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Hira Cultural District: A History, Culture, and Tourism Hub in Makkah

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
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Hira Cultural District: A History, Culture, and Tourism Hub in Makkah

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah, a unique destination that blends cultural exploration, historical immersion, and modern entertainment.
Spanning 67,000 square meters beside Mount Hira, the district is a landmark sought by residents and tourists alike, said the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.
A dedicated center introduces visitors to the site's historical and geographical significance, along with an overview of the services available.
The centerpiece of the district is the Revelation Exhibition, which tells how prophets received revelations from Allah. One section focuses on the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and explores facets of his life.
Complementing this exhibition is the Holy Quran Museum. Utilizing innovative technology and displaying unique collections, the museum emphasizes the universal significance and enduring legacy of the Quran, highlighting its remarkable preservation through history.
The Hira Cultural District is testament to a successful collaboration. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, along with the Emirate of Makkah, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Holy Makkah Municipality, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Authority of Endowments jointly oversee and manage the district.

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Pharrell Advocates for Reviving Arts Competitions for 2028 Olympics at Louis Vuitton Event 

Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
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Pharrell Advocates for Reviving Arts Competitions for 2028 Olympics at Louis Vuitton Event 

Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)

If given the chance, Pharrell Williams would reintroduce arts competition into the Olympics, reviving a tradition that's been missing for nearly 80 years.

Williams is aiming to reinstate arts competitions back on the world's biggest sports stage, starting with raising awareness through his star-studded Louis Vuitton event Thursday in Paris. He passionately shared his goal to see the tradition revived by the Olympics in 2028 the night before the Games’ opening ceremony.

“We get to remind people that at one point, the Olympics actually had the arts as a section that ran all these competitions,” Williams before the event. “Sculpture, architecture, visual arts. The idea we get to put the arts back in. ... Why not take this moment to bring awareness?”

Art competitions first came into fruition at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm with medals awarded in five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture. However, the International Olympic Committee ended the competitions in the 1948 games. An attempt to bring it back was denied four years later.

Williams, the musician-turned-designer, hosted the ritzy A-list event at the Louis Vuitton Foundation building. Attendees included popular figures such as LeBron James, Steven Spielberg, Mick Jagger, Zendaya, Anna Wintour, Charlize Theron, Serena Williams, Rosalía, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah and Zac Efron.

Williams called the inside of the event like an “indoor carnival.” He curated a select group of world-renowned artists including KAWS, Daniel Arsham and Derek Fordjour to design interactive art installations.

Some of the sports represented at the event included archery, tennis, basketball and equestrianism along with carnival games. “The game will begin on the inside tonight,” he said.

Through donations, Williams said he wanted the event to support Olympic hopefuls as well as 36 athletes across 11 different countries who are competing on the Refugee Olympic Team this year.

“We get to raise money for the other athletes who don't have the means to get the gear or proper training equipment,” said Williams, who added that he spoke about creating music for the games with Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC.

The famed producer said he recorded a track called “Triumph is Cosmos.”

“This is like the victory lap around the solar system,” he said.