Saudi Arabia, a Hub for Global Sporting Events, Breathtaking Landmarks

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Quality of Life Program has contributed to turning the Kingdom into a regional and international attraction with numerous international sporting events, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. (SPA)
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Quality of Life Program has contributed to turning the Kingdom into a regional and international attraction with numerous international sporting events, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, a Hub for Global Sporting Events, Breathtaking Landmarks

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Quality of Life Program has contributed to turning the Kingdom into a regional and international attraction with numerous international sporting events, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. (SPA)
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Quality of Life Program has contributed to turning the Kingdom into a regional and international attraction with numerous international sporting events, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. (SPA)

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Quality of Life Program has contributed to turning the Kingdom into a regional and international attraction with numerous international sporting events, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup that the Kingdom will soon host for the first time in Jeddah from December 12 to 22, SPA said on Thursday.
In anticipation of this global landmark tournament, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) is highlighting several tourist, heritage, and cultural sites that Jeddah proudly embraces. One of these sites is Historic Jeddah (Al Balad), which stands out thanks to the support it has received by the Saudi leadership throughout the Kingdom’s history.
‘Historic Jeddah’
Historic Jeddah has received special attention from Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who launched the "Revitalize Historic Jeddah" project as part of "Historic Jeddah Development Project.” The revitalization project aims to enhance the living environment in the area, making it a vibrant hub for business and cultural projects and a prime destination for ambitious entrepreneurs.
The project serves as a testament of the leadership's commitment to preserving and rehabilitating historical sites, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030, while showcasing the Arabian and Islamic heritage of the Kingdom as a pillar of the vision.
Historic Jeddah gains significance as a historical crossroads and a maritime gateway for pilgrims heading towards Makkah and a hub for interaction between civilizations. Al Balad was the second area to be listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site following the Hegra (Mada'in Saleh).
‘Breathtaking waterfront’
Additionally, Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, is famous for its waterfront. This vista makes the city a major tourist destination with visitors from all over the country flocking to enjoy its stunning beachscapes, soft sands, and extensive facilities. Jeddah has also become a year-round hotspot for leisure activities, sports, and entertainment. Visitors line up to enjoy the breathtaking view of the sea and the sky's vibrant colors during sunset. Photography enthusiasts do not miss the chance to capture this moment.
Adding to Jeddah’s maritime magic, the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina was established on the city’s waterfront, becoming the Kingdom's first tourist marina.
‘Jeddah Flagpole’
The Jeddah Flagpole is another example of the beautiful landmarks that the city embraces, carrying the words of monotheism at a height of 172 meters. Green areas of 9,000 square meters surround the flagpole and thirteen lights are there to represent the thirteen provinces of the Kingdom.
‘South Obhur Waterfront’
Jeddah also embraces its newly inaugurated South Obhur Waterfront project, which features swimming beaches covering an area of 5,800 square meters and dry sandy beaches spanning 10,350 square meters. The project also includes pathways and squares with a total area of 42,000 square meters, entertainment spots covering 560 square meters, and green spaces measuring 27,000 square meters.
‘Jeddah Superdome’
Furthermore, the Jeddah Superdome takes the lead as the world's largest column-free dome. Located on the Madinah Road, west of King Abdullah Sports City, the superdome has an indoor area exceeding 34,000 square meters with a height of 46 meters and a diameter of 210 meters, accommodating 5,200 parking spaces.
The construction of the dome aims to allow the area to host various events and conferences in the governorate.



UN Puts 4th Century Gaza Monastery on Endangered Site List

The Saint Hilarion complex dates back to the fourth century. Mahmud HAMS / AFP/File
The Saint Hilarion complex dates back to the fourth century. Mahmud HAMS / AFP/File
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UN Puts 4th Century Gaza Monastery on Endangered Site List

The Saint Hilarion complex dates back to the fourth century. Mahmud HAMS / AFP/File
The Saint Hilarion complex dates back to the fourth century. Mahmud HAMS / AFP/File

The Saint Hilarion complex, one of the oldest monasteries in the Middle East, has been put on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in danger due to the war in Gaza, the body said Friday.
UNESCO said the site, which dates back to the fourth century, had been put on the endangered list at the demand of Palestinian authorities and cited the "imminent threats" it faced.
"It's the only recourse to protect the site from destruction in the current context," Lazare Eloundou Assomo, director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, told AFP, referring to the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.
In December, the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict decided to grant "provisional enhanced protection" -- the highest level of immunity established by the 1954 Hague Convention -- to the site.
UNESCO had then said it was "already concerned about the state of conservation of sites, before October 7, due to the lack of adequate policies to protect heritage and culture" in Gaza.
The Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 39,175 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths.