Kingdom’s program, UNESCO collaborate to preserve heritage, boost cultural tourism in Hadramout
Updated 28 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: After years of deterioration that threatened its survival as a historical and cultural symbol, Seiyun Palace in Hadramout, eastern Yemen, is regaining its original form through restoration led by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.
Seiyun Palace was once featured on Yemen’s national currency due to its importance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Originally built as a fortified stronghold to protect Seiyun, the palace later became the residence of the sultans of the Kathiri state, who ruled Wadi Hadramout.
Despite its significance, the palace suffered damage over time, reaching a critical point in 2022 when a large part of its outer wall collapsed, raising concerns about its future. This led to calls for restoration, according to the SPA.
At the Yemeni government’s request, the Saudi development program launched a project to restore the palace.
Funded by the program and implemented by UNESCO, the effort involved ’s Ministry of Culture and Yemen’s General Organization of Antiquities and Museums, with support from Yemen’s Social Fund for Development.
Restoration included repairing the outer wall and mudbrick structures. Attention was given to restoring wooden ceilings, carved doors, and windows that showcase Yemeni craftsmanship.
The project also preserved the palace’s architectural features, including traditional decorations and wall inscriptions. Local engineers and technicians were trained in restoration techniques for ongoing maintenance.
This project supports development in Hadramout and the preservation of Yemen’s heritage. The palace can now receive visitors and host events, enhancing its role as a cultural and tourism site, the SPA reported.
The Seiyun Palace restoration is one of 264 projects by the Saudi development program across Yemen, covering education, health, transportation, energy, water, agriculture, fisheries, and institutional capacity building.
Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi, director of the Saudi Data and AI Authority’s National Data Management Office. (SPA)
Updated 21 sec ago
Arab News
Saudi students honored for international success
Meanwhile, the Generation Research and Innovation Enrichment Program was recently launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Updated 21 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Students from Tuwaiq Academy enjoyed outstanding success at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition in Malaysia, where they won 12 gold medals and 16 special awards.
Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi, director of the Saudi Data and AI Authority’s National Data Management Office, said the students’ performance reflected their creativity and global competitiveness.
He praised them for positively representing the Kingdom, adding the achievement stemmed from ongoing investment in human capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A ceremony honoring the students included a visual presentation on their participation and an exhibition highlighting their projects. Two winners also gave talks about their journeys, challenges and lessons learned.
Meanwhile, the Generation Research and Innovation Enrichment Program was recently launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, bringing together more than 90 gifted students from across .
Organized by King Abdulaziz City through Academy 32, in partnership with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, the program aims to introduce students to the basics of scientific research and promote innovation.
It connects participants with research centers and experts, offers practical training and encourages contributions to local scientific content.
Academy 32 CEO Amani Al-Shawi said the program helped develop young talent and prepare them for competition, citing recent successes by Saudi students including at the International Science and Engineering Fair and in Malaysia.
Program in Diriyah will enhance cultural collaboration between and China.
Updated 47 min 19 sec ago
Arab News
, China sign deal to boost cultural collaboration
The program, aligned with the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, focuses on joint cultural initiatives
Both sides will carry out research projects to improve quality of cultural studies and collaborate on identifying and compiling cultural materials from national archives
Updated 47 min 19 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture and the China-Arab Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Research Center have signed an executive program in Diriyah to enhance cultural collaboration between and China.
The program, aligned with the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, focuses on joint cultural initiatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It was signed by Deputy Minister for Research and Cultural Heritage Affairs Maha Abdullah Alsenan and Cheng Wei, vice president of Beijing International Studies University and member of the joint committee of the China-Arab research center.
Both sides will carry out joint research projects to improve the quality of cultural studies and collaborate on identifying and compiling cultural materials from national archives.
The ministry will also work with the Chinese to organize joint conferences and facilitate visits and exchanges between cultural researchers to discuss shared cultural topics.
The agreement supports research exchange activities, enabling Saudi researchers to visit Chinese universities and research centers and vice versa. It also provides access to cultural experts, supports fellowship programs and offers consultative assistance.
This initiative aligns with the ministry’s efforts to promote international cultural exchange, a goal of the National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030.
Al-Ardiyat is home to many archeological sites dating from earlier periods, including the pre-Islamic Arab eras and Stone Age.
Updated 30 June 2025
Arab News
Ancient ruins in Al-Ardiyat tell timeless tales
Al-Ruzqi pointed out that Al-Ardiyat is a testament to history, with numerous inscriptions adorning its mountains
Updated 30 June 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Al-Ardiyat, a governorate in the Makkah region, is home to many archeological sites dating from earlier periods, including the pre-Islamic Arab eras and the Stone Age.
These include ibex carvings and inscriptions continuing into later centuries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Abdullah Al-Ruzqi, a researcher of archaeology and history in the governorate, said the inscriptions in Al-Ardiyat fall into three categories: ibex drawings; Nabataean and Thamudic writings; and funerary inscriptions from the first Hijri century, such as the tombstone of Maryam bint Qays.
He also noted several other known and unknown inscriptions and etchings, calling for attention to and protection of these sites.
Al-Ruzqi pointed out that Al-Ardiyat is a testament to history, with numerous inscriptions adorning its mountains, the SPA reported.
He added that the governorate is known for the Thumaidah mine, a 50-meter-long tunnel in rocky mountains containing antimony kohl and lead deposits.
This mine is in a mountainous area stretching from Abyan to Mount Tharban along the western slopes reaching Qanuna Valley, and the eastern slopes extending to Yabah Valley.
Dr. Khalid Sind speaks to attendees during the panel discussion. (Supplied)
Updated 29 June 2025
Afshan Aziz
Jeddah panel explores declining marriage rates among youth
Discussion highlights changing views on commitment, societal pressures, search for meaningful connection
Updated 29 June 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Amid changing values, shifting priorities and growing alternatives to traditional partnerships, a panel titled “Why is there a decline in marriage today?” has explored evolving views on love, commitment and marriage.
Organized by Ta3mq, a platform focused on honest dialogue, the event at Hayy Jameel’s Rukn Space in Jeddah featured panelists from psychology, community leadership and youth engagement.
It was moderated by Tasneem Alshanqiti, Ta3mq founder, and Motaz Al-Safh, a Saudi engineer and entrepreneur. The session addressed generational concerns, fears and new definitions of partnership.
Panel members (L-R): Tasneem Al-Shanqiti, Dr. Rozana Al-Banawi, Motaz Al-Safh and Dr. Khalid Sindi. (Supplied)
Reflecting on her role, Alshanqiti said: “I wasn’t just moderating — I was carrying the voice of younger women,” adding that she aimed to create a safe space that encouraged openness and reflection.
Panelist Rozana Albanawi, founder of Qeema and Jeddah_CM, said that the discussion explored marriage from societal, religious and psychological perspectives, focusing on self-understanding, compatibility over idealism, and the evolution of love.
Al-Safh said that he focused on creating a safe, judgment-free space for men to express vulnerability.
He described the conversation as “more like a talk between brothers than a formal panel,” aiming to help participants understand their fears and feelings about love and commitment.
The discussion highlighted recurring themes among Saudi youth. Al-Safh said that a few key issues kept emerging: Fear of failure, feeling unready, and pressure from expectations. Many question whether marriage today feels like love or a liability.
He added: “But beneath it all, there’s a real craving for connection, just done right, in a way that feels safe and meaningful.”
Dr. Khalid Sindi, a relationship and marriage psychotherapist, offered a broader national perspective by linking personal challenges to policy and social change.
Speaking to Arab News, he noted the ongoing transition in Saudi marriage values — from traditional to more modern — while emphasizing the preservation of core Islamic principles.
He highlighted government efforts under Vision 2030, such as the Saudi Marriage Fund and Sakani housing program, aimed at easing economic barriers for youth.
Sindi added: “Younger generations are seeking marriages that blend our cherished traditions with contemporary expectations of emotional connection and mutual growth. This represents not a rejection of our values but their natural adaptation to modern life.”
The panelists said that changing views on love and commitment reflected maturity rather than uncertainty.
Albanawi said: “There is high awareness among the generation now on marital topics, and many are seeking marriage with the right tools.”
She explained that conversation and dialogue help young people to commit while accepting uncertainty in relationships.
“The younger generation is looking for new ways to shape their marriage, such as avoiding unnecessary rules like high financial burdens or societal expectations that don’t match their reality.”
On the event’s outcome, Albanawi added: “A common theme was that marriages work best when couples marry early, are ready, and have family support.”
She noted that many believe delaying marriage increases fears and makes adaptation harder.
Sindi expressed a similar view on marriage’s evolving nature, saying that the changing views reflected progress and natural generational dynamics rather than fear or uncertainty.
“Rather than seeing shifting perspectives as problematic, the older generation should guide younger Saudis with wisdom and empathy.”
Highlighting the national context, Sindi noted the vital role of government initiatives in supporting ’s vision for marriage and family life, demonstrating a commitment to making families society’s cornerstone.
Reflecting on the session’s emotional honesty, Al-Safh said that hearing men express concerns such as, “I don’t want to fail someone’s daughter,” revealed deep care often left unspoken.
Alshanqiti echoed the need for open, non-judgmental spaces, saying fears about failure and not being enough reminded her that many seek places where they can be truly seen and heard. She described the session as a step toward that openness.
