NEWS SAUDI & UAE

Saudi people have a gesture, like the one shown in the photo and video, where a person lightly touches their nose with a finger 👃, sometimes with a slight nod. In meaning, it says: “I promise,” “You can be sure,” “I take responsibility,” “It will be done.” Essentially, it’s similar to the expression “I give you my word.” The reason is that in Arab culture, the nose is associated with honor and dignity. By the way, in the video, a boy asked the Crown Prince for a car, and he made this gesture. L...

The door of the Kaaba 🕋 captured in a close-up view. It consists of two wooden doors measuring 3.1 meters in height and 1.7 meters in width. The surface is covered with approximately 300 kg of pure gold, and even its lock is made of precious metal.

Mobile charging stations have been installed at Masjid al-Haram. The charging period lasts 30 minutes, which corresponds to the time needed to perform prayers or part of the Umrah rituals. This allows worshippers to return to a fully charged phone without unnecessary delays. The charging stations are strategically placed throughout the Grand Mosque complex, making them easily accessible to pilgrims. The key-based system ensures that only the owner can retrieve their phone.

Honey Bees 🐝 on the Maqam Ibrahim (peace be upon him)...

A new generation of taxis has appeared in Makkah — Ajrah Makkah. These are hybrid vehicles equipped with a modern digital service system. The meter starts automatically when you get in. No bargaining, no discussions about the fare. At the end of the ride, you immediately receive a receipt and can pay either in cash or by card. Inside the car, there are screens with translation into multiple languages, allowing passengers and drivers to understand each other easily. The driver’s details are displ...

RAMADAN NIGHTLIFE In Saudi Arabia, the atmosphere of Ramadan does not end with iftar. On the contrary, after breaking the fast, life only begins to come alive and continues until dawn. After iftar, people go to the night prayer and tarawih. Once tarawih is finished, the cities fill with life: cafés, restaurants, and shops stay open, the streets become lively, and delivery services and supermarkets operate with a steady flow of customers. People are in no hurry. Some stroll along shopping streets...

Unpacking a bag of dates that had been forgotten in a warehouse for nearly 100 years!

For the first time in Saudi Arabia’s history, F-35 fighter jets operated by the Royal Air Force were showcased at the World Defense Industry Exhibition in Riyadh.

SOLAR AND LUNAR CALENDAR — THE DIFFERENCE For those who get confused between the solar and lunar calendars: the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, not the solar calendar that we follow in CIS countries. Therefore, its dates shift every year relative to the calendar we are used to, and the beginning and end of the day are also different. ➡️ Solar day: fixed — exactly 24 hours, starting at 00:00 (midnight). ➡️ Lunar day: begins after sunset (at the time of the evening prayer). Its timing s...

Little Farm: Cozy Weekend Getaway in Jeddah A great spot for kids in the Al-Manarat district of Jeddah. For 39 riyals, you step into a “secret garden” atmosphere where children can feed ducks, turtles, and sheep. For an extra 25 riyals, you get a cute basket of animal feed that you can keep as a souvenir. The farm is impeccably clean and the staff are polite and welcoming. Older kids can try milking goats or play with pedigree cats in dedicated rooms. There’s even a vertical farming area for you...