AlUla's Majestic Gateway: Almazham Passage Blends Nature and History

AlUla's Almazham passage serves as a natural gateway welcoming travelers arriving from the north. (SPA)
AlUla's Almazham passage serves as a natural gateway welcoming travelers arriving from the north. (SPA)
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AlUla's Majestic Gateway: Almazham Passage Blends Nature and History

AlUla's Almazham passage serves as a natural gateway welcoming travelers arriving from the north. (SPA)
AlUla's Almazham passage serves as a natural gateway welcoming travelers arriving from the north. (SPA)

AlUla's Almazham passage serves as a natural gateway, welcoming travelers arriving from the north. This dramatic geological wonder consists of two towering, rocky mountains flanking a modern roadway. The mountains stretch roughly 300 meters in length and 50 meters in width, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.
Almazham boasts a rich history as a passage for camel caravans and a crucial route for Hajj pilgrims from the Levant region.
Before the development of modern roads, this passage posed a significant challenge for travelers, particularly those with heavily laden camels, due to its steep inclines and dense sands.
Beyond its geographical significance, Almazham is a treasure trove of history. The passage walls are adorned with ancient inscriptions, drawings, and formations dating back thousands of years.
These markings left by passing travelers serve as testament to cultural exchange, shared prayers, and advice exchanged along the route.
Almazham passage offers breathtaking views of the nearby Hegra archaeological site. Lush farms surround the area from various directions, creating a captivating blend of historical significance and natural beauty.



Saudi Arabia Participates in UNESCO World Heritage Committee in India

The Saudi delegation, led by the advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos, participated in various activities during the session that were supported by the Kingdom. (SPA)
The Saudi delegation, led by the advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos, participated in various activities during the session that were supported by the Kingdom. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Participates in UNESCO World Heritage Committee in India

The Saudi delegation, led by the advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos, participated in various activities during the session that were supported by the Kingdom. (SPA)
The Saudi delegation, led by the advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos, participated in various activities during the session that were supported by the Kingdom. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia -- represented by the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture and Science and the Kingdom’s permanent delegation to UNESCO and the Heritage Commission -- is participating in the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The session is taking place from July 21 to 31 in New Delhi, India, and will be attended by representatives from 195 member states who ratified the World Heritage Convention of 1972.

The Saudi delegation, led by the advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos, participated in various activities during the session that were supported by the Kingdom.

The delegation delivered speeches highlighting Saudi Arabia's interest, support, and contributions to UNESCO's efforts to preserve world heritage. Some of the activities included discussions on the digital heritage platform, capacity building in African countries, and an event on Islamic World Heritage organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Additionally, the Saudi delegation met with representatives from other official delegations attending the session to strengthen cooperation in heritage conservation.

The digital heritage platform, a collaborative effort between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, is an online platform that utilizes cutting-edge digital technologies to explore UNESCO's cultural and natural world heritage sites as well as intangible cultural heritage.

The World Heritage Committee will review a proposal to add 27 new sites from various regions worldwide to the World Heritage List. It will also assess the preservation status of 124 sites currently included on the list, including 56 that are categorized as being in danger.

The World Heritage Committee, consisting of representatives from 21 countries elected by the 195 parties to the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, oversees the implementation of the convention.