Harra festival showcases Makkah's culture, heritage

MAKKAH – The second Harra festival in Makkah kicked off recently highlights the holy city’s rich heritage as well as its marvelous customs and traditions. It showcases more than 300 relics and antiquities and products of women engaged in cottage industries. The fest near Dhiyafa market in Zahir district is considered first of its kind in Makkah, organizers said. It educates the younger generation how their forefathers lived in the past. It coincides with the mid-term school vacation. The previous fest drew about 250,000 visitors. “We have allocated 175 places to display products of cottage industries and 30 places for traditional handicrafts,” an organizer told Makkah newspaper. It features an interactive drama for children and a cultural program hosting Makkah’s prominent personalities. Adnan Khoja, assistant deputy governor for development, opened the festival and described it as a major cultural event that reflects Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal’s vision for building humans strengthening their capabilities and developing the place where they live. “It sheds light on the cultural, social and historical aspects of Makkah and its people,” Khoja said while praising Adel Hafiz’s contribution to visualize the festival. He also commended all government and private agencies for supporting the event. Hamdi Younus, director general of the office of Labor and Social Development Ministry in Makkah, stressed the need to make joint efforts to ensure the fest’s continuation. “We should extend all our support to Adel Hafiz to organize this fest successfully,” he added. Dr. Faisal Al-Sharief, director general of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, underscored the unique position of Makkah as a model for all cities. He praised Prince Khaled for his continuous endeavors to make Makkah a world-class city. He emphasized the need for holding the Harra festival to showcase Makkah’s history and heritage and its important position in the Islamic world. “The Tourism Development Council in Makkah will enlist Harra fest as one of the major annual cultural events in the city,” he added. Ameen Hafiz, the main sponsor, expressed his optimism that Harra fest would play a significant role in promoting Makkah’s culture and civilization. “It will give a glittering picture of our culture and heritage,” he said, adding that the second festival was organized in response to popular demand.