MADINAH, 4 July 2007 — This year’s Madinah Summer Festival, which is beginning today and running until Aug. 8, is estimated to draw 500,000 visitors to the city, according to the event’s organizing committee.
“The 35-day festival, which is to be opened by Madinah Governor Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed, is running under the motto ‘Tranquil Madinah,’” said Yousuf Al-Muzaini, chairman of the festival’s organizing committee.
The festival, which is organized by the region’s Tourism Council in collaboration with the Madinah Governorate and the Supreme Council of Tourism, is being launched with the goal of creating a tourism base that would attract visitors and benefit the local economy, Al-Muzaini said.
He added that this year’s festival, which will make full use of tourist potentials in the region, would be unique in holding a variety of programs including more than 80 various cultural, sport and entertainment activities.
The programs would be staged at five different locations in the city, including the King Fahd Park, the Al-Nakheel Park, the Hijaz Railway Station area, the Aliyah Al-Madinah and the Al-Hassan Mall, the committee chairman said.
He noted that the activities are structured to suit all age groups guaranteeing maximum enjoyment to all residents and visitors to Madinah. The cultural programs include an exhibition on the history of Madinah and the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), a painting exhibition, and a display of aerial photographs of Madinah. The Geological Museum, the Hijaz Railway Museum, and the Heritage Museum will also feature in the festival.
Al-Muzaini noted that the organizers have worked with the Supreme Commission for Tourism to chalk out programs in a fashion that would suit the general taste of the city.
The youth and sports programs, organized in collaboration with the Youth Welfare Presidency and the Uhud Sports Club, will include equestrian games, camel races, car races, balloon displays, and motorcycle and roller-skating contests. There will also be arts displays, including drama, songs and handicrafts.
Programs for women, which include dress and flower displays, will be organized at the Hassan Mall. Al-Muzaini hopes the festival will be a success.
