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Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history

Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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Spanning 70,000 sq. meters, the palace features seven museums, seven facades, seven gates and almost 7 million stones cut and laid by Majid Al-Thabiti. (Supplied)
Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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Spanning 70,000 sq. meters, the palace features seven museums, seven facades, seven gates and almost 7 million stones cut and laid by Majid Al-Thabiti. (Supplied)
Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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The palace includesflooring adorned with colored stones and inspired by the historical art of Sadu, an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. (SPA)
Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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Majid Al-Thabiti used seven types of stone sourced from across Ƶ, including basalt, quartz and shale. (SPA)
Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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The palace includesflooring adorned with colored stones and inspired by the historical art of Sadu, an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. (SPA)
Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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Majid Al-Thabiti used seven types of stone sourced from across Ƶ, including basalt, quartz and shale. (SPA)
Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
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Spanning 70,000 sq. meters, the palace features seven museums, seven facades, seven gates and almost 7 million stones cut and laid by Majid Al-Thabiti. (Supplied)
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Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history

Built by hand, rooted in history: National Historical Palace in Taif is one man’s tribute to Saudi heritage and Islamic history
  • Built by Majid Al-Thabiti, the site blends Islamic history with contemporary design, rooted in the symbolism of the number seven
  • Spanning 70,000 sq. meters, the palace features seven museums, seven facades, seven gates and almost 7 million stones cut and laid by the man himself

MAKKAH: In the heart of Wadi Qarn in Taif governorate, one man’s vision has resulted in one of Ƶ’s most striking heritage landmarks: the National Historical Palace for Islamic Civilization.

Built by Majid Al-Thabiti, the site blends Islamic history with contemporary design, rooted in the symbolism of the number seven.

In an interview with Arab News, Al-Thabiti said: “The number symbolizes perfection and completeness in several Qur’anic verses, including the seven heavens, the seven earths and the seven shaded by God in his shadow, among others.”




The palace includes flooring adorned with colored stones and inspired by the historical art of Sadu, an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. (SPA)

The project was born out of Al-Thabiti’s strong will. He believed in his dream and devoted his effort, time and energy to bring it to life.

Spanning 70,000 sq. meters, the palace features seven museums, seven facades, seven gates and almost 7 million stones cut and laid by the man himself.

The museums offer distinct cultural and education experiences. Exhibits cover Islamic architecture, local heritage, plastic arts and sculpture, rare collections, astronomy, military history documenting the unification of the Kingdom and an agricultural museum featuring seeds mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

The palace includes 600 square meters of flooring adorned with colored stones and inspired by the historical art of Sadu, an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Al-Thabiti said that he personally cuts, shapes and stacks the stones himself. “The manual labor is what gives the project its true spirit, as every corner bears (my) imprint, effort and dedication,” he added.

He used seven types of stone sourced from across Ƶ, including basalt, quartz and shale. His attention to detail is reflected in features such as hand-shaped facades, floor mosaics inspired by Sadu art and stonework colored in seven hues that mirror the Kingdom’s geological diversity.




Majid Al-Thabiti used seven types of stone sourced from across Ƶ, including basalt, quartz and shale. (SPA)

Highlights at the palace include an Abbasid-style minaret with a water fountain in honor of Zubaida, the wife of Harun Al-Rashid; an observatory used to track the crescent moon; and stone engravings of Saudi megaprojects like NEOM and The Line.

The site also includes engravings on stone of the Kingdom’s military vehicles, such as a fighter jet and ship.

Al-Thabiti also built a 700-meter sports track along the banks of Qarn valley, a stable for purebred Arabian horses, as well as replicas of symbolic gates like Makkah Gate, Taif Gate and King Abdulaziz Islamic Gate, with stones from Mounts Al-Nur, Thawr and Uhud. Other exhibits, like Diriyah and Yawm Badina (The Day We Began), commemorate key moments in Saudi history.

According to Al-Thabiti, his goal is to transform the palace into a cultural and educational destination that celebrates the Kingdom’s history and heritage.

“We possess a great civilizational legacy and a deep-rooted history. It is our duty to present it to the world in the finest way. This palace is the beginning,” he said.


Ancient terrace farming technique shapes Asir’s agricultural heritage

Ancient terrace farming technique shapes Asir’s agricultural heritage
Updated 15 sec ago

Ancient terrace farming technique shapes Asir’s agricultural heritage

Ancient terrace farming technique shapes Asir’s agricultural heritage
  • Together, the thumalah and mughayyid systems stand as a testament to early innovation sustaining life in one of Ƶ’s most challenging landscapes

 

RIYADH: For centuries, the people of Ƶ’s Asir region have cultivated food on steep mountain slopes using stone terracing systems.

They began with the construction of stone retaining walls known locally as “thamayil,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Each individual wall, called “thumalah,” is anchored into bedrock and can rise two to six meters in height.

They serve as critical infrastructure for mountain agriculture by creating level growing surfaces on otherwise impossible terrain.

Each individual wall, called “thumalah,” is anchored into bedrock and can rise two to six meters in height. (SPA)

“The thumalah represents a stone containment system designed to capture sloping mountain terrain,” Ahmed Al-Bariqi, an architectural heritage researcher, said in an interview with the SPA. “After building the stone barrier, the enclosed space is filled with a mixture of clay, soil and rocks to create a flat, arable surface suitable for both farming and habitation.”

Local builders adapted to their surroundings, often reinforcing these structures with juniper and sidr tree trunks, as well as massive stones to withstand the pressure of heavy seasonal rains.

Water management is equally sophisticated. The “mughayyid” regulates irrigation and controls flooding by channeling water flow between terraced fields.

The “mughayyid” regulates irrigation and controls flooding by channeling water flow between terraced fields. (SPA)

“Ancient builders displayed remarkable engineering precision in the mughayyid’s construction,” Al-Bariqi has said in his book “Antiquities and Heritage in Bariq Governorate.”

He added: “Square or elongated stones formed the base structure, while carefully polished flat stones were placed at the top, precisely leveled to allow water to flow at calculated rates between terraces.”

Positioned at strategic elevations, the mughayyid retains optimal water volumes while preventing destructive flooding that could compromise the entire terrace system.

Terraces were reinforced by stone retaining walls known locally as “thamayil.” (SPA)

These terraces do more than support agriculture. According to Dr. Ghaithan bin Jurais of King Khalid University, they reflect a deep-rooted civilization in Asir dating back thousands of years.

“These structures preserve soil resources, establish clear property boundaries between neighboring farms, and historically served as recognized markers of family and tribal land ownership,” he said.

Together, the thumalah and mughayyid systems stand as a testament to early innovation sustaining life in one of Ƶ’s most challenging landscapes.
 


Saudi, British foreign ministers discuss regional and international developments

Saudi, British foreign ministers discuss regional and international developments
Updated 10 May 2025

Saudi, British foreign ministers discuss regional and international developments

Saudi, British foreign ministers discuss regional and international developments
  • Two ministers also discussed Saudi-UK relations

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday spoke with his British counterpart David Lammy, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two ministers discussed Saudi-UK relations, as well as regional and international developments and the efforts being made in this regard, SPA added.

The call came on the same day as Prince Faisal's meeting with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah.


Crown prince holds phone calls with King of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait

Crown prince holds phone calls with King of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait
Updated 10 May 2025

Crown prince holds phone calls with King of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait

Crown prince holds phone calls with King of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the calls, the crown prince reviewed relations between the Kingdom and Bahrain and Kuwait, SPA added. 

They also discussed a number of issues of common interest.


Ƶ, Jordan welcome India-Pakistan ceasefire, urge dialogue

Ƶ, Jordan welcome India-Pakistan ceasefire, urge dialogue
Updated 10 May 2025

Ƶ, Jordan welcome India-Pakistan ceasefire, urge dialogue

Ƶ, Jordan welcome India-Pakistan ceasefire, urge dialogue
  • Kingdom commends both parties for prudence, self-restraint amid heightened tensions

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed the US-mediated ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, expressing hope that the development will pave the way for restoring security and stability in the region.

In an official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom commended both parties for their prudence and self-restraint amid heightened tensions, and reiterated its support for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.

Ƶ emphasized the importance of adhering to the principles of good neighborliness in a manner that promotes peace and prosperity for both countries and their peoples.

The ceasefire announcement came on Saturday after both Islamabad and New Delhi confirmed the agreement following a period of escalated hostilities.

The de-escalation followed US-mediated talks late on Friday night, with President Donald Trump stating that Washington had played a key role in brokering the understanding between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the ceasefire agreement, describing it as a key step toward enhancing regional stability, the Jordan News Agency reported.

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah emphasized the importance of resolving crises through diplomatic channels and reiterated Jordan’s support for peaceful efforts based on the principles of good neighborliness.

He praised both sides for promoting dialogue and exercising restraint.


Jeddah festival celebrates Korean culture

Jeddah festival celebrates Korean culture
Updated 10 May 2025

Jeddah festival celebrates Korean culture

Jeddah festival celebrates Korean culture
  • Event strengthens ties through heritage, fun

JEDDAH: The Korean Culture Festival, which was organized by the Consulate General of South Korea, has been held at the Korean International School in Jeddah.

This year’s theme, “Enjoy Korea,” drew around 500 guests to celebrate Korean heritage, culture, and the growing friendship between Ƶ and Korea.

Held annually, the festival is part of the consulate’s efforts to foster cultural exchange and strengthen ties between the two nations.

The event was inaugurated by Consul General Woo Hong-koo, who spoke of the long-standing relationship between South Korea and Ƶ.

He said: “This event provides a valuable opportunity to deepen residents’ interest in Korea. As the world’s 12th largest economy, Korea’s growth has been significantly supported by its long-standing cooperation with Ƶ.

“Through events like this, we hope to inspire more people to explore Korea, a country that warmly welcomes all with its rich culture, dynamic traditions, and the global phenomenon of K-pop.”

One of the festival’s highlights was a pansori concert — a traditional Korean musical storytelling performance — by Chae Soo-jung, the chairman of the World Pansori Association, who traveled from South Korea to participate.

Guests explored various cultural activities, including a kimbap (Korean sushi) cooking class, traditional Korean calligraphy, and a hanbok experience, at which those attending could try on traditional attire.

A new addition this year was the virtual reality corner, offering immersive simulations of modern South Korea.

Han SangJun, principal of the Korean International School, highlighted the festival’s significance, saying: “Beyond showcasing Korean culture and tradition, this festival plays a vital role in building people-to-people connections and fostering mutual respect between our communities.

“It’s especially meaningful to see so many Saudi families and young people actively engage with Korean students, learn through hands-on activities, and create lasting memories. These interactions lay the groundwork for deeper educational and cultural collaboration in the future.”

A highlight was the involvement of Korean school students, who led an interactive segment on traditional games. These included ddakji (a paper-flipping game), gonggi (played with small stones), jegichagi (a Korean version of hacky sack), and biseokchigi (a stone-striking game). The activities encouraged participation from attendees of all ages.

Yeong Na, a representative of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a government-affiliated organization promoting Korean identity and heritage, attended the festival, and said: “Our goal is to foster a deeper understanding of Korea’s historical journey and national values.

“By participating in events like this we hope to build meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and inspire greater interest in Korea’s past, present, and future.”

Ahmed Fatani, a university student, said: “I have always been a fan of K-pop, but this event showed me a whole new side of Korea. I had seen some of the traditional games but watching them live and trying them myself was amazing.

“The calligraphy and hands-on activities were also really memorable. It made me want to learn more about Korean history and hopefully visit the country one day.”