Towering 2,342 meters above sea level, Al-Daqal Castle once stood as a silent sentinel over Abha’s rugged mountain passes. Now, following a comprehensive restoration by the Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the historic fortress has regained its place as one of the Asir region’s most striking cultural landmarks.

The restoration project emphasizes both the architectural authenticity and historical importance of the site, transforming it into a key destination for heritage tourism in southern Saudi Arabia.

Located in northwestern Abha, the castle dates back more than 110 years, believed to have been built in 1334 AH (circa 1916 CE). Researchers, including Dr. Ghaithan Grace of King Khalid University, have noted its strategic placement and enduring architectural value.

Preservation efforts involved rebuilding damaged sections with original local stone, restoring interior corridors and chambers, and preparing the site for public access. The castle’s design — a rectangular layout measuring 43.6 by 16 meters with a semi-circular northern façade — adapts seamlessly to the mountainous terrain.

Historical studies, such as The Fortifications of the City of Abha (2006) by Dr. Mahfouz Al-Zahrani, reveal that the name “Al-Daqal” originates from an Arabic term meaning “elevation” and also evokes the central mast of a sailboat — a poetic reflection of its commanding height.

Constructed from erosion-resistant granite and juniper wood, the fortress incorporates local craftsmanship techniques that combine durability with aesthetic finesse. Its roof, layered with reeds, mud, and straw, provides natural insulation against rain. Inside, traditional elements such as a stone oven, grain storage chamber, and a dedicated space for preparing haneeth — a signature Asiri dish — reflect the self-sufficient lifestyle of its former inhabitants.

Divided into command, residential, and service sections, Al-Daqal Castle once served as a vital stronghold for soldiers guarding mountain routes. Its natural rocky slopes enhanced its defensive capabilities, while its interior design mirrored the region’s practical and cultural traditions.

As the site prepares to open to the public in the next development phase, Al-Daqal Castle is poised to become a focal point of Abha’s cultural tourism — a living testament to the architectural ingenuity and enduring heritage of the Asir highlands.

Pilgrims arriving in Madinah after completing the Hajj rituals are continuing to visit the historic Quba Mosque, incorporating it into their broader itineraries of Islamic and historical sites connected to the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Regarded as the first mosque established in Islam and founded on the principle of piety, Quba Mosque holds deep religious importance. Many visitors make a point of praying there, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and acknowledging its spiritual and historical significance.

In recent days, the mosque and its surrounding courtyards have experienced steady visitor activity, particularly as post-Hajj pilgrims arrive in the city. Authorities have implemented an integrated service system to manage crowds, support visitor movement, and ensure a smooth and peaceful worship experience.

Quba Mosque remains one of the most important destinations for pilgrims in Madinah, alongside the Prophet’s Mosque and other notable Islamic heritage sites, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with the city’s religious and historical legacy.

The post-Hajj period has brought a noticeable rise in visitors to Madinah, as pilgrims from various countries arrive at the Prophet’s Mosque and extend their journey to explore the city’s major Islamic and historical landmarks.

A significant number of visitors are including Quba Mosque in their itinerary, recognized as the first mosque established on the foundation of piety. The site receives thousands of worshippers daily, who come to pray and engage with its religious and historical background.

Al-Qiblatain Mosque also continues to draw attention due to its historical role in the change of the Qibla direction from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, marking an important moment in Islamic history.

Meanwhile, the Mount Uhud area, along with its surrounding courtyards, remains a key destination for visitors. Many travel to the site of the Battle of Uhud and the nearby Martyrs’ Cemetery to reflect on the historical events associated with the location.

Organized visitation programs also include several additional religious and heritage sites across Madinah, reflecting the city’s deep historical significance within Islamic civilization.

Authorities are managing the increased flow of visitors through coordinated operational measures, including structured movement plans, guidance services, awareness efforts, and transport links connecting the Prophet’s Mosque with major landmarks.

The continued arrival of pilgrims after Hajj highlights Madinah’s enduring status as one of the most important destinations for religious and cultural tourism in the Islamic world.

Authorities in Jeddah have completed preparations for the summer season at 12 beaches and waterfront destinations, introducing an expanded safety and operational framework aimed at protecting visitors and improving the coastal experience.

As part of the initiative, the Jeddah Municipality has assigned 66 lifeguards and 34 supervisors across key recreational areas. The deployment is intended to strengthen safety oversight and ensure adherence to regulations governing beach activities.

Municipal teams will also carry out routine inspections throughout the season to verify facility readiness and maintain public safety standards as visitor numbers increase during the summer holidays and following the Hajj pilgrimage.

Officials have advised visitors to follow established safety procedures, including swimming only between sunrise and sunset, remaining within designated swimming zones, complying with lifeguards’ instructions, and ensuring children are closely supervised at all times.

The municipality said the measures form part of its broader efforts to enhance quality of life, improve marine safety standards, and support the continued development of Jeddah’s coastal tourism and recreational attractions.

The Prophet’s Mosque continues to stand as one of the world’s most remarkable examples of Islamic architecture, combining centuries of heritage with exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design.

Located in the heart of Madinah, the mosque reflects the richness of Islamic artistic traditions through its carefully designed structures, intricate details, and expansive prayer spaces that welcome millions of worshippers and visitors each year.

Among its most striking features are the ornate movable domes, decorated with geometric patterns that highlight the beauty and precision of Islamic design. The mosque’s historic minarets also tell the story of its evolution, representing successive expansion projects carried out over the decades while preserving its distinctive identity.

Throughout the mosque’s arcades and courtyards, visitors can admire finely crafted Islamic motifs and decorative elements that demonstrate a high level of artistic excellence. Elegant gilded chandeliers add to the grandeur of the interior, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of the sacred site.

The mosque’s massive gates reflect the scale of Saudi Arabia’s expansion efforts, which have significantly increased its capacity to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

Outside, the iconic giant umbrellas that cover the courtyards provide shade and comfort for worshippers, particularly during warmer months. Blending functionality with architectural beauty, these structures have become one of the most recognizable features of the Prophet’s Mosque and contribute to a more comfortable visitor experience.

As one of Islam’s holiest sites, the Prophet’s Mosque remains a symbol of faith, history, and architectural achievement, attracting millions of visitors who come to experience its spiritual significance and timeless beauty.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry is moving into a new growth cycle as airlines expand their fleets and strengthen regional and international connectivity, supported largely by new narrowbody aircraft orders.

This rapid expansion is expected to significantly increase the need for trained pilots across the region. Industry projections from the Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook estimate that the Middle East will require more than 58,000 new pilots over the next 20 years as carriers scale up operations and route networks.

Saudi Arabia is expected to account for a large portion of that demand, reflecting its ongoing investment in aviation development and airline capacity growth.

The pressure is not limited to the region. Global forecasts show similar trends across key markets. CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast suggests North America could need over 130,000 pilots by 2032, while the Asia-Pacific region may face a shortfall of more than 250,000 pilots.

Aviation experts say this simultaneous expansion is placing significant strain on global training systems and simulator capacity.

Martynas Mazeika, Chief Growth Officer at BAA Training, part of Avia Solutions Group, said the pace of airline expansion is reshaping training requirements. He noted that as new aircraft enter service each year, demand for qualified pilots is rising in parallel, requiring airlines to rely on scalable training partnerships and international resources.

He added that access to simulator capacity and flexible training programs is becoming increasingly important for airlines managing long-term fleet growth.

Based on Boeing’s estimates and standard requirements of around 200 flight hours per pilot, training more than 58,000 pilots in the Middle East would require roughly 11.6 million flight training hours.

By comparison, a typical flight academy operating around ten training aircraft generates only about 12,000 to 15,000 hours annually, underscoring the scale of capacity expansion needed to meet demand.

Simulator training presents a similar challenge. Preparing pilots would require approximately 1.1 million hours on full flight simulators. With each simulator typically delivering 5,000 to 6,000 training hours per year, industry capacity will need to expand significantly.

Mazeika said fleet expansion is not limited to the Middle East, pointing out that airlines in North America, India, and Southeast Asia are also increasing aircraft orders. He stressed that access to global training infrastructure is becoming a key factor in supporting airline growth strategies.

As Saudi carriers continue to grow their narrowbody fleets, demand is expected to rise for type rating and recurrent training, which prepare pilots for new aircraft and maintain operational standards as networks expand.

BAA Training currently provides type rating, recurrent training, and simulator-based programs through its global network of training centres and partners.

With aviation expansion accelerating across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, industry stakeholders say that scalable training systems and international cooperation will be essential to keep pilot supply aligned with fleet growth.

Source: ZAWYA