logo
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud meets citizens of Taif Governorate

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud meets citizens of Taif Governorate

Arab News30-05-2025
TAIF: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the citizens of Taif governorate.
It came during his recent meeting with several citizens from the governorate, in the presence of Deputy Gov. of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar.
Taif is fast becoming a major tourist hub in the Kingdom, with visitors arriving from around the world, including the Gulf, to enjoy its pristine environment and natural attractions during holiday celebrations.
The region is home to spacious valleys and ample water courses.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dhi Ghazal Valley in Taif draws visitors with natural beauty and charm
Dhi Ghazal Valley in Taif draws visitors with natural beauty and charm

Arab News

time34 minutes ago

  • Arab News

Dhi Ghazal Valley in Taif draws visitors with natural beauty and charm

TAIF: Nestled in Al-Shafa, Taif, Dhi Ghazal Valley has become a popular gateway offering visitors scenic landscapes, local heritage and family-friendly recreation. Just 5 km from Al-Shafa center, the valley is easily accessible by a mountain road lined with stalls selling fresh fruit and the city's famous Taif roses, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Tour guide Humaid Al-Sufyani described Dhi Ghazal as a natural retreat, ideal for hiking, camping and picnicking. Khalid Al-Waqdani, an expert in mountain heritage, said the valley reflects Taif's blend of nature and culture. • Taif's Dhi Ghazal Valley is easily accessible by a mountain road lined with stalls selling fresh fruit and the city's famous Taif roses, • Visitors can explore local beehives that produce the renowned Al-Shafa honey, marketed locally and at seasonal festivals as a staple of the region's culinary identity. 'This offers visitors an authentic cultural experience, highlighting Taif's role as a civilizational and tourism hub in the Kingdom,' he said. The region is known for its traditional agriculture. The local rose farms are celebrated in an annual festival attracting thousands of visitors, he added. The presence of grape, fig and pomegranate orchards also adds charm to traditional highland farming practices. Visitors can explore local beehives that produce the renowned Al-Shafa honey, marketed locally and at seasonal festivals as a staple of the region's culinary identity. The prized regional product is traditionally served to guests at social gatherings.

A masterclass in diplomacy
A masterclass in diplomacy

Arab News

time4 hours ago

  • Arab News

A masterclass in diplomacy

Over the past 18 months, Riyadh has quietly delivered a masterclass in diplomacy, steadily reshaping how Western capitals approach the Palestinian file. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the hands-on diplomacy of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Kingdom has pursued a strategy rooted in hard-nosed pragmatism: Washington's strategic umbrella over Israel will not fold under fiery speeches or social media storms. Rather than waste energy on theatrics, Saudi Arabia has opted for a patient, cumulative approach — chipping away at Israel's aura of effortless Western legitimacy until the political calculus inside G7 capitals begins to shift. It may feel slow to the impatient observer, but in a world that rewards persistence over noise, this is how real influence is built. At the core of this approach is a sober understanding of limits, paired with precisely applied leverage. Saudi Arabia does not pretend it can strong-arm a superpower. Instead, it keeps oil markets steady and refrains from military theatrics — moves that earn quiet access where it matters most: in chancelleries, parliaments, and boardrooms that shape policy toward Israel. Critics mistake this restraint for timidity. In truth, it reflects a deeper wisdom: Decades of impulsive grandstanding have done little beyond plunging the region into chaos. Riyadh has learned that proportion, not provocation, delivers lasting results. The coalition-building effort began in Paris, where France, seeking Middle East relevance, found its regional ballast in Saudi Arabia. London, responding to domestic outrage over Gaza, followed suit; Ottawa, wary of standing alone in the G7, came next. Each recognition of Palestine may be symbolic, but symbolism is precisely what has underpinned Israel's hard-won status as a normalized Western democracy. Every fracture in that image raises the long-term reputational cost of occupation and embeds it into Israeli strategic thinking. This quiet momentum reflects the polling data: US support for Israel's Gaza operations has eroded sharply, especially among voters under 40. Demography is destiny. Riyadh is playing the long game — betting on time, not tantrums, to unwind Washington's old consensus. That consensus is already fraying on college campuses, in statehouses, and across ESG-conscious boardrooms. The tactic: maintain the spotlight on Gaza, deny any pretext for American disengagement, and let US voters begin to carry the moral and political weight. The crown prince made the Kingdom's position unequivocal in his Shoura Council address: There will be no recognition of Israel without a viable Palestinian state. This is not a revival of 1973-style oil brinkmanship — which in today's world would simply accelerate Western diversification and slash Arab revenues. Instead, Riyadh keeps markets stable while freezing Israel's regional integration until it engages seriously with a two-state solution. That keeps global consumers comfortable — and Israel on edge. Saudi diplomacy has achieved in 18 months what half a century of summitry and rhetoric failed to deliver. Ali Shihabi The promise of normalization remains on the table — but firmly behind a two-state gate. The Abraham Accords opened easy access to the Gulf. Saudi Arabia redrew that map. Sovereign capital, Red Sea connectivity, and cutting-edge partnerships are all within reach — but only post-settlement. The burden now shifts to Israel: It must explain to its own citizens why ideology should block a generational opportunity to transform from a garrison state to a regional player. When economic logic aligns with strategic necessity, ideology eventually yields. One of the most consequential developments came when Saudi Arabia, alongside other Arab states, publicly called for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza. This decisive step stripped Israel of a convenient excuse to delay its withdrawal and continue its campaign of collective punishment. By removing the justification of 'no partner for peace,' it undercut Israel's excuse to prolong military operations and war crimes under the guise of self-defense — reinforcing the international call for an end to occupation and the need for a political solution. Those Muslim and Arab voices calling for boycotts, embargoes, or war have misread both history and the current moment. Power today lies in leverage applied at pressure points — not in slogans shouted from podiums. Saudi diplomacy has forced Western democracies, Israel's most critical club of supporters, to seriously reconsider the question of Palestinian statehood. It has achieved in 18 months what half a century of summitry and rhetoric failed to deliver. The task now is for other Arab capitals to reinforce this approach, consolidating influence rather than scattering it in performative gestures. Yes, Israel retains a US veto — for now. But no veto can stop demographic shifts in swing states, the quiet pressure of British MPs attuned to their constituents, or the economic calculus of European firms navigating boycott risks. In time, Israel will face a stark choice: perpetual siege and growing isolation, or coexistence with a sovereign Palestinian neighbor. Saudi Arabia today holds the key to that door — and remains the only real diplomatic lifeline for Ramallah. In the battlefields of 2025 — conference rooms, boardrooms, and social media feeds — the Kingdom advances quietly, methodically, and on its own terms. For those who value outcomes over optics, this is not caution. It is wisdom.

Hajj a gateway to Saudi culture, says historian
Hajj a gateway to Saudi culture, says historian

Arab News

time8 hours ago

  • Arab News

Hajj a gateway to Saudi culture, says historian

Riyadh: Abdulrahman Al-Waqeesi, a professor and historian specializing in the scientific and cultural movement in the Hejaz, said that Hajj is an opportunity to discover Saudi Arabia's culture, arts, architecture and people — not just a religious destination. During a symposium at the Madinah Book Fair, Al-Waqeesi spoke about the lasting social impact pilgrims have on their communities, becoming ambassadors who share their religious and cultural experiences. He highlighted the Two Holy Mosques as historic centers of knowledge and cultural exchange, adding that Hajj has long inspired memoirs and writings that serve as key historical references, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. Al-Waqeesi also pointed out the symbolic items pilgrims take home, reflecting Hejazi culture and expressing the depth of the Hajj experience. These details, he said, reinforce the Two Holy Mosques' status in the Islamic conscience. The professor praised the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiatives for facilitating and expanding Hajj opportunities for Muslims worldwide.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store