Ramadan Season in Jeddah : ‘Year of Handcrafts’ Boosts Business Growth

The number of visitors surpassed one million during the first week of the season's launch (SPA)
The number of visitors surpassed one million during the first week of the season's launch (SPA)
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Ramadan Season in Jeddah : ‘Year of Handcrafts’ Boosts Business Growth

The number of visitors surpassed one million during the first week of the season's launch (SPA)
The number of visitors surpassed one million during the first week of the season's launch (SPA)

The historic Jeddah area (western Saudi Arabia) blends authentic heritage with the modernity of the city during Ramadan nights, offering visitors a unique experience to explore traditional Ramadan atmospheres.
Visitors are immersed in unforgettable moments of charm and inspiration in this historic area, which has transformed into a vibrant living artwork and a tourist destination for locals, residents, and visitors from around the world.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Ramadan Season is being celebrated across cities nationwide, highlighting Saudi traditions through cultural and community events.
Under the slogan “Our Nights Have Returned,” the streets and public spaces have been adorned with decorative lights and installations, creating a magical atmosphere.
Ramadan Season in Jeddah offers a variety of events and activities that provide visitors with an immersive experience full of joy, set against the backdrop of cafes adorned with designs inspired by the region's heritage.
This creates a unique atmosphere where the rich past meets a thriving present.
Additionally, traditional crafts take center stage as a key element of Saudi culture, with specialized workshops held to teach these age-old skills, promoting awareness and highlighting their cultural significance.
In this regard, artisan and soap maker Hashim Al-Shawi told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The designation of 2025 as the Year of Handcrafts has had a positive impact on us, both in terms of support and empowerment, helping us reach more customers.”
“This has contributed to the expansion of our business and increased our participation in the workforce,” added Al-Shawi.
He explained that all of his soap-making tools and materials are 100% locally sourced, noting that the soap is made from seven natural oils.
Al-Shawi also highlighted that he has created 21 different scents, driven by his passion for the craft that has, over the past nine years, evolved into a steady source of income.
Ramadan Season has played a key role in supporting local entrepreneurs by providing small and medium-sized businesses with the opportunity to showcase their products in heritage markets.
This boosts the local economy and offers artisans and artists a platform to display their work.
The Ministry of Culture aims, during the Season, to offer a rich cultural experience that combines enjoyment with knowledge.
It highlights the cherished Ramadan customs and traditions, enhancing cultural awareness and reinforcing the social values that distinguish Saudi society during the holy month.



3 Astronauts Return to Earth after 6 Months on China's Space Station

FILE PHOTO: A Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft sits at the launch pad before taking off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for a crewed mission to China's Tiangong space station, near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft sits at the launch pad before taking off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for a crewed mission to China's Tiangong space station, near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo/File Photo
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3 Astronauts Return to Earth after 6 Months on China's Space Station

FILE PHOTO: A Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft sits at the launch pad before taking off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for a crewed mission to China's Tiangong space station, near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft sits at the launch pad before taking off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for a crewed mission to China's Tiangong space station, near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo/File Photo

Three Chinese astronauts landed back on Earth on Wednesday after six months on China's space station.
The crew’s landing module came down slowly after separating from the return vehicle, descending on a red-and-white parachute, in Dongfeng, in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region on the edge of the Gobi Desert. Their return had been delayed by a day due to strong winds and low visibility, The Associated Press reported. The area is prone to sandstorms this time of year.
The astronauts, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, were launched to the Tiangong space station in October, and they turned over control of the station Tuesday to the new crew that recently arrived to replace them.
The Shenzhou 20 that brought the new crew also carried equipment for space life sciences, microgravity physics and new technology for the space station.
The Tiangong, or “Heavenly Palace,” space station has made China a major player in a new era of space exploration and the use of permanent stations to conduct experiments in space, especially since it was entirely Chinese-built after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over US national security concerns.
China’s space program is controlled by the People’s Liberation Army, the military branch of the ruling Communist Party.
The three Chinese astronauts have carried out experiments and improvements to the space station during their time in space. Two of the astronauts, Cai and Song, conducted a nine-hour spacewalk, the world’s longest, during their mission, China's space agency said.
The country’s space program has grown rapidly in recent years. The space agency has landed an explorer on Mars and a rover on the far side of the moon. It aims to put a person on the moon before 2030.