Understanding the historical significance of Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah

Dr. Saad Ibrahim Al-Arifi

16 March 2021

Diriyah is one of Saudi Arabia’s key heritage sites, and is continuously undergoing transformation. The Saudi leadership aims to turn Diriyah into a hub for international events and other cultural activities.
King Salman always paid great attention to Diriyah, even during his long tenure as governor of the Riyadh region. It is due to his personal interest in the development of the area that Al-Turaif district, where Diriyah is located, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, and Al-Bujairi neighborhood in Diriyah was rehabilitated and transformed into a beautiful park.
The establishment of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) is also part of government efforts to transform the area into a prominent tourism and heritage site.
The DGDA seeks to ensure civic amenities in the historic area and supervise the development of modern projects.
Following in the footsteps of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also focused on developing the area into the world’s gateway to the Kingdom.
During the past few years, important international events have taken place in Diriyah, including Formula E, a heavyweight boxing fight, the Diriyah Tennis Cup and the Diriyah Equestrian Festival.
Many development projects worth almost $20 billion are being constructed in Diriyah under the supervision of the DGDA. These projects include museums, academies, art centers, international restaurants and movie theaters, among other developments.
One may wonder why the Kingdom should attach so much importance to Diriyah.

The Saudi leadership aims to turn Diriyah into a hub for international events and other cultural activities.
Dr. Saad Ibrahim Al-Arifi

Those who are well versed in the history of the Kingdom know the historical significance of this area. It was the home of the Saudi royal family and also served as the capital of the Emirate of Diriyah under the first Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. It is the place where the seeds of the great Kingdom were sown. It was the town from where the struggle to unite the Arabian Peninsula began, based on the principles of peace and security for all.
It was founded by Mani’ ibn Rabi’a Al-Muraydi, one of the ancestors of the Saudi royal family. Under Imam Mohammad bin Saud, the Diriyah emirate gained huge importance.
Imam Mohammad had a good sense of management and a future outlook, so he began to change the features of Diriyah and build its walls, announcing the beginning of the establishment of the first Saudi state.
The Arabian Peninsula had not known this unity for many centuries. This unity became a source of pride for all Arabs and Muslims. Diriyah became a source of economic, social, intellectual and cultural attraction for all residents of the adjacent areas.
Following the establishment of Diriyah, merchants roamed the Saudi state without fear of bandits. The Saudi army also secured routes for pilgrims to Makkah, the country became safe for all and travel routes were dotted with water wells to serve traders and pilgrims.
These are the reasons why the present Saudi leadership is so keen on developing and preserving the area. It is undoubtedly the jewel of the Kingdom and carries huge historical and cultural significance.

• Dr. Saad Ibrahim Al-Arifi holds a Ph.D. in Saudi history.