TAIF, 30 July — Prince Abdullah, the regent, inspected the regional museum at the historic Shabra Palace here yesterday. The visit symbolized the prince’s support for the protection of antiquities and promotion of domestic tourism.
The palace, which was King Abdul Aziz’s residence and government headquarters during summer, boasts halls on the Kingdom’s unification and Islamic antiquities and a center for handicraft and cottage industries.
The regent was accompanied by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Prince Miteb, minister of public works and housing, Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad, other princes and high-ranking officials.
Prince Abdullah and his entourage were received on arrival at the museum by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed and Taif Governor Fahd Muammar.
Prince Abdullah visited halls displaying antiques related to the Kingdom’s history as well as centuries-old Islamic antiques, coins and engravings. He was given a brief history of Taif and the Shabra Palace with the aid of pictures, charts and replicas.
Prince Abdullah arrived in Taif, one of the Kingdom’s enchanting tourist resorts, on Friday. He laid the foundation stone for the new Umm Al-Qura University campus in Taif and opened the project’s first phase on Sunday.
Dr. Saad Al-Rashid, deputy education minister for antiquities and museums, highlighted the significance of Prince Abdullah’s visit to the Shabra Palace, which stands out in the heart of Taif city.
“Taif is rich with antiquities and heritage. Shabra Palace is one of the city’s major landmarks,” he said. Antiques and heritage are important sources of the Kingdom’s history as well as one of the major tourist attractions.
“Protecting these landmarks is the responsibility of the state as well as its citizens,” he said.
Al-Rashid commended Prince Abdullah’s support for activities related to preserving the Kingdom’s heritage and antiquities. Three years ago, the prince had visited King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh.
“Prince Abdullah has also gone through a map of historical sites in the country,” he said. He thanked Prince Sultan for donating SR6 million to renovate the Shabra Palace.
In addition to the museum, the palace includes an exhibition of antiquities related to the Kingdom’s history and a center for photos and renovation of antiques.
Prince Abdullah, while presiding over a meeting of the Council of Ministers here yesterday, reviewed the progress of educational, tourism and health projects in Taif.
Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi, meanwhile, inspected the health affairs department in Taif and inaugurated its wireless facility which is linked with all health centers and hospitals in the area as well as 60 ambulance vans.
The minister also inspected the progress of work on the new King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital in Taif and discussed prospects of gradual operation of the hospital, starting with outpatient clinics.
