British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’

Riders who trained in Tabuk during December were Martin Thompson, Riyadh resident Craig Ross, Mike Baker and James Calder, and Howard Leedham. All five riders are former British soldiers. (Supplied)
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Riders who trained in Tabuk during December were Martin Thompson, Riyadh resident Craig Ross, Mike Baker and James Calder, and Howard Leedham. All five riders are former British soldiers. (Supplied)
British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’
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Left to right - Howard Leedham, Craig Ross, Martin Thomson and James Calder. Only Howard had ever ridden a camel before. (Supplied)
British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’
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Defender lent us 5 vehicles for the support team. (Supplied)
British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’
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Before nightfall, the riders would prepare to rest in anticipation of the next day’s journey. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 February 2025
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British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’

British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’
  • Team of 5 covered more than 1,000 km across ‘stunning’ Saudi Arabia, Jordan

JEDDAH: In a journey that followed the path of one of history’s most legendary desert crossings, a British team of four endurance riders has retraced the famous route of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, across Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Their remarkable expedition, inspired by the historic trek that helped change the course of the First World War, was a feat of endurance, history and adventure.

“A few of us last year were sitting around a table and mulling what was probably the most historic camel ride in recent history, and we came up with the one from Lawrence of Arabia,” Howard Leedham, one of the riders, told Arab News. “Nobody has ever done it since Lawrence, Auda Abu Tayi, Nasib Al-Bakri and Sherif Nasir did this ride.”




Riders who trained in Tabuk during December were Martin Thompson, Riyadh resident Craig Ross, Mike Baker and James Calder, and Howard Leedham. All five riders are former British soldiers. (Supplied)

Their journey mirrored the original path taken by Lawrence and his Arab allies in 1917, beginning in Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia, and traversing the vast desert landscapes toward Aqaba, Jordan. Along the way, the riders passed through key historical sites mentioned in Lawrence’s book, “Seven Pillars of Wisdom.”

Leedham said: “We stayed as faithful to the route as possible. We started in Al-Wajh on Jan. 14, having collected our camels from Tabuk and the LR Defenders from the Jeddah dealership … the trek took 25 days and we covered 1,100 km.”

Leedham is no stranger to extreme desert treks. “My previous experience is that I have crossed the UAE’s Empty Quarter twice on camels; each route was 640 km, which took 13 days. This was arranged by the Hamdan Heritage Center in Dubai. This is just my hobby; I run my own special situations security company serving global clients from the UAE.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The expedition captured the true essence of the historic Lawrence route.

• Beyond the physical demands, the riders sought to reconnect with history by visiting key locations tied to Lawrence’s journey.

• The team set an ambitious target of covering 50 km a day.

The other riders who trained in Tabuk during December were Martin Thompson, Riyadh resident Craig Ross, Mike Baker and James Calder. All five riders are former British soldiers.




The team relied on modern technology to aid navigation. (Supplied)

The key historical sites they passed include Al-Wajh, A Red Sea coastal town in present-day Saudi Arabia that served as a key base for the Arab Revolt, as well as Aqaba, Wadi Rum, the Hejaz railway, Ma’an, Madinah, Wadi Bayir, Magawa Oasis and The Well of Dathna.

The expedition captured the true essence of the historic Lawrence route. The team faced tough challenges from the outset. Leedham said: “The most challenging part of the trip, to be honest, was the early days when we left Al-Wajh. We had two days transiting out of Al-Wajh toward the Hejaz Mountains and then had to climb the Hejaz Mountains in Saudi Arabia before heading up toward Fajer.”

Navigating the challenging terrain of Saudi Arabia was equally demanding. “Every single day we saw different terrain: Salt lakes, flat desert, hilly desert, volcanic formations, oasis, golden sand and red sand,” Leedham said. “The mountains in the background were so beautiful that it didn’t look real. It’s like somebody painted it.”




The expedition lasted 25 days, covering a distance of more than 1,000 km across Saudi Arabia and Jordan. (Supplied)

The team relied on modern technology to aid navigation: “We used Google Maps to plot the route in detail and then backed it up with GPS. However, we found it quite limiting due to the lack of contour information. We therefore had to pick our way through or around high ground.”

The route transited the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, which provided permits. Rangers from the reserves helped the team.

“We applied to both of those entities and asked them if we could cross their nature reserves because really, the whole time we spent in Saudi Arabia, we were in those reserves,” Leedham said. The riders witnessed the breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity and deep historical significance of the two sites.




The British endurance team on camelback, traversing the rugged desert landscapes of Saudi Arabia, retracing Lawrence of Arabia’s 1917 route. (Supplied)

The team set an ambitious target. “We set out to cover 50 km a day, and we achieved that,” Leedham said.

Before nightfall, the riders would prepare to rest in anticipation of the next day’s journey.

The expedition lasted 25 days, covering a distance of more than 1,000 km across Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

“We came through the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve with stunning wadis and rock formations. We passed through the most beautiful oasis as well, which Lawrence actually describes in his book, ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom.’ We saw beautiful red stone, beautiful greenery, birds singing, which is all fantastic,” Leedham said.

Beyond the physical demands, the riders sought to reconnect with history by visiting key locations tied to Lawrence’s journey. “We tried to visit all the places that Lawrence mentions in his book, like the Well of Dathna, the oasis as we got over the Hejaz and Wadi Saham.”

After crossing the Nefud plain to Fajr, the riders continued northeast to the Meegowa Oasis.

From there, they turned northwest toward Wadi Al- Sirhan, stopped at Wadi Bayr and continued up to the Al-Hadithah border crossing into Jordan to rejoin Wadi Bayr toward Bayr Fort, Jafr, Ma’an, Wadi Rum and finally, Aqaba.

No such journey would be possible without the trusty ships of the desert. “We chose camels, and we had four riders and eight camels in Saudi. We got them from Tabuk and trained in December,” Leedham said. The camels became an integral part of the team, making the eventual parting an emotional moment. “We had to say goodbye to our Saudi camels, which was quite a sad moment because they’d done so well for us for two weeks.”

The team faced extreme conditions along the way. “We lived in tents and experienced temperatures from 37 to minus 5 degrees Celsius, as well as strong winds and sandstorms.”

Encounters with Bedouin were a crucial part of the journey. “We encountered Bedouin. We had leased our 10 Saudi camels from Bedouin, so they had some guys in our support team. Also, we would stop at Bedouin camps to ask for water for the camels, we were always made fantastically welcome by all,” Leedham said.

Finally, after many exhausting weeks of traveling through the desert, the team arrived at their destination on Friday.

Recreating Lawrence of Arabia’s epic journey was more than just an endurance challenge to the team. “It was a living tribute to history, a celebration of the vast and stunning Saudi and Jordanian landscapes, and a true bond between humans and camels,” Leedham said.

 


Saudi Architecture Characters Map begins implementation with digital tools and training

Saudi Architecture Characters Map begins implementation with digital tools and training
Updated 15 sec ago
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Saudi Architecture Characters Map begins implementation with digital tools and training

Saudi Architecture Characters Map begins implementation with digital tools and training
  • Initiative provides developers with guidelines for architectural styles
  • Guidelines inspired by regional identities, aiming to reflect Saudi Arabia’s cultural diversity

RIYADH: The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has started the next phase of the Saudi Architecture Characters Map rollout in Taif, Al-Ahsa, Asir, and Makkah following its official launch earlier this month.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Deputy Minister of Municipalities and Housing Ehab Ghazi Al-Hashani detailed the next steps and outlined the robust coordination efforts underway to ensure the project’s success.

Al-Hashani emphasized the long preparation behind the initiative: “The architectural map of Saudi Arabia is really a project that has been in the (works) for over two years, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

The ministry, he said, is concentrating on building awareness and preparing the industry for the upcoming rollout.

“The immediate step now that we have launched is really to kind of heighten awareness and start training some of the architects (to) launch in the four cities that were announced, at Taif, Al-Ahsa, Asir (and) Makkah.”

Saudi Architecture provides developers across the Kingdom with guidelines for building styles.

The Characters Map introduces 19 distinct architectural styles inspired by regional identities, aiming to reflect Saudi Arabia’s cultural diversity through its built environment.

The long-term vision of the project is to create more walkable and sustainable cities.

“We are working on broader strategy to kind of develop the five, 10, 15-minute cities in Saudi Arabia, where you can go to work, do your basic needs with a walkable distance,” he said.

Al-Hashani stressed that training architects is crucial for smooth implementation. He noted the extensive groundwork already laid out before the public launch.

“We have a massive program ongoing, starting with the communication that we are doing now … this has the training started way before the launch, so to make sure that we hit the ground running. The efforts are significant.”

He also highlighted the technical and digital support behind the initiative. “There (are) the digital tools in place that have been implemented already, part of the Balady platform. And of course, the ongoing communications with … the municipalities, and of course, our partners, the regional development authorities,” he added.

Addressing the evolution of design influences, Al-Hashani explained how previous examples have informed the current codes. He remarked on the role that pioneering projects played in shaping the national approach.

“Any successful example of (an) architectural design guideline was taken into account in developing these codes … our designs (are) inspired somewhat by Diriyah … but mostly it’s more covering the entire area of the central region.”

Looking ahead, he confirmed that implementation is already visible on the ground.

He added that the rollout is set to accelerate, with numerous examples expected in the near future: “There will be many examples in the coming 12 months … of these guidelines being implemented on the ground.”

To ensure a uniform application of the new design codes, the ministry has integrated the guidelines into its licensing process. Al-Hashani explained how digital enforcement plays a key role.

“Balady platform already has kind of a geospatial element in it, where each zone is already linked to the license that is issued. So, if you apply for a license in Taif, then the guidelines will come up as the requirements that you will have to (adhere to) in terms of design.”

Public engagement and outreach are also essential components of the initiative. Al-Hashani underscored the breadth of the ministry’s reach through its extensive municipal network.

“The municipal sector is the largest sector in Saudi Arabia … that has access and reach to the citizen.

“You deal with the with us on a daily basis, even without you knowing. We have for instance 285 (municipalities). We have 17 amanahs (administrative divisions). We are present everywhere in Saudi Arabia.”

He further emphasized the role of workshops and stakeholder meetings as vital tools for ensuring that all parties are aligned with the new standards.

“More importantly (are) the kind of the workshops that we have with key stakeholders in (these) structures such as the architectural firms, the big developers, and of course, the giga projects.”

Looking to the future, Al-Hashani touched on the broader strategic goals that underpin the initiative.

He explained that success will not only be measured by the immediate application of design guidelines but also by their impact on urban planning, with “major (key performance indicators).”

With integrated digital tools, targeted training, and extensive stakeholder engagement, the Saudi Architecture Characters Map aims to redefine urban development across the Kingdom while remaining rooted in its rich cultural heritage.


KSrelief delivers aid to vulnerable communities

KSrelief delivers aid to vulnerable communities
Updated 39 min 18 sec ago
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KSrelief delivers aid to vulnerable communities

KSrelief delivers aid to vulnerable communities

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

In the Syrian Arab Republic, 389 food packages were distributed to families in need in Homs governorate as part of the Etaam Ramadan project. KSrelief also distributed 160 parcels in Al-Dumayr, Rif Dimashq governorate.

In Yemen, 594 food baskets were provided to vulnerable groups in Shabwah governorate, benefiting 4,158 people.

In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,200 packages to impoverished families in Baidoa, benefiting 7,200 people.

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).

Additionally, KSrelief distributed 2,812 cartons of dates in Tal Shihab, Daraa governorate, Syria, benefiting 2,812 families.

The Saudi aid agency also provided 630 food baskets in Port Sudan, benefiting 3,561 impoverished and displaced people.


Makkah cardiac care saves three Umrah performers

Makkah cardiac care saves three Umrah performers
Updated 50 min 44 sec ago
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Makkah cardiac care saves three Umrah performers

Makkah cardiac care saves three Umrah performers

MAKKAH: A cardiac team at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, performed a three-hour emergency open-heart surgery to save the life of a 59-year-old Iraqi Umrah pilgrim suffering from a severe coronary artery clot.

After the surgery, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit, where he was quickly weaned off ventilators and made a steady recovery, stabilizing his condition, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The case highlights King Abdullah Medical City’s ability to provide exceptional specialized care for Umrah and other pilgrims, the SPA added.

Meanwhile, the cardiac catheterization team at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, also part of the Makkah Health Cluster, saved the life of an 86-year-old Libyan Umrah pilgrim who suffered a heart attack and required urgent intervention.

The hospital’s heart center is fully equipped for such cases, with highly qualified medical teams committed to delivering advanced healthcare in line with the highest standards, according to the SPA.

The team at Al-Noor also treated a 68-year-old Egyptian woman performing Umrah, through a cardiac catheterization procedure on her right coronary artery.

The patient arrived at the emergency department with severe chest pain, low blood pressure, and a weak pulse, the SPA reported. Examinations revealed a blocked coronary artery and a heart attack, requiring immediate medical intervention.


Kingdom prepares mosques for Eid Al-Fitr prayer

Kingdom prepares mosques for Eid Al-Fitr prayer
Updated 24 March 2025
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Kingdom prepares mosques for Eid Al-Fitr prayer

Kingdom prepares mosques for Eid Al-Fitr prayer
  • The ministry has made extensive preparations to ensure mosques and open-air areas are ready for worshippers

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh has instructed ministry branches throughout the Kingdom to hold the Eid Al-Fitr prayer in all designated prayer areas.

The ministry has made extensive preparations to ensure mosques and open-air areas are ready for worshippers, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The prayer will be held in all mosques, except those near Eid prayer areas or rarely used for Eid prayers in some villages, where residents will use local prayer areas.

The directives include early preparations to ensure maintenance, cleanliness and service availability at prayer areas for a peaceful experience.

The Eid prayer throughout the Kingdom will take place 15 minutes after sunrise, based on the Umm Al-Qura calendar, the SPA reported.

The Kingdom has 19,887 mosques and prayer areas, all prepared to provide a spiritually uplifting atmosphere.

Cleaning and sterilization protocols have been implemented to maintain hygiene in these sacred spaces, according to the SPA.

Comprehensive maintenance has been performed on electrical systems, air conditioning, and audio equipment to ensure optimal comfort during prayers.


Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Friday

Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Friday
Updated 24 March 2025
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Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Friday

Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Friday

RIYADH: The public should exercise caution as heavy rains are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Friday, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defense. 

Residents are advised to stay in safe locations, avoid valleys and areas prone to flooding, and refrain from swimming in them, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

According to the report, the Makkah region will experience moderate to heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash floods. Similar conditions are expected in the Baha, Asir, and Jazan regions. 

The directorate indicated that moderate rain may fall in the Najran region, while light rain is expected in the Madinah region, the SPA reported. 

The Civil Defense has urged the public to monitor official channels and social media platforms for the latest weather updates.