Saudi Arabia
Brief History.
Saudi Arabia
is located in the Middle East and is the biggest producer of Oil. You might be wondering:” Why Should I visit
Saudi Arabia”?
Good
question.
The first one
is religious. Saudi Arabia is home to Makkah or Mecca. That is simply put: Makkah
(Mecca) is to Muslims as Vatican City is to Christians. The place will Islam
started was in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia
as a state was founded in 1727 by Imam Muhammad al Saud. How Al Saud formed the
first Saudi State can be in a past article by Arab
News.
We fast forward
by passing:
·
Second
Saudi State
·
Third
Saudi State
The Third
Saudi State was founded by King Abdul Aziz in 1902 and continues under the name
of Saudi Arabia.
Facts about Saudi Arabia
King Fahad Fountain
Climate of Saudi Arabia
The temperature
in Riyadh is approximately 50 degrees Centigrade. That is what a person
experiences when you are walking on the road. Just stepping outside the airport
will show a heat wave for a brief time since once the visitor gets in a taxi it
is Air-conditioned.
The climate
of Jeddah is much cooler, the highest being around 40. If you are used to the weather in Phoenix,
Arizona, that would not be a problem at all.
Laws
Saudi Arabia
has strict laws in accordance with
Islam. So you should know the before
going for a visit. Capital punishments are implemented for murders, manslaughter,
and accidents.
Culture
The culture
is conservative and based on Muslim values. Have a look at this site
which would give more information.
Official Religion: Islam.
Currency:
Saudi Riyal.
1 US$=3.75 Saudi Riyals. This has been the
since more than 50 years because of a special agreement between the countries: United
States and Saudi Arabia.
Why People Visit Saudi Arabia?
The original reason being religious from time of Prophet Ibrahim.(Abraham). We will relate in another post.
Here is experience of Param's first time going to Saudi Arabia. Hi first time experiences in Madinah . A famous youtuber from India who converted to Islam a year ago after making videos for 3 years on Islam.
·
Religious- For Muslims. Major Pilgrimage (Hajj’) and Minor (Umrah’).
Where do Muslims visit for religious
reasons?
·
Makkah- the House of Allah (God) is located
here in Islamic belief. It is called Kaaba.
·
Madinah- The Prophet Muhammad migrated here
from Makkah. Read Biography or ‘Seeratul Nabi’.
·
Various
places in Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.
Official
airlines:
Saudia: Saudi Arabian Airlines. Read here previous post on Saudia Airlines.
News Paper:
·
Arab
News
·
Saudi
Gazette.
An American or
Westerner might ask “Why Should I visit Saudi Arabia as a non-Muslim?”
Well, to
experience something different. It is like saying they are other Operating
systems like Linux and UNIX. It is worth to try and see.
Tourist and religious Places to visit
in Saudi Arabia:
·
Balad
(Jeddah).
·
Wife
of Prophet Adam’s grave (Hawa in Islam and Eve in Christian scriptures).
·
AL
TAYEBAT INTERNATIONAL CITY MUSEUM –Jeddah.
·
Floating
Mosque, called Al Rahmah Mosque.-Jeddah.
·
Masjid
al-Haram (Makkah. It is for Muslims only).
·
Nasef
House-Balad District. Ottoman Era House.
·
Sea
Beach in Jeddah.
·
Al
Majid al Nabawi. (The Prophet’s mosque).-Madinah. Non-Muslim visitors can Madinah
but entry to the Prophet’s Mosque is restricted. One can experience spiritual peace,
calmness, and spiritual coolness though temperatures in summer are around 50
Degrees Celcius.
·
Al
Ula-If you like archaeology and history, a place to visit. It was founded in the
6th century, BC. It was known as Dedan and was founded by Nabataea.
It is recommended to read some books like
·
Madain
Saleh-People of Thamud.
1. The Road to Ubar by Nicholas Clapp. The billionaire who thought he founded city of Iram is
described in the Quran. The Quran talks about the people of Aad’.
These people about 4000+ years
ago built houses out of the mountains. They were giants (about 60 feet tall approx.).
To them, Prophet Hud(Eber in the Bible) was sent. Source.
2. The Sand Kings of Oman by Oshea and Raymond. source
A must-read
if you are interested in the history and story of Giants’ who refused
monotheism and were destroyed.
The two main
perished tribes of Arabia mentioned in the Quran are:
·
Ad’
Tribe. To Them, Prophet Hud (Eber in Bible. According to some scholars.) was
sent. They were descended from Sham’(Shem, son of Prophet Nuh).
·
The
Thamud Tribe- They came after several generations after Ad’ and were their descendants.
And to ‘Ad
[51] We sent forth their brother Hud. He said: 0 my people! Serve Allah; you
have no other god than Him. Will you, then, not avoid evil?’
The Quran
says about Iram:
Have you
not considered how your Lord dealt with ‘Aad [With] Iram – who had lofty
pillars, The likes of whom had never been created in the land?} (Quran)
Iram was a
magnificent city and was supposed to be a remake of “Paradise” built by Shaddad
bin Ad’. The bin’ means son of and is equivalent of the Jewish
version of ‘Ben’.
Iram has not
been found yet. Nicholas Clapp found something close but it was not Iram.
Hath not
the history of those before you reached you: the folk of Noah, and (the tribes
of) A’ad and Thamud, and those after them? None save Allah knoweth them. Their
messengers came unto them with clear proofs, but they thrust their hands into
their mouths, and said: Lo! we disbelieve in that wherewith ye have been sent,
and lo! we are in grave doubt concerning that to which ye call us.
(Quran 22:9)
The Thamud
wanted their prophet Hud(AS) to show them a miracle like creating a living she
camel from rock. This was done yet these people chose not to believe in the Almighty
alone. They killed the camel too. The people of Ad’ refused to shun idolatry
and paganism. Ultimately they were destroyed.
The
buildings of Thamud exist but for more Muslims, it is not advised to visit
though looks interesting.
Souvenirs from Saudi Arabia: Takeaway
·
Dates
–Very good quality and unparalleled Buy ajwah dates from Madinah.
·
Traditional
Arab jewelry. The gold is Swiss gold, pure and has 999 tag.
·
Oud
Perfume.
·
Sandal
wood.
·
Dallah-Arabian
Coffee pot.
Hand-crafted homeware from Athana.
Souvenir Shop.
Balad Souvenir.
Website.
Location: Jeddah.
Address: 3163 Qabil Ln, Al Balad District, Jeddah 22236, Saudi Arabia.
Phone: +966
53 165 7556
Don’ts before going to Saudi Arabia.
Eating in Saudi
1. Al Baik. This
Saudi and Middle East’s answer to United States' KFC chicken. Delicious and much less price
compared to United States KFC. Don’t miss it. You can think of giving a franchise
in the US or Europe if you want to.
2. Shwarma and Musakil’. Shawarma is food
from the Middle East. It can be chicken, mutton or beef. Arab Sandwich which is
found in Europe too but here you get the original flavor. mmm, is delicious. Restaurant name: Sands Restaurant or anywhere
in Jeddah or Saudi Arabia. We will update you on restaurants in Saudi Arabia in
our next post so follow our blog. Musakil’ is the mixed fruit juice. Price:
10.40 US dollars. In the 1980s-90s price was 0.53 US$. Well Coke was 0.50
Dollars too in US then.
3. Shabaik –Lebanese Restaurant.(JD). Address:
3163 Qabil Ln, Al Balad
District, Jeddah 22236, Saudi Arabia.
4. Leila Min Lebnen- Lebanese
5. Chicken Republic (JD). website
6. Ruya- Turkish restaurant (RYD).
7. Soby Kaber-Egyptian.(RYD).
8. Em Sherif Café. (RYD) .A well-known café
in the Middle East, so don’t miss it.
9. Harat
10. Lusin.
Cost for two
500 Saudi Riyals. (approx) . 133.28 US$.(per meal).
Lodging.
Best is to stay
in hotel (3 star plus).
Five star hotels.
150 US$.
OYO
Lavina
House.
Cost: 30
US$+.
How to Apply for a Saudi Visa?
The application for a Saudi visa can be made online or physically.
Second-visit nearest Saudi embassy.
That is all for now. Keep reading and following our blog.
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Refences:
https://nabataea.net/explore/culture_and_religion/scrolls/
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2255421/saudi-arabia
https://sacredfootsteps.com/2019/11/08/were-petra-and-madain-salih-built-by-the-people-of-thamud/
https://www.timeoutriyadh.com/food-drink/best-middle-eastern-restaurants-in-riyadh-2
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