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Rua Al Madinah Holding Launches Islamic Civilization Village Project

The project comprises eight distinct geographical zones - SPA
The project comprises eight distinct geographical zones - SPA
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Rua Al Madinah Holding Launches Islamic Civilization Village Project

The project comprises eight distinct geographical zones - SPA
The project comprises eight distinct geographical zones - SPA

Rua Al Madinah Holding has launched the Islamic Civilization Village project as a contribution to actively engage with Islamic heritage and enrich visitors' experience in Madinah.
The project aims to be an attractive and distinctive Islamic destination, enhancing the experience for guests from around the world visiting Madinah, SPA reported.
It provides a rich cultural and edutainment experience, featuring diverse activities, exceptional hospitality services, and valuable historical shows that depict various facets of Islamic world history.
The project comprises eight distinct geographical zones, including the Arabian Peninsula, Mashriq, Islamic South Asia, Maghrib, SEAN, the Silk Road, Al Andalus, and Africa. It also delves into the deep roots of the Kingdom's history, representing the cradle of history and the stronghold of Islam.
The project features diverse retail outlets, various dining options, culturally distinctive cafes, unique designs, interactive shows, various activities, and green spaces.
On this occasion, the CEO of Rua Al Madinah Holding, Eng. Ahmed Al-Juhani, underscored the project's significance as a transformative addition, aiming to evolve into a premier Islamic destination.

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Culture

New Rome Metro Stations Showcase Ancient Treasures After Years of Delays

People examine artifacts on display during the inauguration of the Colosseo Fori Imperiali stop on Metro Line C in Rome, Italy, 16 December 2025. (EPA)
People examine artifacts on display during the inauguration of the Colosseo Fori Imperiali stop on Metro Line C in Rome, Italy, 16 December 2025. (EPA)
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New Rome Metro Stations Showcase Ancient Treasures After Years of Delays

People examine artifacts on display during the inauguration of the Colosseo Fori Imperiali stop on Metro Line C in Rome, Italy, 16 December 2025. (EPA)
People examine artifacts on display during the inauguration of the Colosseo Fori Imperiali stop on Metro Line C in Rome, Italy, 16 December 2025. (EPA)

After years of delays and spiraling costs, Rome inaugurated two new metro stations on Tuesday, including one by the Colosseum, showcasing archaeological discoveries that might become tourist attractions in their own right.

The driverless Metro C line now stretches from the Italian capital's eastern suburbs to Porta Metronia and the Colosseum, extending its reach into the historic city center.

Future plans will take it even deeper under Rome's baroque heart, beneath the river Tiber and onto the Vatican, though the next stop at Piazza Venezia is not expected to open before 2032.

Excavations for the new stations revealed remarkable finds, which slowed work as archaeologists painstakingly preserved layers of ancient Rome they hadn't known were there.

At Porta Metronia, drilling rigs uncovered a military barracks dating back 2,000 years, as well as a residential house, complete with frescoed rooms and mosaics, which are preserved in a museum within the station.

During the Colosseum excavations, workers discovered 28 ancient wells and hundreds of everyday artifacts, including hairpins, oil lamps, irrigation pipes, knives, and statues, many of which are on show.

"These two stations will travel around the world," Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday, predicting they would soon flood social media.

"Beyond serving commuters and Romans, anyone who comes here from Italy or from abroad will stop in these stations. They might take the metro even if they don't need it, just to enjoy the ride," he added.

LONG DELAYS, COST HIKES

Rome's Metro C was meant to link the city's two main Basilicas by the year 2000. Instead, the line only reached the imposing San Giovanni Basilica in 2018, and the Vatican station near St. Peter's Basilica won't be ready for at least another decade.

The initial plan to build 24 stations to the Colosseum was priced at 2.23 billion euros ($2.63 billion), but costs have surged past 3 billion euros, and the entire line could exceed 6 billion by the time the final seven stations are completed.

Engineers say Rome is among the most challenging cities in the world for metro construction, due to buried archaeological sites that require safeguarding and concerns that vibrations could damage the heritage above ground.

At the next stop, at Piazza Venezia, a construction team is digging an 85-meter deep (280 feet) ring around the site which will be filled with reinforced concrete to protect the six underground floors of the station that are being dug out.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said it was worth the effort.

"Without these major works, we would never have discovered the barracks at Porta Metronia, we would never have found these wells, and today we would have known far less about our extraordinary past," he said.

Metro C is intended to carry 600,000 passengers a day, easing Rome's notorious traffic and speeding tourists between major landmarks. At present it carries 41,000 daily, but the new openings should see numbers climb.

Culture

New Discoveries Bridge Chronological Gap between Nabataean, Early Islamic Periods in AlUla’s Wadi al-Qura

The study presents, for the first time, detailed evidence documenting a historical phase in Wadi al-Qura (modern-day AlUla) spanning the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. (SPA)
The study presents, for the first time, detailed evidence documenting a historical phase in Wadi al-Qura (modern-day AlUla) spanning the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. (SPA)
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New Discoveries Bridge Chronological Gap between Nabataean, Early Islamic Periods in AlUla’s Wadi al-Qura

The study presents, for the first time, detailed evidence documenting a historical phase in Wadi al-Qura (modern-day AlUla) spanning the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. (SPA)
The study presents, for the first time, detailed evidence documenting a historical phase in Wadi al-Qura (modern-day AlUla) spanning the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. (SPA)

A joint research team from the Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) published a new peer-reviewed paper in “Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, one of the leading international journals dedicated to Arabian Peninsula and Middle Eastern archaeology.

The study presents, for the first time, detailed evidence documenting a historical phase in Wadi al-Qura (modern-day AlUla) spanning the 3rd to 7th centuries CE.

An RCU statement said the research focuses on a period long regarded as a knowledge gap between the end of the Nabataean era and the beginning of the early Islamic period in northwest Arabia, a time traditionally assumed to have witnessed a widespread decline in settled occupation across sites such as Tayma, Khaybar, and Hegra.

Building on fieldwork from the Dadan Archaeological Project, a collaboration between RCU, CNRS, and AFALULA, the study compiles findings from three consecutive excavation seasons (2021–2023) at an archaeological mound located within the boundaries of the Dadan site, less than one kilometer south of ancient Dadan.

Excavations uncovered a substantial structure built in the late 3rd or early 4th century CE and occupied continuously until the first half of the 7th century CE. This discovery provides the first integrated archaeological evidence of sustained settlement in the region from the early 5th to the early 7th century CE.

The findings reveal a clear architectural and cultural sequence, featuring a network of organized rooms and courtyards, a central square equipped with a well, basin, and water channels, as well as evidence of agricultural practices, crop storage, food production, and craft activities, indicating a stable, structured community.

The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating ceramic and lithic analysis, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and geoarchaeology. Together, these methods offer new insights into diet, agriculture, and the oasis environment during this extended period.

Collectively, the results challenge long-held assumptions about the history of Wadi al-Qura. Rather than experiencing a complete interruption in settlement between the 4th and 6th centuries CE, the region appears to have hosted a continuous, well-organized community with advanced architectural planning and internal water-management systems, illustrating social and economic continuity up to the eve of the Islamic era.

Commenting on the study, Vice President of Culture within RCU’s Tourism Sector Dr. Abdulrahman AlSuhaibani, who is also a principal contributor to the research, said that "these findings reveal an important chapter in the history of Wadi al-Qura and show that AlUla was part of a vibrant settlement network in the centuries preceding the rise of Islam.”

“This research enriches our understanding of local communities in northwest Arabia and further reinforces AlUla’s position as a place of enduring cultural continuity,” he added.

This achievement reflects RCU’s commitment to advancing world-class archaeological research and building international partnerships with leading scientific institutions.

It supports the ongoing rediscovery of AlUla’s heritage and strengthens its role as a global reference for the study of Arabian history, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to boost cultural tourism, grow the knowledge economy, and protect natural and cultural heritage.

Culture

King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Framework on Multilingualism at UNESCO

The UNESCO logo is seen during the 39th session of the General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (AP)
The UNESCO logo is seen during the 39th session of the General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (AP)
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King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Framework on Multilingualism at UNESCO

The UNESCO logo is seen during the 39th session of the General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (AP)
The UNESCO logo is seen during the 39th session of the General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (AP)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language (KSGAAL) launched its Framework on Multilingualism Framework at the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The launch took place during a symposium titled “Multilingualism in International Organizations.”

The event was attended by senior UNESCO officials, ambassadors of the Arab Group, experts from international organizations, participating delegations, and specialists in language policy.

The initiative is part of the academy's activities marking World Arabic Language Day.

KSGAAL Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi said the launch of the framework represents a practical step reflecting the academy’s commitment to promoting multilingualism within international institutions and contributing to the development of linguistic work environments.

He expressed his gratitude for the continued support by Minister of Culture and academy Board Chairman Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, underlining Saudi Arabia's dedication to supporting the Arabic language and its sciences and strengthening its global presence.

The framework aims to support UNESCO’s policies in empowering official languages within its institutional work in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs, and within the academy's international initiatives, particularly those associated with World Arabic Language Day, he added.

It also aims to meet the linguistic needs of the Arab Group, boost institutional practices that contribute to developing the linguistic landscape, and expand Arab participation in UNESCO’s programs and activities.

The first session of the symposium was dedicated to presenting the framework, outlining its main components, and highlighting its role in supporting multilingualism and strengthening the presence of the Arabic language within the organization’s institutional and digital environments.

The framework is the result of joint efforts between the academy and the Saudi delegation to UNESCO.

The launch of the framework falls within the academy’s broader efforts to bolster the presence of the Arabic language in international organizations, support joint initiatives aimed at developing linguistic practices, and unify Arab efforts in the field of international language planning, helping consolidate the status of Arabic at both the international and institutional levels.