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On Arab Palm Day, AlUla Celebrates Agricultural Heritage Spanning Generations

AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees covering 16,484 hectares - SPA
AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees covering 16,484 hectares - SPA
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On Arab Palm Day, AlUla Celebrates Agricultural Heritage Spanning Generations

AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees covering 16,484 hectares - SPA
AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees covering 16,484 hectares - SPA

Palm trees are an integral part of AlUla Governorate's agricultural landscape and social and economic history. They remain a prominent feature of the governorate as a major crop and a source of food and income, coinciding with Arab Palm Day, observed annually on September 15.

According to SPA, AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees covering 16,484 hectares, while the governorate produces around 130,000 tons of dates annually.

These figures reflect the importance of palm trees to the governorate's agricultural sector and the significance of dates within its food production system.

Arab Palm Day highlights the importance of the palm tree in the Arab environment and culture. The designation of Arab Palm Day originated from a proposal submitted by Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture to the Arab League in 1981 to establish an annual day highlighting the palm tree and its importance across Arab countries.

In Saudi Arabia, the palm tree holds a firmly established place in the agricultural, cultural, and economic landscape. AlUla is among the most prominent examples, with its long-standing association with palm cultivation and its oases reflecting an agricultural heritage passed down through generations.

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Culture

European Film Festival Returns to Riyadh for Fifth Edition with 16 Films

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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European Film Festival Returns to Riyadh for Fifth Edition with 16 Films

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

The Delegation of the European Union to Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the embassies of its member states and with the support of the Film Commission, has announced the fifth edition of the European Film Festival in Riyadh, featuring 16 films from 16 European countries, SPA reported.

The festival will begin on November 2, with public screenings running from November 3 to 10, building on the success of its four previous editions.

The program includes a diverse selection of cinematic works reflecting the variety of European film schools and traditions. All films will be presented with Arabic and English subtitles.

Culture

‘Rashrash’: A Silver Necklace Reflecting Jazan’s Traditional Women’s Jewelry Heritage

Adornment was not limited to silver jewelry but also included the use of kohl, henna, perfumes and hair-care products - SPA
Adornment was not limited to silver jewelry but also included the use of kohl, henna, perfumes and hair-care products - SPA
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‘Rashrash’: A Silver Necklace Reflecting Jazan’s Traditional Women’s Jewelry Heritage

Adornment was not limited to silver jewelry but also included the use of kohl, henna, perfumes and hair-care products - SPA
Adornment was not limited to silver jewelry but also included the use of kohl, henna, perfumes and hair-care products - SPA

Traditional jewelry in Jazan Region preserves part of the memory of women and reflects aspects of their social lives in the past.

Among these ornaments is the Rashrash necklace, a silver piece worn around women’s necks, valued for its aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, which are deeply rooted in the community’s customs and heritage.

According to SPA, silver held a prominent place in traditional Jazan women’s adornment, with jewelry ranging from necklaces, earrings and bracelets to decorative pieces worn on the upper arms and feet.

The Rashrash was among the ornaments worn by women in Jazan and was one of the pieces worn by brides as part of traditional wedding customs. Together with other jewelry, it formed the bride’s adornment for the occasion, reflecting the attention women paid to aesthetic details and the variety of silverwork used for personal adornment.

Adornment was not limited to silver jewelry but also included the use of kohl, henna, perfumes and hair-care products.

Women also used local plants and flowers to adorn their hair on special occasions. These practices were closely linked to the natural environment, which provided the plants and materials women used in their daily lives and social gatherings.

Culture

The Black Stone: Sacred Landmark at the Heart of the Holy Kaaba

The Black Stone is located at a height of about one and a half meters from the Mataf surface. (SPA)
The Black Stone is located at a height of about one and a half meters from the Mataf surface. (SPA)
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The Black Stone: Sacred Landmark at the Heart of the Holy Kaaba

The Black Stone is located at a height of about one and a half meters from the Mataf surface. (SPA)
The Black Stone is located at a height of about one and a half meters from the Mataf surface. (SPA)

In the southeastern corner of the Holy Kaaba stands the Black Stone, the faith-filled landmark from which Tawaf begins and ends, drawing the hearts and eyes of millions of Muslims performing the sacred ritual, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.

The Black Stone is located at a height of about one and a half meters from the Mataf surface. It appears black with a reddish tint, surrounded by a pure silver frame, and appears inside in the form of small cohesive parts held together by a binding substance.

During Tawaf, Muslims seek to kiss or touch the Black Stone, if feasible without hardship or crowding, or to point to it while reciting the Takbir, in adherence to the prophetic Sunnah, added the news agency.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gives special care to the Holy Kaaba and its landmarks, driven by its dedication to serving the Two Holy Mosques. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque conducts periodic maintenance, cleaning, and perfuming of the Black Stone using specialized personnel and modern technologies, including high-resolution imaging to document its features with precision.