Massive "Tourism Festival" stats today in Saudi Arabia.

JEDDAH, 21 June — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, who is also chairman of the Tourism Committee in Jeddah, inaugurated yesterday the activities of Jeddah Tourism Festival at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in the presence of thousands of visitors. Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed, chairman of the executive committee of the festival, was also present.

The inauguration kick-started a number of popular programs to mark the two-monthlong festival. Prince Abdul Majeed noted that the city has already achieved remarkable all-round progress making it attractive for local and foreign investors. Because of its position as a leading tourist center, Jeddah provided abundant opportunities for investment in the tourism industry.

The prince also stressed the importance of sustained efforts for the festival’s success, particularly its effective organization with minute attention to details.

Prince Mishaal spoke on the occasion detailing the new strategies for this year.

The festival opened with an operetta in which several leading singers of the Gulf participated. Nabil Shoail from Kuwait, Ahmad Al-Jomairy from Bahrain, Ali Abdul Sattar from Qatar, Abdullah Abul Khayl from the Untied Arab Emirates, Salim Al-Oraimi from Oman and Muhammad Abdo of the Kingdom were some of the celebrities who took part.

Secretary-General of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Majid Al-Qasabi noted that the festival will offer an array of programs aimed to satisfy thediverse interests of the innumerable visitors.

The opening ceremony was followed by a series of colorful fireworks and laser display at various tourist landmarks such as the City Center, Corniche, south and north Obhur and samusement parks along the Corniche.

Some quaint Saudi rules concerning restrictions on entry into the country:

Restricted entry: (a) Holders of an Israeli passport or passports with Israeli stamps in them. (b) Passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behaviour, including those who appear to be in a state of intoxication, will be refused entry (see Social Conventions section). (c) There are special regulations concerning pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further information.

Note: (a) Unaccompanied women must be met at the airport by their sponsor or husband and have confirmed onward reservations as far as their final destination in Saudi Arabia. If met by a sponsor, it is worth noting that there are restrictions on women travelling by car with men who are not related by blood or marriage: enquiries can be made at the Information Centre or Embassy. (b) No foreign passenger who is working as a domestic servant in Saudi Arabia should be transported to Saudi Arabia unless holding a valid non-refundable return ticket.

Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa

>>>SAUDI ARABIA

Islam dominates all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia — government policy, cultural norms, and social behavior. Islam is the only official religion of the country, and public observance of any other religion is forbidden. The Saudi government considers it a sacred duty to safeguard two of the greatest shrines of Islam, the holy mosques located in the cities of Mecca and Medina. Travel to Mecca and Medina is forbidden to non-Muslims. Muslims throughout the world turn to Mecca five times a day for prayer. Restaurants, stores, and other public places close for approximately a half-hour upon hearing the call to prayer, and Muslims stop their activities to pray during that time. Government and business activities are noticeably curtailed during the month of Ramadan, during the celebrations at the end of Ramadan, and during the time of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj. Travel facilities into, out of, and within Saudi Arabia are crowded during these periods.

Although Westerners have some leeway in dress and social contacts within company residential compounds, both men and women should dress conservatively in public. Women’s clothing should be loose fitting and concealing, with high necks, skirts worn well below the knee, and sleeves below the elbow. It is recommended that women not wear pants.

Females are prohibited from driving vehicles or riding bicycles on public roads, or in places where they might be observed. Males and females beyond childhood are not free to congregate together in most public places, and a man may be arrested for being seen with, walking with, traveling with, or driving a woman other than his wife or immediate relative. In Saudi Arabia, playing of music or dancing in public, mixed bathing, public showing of movies, and consumption of alcoholic beverages are forbidden.

Saudi religious police, known as mutawwa , have been empowered to enforce the conservative interpretation of Islamic codes of dress and behavior for women, and may rebuke or harass women who do not cover their heads or whose clothing is insufficiently concealing. In addition, in more conservative areas, there have been incidents of private Saudi citizens stoning, accosting, or pursuing foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for perceived dress code or other infractions. While most such incidents have resulted in little more than inconvenience or embarrassment for the individual targeted, there have been incidents where Westerners were physically harmed.

U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia should be aware of Saudi social practices, and that any infractions may be dealt with aggressively. If you are accosted by Saudi authorities, cooperate fully in accordance with local customs and regulations. U.S. citizens who are harassed by private Saudi citizens or Saudi authorities should report the incidents immediately to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulate General either in Dhahran or in Jeddah. (See address and telephone list under Foreign Embassies in the United States at the end of this publication.)

http://travel.state.gov/tips_mid-east&nafrica.html

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