NCB to sponsor Souk Okaz

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal signed yesterday a contract with National Commercial Bank CEO Abdul Kareem Abu Al-Nasr to sponsor the activities of the annual Souk Okaz (Okaz Fair) for a period of three years. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Khaled, who is also chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Souk Okaz, commended the pioneering role being played by NCB in supporting various cultural activities and festivals across the Kingdom.
On his part, Abu Al-Nasr lauded the keenness shown by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Prince Khaled in making the fair a great cultural and heritage event. “Our sponsoring of the fair comes as part of the bank’s keenness in taking part in the activities to promote the Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage. We are proud of sponsoring the fair, which has become a major local and regional event,” he said while noting that Prince Khaled’s great care and concern for the festival will make it more popular and draw a large number of people year after year. Souk Okaz is the re-birth of an ancient Arabian festival dating back to pre-Islamic times. In ancient times, Arab traders and Bedouins would bring their goods, including perfumes, spices, rugs and handicrafts to sell at the market. It was an ancient economic and cultural meeting center. Souk Okaz, located approximately 40 km north of Taif amid rolling desert plains, is the home of the festival. Prince Khaled revived the festival with the support of King Abdullah.
This year’s sixth edition of the festival will feature a wide variety of cultural and heritage programs and activities, including literary and poetry sessions, folk music and traditional dances, display of handicrafts, in addition to shopping fairs. There will also be several competitions and contests, including the one for Okaz Poet Prize.
The winner of the prize will be honored with the title of Arab Poet of the Year and decorated with the Okaz Shield and a Burdah (robe of honor) in addition to a cash award of SR 300,000. The winner will also recite his poem at the opening session of Souk Okaz.