Special Eid events draw 1.9m visitors to Riyadh

Colorful Eid Al-Fitr celebrations in Riyadh attracted 1.9 million visitors who experienced the rich annual cultural bonanza as the capital was decked out to celebrate the occasion with religious and traditional gaiety.
“Festive events spread over the first three days of Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, organized at various locations across the capital, attracted more than 1.9 million visitors,” a Riyadh municipality official said on Tuesday.
The Riyadh Governorate, Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Riyadh municipality collaborated on elaborate civil and security arrangements for the festivities to be enjoyed with utmost public safety.
Riyadh police made a comprehensive security plan for the festivities to ensure public safety at large and foiled a terror plan by Daesh cluster cells by intercepting their activities in an anti-terrorism sweep.
To make celebrations appealing and attractive, Riyadh municipality added six new event locations this year and authorities joined private partners to line up various colorful programs, entry for which was free.
These programs included folkloric dance and traditional cultural events at Dirah Mosque in which productive families participated. There were colorful fireworks at King Fahd Stadium, Malaz Stadium and two other locations across the capital; there were entertainment activities for families only in Hai Al-Jazirah; a poetry session at Hai Al-Nazeem and in the Mutanzah area; and a children’s theater in Hai-Hair.
Another attraction during the festivities was King Abdullah Park in Malaz with its main activities including folklore presentations from various regions, a children’s operetta, a laser light show, a dancing fountain show and visual presentations on a huge screen that attracted many families and visitors.
Moreover, the celebrations also witnessed an impressive line up of other activities that included sporting competitions such as car racing, for the youths at Hai Al-Qadsiya, which was successfully held for the 10th year in a row. This car and motorcycle championship titled “Break the Time Barrier” was held for vehicles every day in which a number of modified cars and motorcycles took part for three days and winners received awards.
Furthermore, there was an air show titled “Show Riyadh from the sky” organized on the airport road near exit 13.
Notably, the celebrations also included activities for people with special needs.
Besides these programs, King Abdul Aziz Historical Center organized a folklore tent at the historic national museum that included stand-up comedy and plays.
A folk bazaar showcasing folk products was also organized at King Abdul Aziz Manakh Garden on the south ring road.
“This was a gesture of sharing joy with Riyadh residents and visitors on the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Fitr through such festive and recreational events,” said the Riyadh municipality official.
For these special programs STC was the diamond partner; Mobily was golden partner; Samba, Saudi Aramco and Hyper Panda were silver partners; while Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Eqtisadiah and Al-Riyadiah were among media partners.