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Darah Organizes 'History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques' Forum in Jeddah

Darah Organizes 'History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques' Forum in Jeddah
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Darah Organizes 'History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques' Forum in Jeddah

Darah Organizes 'History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques' Forum in Jeddah

The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) is organizing the “History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques” forum, in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, from November 10 to 12, on the sidelines of the fifth Hajj Conference and Exhibition at the Super Dome in Jeddah.

The forum aims to highlight the Kingdom’s historical and organizational efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques, document architectural and artistic transformations at the holy sites, employ modern methods to study the history of Hajj through digital media, and support specialized research.

It also seeks to translate its outcomes into educational and media content that showcases the historical evolution of the Hajj journey across the Islamic world.

Over three days, the forum will feature more than ten specialized panel sessions with over fifty speakers, including historians, researchers, and specialists in history, architecture, culture, media, and digital technologies, documenting the Hajj rite through a modern and comprehensive lens.

The forum will discuss five themes, including organizing Hajj and Umrah and serving the pilgrims and Umrah performers; developing crowd management, transport, and healthcare; and digital transformation in documentation and guidance.

It will also examine what historical chronicles and travelers’ writings recorded about Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques, review architectural styles associated with the Two Holy Mosques and visual identity in manuscripts and historical maps, and explore the presence of Hajj in cultural and literary memory alongside the role of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in historical documentation.

An accompanying exhibition, titled “A Century of Care for the Two Holy Mosques”, will document the history of Hajj over a hundred years through rare original documents, historical photographs, manuscripts, artifacts, and tools used by pilgrims, in addition to digital media and modern display technologies.

Darah is organizing the forum as part of the History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques project, in line with its mission to preserve and document the history of the Kingdom and the Two Holy Mosques. The forum serves as a national and global platform for documenting the Hajj rite and boosting the Kingdom’s civilizational image, in step with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives in culture and tourism, through interactive scholarly and digital content that highlights the historical depth of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques.

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Culture

Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
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Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA

The Cultural House in Jazan held a cultural meeting yesterday evening titled “The Importance of Translating Saudi Literature.” Participants discussed the role of translation in introducing Saudi literature to local and international audiences, and its impact on strengthening its presence and highlighting the richness and diversity of Saudi creative expression, SPA reported.

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers.

Speakers emphasized the importance of adhering to professional and ethical standards when translating literary works into other languages.

The discussion also underscored the role of translation in enabling local literature to reach a global readership, thereby fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the Kingdom’s literary identity on the international stage.

This meeting is part of a series of cultural programs designed to enrich the literary scene, raise awareness of translation-related issues, and create platforms for dialogue among intellectuals and those interested in cultural affairs.

Culture

Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced the documentation and international publication of a scientific discovery of rare horseshoe crab fossils dating back approximately 465 million years, as part of a peer-reviewed study published in Gondwana Research, a leading international journal specialising in geological sciences.

This unique fossil discovery has been published globally for the first time, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a world-class center for geological and scientific research related to Earth’s history and biodiversity. The fossils were discovered in AlGharameel Nature Reserve in AlUla, adding a significant scientific dimension to the understanding of the region’s natural history, SPA reported.

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period, approximately 485–444 million years ago, making them among the oldest known horseshoe crab fossils worldwide. They are distinguished by their exceptionally large size compared to other specimens from the same period. All fossils were found preserved upside down, a mode of preservation not previously recorded, alongside trace fossils indicating attempts by the organisms to return to their natural position. This provides rare evidence of ancient behavioural patterns and enables their interpretation in light of contemporary biological knowledge, supporting advanced scientific research.

According to SPA, geological stratigraphic analysis indicated the recurrence of intense seasonal storms during that period, suggesting that these organisms congregated in shallow coastal environments affected by such events, which contributed to their preservation within sedimentary deposits.

These findings offer a clear picture of AlUla’s ancient coastal environment and add a new scientific perspective to understanding its geological and environmental history. They also highlight the commission’s capacity to provide accurate data that supports scientific research and innovation in the study of AlUla’s natural heritage.

The discovery also represents a previously unclassified species, investigated through two research phases in collaboration with a team led by Dr Russell Bicknell, an academic at Flinders University in Adelaide. The second phase, scheduled for the first half of 2026, will include the collection of additional samples and further study of the new species in preparation for its formal scientific classification. The fossil specimens have been preserved within RCU’s museum collections to support future research and public engagement.

The findings reflect the Royal Commission for AlUla’s commitment to advancing scientific transformation, strengthening AlUla’s position as a global destination for scientific discovery and geological research, enabling international partnerships, and developing research and educational programmes related to natural heritage.

Culture

Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
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Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA

The Levant pavilion at the Global Village, part of the Makkah winter events, is offering an integrated experience that reflects the depth of Levantine civilization and the richness of its cultural, artistic, and social heritage.

The pavilion takes visitors on a rich journey through authentic customs and traditions, featuring live performances and scenes that recreate details of traditional Levantine life, alongside displays of folk costumes and traditional handicrafts that express the region’s identity and historical continuity, SPA reported.

It also includes a diverse collection of handmade products, traditional accessories, and artistic pieces, set within an atmosphere that evokes the spirit of old marketplaces.

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge.

The pavilion is part of the village’s vision to enhance cultural exchange and highlight the civilizations of different peoples, in line with the objectives of the Makkah winter events to offer diverse tourism and cultural content that enriches visitors’ experiences and reflects Makkah’s status as a destination that blends authenticity and culture.