enacted at Al-Arfa in Taif as part of last year's Souq Okaz activities. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, is scheduled to inaugurate the annual festival on Sept. 24. — SPA Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — On behalf of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region and Chairman of the Supervisory Higher Committee for Souq Okaz is scheduled to launch the souq's annual activities on Sept. 24. The historical event will be launched at the original site of the Souq at Al-Arfa in Taif, where poets from all corners of the Arabian Peninsula used to gather to recite their poems. The yearly event took place during the pre-Islamic era. The two-week event, which is organized to revive the glory of the past, attracts many men of letters, intellectuals and academics from in and outside the Kingdom; in addition to several craftsmen who are involved in the old heritage industries and crafts. Prince Khaled said the King's patronage is part of his support for all national, intellectual and heritage events. This stems from his strong belief about the importance of building strong people who are capable of upgrading and projecting the glory of their beloved country to other nations. Last year more than 2,000 Arab writers, poets and historians from the Kingdom and abroad participated in the festival. The Emir, himself a well-known poet, has previously stated his intention to revive the festival because of its cultural significance as the birthplace of Arabian poetry. He said history will remember King Abdullah as a builder of countries and people and an advocate of dialogue among cultures and religions and a caretaker for science, scholars, intellectuals, men of letters and thinkers. He also underlined the great care and support given by the King to Souq Okaz to restore its intellectual, cultural and economic status. “By doing this, we intend to carry out a cultural project connecting the past to the future. This shows that the cultural, scientific, literary and heritage programs which the souq represents conforms to the objectives of the 10th Plan which has been designed for the development of Makkah.” The souq's prizes which have been increased to eight, including for Innovation and Scientific Excellence. __
