Jeddah expects a million visitors

January 5, 2015

Jeddah, Jan 5: According to sources, Jeddah is likely to attract more than 1 million domestic tourists for the Historic Jeddah Festival later this month.

More than 536 families reside in Jeddah’s historical district. The district, which has nearly 1,866 houses and buildings, was declared last year a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Property owners and residents of the district, called Balad, say that the families who live there are not simply residents of the city but have been part of the social fabric, culture and traditions for generations. It is not only the buildings and the infrastructure which makes old Jeddah unique but also the prevailing customs which have been handed down the generations.

Owners have striven to preserve the old customs such as the “Al-Mekaad” which is the meeting point for senior members of households to discuss the district’s needs. The members generally meet up between the Asr and Ishaa prayers to follow up on the issues of families in the area among other things.

Residents of the Al-Yemen neighborhood in the district expressed their gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for developing the area and in delegating efforts to attract more visitors and tourists to learn about the district, particularly through the Historic Jeddah Festival set to launch on Jan. 15.

They said this support has helped showcase the community life in old Jeddah which revolves around customs and centuries-old traditions.

Tariq Pajouh, whose family was involved in the dairy trade, said the history of families living in old Jeddah dates back to over 200 years. He said their history is characterized by many social, political and cultural changes, and has received tremendous attention and support from the country’s leaders over the years.

Abdulaziz Ghurab, whose family worked in the construction industry, said the state has provided a huge amount of support to the historical district, which is valued by property owners and residents. He praised the efforts, programs and projects carried out under the direction of King Abdullah and Jeddah Gov.

Prince Mishaal bin Majed, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Historic Jeddah Festival, as well as the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, the Jeddah municipality and others.

Jamal Abdul Qadir Pasha said the development of Jeddah’s historical district has had a great impact on the revival of its soul and traditions. He said the Historic Jeddah Festival fosters an atmosphere of cooperation and connection and allows visitors from all over the country and the Gulf to witness the city's heritage.

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Syrian Town erupts after Israeli forces enter Beit Jinn; heavy casualties reported

News Network

November 28,2025

Several Syrians were killed and more than two dozen others injured in Israeli strikes on the outskirts of Damascus, amid intensified incursions by the occupying regime since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rule.

Syrian state TV reported that the casualties occurred during an overnight Israeli assault involving helicopters and drones on the town of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside. The attack followed an Israeli military unit’s entry into the town, where they were surrounded by local residents, leading to gunfire and direct confrontations.

According to the report, “The occupation army’s helicopters and artillery shelled Beit Jinn, located at the foothills of Mount Hermon, resulting in 13 martyrs and 25 injured civilians.” The broadcaster did not specify the full extent of damage.

Al-Ikhbariyah Syria confirmed that the shelling coincided with Israeli soldiers entering Beit Jinn, while artillery pounded surrounding areas. The broadcaster stated that the escalation began after local residents clashed with an Israeli patrol that had infiltrated the southern town and “kidnapped” three young men.

Following a two-hour exchange of heavy fire, Israeli forces withdrew and repositioned on the hill of Butt al-Warda at the town’s outskirts.

Israeli media acknowledged that six soldiers were wounded in the clashes—three of them seriously—describing the confrontation as a “sudden ambush” that forced the deployment of reserve units and air support to secure an exit route. No further details were provided.

The aggression has fueled renewed displacement from Beit Jinn, with residents fleeing to nearby villages amid increasingly frequent Israeli attacks.

The raid came just a day after Israeli troops carried out another ground incursion into Umm al-Luqas village in Quneitra province. According to SANA, an Israeli unit in four vehicles entered the village, raided several homes, and later withdrew.

Syria condemned the repeated incursions as violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and UN resolutions, urging the international community to enforce compliance and pressure Israel to halt its operations and withdraw fully.

Israel has expanded its attacks across Syrian territory following the collapse of the Assad government last year. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly instructed his forces to push deeper into Syrian territory and seize strategic positions.

Meanwhile, critics say the HTS-led interim government’s inaction and growing normalization gestures toward Israel have emboldened Tel Aviv to intensify its military operations. HTS, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, seized control of Damascus last December, formally ending Assad’s rule.

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