Businesses urged to support literary club

The arts are one of society's most essential components but their funding must come from more than just popular support. Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal sent this message loud and clear when he called on Saudi business leaders to put their muscle and money behind the construction of a new headquarters for the Makkah Literary and Cultural Club.
The governor made the comments during a meeting with the club’s officials at his office in Makkah, where he was presented designs for the new building.
The new headquarters will be constructed in an area of 10,000 square meters.
Prince Khaled and Abdul Aziz Al-Khodairy, deputy governor, and other officials, watched a presentation on the project and its various facilities.
Apart from administrative offices, the project includes a stage, a center for cultural activities, recreational halls, a special section for women’s activities and parking areas.
A club official said that the intention is to establish the club as a meeting place for men of letters and intellectuals and as a forum for the discussion of cultural and literary issues.
“We also intend to host outstanding personalities who come for Haj and Umrah as a means of strengthening the Kingdom’s literary movement,” he added.
The club will also encourage youth to engage in cultural and literary activities.