Okaz/Saudi Gazette

AL-SHAFA, located southwest of Taif, is an enchanting tourist resort with lofty mountains blanketed by singing gardens of junipers. The area produces a variety of fruit and vegetables. Being one of the best summer resorts in the country, located close to Makkah, many people from within the Kingdom and abroad visit Al-Shafa.

About 2,000 meters above sea lever, the city with a population of 120,000 enjoys a moderate climate with temperatures in the summer ranging from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. Despite its popularity as a tourist center, Al-Shafa lacks some of the basic services including regular water supply.

Taif Municipal Council members spoke about shortage of services in Al-Shafa. “Such services are essential to attract more tourists and holidaymakers. God has blessed Al-Shafa with its natural beauty. We have noticed a considerable increase in the number of tourists visiting this resort,” said Ibrahim Bin Fadil Al-Sufyani, a city council member while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

Referring to the problems facing Al-Shafa, Al-Sufyani said it needs a water network to supply drinking water. Tourists have to depend on bottled water supplied by groceries. “Vegetables must be protected from harmful effects of sewage water. In addition to the expansion of the ring road, the construction of a parallel road is essential,” he said.

Ali Alaiwi, head of Social Development, described Al-Shafa as one of the most attractive tourist spots in Taif, which is 200 km away from Jeddah. “Lack of basic services has tarnished the image of Al-Shafa. We should know that a large number of tourists from the Gulf countries visit this place,” Alaiwi pointed out.

Al-Shafa is known for its thick forests and vast agricultural areas that produce different types of fruit and vegetables.

Al-Shafa needs among other things banking services and a Red Crescent Authority post, Alaiwi said. “There is only one ATM in the whole area. Residents and tourists have a tough time whenever the machine goes out of order and this is leaving a bad impression on the minds of visitors,” he added.

Alaiwi urged the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and Taif municipality to develop tourist resorts in Al-Shafa such as the Daka mountain, Talhat, Dighazal and Bani Omar, which are remarkable for their natural beauty and salubrious climate.

Bani Sufyan Al-Haji, chief administrator of Al-Shafa, spoke highly about its enchanting natural scenery that attracts a large number of tourists every year.

“Tourists who have visited Al-Shafa will come again and again to enjoy its natural beauty,” Al-Haji told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He urged the authorities to provide Al-Shafa with required public services including a Passport Office and a modern health center with all facilities to serve residents and tourists.

“We have informed the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority about our need to for more ATMs but we have not yet received a positive reply,” Al-Haji said.

Hamad Al-Aishi called upon the authorities to expedite the implementation of development projects for Al-Hada and Al-Shafa. He called for greater government support to increase agricultural yield in Al-Shafa, which produces honey in addition to fruit and vegetables. Taif's honey is famous for its good quality and medicinal value. “A large number of tourists from Arab and Gulf countries visit Al-Shafa to purchase honey,” he pointed out.

Historian Eissa Al-Qaseer spoke about antiquities in the area. “There are forts in every village of Al-Shafa apart from dams. The most famous dams are Wadi Ardha and Al-Lasab. These dams help in diverting floodwaters to agricultural fields. There are a number of canals to irrigate agricultural fields.”

Al-Qaseer added: “Al-Shafa is one of the oldest places in the region. There are several groundwater wells in the area with depths of up to 35 meters.”

Hamid Al-Shumasi spoke about the poor state of healthcare services in Al-Shafa. “The only clinic in the area is operating in a rundown building and it closes at 4 p.m. People suffering from chronic diseases have to travel long distances to receive specialized treatment in Taif. The poor condition of the clinic is making patients further depressed and is increasing their worries,” Al-Shumasi said.

Some patients joked about the poor services at the clinic. If you go there with any disease, you will be given hot water with paracetamol tablets, they said. "This should not have been the condition of Al-Shafa, a well-known tourist resort that draws thousands of visitors every year,” Al-Shumasi told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.