Unaizah
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| Unaizah عنيزة |
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| Nickname: Paris of Nejd | |
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| Province | Al Qassim Province |
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| Government | |
| - Tory | Mousaed Al Sulaim |
| Population (2007) | |
| - Total | 134,968 |
| Website: Unaizah Municipality | |
Unaizah (also spelled Onaizah, Onizah, or Unayzah; Arabic: عنيزة) is a Saudi Arabian city, located in the Al Qassim Province. It lies south of Buraydah (the capital of the province) and north of Riyadh the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the second largest city in Al Qassim Province with a total population of 134,968 (2007 census). Historically it was an important foyer on the road of pilgrims who were coming from Mesopotamia (now Iraq) and Persia (now Iran), though many scientists and historians believe that Unaizah was inhabited before hundreds of years ago and certainly before the spread of Islam, especially that it was mentioned in so many poems of some of the most important poets of pre-Islamic Arabia such as Imru Al Qais. The people of the city are well-known for their hospitality, generosity, and their tolerance towards others.
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[edit] Location
Unaizah is located in the centre of Al Qassim Province, and almost in the centre of Nejd. It is located within 30 kilometers from Buraydah (the capital of the province) and more than 300 kilometers north of the national capital Riyadh.
[edit] Geography
Unaizah lies to the northern-central region of Nejd, and to the north of the Wadi Al Rumma (Rumma Valley), which is the longest valley in the Arabian peninsula. It is surrounded with dunes from both of its northern and western sides which are better known with the name of Al Ghamis Dunes. To the north of city the Al Ghadha Woods are located. Next to Unaizah there is the Aushiziya salt lake (or Sabkha) which is today considered an official part of the city.
[edit] Climate
Unaizah has cold, semi-rainy winters, and hot or sometimes balmy, aneroid summers.
[edit] Agriculture
Unaizah is an agricultural area and produces wheat and barley of various strains. The region also grows grapes, grapefruits, lemons, leeks, mandarins, oranges, pomegranates and dates.
In 2005 the municipality of Unaizah has launched its "Dates Season Ceremony Festival", which was titled with name of "Unaizah, the kingdom of dates". The festival is being held annually, and it has earned the city a good selling reputation, and a media attention, with people coming from all over Saudi Arabia, and sometimes the GCC countries to buy their needs of dates.
Leeks (kurrat) are considered a very important part of the culture of Unaizah, they are eaten widely among its natives, and they are also considered a very big part of the agricultural industry in Unaizah.
[edit] Education
The people of the city are famous for being pioneers in education and commerce; the first Saudi male from the Al Qassim Province to have a PhD. Degree was from Unaizah, and his name is Dr. Abdulaziz Al Khweitter; along with him the first Saudi female from Al Qassim Province to have a PhD. Degree is Dr. Ebtisam Al Bassam, who was also raised in the city.
The first girls public school in Al Qassim Province was built in Unaizah, because some of the religiously strict people of Buraydah (the province' capital) refused to give women the right of education back then, however after building a girls school in Unaizah, and after negotiations with the late King Abdulaziz, they agreed to have a girls school in their city.
Nowadays, there are so many public schools in the city for all of the three educational levels (primary, intermediate, and secondary), there are two private schools, and one private international school. There is also a boys technological secondary school in the city, and a technological college. There is also a girls educational college. In addition to the Al Qassim University which is approximately 30 kilometers north of the city, and applies for both genders.
[edit] Western Travelers
The people of Unaizah are well known for their hospitality and acceptance for people from other races and religions. The famous Charles Montagu Doughty has lived in the city during his odyssey and wrote highly about the city.
Amine Al Raihani (The famous Franco-Lebanese scholar/traveler) also described the architecture , the buildings and the art works with high regards in his book "Kings of Arabia".
| “ | Unaizah the Fortress of freedom and the pole of literature and art, Paris of Nejd | ” |
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— Amine Al Raihani
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[edit] Tourism
Unaizah is thought to be one of the most important tourist attractions in the province, and in the Kingdom as a whole. It is known to be very busy at summers, because of its cool, balmy weather, and its inhabitants hospitality.
There are twelve tourist festivals and activities recognized by the Saudi General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, and a calendar has been made for these events.
| “ | Unaizah is the harbinger of tourism in Al Qassim Province | ” |
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— Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Al Saud
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Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Al Saud, the province' prince, have repeatedly said this statement in and outside Unaizah.
The tourist attractions in Unaizah can differ from a festival to private meetings in a family's ranch, but usually most of the tourist festivals are held in the following centers:
- The Roman amphitheater.
- Salih Bin Salih Cultural Center.
- King Fahd Cultural Center.
- The Unaizah House for Traditional Legacy.
- Al Bassam Traditional Mansion, a museum.
- Al Hamdan Traditional House, a museum.
- Dream Land, the largest theme park in Al Qassim Province.
- The Green Parks.
There are three hotels in Unaizah, one of which is currently under construction, in addition to the rental apartments distributed all around the city:
- Onaizah Hotel.
- Oasis Hotel.
- Al Fahd Crown (under construction).
[edit] Culture
[edit] Religion
All of the Saudi citizens of Unaizah are Sunni Muslim with a small minority of Dharmic religions, (mostly Hinduism) brought and practiced in the city by Asian labors (mainly Indians), and also a small minority of Filipino Catholic Christian workers. As the rest of Saudi Arabian cities, non-Islamic worship houses are not allowed.
The people of the city are usually religiously conservative. The famous religious scholar Muhammad Bin Uthaimeen was taught by the Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Se'di, who was from Unaizah, and now as an initiative of appreciation there is a secondary school in the city named after him.
Muhammad Bin Uthaimeen who was born and deceased in Unaizah, was a famous and important religious scholar (Sheikh), that he was invited to get a cancer treatment in the United States by the Saudi royal family. Not to mention that there is a mosque that was built on the aliment of the Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz when he came to visit the Sheikh in his house, the mosque was named after the Sheikh. Also there is a charity foundation by his name, which was founded by the Sheikh's family after his death.
[edit] Cuisine
The Qassimi cuisine in general, and the cuisine of Unaizah is very famous for its delicious food, and for its renowned and tasty traditional meals such as Jereesh, Margoug, Gersan, and Metazeez.
As for sweets, along with other Qassimi sweets, the Qassimi Kleeja is a well-known sweetie all over Saudi Arabia and even the Gulf States.
Like other Saudi cities, the Nejdi Kabsa is the most traditional lunch. The Yemeni Mandi is also popular as a lunch meal.
Fast food is also popular in the city. McDonald's, Domino's Pizza, Herfy, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, Hardee's, and KFC among others are widely distributed in Unaizah.
[edit] Sports
Unaizah is very active in terms of sports. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport all over Saudi Arabia, and it is very popular in Unaizah, it is played in school's P.E. (i.e. Physical Education) lessons, and it is common to see a group of kids playing it in the streets.
There are two local clubs in Unaizah, the Saudi Al Najmah club, and the Al Arabi club.
[edit] Media
Unaizah is served by six major Arabic-language newspapers, Al Jazirah, Alriyadh, Okaz, Al Watan, Al Hayat, Al Yaum, as well as one English-language newspaper, Arab News. Unaizah has one local magazine, that issues every four months, it is called Paris Nejd, named after the widest spread nickname of Unaizah. In addition to many other national and international magazines distributed everywhere in the city's markets.
Television stations serving the city area include Saudi TV1, Saudi TV2, Saudi TV Sports, Al Ekhbariyah, ART channels network and hundreds of cable, satellite and other specialty television providers.
[edit] The Ruling Dynasty
The city is ruled by the Al Sulaim family since 1818. They came to be in power after, Prince Yehya Al-Sulaim killed in 1822 the Governor Abdullah Al-Jamei appointed by the Ottoman emperor. This dynasty still rules the city according to a written treaty between them and the Saudi royal family. There are some of the most famous families in Saudi Arabia that originate from Unaizah. To mention some are the families of Al Zamil, Al Bassam, Al Kadi, Al Thukair, Al Shubeili, Al Se'di, Al Sowayil, Al Daffaa, Al Jaffali, Al Dakhail, Al Abdali, Al Suhaimi, and Al Auheli.
Famous and important people who are originated from Unaizah:
- Abdullah Al Hamdan, minister of the Ministry of Monetary at King Abdulaziz' time.
- Muhammad Al Zughaiby, minister of the Ministry of Transportation.
- Saleh Al Abad, former chief of the Royal Saudi Diwan.
- Saleh Al Ngedan, a famous draughtsman, painter, and photographer.
- Abdulrahman Abalkhail, former Saudi ambassador to Egypt.
- Abdulaziz Al hazza, a pioneer Comedian famous by deferent voice levels.
- Abdulrahman Al Subeit, vice president of the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
- Muhammad Al Shubeili, former Saudi ambassador to Malaysia.
- Abdulaziz Al Nuaim, member of the Saudi Shura Council.
- Abdullah Al Shebel, vice president of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.
[edit] Health Care
Unaizah has one governmental (general) hospital called "King Saud Hospital" which has almost all clinics needed in any hospital, and it also has the ability of big surgeries. In addition to eight state clinics distributed in most of Unaizah's districts. Private health care sector is more popular than the governmental one in the city, giving the city a total number of ten private hospitals and clinics distributed in Unaizah.
[edit] Gallery
 Bin Uthaimeen Charity Foundation, with its unique book-shape |
 Bin Uthaimeen Mosque |
 Al Gadhi Mosque |
 The Clock Square |
 Water fountains at the Clock Square |
 The municipality building |
 Onaizah Hotel |
 The Green Parks alley |
 Event during winter holidays |
 Aerial view of the city |
 Unaizah's latest dates festival (2007) |
 High View of the city |
[edit] Sister cities
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Information about the city
- Unaizah unofficial site (ParisNajd)
- Unaizah's Department of Education
- Unaizah's Technological College
- Sheikh Abdulrahman Bin Sedi Secondary School
- Unaizah's largest forums online
- Dakkat Unaizah forums
- Youth of Unaizah forums
- Unaizah's poets forums
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