Saudi Flag Flies in the Sky of Tabuk in Celebration of the 94th National Day

The Saudi flag flies in the sky of Tabuk marking the Kingdom’s 94th National Day - SPA
The Saudi flag flies in the sky of Tabuk marking the Kingdom’s 94th National Day - SPA
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Saudi Flag Flies in the Sky of Tabuk in Celebration of the 94th National Day

The Saudi flag flies in the sky of Tabuk marking the Kingdom’s 94th National Day - SPA
The Saudi flag flies in the sky of Tabuk marking the Kingdom’s 94th National Day - SPA

The Saudi flag is flying 75 meters high in the sky of Tabuk, celebrating the Kingdom’s 94th National Day.
Located in Al-Tawheed square on King Fahd Road, in the city of Tabuk, it symbolizes the unity and cohesion of a people that has dedicated itself to serving and defending the nation.
The square features 12 flagpoles, each with the national flag standing 12 meters high. It also includes green spaces covering an area of 2,240 square meters, and decorative artistic lighting designed based on the latest technology, according to SPA.

The national flag of the Kingdom is testament to the country’s progress and achievements of those who built, established and are leading this great nation.



Egypt Opens More Galleries in Long-Awaited Antiquities Museum

A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)
A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)
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Egypt Opens More Galleries in Long-Awaited Antiquities Museum

A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)
A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)

Egypt opened a series of galleries to the public on Tuesday in its flagship new museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located near the pyramids of Giza.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly last week announced a "trial opening" ahead of a formal inauguration. Egyptian officials say a number of world leaders have expressed interest in attending the official opening but have not indicated when this will take place.

Pharaonic statues are showcased at the Grand Staircase of the Grand Egyptian Museum during a partial trial in Giza, Egypt, October 15, 2024. (Reuters)

The museum's main entrance hall with its stairway of Pharaonic statues and an annex for commercial shopping opened to the public in February 2023.

Ali Abu Al-Shish, a member of the Egyptian Archaeologists Union who attended Tuesday's opening of almost a dozen galleries, said the trial operation of the vast museum was evidence Egypt now had the space to exhibit its antiquities, including those being returned by Western states and museums.

It's an "important message that we can recover our antiquities, which are spread across various countries in the world," he said.

Visiting Russian tourist Kseniia Muse said: "We are so happy to be here, to have visited these beautiful sculptures... It is very modern and at the same time you can touch the ancient."

Pharaonic statues are displayed at the Grand Staircase of the Grand Egyptian Museum during a partial trial in Giza, Egypt, October 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Tourism is an important source of foreign currency revenue for Egypt. The government has been trying to increase tourist numbers after facing a long-running foreign currency shortage that was exacerbated by external shocks.

Until now, Egypt's most famous collections have been housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been largely unmodernized and unrenovated since opening in 1902.