MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the Women’s Affairs Agency, has launched a program to answer visitors’ questions about rituals during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The “Answering and Guiding Female Inquirers” program at the Grand Mosque in Makkah was introduced to accommodate the expected rise in attendance during the last 10 days of the holy month.
Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, emphasized the agency’s commitment to the initiative, highlighting its role in providing guidance to female visitors.
The program aims to enrich their experience by promoting authentic Islamic knowledge, offering reliable religious guidance and fostering greater awareness in a supportive environment, the SPA reported.
To facilitate inquiries, two dedicated locations have been designated: Women’s Prayer Area 74 on the ground floor and Women’s Prayer Area 84 on the first floor.
RIYADH: The field team at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve recorded the birth of a Nubian ibex in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The reserve’s development authority said that over time, more than 81 mountain ibexes have been reintroduced across various areas of the reserve.
This effort aligns with its commitment to protecting wildlife, including endangered species, and providing a thriving environment for their growth and reproduction, the SPA reported.
The authority added that the reproduction of animals within the reserve reflects the quality and suitability of its natural habitats for wildlife.
The reserve has recorded over 120 mammal births, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Nubian ibex, and Arabian gazelle, across its designated areas.
As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve spans 130,700 sq. km across four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk. The reserve features diverse habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations.
Ramadan iftar in Al-Baha’s heritage homes: A tapestry of tradition and taste
These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history
Updated 17 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: In Al-Aqiq Governorate, Al-Baha, Ramadan is celebrated with warmth and community spirit. Families gather in beautiful heritage homes for iftar, transforming the breaking of the fast into an experience that weaves together living traditions and authentic regional flavors. This practice imbues Ramadan with a unique character.
These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history, the Saudi Press Agency reported. At these houses, families and friends convene around iftar tables, enveloped by an atmosphere of ancestral stories, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the past. More than just a meal, iftar becomes an opportunity to strengthen family and social bonds.
Residents chat and share stories, reminiscing about Ramadans past and reinforcing community solidarity and the bonds of affection that unite them.
Awadah Al-Ghamdi told the SPA that this is the third consecutive year his family are breaking their fast at their traditional home, built in 1386 AH. He fondly recalled the Ramadans of his youth, when a fire was lit in the courtyard before the Maghrib call to prayer to prepare traditional fare: fresh bread, aromatic coffee, and marisa, a refreshing blend of water and dates, often infused with lemon or ginger. He emphasized that iftar is a communal affair, with neighbors joining together to share the meal and pray.
The experience of breaking the fast in Al-Baha’s traditional homes is a powerful symbol of the enduring customs that bridge generations. With each iftar, residents revive these cherished practices, ensuring they resonate with future generations and preserve the authentic spirit of Al-Baha throughout every Ramadan.
Crown prince launches Saudi Architecture Characters Map to celebrate architectural heritage
Saudi Architecture aims to enrich the urban architectural diversity of the Kingdom, elevate urban landscape in cities and empower local talent
Updated 17 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has officially launched the Saudi Architecture Characters Map, featuring 19 distinct architectural styles inspired by the Kingdom’s diverse geographical and cultural characteristics.
The map highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to celebrating the Kingdom’s architectural heritage, enhancing quality of life and modernizing the urban landscape in Saudi cities as part of Vision 2030, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The crown prince emphasized that Saudi Architecture would reflect the cultural and geographical diversity of the Kingdom.
He further highlighted the importance of sustainable urban planning that harmonized with the local environment and integrates traditional architectural elements into modern designs.
“Saudi Architecture blends our rich heritage with contemporary design thinking. We are enhancing urban landscapes and quality of life as well as building an architectural framework that balances the past and the present. This model will serve as a global source of inspiration for innovation in architectural design,” the crown prince said.
Prince Mohammed continued: “Saudi Architecture will indirectly contribute to economic growth by making our cities more attractive to visitors and tourists, which will stimulate sectors such as tourism, hospitality and construction. It also envisions a future where our cities and communities thrive.”
Saudi Architecture aims to enrich the urban architectural diversity of the Kingdom, elevate urban landscape in cities and empower local talent.
By 2030, it is expected to contribute over SR8 billion ($2.13 billion) to the Kingdom’s cumulative gross domestic product and create more than 34,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across the engineering, construction, and urban development sectors.
Saudi Architecture provides developers with guidelines that allow for modern building materials without imposing additional financial burdens. Each of the 19 architectural styles offers three design typographies: traditional, transitional, and contemporary – encouraging creative expression while preserving the authenticity of local architecture.
The implementation of Saudi Architecture will unfold in a phased manner. The first phase will focus on Al-Ahsa, Taif, Makkah, and Abha, where initial applications will target major projects, government buildings, and commercial structures.
The Saudi Architecture Characters Map highlights 19 architectural styles inspired by geographical, natural and cultural characteristics, derived from urban and historical studies of building traditions passed down through generations.
These styles include Central Najdi, Northern Najdi, Tabuk Coast, Madinah Rural, Inner Madinah, Hejazi Coast, Taif Highlands, Sarawat Mountains, Aseer Escarpment, Tuhama Foothills, Tuhama Coast, Farasan Islands, Abha Highlands, Bisha Desert, Najran, Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al-Qatif Oasis, East Coast, and Eastern Najdi.
Efforts to implement Saudi Architecture are driven by partnerships across government agencies, engineering firms and real estate developers.
Architectural design studios will support engineers and designers through engineering guidelines, training workshops, and skill development programs to ensure the highest standards of sustainability and quality.
Jeddah fitness buffs break sweat before and after iftar
Fasting residents are staying committed to their fitness regimes during holy month
Updated 16 March 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Ramadan provides a tough test for many, with iftar spreads of sugary, calorie-packed, and fried food being quite a temptation — but fitness enthusiasts in Jeddah are not letting that slow them down.
Many fasting residents are staying committed to their fitness regimes, hitting the gyms and cycling, jogging, paddling, running, boxing, and tackling other high-energy activities to keep their health on track during the holy month.
Fitting in a workout before iftar has become a popular trend this Ramadan among men and women, with many taking to the open spaces to reap its health benefits.
Fitting in a workout before iftar has become a popular trend this Ramadan among men and women, with many taking to the open spaces to reap its health benefits. (SPA)
Tariq Abdulmajeed, 42, who walks daily before iftar on the Tahlia pathway, told Arab News: “One of the effective ways to exercise in Ramadan is to walk before breaking the fast. It is the right period to obtain fitness.
“It really can improve physical and muscular capacity and enhance overall body fitness.”
Fitness expert Nasser Al-Saadi told Arab News that Ramadan was not the time to push your limits or set personal records, and added: “You should treat it as a time to maintain (your health). People should take it easy and not have hard workouts because that could affect their health.”
One of the effective ways to exercise in Ramadan is to walk before breaking the fast. It is the right period to obtain fitness.
Tariq Abdulmajeed, Jeddah resident
He explained that exercising before iftar can help burn fat, as the body relies on stored energy. But it may also lead to dehydration.
Al-Saadi recommends light exercises such as walking, stretching, or low-intensity activities, ideally 30 to 60 minutes before breaking the fast. He added: “Exercising after iftar is the ideal time because the body is replenished with nutrients and fluids.”
With more people training in the hours just before and after iftar, gyms across Jeddah are seeing more members attending during the holy month.
Fitting in a workout before iftar has become a popular trend this Ramadan among men and women, with many taking to the open spaces to reap its health benefits. (SPA)
Mahmoud Abdul Raziq, a coach at Ultimate Power Gym, told Arab News: “Many people intend to maintain their health during Ramadan but they should be committed all year long, not only for one month.”
He has been impressed by the discipline he has seen in his fasting clients, and added: “I think they are at full power and most of them seem very determined to make a change. They want to challenge themselves physically, mentally and spiritually and that’s the reason we have seen more members signing up.
“Group classes are scheduled two hours before and two hours after iftar, which has been advised as the best timeline for results geared towards losing fat and gaining muscle.”
Arab News caught up with a few people in the gym, and all of them had goals: losing excess body fat, maintaining muscle mass, and toning the body.
Most of them have their workout just before their fast ends. They get home just in time for iftar or end their fast in the gym with a single date and water.
Rayan Abu Hamza, 34, said his fitness goal was to maintain muscle mass and tone his body, and added: “Since the beginning of Ramadan I have been coming to the gym before iftar because it is much better than coming at night when the gym gets crowded and most of the exercising machines are busy.”
When asked if it was better to exercise before or after iftar, Saad Al-Zahrani said: “For me it is before iftar. I don’t feel lazy and it gives me more strength.”
Another member, Tawfiq Hamawi, a Syrian expat, said he preferred later in the day, adding: “Due to my working hours, it is impossible to come before iftar. This would be ideally two hours after eating because it allows the body to replenish nutrients and fluids before physical exertion.”
Whether it is walking outdoors, joining group classes, or hitting the gym alone, residents in Jeddah are finding ways to balance health and tradition.
Ramadan is no excuse for these committed locals to pause their fitness journey, but a period to adapt and push forward.
RAWALPINDI: Sheikh Sajid Mahmood, a Pakistani entrepreneur in his late 50s, basks in the winter sunshine after offering Dhuhr prayers at a mosque in the city of Rawalpindi. The tranquil appeal of the place of worship — a spiritual and cultural beacon — draws thousands like Mahmood, particularly during Ramadan.
Surrounded by busy markets and towering buildings, the Markazi Jamia Masjid, or central grand mosque, is an architectural marvel in Pakistan that not only offers a retreat to devotees, but also captivates visitors with its vibrant frescoes and intricate design, offering a glimpse into the rich religious and cultural heritage of Rawalpindi.
Rawalpindi’s Markazi Jamia Masjid offers visitors a chance to connect with the city’s past. (AN photo)
The mosque’s foundations were laid in 1896 by Amanullah Khan, who later became the king of Afghanistan, alongside a prominent local religious figure, Peer Mehar Ali Shah of Golra Sharif in Islamabad. Since its completion, the mosque has been a central place of worship for Muslims in the city, whose numbers multiply in Ramadan.
“I am from the second generation (of devotees praying here). I am almost 60 years old now. (We) get a lot of spiritual satisfaction by praying here,” Mahmood told Arab News, explaining how the vastness of the space provides a sense of serenity.
FASTFACT
Surrounded by busy markets and towering buildings, the Markazi Jamia Masjid offers a glimpse into the rich religious and cultural heritage of Rawalpindi.
“Look at the sunlight, there are rows of prayer mats laid out in the courtyard. You can also get an idea from this; smaller mosques are confined on the sides.”
Worshippers offer prayers in the compound of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on March 12, 2025, during Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage. (AN photo)
Mufti Muhammad Siddiq-ul-Hasnain Sialvi, who leads prayers at the mosque, shares a “deep connection” with the place.
“This mosque is the largest in the Rawalpindi division, accommodating up to 7,000 worshippers,” he said. “The arrangements for (late night) Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan are excellent, and we also have a grand arrangement for iftar. A large number of people perform itikaf (or seclusion in the last 10 days of Ramadan) here as well.”
Worshippers offer prayers in the compound of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on March 12, 2025, during Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage. (AN photo)
The Markazi Jamia Masjid’s architectural beauty blends elements of Mughal architecture with local designs. The main prayer hall, dominated by three domes and several minarets, reflects the grandeur of traditional Mughal architecture, featuring arches and intricate floral motifs. Local adaptations imbue the mosque with a unique identity that speaks of Rawalpindi’s heritage.
The interior walls are adorned with hand-painted frescoes, some of which have been meticulously restored over the years. The frescoes, with their detailed floral patterns and geometric symmetry, evoke the splendor of Mughal craftsmanship. Although some of the vibrant blues, reds and yellows have faded with time, they retain their beauty, telling the story of an era long past.
The mosque’s spacious courtyard is the heart of the complex, where worshippers gather before entering the prayer hall. During Ramadan, the worship place comes alive, especially during iftar and Taraweeh as the open space allows for a comfortable congregation, offering a welcoming environment for all.
“There is more rush here in Ramadan, the open courtyard makes it comfortable for people,” said Waqas Iqbal, a jeweler who regularly visits the mosque. “You don’t feel cramped, whether it’s summer or winter.”
But for Mahmood, the mosque is a sanctuary of peace.
“The open courtyard and the peaceful surroundings make it a special place to pray,” he said, explaining how the vastness of the space provides a sense of serenity that “smaller mosques often lack.”
More than just a place of worship, Rawalpindi’s Markazi Jamia Masjid offers visitors a chance to connect with the city’s past. Its management, which falls under the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department, ensures the mosque undergoes maintenance every 10 to 15 years, so that it stays in pristine condition for future generations.
“Many prominent personalities have offered prayers in this grand mosque and the imam of Haram Sharif (Grand Mosque in Makkah) has visited and led prayers here,” said Sialvi, who added that all these factors make it a special place for the residents of the neighborhood and an honor for Rawalpindi.
