Latest news with #Jouf
Arab News
24-06-2025
- Arab News
Jouf's historic wells tell timeless stories
RIYADH: In the heart of the Jouf region, the timeless craft of stone building and the use of palm trunks and fronds have revitalized its ancient wells. These historical water sources, once vital for survival, were built using natural, locally sourced materials at no financial cost, a Saudi Press Agency report said recently. Among them, Salma's Well in Sakaka stands out as an educational site for young people. It showcases traditional extraction methods and how locals secured drinking water and irrigated their farms. Heritage expert Ahmed Al-Arfaj said that the wells are made of sandstone, palm trunks, and fronds. Each features key elements: a water distribution channel, a collection basin, and a circular stone to control water flow. Essential tools at the wellhead include a rope and pulley, once used to raise and lower a water bucket. Historically, locals used livestock — such as camels and cows — to extract water, with animals pulling the rope. This practice changed in the 1980s with the introduction of generators, which made the process more efficient, the SPA reported. Today, Salma's Well stands as a vibrant symbol of Jouf's heritage, drawing visitors eager to explore the stories of these ancient wells and experience the region's rich history.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Arab News
Jouf businesses to feed Hajj pilgrims transiting province
RIYADH: The Jouf Chamber of Commerce has launched an initiative to support pilgrims passing through the region on their way to perform Hajj. The organization in the northern Saudi Arabia province will supply pilgrims with around 300 care packages, including essential hygiene products, when they visit Pilgrim's City in Al-Shaqiq, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. Additionally, local businesses will be stepping up to provide meals and refreshments for the pilgrims as they pass through the province, heading to Makkah and Madinah. The climax of the Hajj season, known as Arafat day, will possibly be on June 5, depending on the sighting of the moon. Volunteers will be on hand to assist the visitors. On Monday, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court called on Muslims in the country to look for the new moon of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah around dusk on Tuesday. The Hajj is one of the key pillars of Islam and requires pilgrims to perform various rituals at the holy sites in Makkah. After completing the Hajj, many pilgrims travel to Madinah to visit the Prophet's Mosque, before heading home.
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Arab News
Saudi reserve engages pilgrims on biodiversity
RIYADH: Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom by land were introduced to projects and initiatives of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority. The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, restore vegetation and breed endangered species to create a more sustainable natural environment. The authority also distributed educational brochures to raise awareness about environmental preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve's history and conservation efforts were distributed. Visitors were informed about the reserve's environmental heritage, biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable ecological stewardship, the SPA added. The authority works to preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats and creating safe environments for wildlife and plants to thrive. Its achievements include planting more than 2.4 million trees, scattering four tonnes of native seeds and rehabilitating 250,000 hectares of degraded land. The reserve hosts more than 290 documented bird species — about 58 percent of those recorded in the Kingdom — and includes five internationally recognized important bird areas. Covering 130,700 sq. kilometers, the King Salman Reserve is the largest natural terrestrial reserve in the Middle East, spanning four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.
