AmericanBadu
Blog about the natural & cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia
about
I’m Joshua Van Alstine — an American writer and researcher living and working in Saudi Arabia. I document the natural and cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula, from Bedouin traditions to desert ecology, camel racing, falconry, and ancient history.
Tag: arabic
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King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the seventh King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He assumed the throne on January 23, 2015, and is the fifteenth ruler of the Saudi state since 1727. His leadership blends a historian’s regard for origins with a statesman’s drive…
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King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1921–2005) was the fifth King of Saudi Arabia, ruling from 1982 until his passing in 2005. His reign of 23 years was one of the longest in Saudi history and transformed the Kingdom into a modern state with global influence. Known as the first monarch to adopt the title…
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King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1913–1982) led Saudi Arabia through a period of extraordinary transformation. His reign, from March 25, 1975, until his death on June 13, 1982, was marked by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to his people. He presided over one of the most prosperous eras in the Kingdom’s history, combining…
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Early Life and Formation King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1906–1975) was born in Riyadh, the third son of King Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al al-Shaikh, a descendant of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. His mother died when he was only five months old, and he was raised in the household of…
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A Decree that Changed History On 17 Jumādā al-Ūlā 1351H (19 September 1932), King Abdulaziz Al Saud issued Royal Decree No. 2716, uniting the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd with their dependencies into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya al-Saʿūdiyya – المملكة العربية السعودية).The decree took effect on 23 September 1932 (21 Jumādā al-Ūlā…
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Numbers can tell stories if we listen closely. The latest figures on Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage—9,119 registered archaeological sites, 28,000 registered urban heritage sites, 8,644 artisans under the Commission, 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 16 cultural heritage elements inscribed with UNESCO—are not simply data points. They are signposts in an ongoing national project to…
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“اجتمعنا مع بعض العرب تحت الحماطـه .. حن قلبي على دار الدواء وانا لحالي” “We gathered, we Arabs, beneath the fig tree’s shade…My heart aches for that home of warmth, now that I sit alone.” Under the branches of a Ficus carica, the fig tree (hamaatah), a poet once found both companionship and silence. In…
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The historic Taif Camel Racing Track hosted the grand finale of the 7th edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival, held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, the closing ceremony was attended by His Royal…
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As the seventh edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival draws to a close in Taif, the numbers tell a story of Saudi dominance. With 159 first-place finishes—56% of all heats so far—Saudi camels are leading by more than 100 wins over their closest rivals, securing three Cups and strong results in the Hijin rider…
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Saudi Arabia Shines at Crown Prince Camel Festival: Heritage, Victories, and Record-Breaking Markets
The Crown Prince Camel Festival 2025 in Taif has entered its final stretch, with Saudi Arabia celebrating both sporting victories and economic milestones in one of the Kingdom’s most significant heritage events. Saudi Victories in the Thunaya Races The Saudi-owned camel “Ijtiaz”, belonging to Saer Mohammed Al-Otaibi, stormed to victory in the Thunaya (four-year-old females,…