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Arab News
28-07-2025
- General
- Arab News
Al-Masmak Palace Museum tells story of Saudi unification
RIYADH: Located in the Al-Thumairi neighborhood, Al-Masmak Palace Museum stands as a powerful symbol of Saudi Arabia's unification and its founding era under King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud. The fort was originally built in 1865 during the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud. On the morning of Jan. 15, 1902), King Abdulaziz Al-Saud recaptured Riyadh from within its walls, marking the beginning of the Kingdom's unification. The fort was used to store weapons and ammunition before being restored as a historic and cultural monument. Al-Masmak spans 3,885 sq. meters and is constructed from clay mixed with straw, with a stone foundation. Its exterior walls are plastered with clay, while gypsum decorates the interior. The building has two floors and around 44 rooms, including six courtyards, a mosque, majlis (traditional sitting room), a water well and three residential wings for the ruler, the treasury and guests. It features a western gate made of palm and tamarisk trunks which stands 3.6 meters high and 2.65 meters wide. A smaller opening, the khooqah, is built into the gate for controlled access. Surveillance points were also designed as protruding wall openings resembling wooden boxes. Inside, geometric plasterwork in triangles and circles is inspired by nature, with motifs such as palm trees, stars and crescents. The palace also includes four corner towers for defense, an interior mosque with a mihrab, a square observation tower called Al-Murabba, and various decorative and structural elements consistent with Najdi architectural styles. In 1979, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, then governor of Riyadh region, directed that the fort be preserved and restored as a national landmark. The site was handed over to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in 1983. Under royal directive, Al-Masmak became a museum narrating the story of the Kingdom's founding which officially opened on June 11, 1995. There are sections such as Al-Masmak Conquest Hall, which recounts a historic battle and features old maps, weapons and rare photographs. The audiovisual hall shows a documentary in two languages, while the Pioneers Hall honors the men who helped recapture Riyadh. The Historical Riyadh Hall documents the city's development through maps and historical photos. Other exhibition areas include the Well Courtyard, displaying traditional tools and cannons used by the army. Al-Masmak Fort Hall has models and information panels, and Al-Masmak Usage Hall presents the fort's evolving roles. Display cases throughout the museum feature artifacts such as traditional weapons, garments and construction tools, giving visitors a glimpse into the Kingdom's cultural journey. Today, Al-Masmak continues its mission under the Ministry of Culture and Museums Commission, following extensive modernization and efforts. It remains a vital educational and national landmark, preserving and presenting one of the Kingdom's most defining moments.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
26-06-2025
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Discover The Spirit of Diriyah At The Bab Samhan Mariott Hotel
With its mudbrick walls, Najdi details and cultural programming, the Luxury Collection's Bab Samhan Hotel invites guests to experience Saudi tradition from the inside out It's official. Bab Samhan has opened its doors in the heart of Diriyah. Tucked within its winding alleyways, this luxurious Marriott hotel is all set to offer travellers an immersive stay deeply rooted in Saudi tradition. Just steps from the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district, the hotel is surrounded by centuries of history and the distinctive landscape of the Najd region. Known for its ancient mudbrick architecture and Kingdom's origins through restored palaces, mosques and cultural legacy, Diriyah offers a glimpse into the traditional structures. Bab Samhan takes its name from one of the area's most iconic gates where Imam Abdullah bin Saud once laid plans to defend the city – underscoring the hotel's connection to the region's layered past. The hotel features 134 rooms and suites, many with views over the historic surroundings. Built in the traditional Najdi Style, its design is marked by textured adobe walls, intricately carved timber ceilings and open courtyards that mirror the rhythm of old Diriyah. Inside, hospitality is warm and distinctly local. Guests are welcomed with traditional beverages and dates at Wujar, a lobby lounge inspired by classic Arabian gathering spaces. Local artwork, woven rugs and curated objects add texture and meaning to the interiors. Dining is central to the experience. Jareed reinterprets Najdi classics using seasonal local ingredients. Taleed by chef Michael Mina features Mediterranean flavours, while Medheef offers globally inspired cuisine from 2 lively open kitchen. For wellness, The Earthen Spa delivers organic treatments and guided mindfulness sessions, with dedicated fitness spaces for men and women. The hotel also houses five flexible venues and a 400-square-metre ballroom for events and celebrations. The hotel also offers guests an opportunity to connect deeply with the traditions of the Kingdom. From guided visits to the nearby UNESCO-listed At-Turaif to evenings filled with storytelling, poetry, and culinary discovery, the hotel curates experiences beyond hospitality – inviting travellers to engage with the rich heritage surrounding them. Staying here isn't just another hotel stay – its waking up in a place where the past lingers in every details, and every wall has a tale to tell.
ITV News
16-06-2025
- General
- ITV News
Air India crash: Heartbroken relative says Gloucester couple were 'incredibly generous'
A relative of a Gloucester family aboard the crashed Air India plane has paid tribute to them, describing the "devastation" and "heartbreak" caused by their death. Akeel Nanabawa was on the flight with his wife, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara. Abdullah Samad, the imam at the Masjid E Umar mosque, is related to the couple by marriage and the head teacher of Sara's primary school in Gloucester. Describing the family, he told ITV News West Country: "Akeel and Hannaa were incredibly generous people, with their wealth, with their time, their commitment to serve the community. "I think it says a lot about them that nobody has anything bad to say about them, everybody wants to say something positive about them. It's a big loss to the community." Flight AI171 had departed Ahmedabad in western India and was bound for Gatwick on Thursday 12 June. There were 242 people on board when it took off at 1.38pm local time, crashing just minutes later. Imam Abdullah explained that, initially, the couple's family believed they were on another flight when the news broke. However, over the next few hours, it became clear they were involved in the crash. He said: "I think it was the fact that they were so young, having a four-year-old child with them and imagining what they would have gone through in their final moments. "And then it dawns on you that you're never going to see them again, in all likelihood you can't even make it for their funeral, there is no sense of closure." Imam Abdullah had to break the news to Akeel Nanabawa's mother, describing it as "one of the hardest things" he had ever done. He noted: "I've seen a lot of grown men, tough men, bawling their eyes out last night, people I've never seen cry before. It shows the devastation to the entire community." He added: "They moved to Gloucester seven or eight years ago, and in that time, they have achieved more here than people who have been born and bred in Gloucester." Imam Abdullah went on to describe some of the work the couple had carried out, from volunteering at the primary school to assisting with humanitarian aid fundraising for Palestine. He said: "It's those things they did for people, no fuss, no attention seeking, no massive declarations, no big statuses, things they did behind the scenes." Imam Abdullah believes some members of the couple's family are heading to India to seek closure, but have been told they will not be able to receive confirmation of their death immediately. It has taken phone calls and liaising with their local MP to sort out travel, the family being reluctant to accept the flights offered by Air India so soon after the fatality. Imam Abdullah concluded that despite the pain being "incredibly deep", the community could see "a silver lining".
