Darah Releases Updated Guide on History of Saudi Arabia to Mark 94th National Day

Darah Releases Updated Guide on History of Saudi Arabia to Mark 94th National Day
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Darah Releases Updated Guide on History of Saudi Arabia to Mark 94th National Day

Darah Releases Updated Guide on History of Saudi Arabia to Mark 94th National Day

The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) released an updated version of its guide on the history of Saudi National Day. This is part of its ongoing efforts to provide a reliable and accurate reference for the history of Saudi Arabia and to highlight the Kingdom's significant development milestones.

The comprehensive guide provides details about the history of National Day and its associated achievements for those interested in Saudi affairs, both locally and globally. It can also be utilized to create various media and awareness materials for commemorating the 94th National Day of the Kingdom.

The guide includes a section about the Saudi national anthem, tracing its origins from King Abdulaziz's reign to its evolution into its current form.

It also includes a section dedicated to the kings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering brief biographies of the rulers from the founding of the Saudi state up to the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The guide covers significant development projects during the state-building phase, including the reconstruction of the Riyadh wall, the construction of the Murabba Palace in Riyadh, the Qishla Palace in Hail, the King Abdulaziz Palace in Al-Muwayh governorate in Taif and the Riyadh-Dammam railway.

It also covers the opening of King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, the launch of the Um Al-Qura newspaper, and the expansions of the two holy mosques.

It offers a detailed chronology of the events leading to King Abdulaziz's unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, beginning with his recapture of Riyadh in 1902 and culminating in the declaration of the country's unification in 1932.

It also highlights the prominent treaties and agreements concluded by the Kingdom, along with examples of projects undertaken during his reign.



Pharrell Williams is Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
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Pharrell Williams is Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

Pop star and fashion designer Pharrell Williams was named UNESCO’s goodwill ambassador for artistic education and entrepreneurship on Tuesday in Paris, continuing his cultural dominance of the French capital as Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director and performer at Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening earlier this month.
Williams said he hoped to “deepen that sense of unity and togetherness” in work that “evens the odds for marginalized communities.”
He also spoke about his impoverished youth, adding: “Growing up in Virginia, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given an opportunity like this one."
The role of goodwill ambassador for the Paris-based UN cultural agency involves promoting its initiatives that include protecting indigenous cultures, advancing education and health care for women, raising awareness about genocide prevention and safeguarding cultural heritage, The Associated Press reported.
The UN agency said Williams will be “a mentor and role model for young creators, particularly in Africa, where UNESCO supports the development of cultural industries.”
Williams joins a list of goodwill ambassadors that includes US jazz musician Herbie Hancock, Brazilian artist Vik Muniz and Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase.
Williams has been particularly visible in Paris this year. Shortly before the Paris Olympics, his role as Louis Vuitton menswear designer took center stage during a star-studded event at UNESCO’s headquarters. The show, celebrating the beauty of human skin, featured models wearing garments in shades representing the diverse hues of humanity.
UNESCO leaders hope that Williams' global influence and deep connections to fashion and music will draw fresh attention to the agency’s work.
Williams is American, and his selection as goodwill ambassador also may be highlighting the readmission of the United States to UNESCO last year.
The US exit under President Donald Trump cited alleged anti-Israel bias within the agency. The decision followed a 2011 decision by UNESCO to include Palestine as a member state, which led the US and Israel to cease financing for the agency.
The US return under President Joe Biden was marked by a flag-raising ceremony attended by US First Lady Jill Biden.