and French, preserving historical context. It also records metadata such as location, material, and estimated date, creating a comprehensive digital archive.

The project does more than preserve history — it brings it to life for the public.

“Beyond research, ArchTech supports smart tourism by allowing visitors to interact with heritage digitally,” she explained. “Through AI, the platform safeguards historical knowledge while offering global access. This approach ensures both cultural preservation and public engagement, merging heritage conservation with digital transformation to create an innovative, educational, and immersive experience.”

Her second initiative, AeroQuest, connects travelers with Saudi culture even before they land.

“AeroQuest was created to make air travel both educational and interactive,” she said.

The app provides an in-flight map displaying tourist destinations, historical landmarks, and major cultural events across Ƶ in real time.

“Travelers can explore sites from the air, learn about their history, and engage with augmented reality content,” she added.

The AeroQuest interface displays Saudi landmarks and cultural destinations, allowing travelers to explore sites such as Diriyah, Al-Balad, and the Edge of the World through AI-powered interactive maps. (Supplied)

“Using AI, the app delivers accurate multilingual translations and interactive storytelling,” she explained. “This project integrates aviation, heritage, and smart tourism, transforming flights into immersive cultural journeys.”

AeroQuest demonstrates how technology can enhance tourism by linking innovation with heritage, allowing visitors “to experience Saudi culture dynamically while supporting digital transformation and educational exploration throughout every journey.”

Both ArchTech and AeroQuest align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of cultural preservation, tourism diversification, and technological advancement.

“Additionally, they contribute to empowering women in technology, fostering knowledge-based development, and encouraging community engagement. Overall, my work bridges tradition with modern technology, demonstrating how innovation can support sustainability, cultural enrichment, and the strategic objectives of Vision 2030,” Al-Zahrani said.

Creating AI models for archeological data came with challenges: “The main challenge was data collection, as no comprehensive databases existed for ancient inscriptions. I had to gather information from books, manuscripts, and historical sources to train AI models accurately. The diversity of scripts, including Thamudic, Sabaean, and Nabataean, combined with natural erosion, made recognition more difficult.”

Translation accuracy was another obstacle. “Another challenge was preserving historical and cultural meaning during translation for multiple languages,” she said. “Overcoming these obstacles enabled creating interactive digital experiences that support smart tourism and digital transformation. Successfully addressing these challenges ensures AI can both safeguard heritage and engage researchers and the public in meaningful, immersive ways.”

Through ArchTech and AeroQuest, Al-Zahrani is helping reimagine how people engage with Ƶ’s archaeological treasures — from inscriptions carved centuries ago to landmarks visible from 30,000 feet above ground.

Her work embodies a national shift that embraces AI not only as a tool for innovation, but as a means of preserving identity.

In doing so, she joins a new generation of Saudi women driving scientific and cultural transformation.


In Jazan, every stitch tells a story of heritage

In Jazan, every stitch tells a story of heritage
Updated 20 October 2025

In Jazan, every stitch tells a story of heritage

In Jazan, every stitch tells a story of heritage
  • In the Jazan region, traditional clothing is more than fabric and thread; it is a living memory that tells the story of the land and its people

RIYADH: Ƶ’s traditional outfits are rich in color and detail, embodying deep social roots and reflecting the nation’s cultural heritage and identity.

In the Jazan region, traditional clothing is more than fabric and thread; it is a living memory that tells the story of the land and its people.

(SPA)

It serves as a cultural language, passing down pride and belonging from one generation to the next, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.

Men’s attire symbolizes dignity, with fabrics chosen to suit the local environment.

In mountain villages, thick cotton provides warmth, while lighter materials in coastal areas allow comfort and ease in the heat and humidity.

(SPA)

Women’s clothing is a canvas of beauty and symbolism, with designs varying between daily wear and festive occasions.

Garments are embroidered in colors inspired by nature — the green of the mountains, the blue of the sea and the golden tones of the sand — that reflect women’s connection to their surroundings.

(SPA)

Despite the growing influence of modern fashion, the people of Jazan continue to wear their traditional attire with pride in daily life and social gatherings.

Today, young designers and artisans are reviving this heritage by blending traditional elements with contemporary styles in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Their work keeps Jazan’s fashion a vibrant expression of identity, linking past and present while embracing the future.


Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from Ƶ

Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from Ƶ
Updated 20 October 2025

Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from Ƶ

Tokyo governor keen to attract investors from Ƶ

TOKYO: Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko, speaking ahead of her trip to the Middle East later this month, emphasized the importance of attracting investment from Ƶ during her weekly press conference.

“We are currently in the midst of attracting investors to Ƶ, a country that is enthusiastic about investing, so I think it is extremely valuable to promote Tokyo there,” she said. “I hope to promote Tokyo’s initiatives and appeal, and foster cooperation between cities.”

Koike referred to the Future Cities Initiative in Riyadh, which, she pointed out, has attracted a great deal of attention by bringing together investors and those involved in innovation and financial strategy. 

“To give you an idea, people like Elon Musk have attended this event,” she said. “And it attracts roughly 5,000 people, making it a sort of ‘Davos in the desert.’ At these events, I hope to firmly promote Tokyo’s financial market and engage in investor relations.”

While Koike is keen to boost business opportunities, she will also be promoting so-called soft power, such as anime and manga. She will be appearing on stage with Takahashi Yoichi, the creator of Captain Tsubasa, who is known as Captain Majid in the Middle East. Koike said anime and its content are said to have an economic impact of approximately 8 trillion yen.

Koike will be conducting business matching for Tokyo-based small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in Riyadh and Kuwait, as well as Tokyo’s “excellent technology” to local government officials and business communities. 

 

 

 


Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability

Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability
Updated 20 October 2025

Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability

Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza developments and regional stability
  • Talks focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip and ongoing efforts to end the conflict and restore stability in the Middle East

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Sunday from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders reviewed cooperation across various fields and discussed regional and international developments of mutual concern.

Talks focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip and ongoing efforts to end the conflict and restore stability in the Middle East.

Prince Mohammed and Macron stressed the importance of immediately alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people and achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal.

They also underscored the need to take practical steps toward a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.


Ƶ welcomes immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands.
Updated 19 October 2025

Ƶ welcomes immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands.
  • Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to an immediate truce during talks in Doha, both sides said on Sunday, after a week of fierce border clashes

RIYADH: Ƶ on Sunday welcomed the announcement of an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to an immediate truce during talks in Doha, both sides said on Sunday, after a week of fierce border clashes, the worst violence between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the “Kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its constant commitment to ensuring security in a way that achieves stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.”

It added that the Kingdom looked forward to an end to tensions on the border between the two countries.

After peace talks in Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry said early Sunday that “the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries.”

They also agreed to follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire, the Qatari foreign ministry added.