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Beyond Unification: The Cultural and Intellectual Legacy of King Abdulaziz 

King Abdulaziz's reign saw a significant expansion in printing and publishing. (SPA)
King Abdulaziz's reign saw a significant expansion in printing and publishing. (SPA)
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Beyond Unification: The Cultural and Intellectual Legacy of King Abdulaziz 

King Abdulaziz's reign saw a significant expansion in printing and publishing. (SPA)
King Abdulaziz's reign saw a significant expansion in printing and publishing. (SPA)

King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud was a leader who deeply valued science and culture. Even while preoccupied with unifying the nation, he understood that Saudi Arabia’s future depended on an educated and aware generation.

He encouraged the youth to pursue knowledge and instilled in them the importance of combining learning with action to build their nation, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday on the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 95th National Day.

His vision is captured in the words of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who said: "King Abdulaziz's history goes beyond his well-known struggles and achievements in unifying and building the Kingdom, as it also highlights many aspects of his humane personality."

In a speech to students in 1931, King Abdulaziz emphasized that knowledge without action is like a "tree without fruit," encouraging them to take pride in their work and strive for excellence, regardless of their background.

One of the clearest examples of King Abdulaziz's intellectual curiosity was his passion for reading and collecting books. His personal library, a testament to his dedication, contained over 3,000 books, including rare volumes. He was particularly fond of reading Arabic and Islamic law books, many of which he had printed at his own expense and distributed freely to libraries.

His leadership in spreading knowledge was further demonstrated through the scholarly gatherings he hosted in his palace after each Hajj season. These sessions, attended by scholars and dignitaries, were forums for learning and advancing religious and cultural awareness.

King Abdulaziz's reign saw a significant expansion in printing and publishing. He issued two regulations for publications in 1928 and 1939 and ordered the exemption of printing press imports from customs duties to encourage the industry.

The establishment of the Umm Al-Qura government press in Makkah was a pivotal moment. It became the central hub for printing government publications, official newspapers, and school curricula. The press's work is considered the foundation of the intellectual renaissance in the Kingdom. During his reign, approximately 100 books were printed and disseminated, with over 100,000 copies distributed, some in languages other than Arabic.

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Culture

Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
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Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA

Al-Nasb Heritage District in Abha is one of the most prominent living examples of traditional architecture in Aseer Region, preserving its long history and architectural details that embody people’s connection to their local environment and document the social and cultural patterns that have shaped the identity of the place across generations.

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition, where mud and stone buildings stand side by side in visual harmony. They were built using local materials such as stone, clay, and juniper trunks, while the narrow alleyways and closely set buildings give the district a cohesive social character that reflects the spirit of past communities in the region and the close relationship between people and place.

The Heritage Commission has revived the district through an integrated restoration and rehabilitation project aimed at preserving its original elements and enhancing its sustainability, as part of national efforts to protect urban heritage and highlight it as a cultural and tourism asset, SPA reported.

The site is also distinguished by its natural setting, as the district overlooks the banks of Abha Valley and surrounding farms, giving it a distinctive visual and aesthetic dimension. Its narrow passageways and closely set buildings illustrate a traditional urban pattern that strengthens ties among residents and captures the nature of social life in that era.

The district is now a growing destination for culture and tourism in Abha, attracting visitors and heritage enthusiasts who come to explore the details of authentic architecture and learn about the traditional ways of life that have shaped Aseer Region’s identity across generations. The project helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving archaeological sites as a key pillar in forming national memory.

The project is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to protect and effectively manage cultural heritage, in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, which gives special attention to the cultural sector. It seeks to turn heritage sites into vibrant spaces that support cultural tourism and sustainable development while reconnecting society with its historical roots.

Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Enforces Strict Penalties Against Antiquities Violators

The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation
The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation
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Saudi Heritage Commission Enforces Strict Penalties Against Antiquities Violators

The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation
The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced financial fines against 11 violators for dealing in portable antiquities without obtaining the required regulatory licenses, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect cultural heritage in the Kingdom and enhance compliance with regulations governing the sector.

The commission clarified that the violations involved displaying and selling antiquities on online platforms without registering or documenting them with the Heritage Commission or obtaining the necessary licenses, in explicit violation of the provisions of the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage.

The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation, reaching up to SAR15,000 in some cases.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring violations related to heritage sites and collections across the Kingdom and taking the necessary legal and regulatory actions against all those proven to have contravened the regulations.

The Heritage Commission called on all citizens and residents to report any violations or non-compliant practices related to heritage sites or collections through its social media channels, by visiting its branches across the Kingdom, through the Archaeological Site Reporting platform, or by contacting the unified security operations center at 911.

Culture

Holy Quran Museum Showcases Rare 18th-Century Brass-Engraved Copy of the Quran

Among the museum’s distinctive exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating back to the 12th century AH - SPA
Among the museum’s distinctive exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating back to the 12th century AH - SPA
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Holy Quran Museum Showcases Rare 18th-Century Brass-Engraved Copy of the Quran

Among the museum’s distinctive exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating back to the 12th century AH - SPA
Among the museum’s distinctive exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating back to the 12th century AH - SPA

The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah offers a rich cultural and knowledge experience, enabling visitors to explore the history of the Holy Quran and its sciences, and view rare manuscripts and artifacts documenting the journey of its transcription through the ages, reflecting the care Muslims have given to the Holy Quran since the dawn of Islam to the present day, SPA reported.

Among the museum’s distinctive exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating back to the 12th century AH (18th century CE), showcasing the precision and mastery achieved in Islamic arts and the special attention given to Quranic transcription, combining beauty and scholarly accuracy.

This artwork embodies a continuation of deep-rooted traditions in Islamic calligraphy and decorative arts, utilizing various materials and techniques from parchment and paper to metals, highlighting Muslims’ profound connection to the Holy Quran and their commitment to preserving it in artistic forms that combine creativity and reverence.