Ramadan nights come alive in charming historic Jeddah
JEDDAH: In the holy month of Ramadan, Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district has come alive with a unique blend of culture, traditional crafts and authentic delicacies.
Its festival running throughout the month also highlights the historical significance of Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The offerings include workshops in Arabic calligraphy, pottery, and other crafts showcasing the artistic legacy of the Hijaz region.
Children can enjoy interactive entertainment designed as an introduction to Saudi Arabia's culture and heritage.
During a tour, Arab News spoke to several visitors who outlined the charms of the old city.
Salem Al-Harthi, a Saudi citizen, expressed his admiration for Al-Balad, calling it an 'unparalleled destination' during Ramadan.
'The historic charm and festive energy here make it the perfect place to experience the essence of the holy month,' he said.
Hamad Al-Shemmari from Hail, who is visiting to perform Umrah with his family, shared his excitement: 'These narrow alleys and winding streets transport us to another era.
'The ambiance, the food, everything about this place makes Ramadan special.'
First-time visitor Mahmoud Al-Nori from Syria was captivated by the area's architectural beauty and vibrancy. 'I had heard about Jeddah's charm but experiencing it in Ramadan is something else.
'One night here is simply not enough to take it all in.'
One of the festival's most beloved attractions is its street food. After evening prayers, hundreds of vendors set up stalls, wearing traditional attire and singing folk songs to entice visitors to sample local delicacies.
Among them is Muath Al-Bukiri, a young entrepreneur who, along with his friends, launched a food stall serving balila (boiled chickpeas) and chopped liver.
'We wanted to do something meaningful this Ramadan, and this has been an amazing experience,' he said, noting the popularity of these dishes among young and old.
Al-Balad has become a hub for families looking to celebrate Ramadan in an authentic setting.
Abdulaziz Al-Ahmadi, 54, enjoys bringing his family to stroll through the historic streets, sharing stories of the past. 'This place connects us to our roots.
'It's where our ancestors lived, and now, we experience Ramadan in the same streets they once did.'
A popular gathering spot is Al-Hazazi Yard, where dozens of traditional food stalls create a lively evening scene. Residents from across Jeddah gather in what has become an annual tradition to relish the festive atmosphere.
Mohammed bin Zagir told Arab News: 'Visiting Al-Balad to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of families, the delicious flavors of kebdah and balila, and the cool evening breeze has become an annual tradition for my family and me.
'Here, you can truly experience the essence of Ramadan, in the very place where our ancestors once lived. It takes us back in time, allowing us to witness the transformation we live in today from every perspective.'
The Ramadan season in historic Jeddah plays a crucial role in supporting local entrepreneurs and artisans.
Heritage markets provide small and medium businesses with a platform to showcase their crafts, from handmade goods to culinary specialties.
Under the supervision of the Historic Jeddah District Program and the Ministry of Culture, the Ramadan festival continues to gain in popularity, reportedly drawing more than a million visitors in its first week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Passports Directorate facilitates pilgrims' departure through all international ports
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The General Directorate of Passports affirmed its readiness to finalize pilgrims' departure procedures for the current Hajj season at various Saudi international air, land, and sea entry and exit points, and to facilitate their travel. The directorate stated that it has mobilized its personnel and technologies, supported by modern security systems, to implement this phase of the Hajj plan and ensure pilgrims' smooth departure. Meanwhile, the government entities in the Madinah Region have begun seeing off pilgrims returning to their home countries via Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, after performing Hajj this year with ease and tranquility. After performing Hajj, large numbers of pilgrims are arriving in Madinah to pray at the Prophet's Mosque and greet Prophet Muhammad and his two companions. A program has been implemented to facilitate their transfer from residences to the airport. The program is overseen by the Hajj and Visit Committee in the region and relevant entities to ensure the orderly and timely departure of flights to various destinations. The Madinah airport recorded tangible success during the pre-Hajj phase by receiving Hajj flights smoothly and efficiently. During the arrival period, the airport received 719,400 pilgrims, representing 49 percent of all air-arriving pilgrims to the Kingdom during this Hajj season. These pilgrims arrived on board 1,910 flights from 196 cities in 53 countries, operated by 65 airlines, starting from April 29. This volume accounted for 60 percent of all Hajj flights received by Saudi airports during the arrival phase.
Leaders
8 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Declares Success of Hajj 2025, Receives Praise from Gulf Leaders
Saudi Arabia has declared the success of the Hajj season 2025, thanks to the tireless efforts of Saudi authorities in serving around 1.4 million pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Hajj and Umrah Committee, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, on Sunday announced the successful conclusion of this year's Hajj in terms of security, health and services. Speaking from the governorate's headquarters in Mina, Prince Saud congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, on this remarkable achievement. He also praised the excellent execution of the operational plans, which enabled pilgrims to perform Hajj with ease, safety and tranquility. Furthermore, Prince Saud thanked the members of the security, health and services sectors, as well as the volunteers, who spared no effort to serve pilgrims and commit to the directives of the Kingdom's leadership. Moreover, he commended pilgrims' compliance with regulations and instructions, which contributed to the success of the Hajj season. Prince Saud also emphasized that the preparations for the upcoming Hajj season would begin immediately. On this occasion, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have extended their congratulations to the leadership of Saudi Arabia for the successful management and organization of the Hajj season. This included congratulatory messages from the UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan; Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa; Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq; Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani; and Kuwait's Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in addition to the Secretary-Generals of the GCC and the Muslim World League. Short link : Post Views: 2
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Umm Al-Qura University becomes academic hub for Hajj
MAKKAH: As millions of pilgrims undertake Hajj pilgimage, Umm Al-Qura University is leveraging its research capabilities to support one of the world's most complex religious gatherings. Dr. Wardah bint Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector for investment and community partnership, told Arab News that the university has committed all available resources to support Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah infrastructure, aligning with Vision 2030 objectives. 'We mobilize our human, scientific, administrative, and research capacities annually through specialized educational and training programs, field studies, and consulting services designed to elevate pilgrim experiences and service standards,' Al-Asmari said. The university's flagship effort this season, the Licensing and Qualification Program for Helpers of Pilgrims, has provided over 300,000 training opportunities through 20 worker modules and 50 packages for pilgrims available in 15 languages. Other initiatives include the Rafid Al-Haramain program, offering more than 100,000 training slots and engaging over 3,000 participants from 30 organizations; and the Bus Guide Training Program, which certified 3,500 guides to assist with pilgrim transport. As part of its global outreach, the university translates Friday sermons and Arafat Day speeches into more than 20 languages, reaching an estimated 600 million Muslims worldwide. • Umm Al-Qura University's flagship effort this season, the Licensing and Qualification Program for Helpers of Pilgrims, has provided over 300,000 training opportunities. • The university translates Friday sermons and Arafat Day speeches into more than 20 languages, reaching an estimated 600 million Muslims worldwide. • This year, 2,027 volunteers were trained in partnership with relevant authorities in health, awareness, and organizational services. Academic departments have also integrated Hajj-focused curricula in medicine, nursing, computer science, and social sciences, covering crowd control, disaster management, and emergency response. Students gain hands-on experience through partnerships with the Ministry of Health at seasonal medical facilities. Umm Al-Qura's research arm, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, deployed 34 researchers and 458 data collectors to conduct 17 studies this season. These focus on crowd management, security protocols, sustainability measures, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence applications, and pilgrim satisfaction in 20 languages. The Institute for Research and Studies also contributes to national projects through consulting and research implemention. Digital transformation is another major pillar. The university delivered 34,000 remote training courses through its Specialized Training platform. The modules cover critical areas such as elderly and disabled assistance, translation, guest experience, crowd management, and safety protocols. Other digital initiatives include AI-driven data analysis, pilgrim-focused smart apps, innovation hackathons, and operating the Nusuk Card project center through Wadi Makkah Co. Al-Asmari noted ongoing collaboration with key government bodies including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Municipal Affairs, as well as the Royal Commission for Makkah City, Pilgrim Experience Program, Civil Defense, Border Guard, and Makkah Health Cluster. These partnerships span research, training, performance metrics, and volunteer mobilization. Volunteerism is central the university's social responsibility mission. This year, 2,027 volunteers were trained in partnership with civil defense, health, and border authorities in health, awareness, and organizational services. To meet growing sector needs, the university launched degree and diploma programs in Hajj and Umrah management through its specialized institute and colleges, attracting students pursuing careers in the expanding pilgrim services sector. Looking ahead, Al-Asmari affirmed Umm Al-Qura's ambition to expand research, partnerships, and tech innovation in line with the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
