Culture

  • Ithra Gears Up for Founding Day 2026 with Cultural Events and Activities

    Saudi Founding Day is coming up on 22 February 2026. The national holiday marks the establishment of the First Saudi State in 1727 and is observed across the Kingdom with cultural programmes, performances and family activities. This year, the celebrations at King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, known as Ithra, in Dhahran will begin on…

  • Restoration of Al-Fath Mosque Begins in Al-Jumum Under Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project

    Saudi authorities have begun restoration work on Al-Fath Mosque in the Al-Jumum governorate of the Makkah Region. This effort is part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques, an initiative to renovate and preserve historic Islamic sites across the Kingdom. Al-Fath Mosque is a historic place of worship located…

  • Saudi Arabia Updates 90-Day Health Insurance for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

    Saudi Arabia has announced an update to its health insurance system for overseas Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, reaffirming a policy that provides medical coverage for up to 90 days from the date of entry into the Kingdom. The move is part of the country’s efforts to strengthen healthcare protection for the millions of international visitors…

  • Saudi Arabia to Sight Ramadan Moon Tonight, Working and School Hours Announced

    Saudi Arabia will look for the crescent moon of Ramadan on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The Kingdom’s Supreme Court has asked Muslims across the country to observe the sky and report any confirmed sightings after sunset. The sighting of the thin crescent decides the start of the holy month. If the moon…

  • Saudi Film Festival Returns in April with Spotlight on Korean Cinema

    The Saudi Film Festival will return this April with a special focus on Korean cinema, adding a global touch to one of the kingdom’s longest-running film events. Set to take place from April 23 to 29 at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, the festival will bring together filmmakers, audiences and…

  • Video gaming will soon be part of lessons in Saudi schools

    Saudi Arabia is taking a new step in education by adding video games to the school curriculum. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Education and will apply across different education levels in the country. The new program will combine educational gaming and esports elements. Instead of treating games only as entertainment, schools will…

  • Saudi Arabia orders 20 new high-speed trains for Mecca–Medina rail route

    Saudi Arabia has ordered 20 new high-speed trains for the Haramain High-Speed Railway, a key rail link that connects Mecca, Jeddah and Medina. The trains will be supplied by Spanish manufacturer Talgo as part of a contract worth about €1.3 billion, which also includes maintenance services. The new trains are meant to handle the growing…

  • Pitbull to perform in Jeddah at Saudi Grand Prix 2026

    Global hitmaker Pitbull is set to perform in Jeddah during the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026. The American rapper and pop star will take the stage on Saturday, April 18, as part of the race weekend concerts at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The Saudi Grand Prix has become known not only for…

  • Hajj 2026 visas will start issuing from February 8

    Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will begin issuing visas for the 2026 Hajj season from February 8, according to official announcements reported by local and international media. The move comes months ahead of the annual pilgrimage, reflecting an earlier timeline aimed at improving planning and services for millions of pilgrims expected to travel…

  • Saudi Arabia Introduces Passports for Camels

    Before you picture camels at airport immigration counters, here’s the real story. Saudi Arabia has started issuing passport-style identification documents for camels, not for travel, but to formally register and manage the animals across the country. Yes! Saudi Arabia has begun issuing official passports for the kingdom’s camels in a first-of-its-kind move to better track…