Stepping out of Dubai’s glittering skyscrapers and bustling streets last weekend, we went on a short journey to Jeddah, a city rich in history and traditional Arab culture. The stark contrast between Dubai’s modernity and Jeddah’s traditional Arabic allure promised an engrossing and eye-opening experience.
My husband got an invitation to watch the Formula 1 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that weekend in Jeddah. He asked me to join him. Since one of my goals this year was to search for joy and novelty, I knew I should join him and not miss any opportunity to spend time together.
Is it a new strange fashion trend?
Our weekend escape started with a Friday afternoon flight from modern Dubai to historic Jeddah. As we began boarding the plane, I was confused to see many men wearing only two white towels, one around their ample waist and one wrapped around their hairy torso and over one shoulder, and a pair of flip-flops. These white-towel-fashion men occupied almost half of the plane. These were men who were wearing special attire known as the Ihram. The pilgrims heading to Makkah to perform the Hajj, a religious journey all Muslims must embark on at least once, are wearing this special outfit. This was a Middle Eastern tradition I was utterly unaware of.
Significance of Jeddah
Jeddah is a major port in Western Saudi Arabia. It is situated on the coast of the Red Sea and is the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia after its capital, Riyadh. Above all, historically, it was one of the main getaways for Muslim pilgrims who arrived by sea to the holy cities of Mecca (65 km inland to the East from Jeddah) and Medina (360 km inland to the North from Jeddah). This explains all these men in white robes.
The Old Town
We wanted to explore the old Jeddah, so we headed to Al-Balad, the heart of the city’s historic district. In 2014, this part of the city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Al-Balad means “The Town”. It’s as simple as that.
The stroll through coral-stone buildings offered us a glimpse into the city’s bygone era.
Traditional houses look very characteristic. They have wooden windows and balconies, attributed to Mashrabiya’s architectural technique. This technique is also seen in Egypt, Iraq, and other Islamic countries. The paramount quality of this technique is using a ventilation system along the facade of the houses. Usually, it is done on higher floors. Here, wood latticework with detailed carvings and decorations makes a gorgeous look. Moreover, it also helps to prevent privacy and perform ventilation, lighting, and humidity functions.
We marveled at the coral-stone buildings that needed restoration and soaked in the tales of the past. After the restoration project is implemented, this part of historic Jeddah will be transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. The goal is to preserve its rich heritage and attract visitors worldwide to experience its beauty and significance.
Formula 1
When the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening descended upon Jeddah, the night belonged to Formula 1.
There are more questions than answers
As we boarded our return flight to Dubai, we reflected on how different historic Jeddah is from modern Dubai and what could bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. Therefore, this journey inspired us to have a big cultural talk. However, it left us with more questions than answers.
♥ Aurora
There are more questions than answers
Pictures in my mind that will not show
There are more questions than answers
And the more I find out the less I know
Yeah, the more I find out the less I know
Song by Johnny Nash
