Winter at Tantora Festival 2022: A Recap

The 2022 Tantora Festival was well-planned and had a series of exciting events. Some of the programs that attracted top attention included equestrian activities. The Ikmah Fashion Cavalry was an interesting new haute couture fashion event for horses. The highly competitive Fursan Endurance Race Cup and Al Ula Desert Polo were some of the other highlights of the program. The Tantora festival started off with a truly magnificent performance. The curtains came down with a parade showcasing the beautiful horses and the majesty of knights in their full glory, wearing traditional Saudi costumes.

How To Reach: There are regular flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Al Ula. One can also reach Al Ula by road. It is a four-hour drive from Madinah Munawara.

Program highlights

The expansive array of programs covers arts, food, fashion, music, wellness, and more. Visitors, including locals and international travelers, had a wonderful time enjoying the various elements of the Tantora Festival, such as

• Heritage events
• Light shows created by mass drones
• Al Ula Balloon Festival
• Luxury tent hotels
• The market for buying traditional arts, crafts, and clothing
• Music shows
• Dance events

This year, the first music and arts festival held in Saudi Arabia reverted to a six-week festival. Tantora, which translates to a sundial, has a cultural significance for the region’s people. They rely on it to know the time and celebrate the planting season, which begins at the start of winter.

Tantora celebration

1. Al Ula Citrus Festival

This free event was hosted on January 14 and 15 and made its first appearance at the Al Ula this year. As the name suggests, Citrus Festival commemorates all forms of citrus and the producers of this wonder fruit. People can have more than their fill of local products made of citrus and citrus fruits. The atmosphere in this weekend market is festive complete with live music and activities for kids such as puppet shows, storytelling, and more.

2. Events at Tantora Festival 2022

a) IBN Battuta

Ibn Battuta was a revelation for the audience at this immersive live show. The famous explorer revealed how he was overcome by his followers’ love and generosity showered on him. He acknowledged that Al Ufa was an inspiration for poets and artists for many centuries.

b) Ikmah Fashion Cavalry Show by Dolce and Gabbana

On January 27, Dolce & Gabbana brought the Haute and couture of Milan to Al Ula in this fashion event that grabbed instant attention. This spectacular and exclusive runway show was unique and hosted in the Ikmah Fashion Cavalry Show. This was the first Dolce & Gabbana show in the Kingdom. The horses and models concept was genuinely creative and stunning.

3. Concerts at Tantora Festival

• Hegra Candlelit Classics, a program by Stefan Lombard ensemble, was performed amidst the glow of thousands of candles flickering away to create a stunning ambiance. The music was a five-movement suite in various genres.
• The multi-talented Saudi star started the year 2022 in grand style. He enthralled the audience with his incredible talent as he took the stage on January 7 as a part of the celebrations.
• The renowned pianist and Egyptian composer Omar Khairat made his third appearance at the Al Ula and delivered a sterling performance. He swayed the audience on the Maraya stage with his outstanding presentations.
• Andrea Bocelli, the Italian tenor maestro, mesmerized the audience on January 21 at the AI Ula with a performance that ranked among his best.
• A name famous in Lebanese and Middle Eastern music, Roumi was on stage at Maraya on January 28. She kept the audience captivated with her top numbers.
• The Maraya stage sprang to life when Alicia Keys made her appearance on February 11 and belted the best songs from her latest numbers.

4. A Tour of Saudi’s Top Destinations

The 2022 edition of the Saudi Tour took riders on a 5-stage fast-paced trip covering amazing landscapes, stunning heritage places, and the rugged desert terrains of Al Ula. The event was live-streamed on the YouTube channel of Al Ula.

5. The Fursan Endurance Cup

If there is one event where men and women can display their endurance level, this is it. Hosted on January 29, 2022, the endurance benchmark was set by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque Endurance Cup. Tourists at the event were able to watch ultimate endurance levels of human and horse as the participants navigated the 120 km long rugged terrain of the desert in Al Ula.

6. Richard Mille Al Ula Desert Polo

The event is unique because this is the only present-day polo tournament happening in a desert. Four highly skilled teams clashed for honors in a designed area, with the crowd cheering their favorite players.

7. Cultural and archeological workshops

The Tantora Festival highlights also included hosting cultural and archaeological workshops in the heritage sites. In addition, people thronged to view the various historical performances held in the old town of Al Ula. The history of Al Ula reveals it as a place for relaxation. Visitors who came to enjoy the Tantora festival found this cultural oasis the perfect place to experience wellness and satisfaction.

8. Other events that attracted a large audience

As part of the new Al Ula Wellness Festival, a Five Senses Sanctuary was held on March 22. Yoga practitioners and medication experts offered a full range of mind, body, and soul experiences. This year also saw the comeback of the open seats and fire pits in the Elephant Rock area. Visitors also enjoyed mountain biking, extended zipline, and the crazy suspension bridge, among other adventures here.

One cannot gain entry to the winter at Tantora Festival by just turning up at the various venues. Tourists must buy entry tickets in advance. Tourists should ensure they have warm clothes (the average temperature is around 10 to 25 degrees centigrade) and light running shoes handy. To have a great experience at the festival, one must plan for the upcoming Tantora Festival 2023 to enjoy the festivities in Al Ula.

Suggested Read: 8 Popular Places To Visit In Al Ula, A Global Cultural Hub In The KSA

Winter At Tantora Festival FAQs

The post Winter At Tantora Festival 2022: Location, Events And Concerts appeared first on Zamzam Blogs.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth and the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast, abstain from pleasures, and pray during Ramadan to draw closer to God. It’s also a time for families to get together and enjoy the blessings of Allah. Muslims start fasting from the following day after the crescent moon appears in the sky, signaling the beginning of a new month. As a result, Ramadan does not begin in many countries until religious leaders declare that they have personally seen the crescent moon. The prolonged fasting ends with the worldwide celebration of Eid ul Fitr.

Fasting in Ramadan hadith

Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan”.

Benefits of fasting in Ramadan

More than one billion Muslims globally practice a strict ritual of moral abstinence and fasting during the month of Ramadan. The tradition of fasting dates back more than 1,300 years and started with the formation of Islam. Given below are numerous benefits of fasting in Ramadan:

Spiritual benefits of Ramadan fasting

1. Increases Taqwa

Taqwa is an Islamic phrase that refers to being aware of Allah and the truth and “piety and dread of God”. The term frequently appears in the holy book of the Quran. It bears the deep sense of being cautious over one’s own life and actions, as the angels are constantly on the watch. Additionally, fasting enhances the ability to be mindful of Allah and avoid unintentional offenses against the ways shown by Him. As a result, people lead on the path away from sins and wrong deeds.

2. Fetches greater rewards

All able Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan. It is said that Allah repays the fasting Muslims with great rewards and blessings. Each hour of fasting brings people closer to meeting Allah in the next life. But one should not fast for the gifts; instead, one should focus on its significance and value.

3. Leads to paradise and prevents Hellfire

Only those who fast during Ramadan will be allowed to enter paradise through the Ar-Rayyan gate on the Day of Resurrection. The virtue motivates people to increase their voluntary fasts while preparing for Ramadan. According to Muslim scholars, even a single day of fasting takes an individual away from Hellfire towards Jannah.

Health benefits of fasting in Ramadan

1. Protection from obesity and chronic diseases

Fasting throughout Ramadan may assist in preventing obesity and other chronic diseases such as diabetes. Ramadan fasting requires abstaining from the consumption of food and water between sunrise and sunset. Hence, it enhances the levels of proteins providing insulin resistance. It also offers protection against the hazards of a fat and sugar-rich diet.

2. Lowering cholesterol & improving blood sugar level

As Ramadan Fasting stimulates the lipid profile, it lowers blood cholesterol. Consequently, it prevents heart attacks, strokes, and other disorders. Also, if one maintains a healthy diet after Ramadan, individuals will retain the newly reduced cholesterol level.

3. Improved digestive system

Observing Ramadan and fasting positively impacts one lifestyle and digestive system. A human body naturally detoxifies after a month of flushing out of the toxins in the body. Further, it balances the heat generation and acidity levels in the human stomach.

Scientific benefits of fasting in Ramadan

1. Reduces stress

Fasting throughout the holy month of Ramadan is one of Islam’s most essential commandments. Muslims fast for 12-14 hours each day during Ramadan. They get up early for prayers, eat before sunrise, sleep later, and eat substantial meals after dusk to replenish their energy and fluid stores. Due to this, eating habits, sleep length and sleep pattern change in a constructive way. Fasting throughout the holy month of Ramadan improves mental health by lowering depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

2. Prevents cancer

Many research has been released in the last few years suggesting that Ramadan Fasting can lower health risk factors. It can also reverse the symptoms of severe health illnesses such as cancer. According to the research, this could be attributed to reduced glucose synthesis in the blood, balanced nutritional intake, and increased generation of tumor-killing cells.

3. Assists in Alzheimer

There are few therapeutic choices for those who develop Alzheimer’s, which causes ever-worsening cognitive and behavioral issues. Fasting is a therapy option that is rapidly gaining traction outside of the domain of pharmaceuticals and treatments. Ramadan Fasting, commonly promoted as a weight-loss approach, has been demonstrated in research to significantly relieve Alzheimer’s symptoms and decline in slow cognitive development in rats.

Psychological Benefits Of Fasting In Ramadan

1. Enhances willpower

Fasting during Ramadan requires mental fortitude and the willingness to forego immediate enjoyment for accomplishing long-term goals. Fasting for a whole month induces a sense of happiness, focus, and self-control. These attributes can be utilized in various sects of life.

2. Increases alertness

Individuals who fast appear to have higher levels of vigilance and attention. Food is converted into glucose by the human body, and too much of it causes sluggishness and tiredness. Fasting helps the body regulate glucose levels, reducing sluggishness and increasing alertness.

3. Uplifts the mood

Muslims experience an enhanced sense of achievement, reward, pride, and control after hours of fasting. Fasting can boost self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. At the same time, fasting and the pleasure felt after completing a challenging activity serve as a powerful feel-good stimulant on the brain.

Ramadan fasting rules

• Muslims should fast from day break to sunset right until the evening prayer
• During the fast, they can’t eat food or drink water
• One should not deliberately try to vomit while fasting in Ramadan
• They are not allowed to chew chewing gum during fasting
• One should also refrain from playing loud music during fasting and should not disturb others
• One should try not to take oral medicine during Ramadan fasting

Fasting tips in Ramadan

• When breaking the fast in Ramadan, one should first consume a small quantity of food and avoid sweet or fatty items
• One should try to eat right before the crack of dawn when starting the fast for the next day
• To minimize dehydration at the end of the fast, people should drink plenty of sugar-free and decaffeinated water

Fasting in Ramadan during pregnancy

Pregnant women are excluded from fasting as per the Islamic law. Fasting in Ramadan while pregnant can cause some of the serious pregnancy issues including the dramatic alteration of blood sugar level. However, one can still fast on their own will but is neither recommended by Islam nor health experts. Further, one can make up for their fast by donating fidya for missed fasts during Ramadan.

Millions of Muslims worldwide fast from sunrise to sunset in the holy month of Ramadan. Although fasting may be challenging and uncomfortable at times, the benefits are numerous. Hence, fasting in Ramadan is not just obligatory but also provides health and psychological benefits.

Suggested Read: Ramadan Preparations: Best Tips To Prepare For The Holy Month

Benefits Of Ramadan Fasting FAQs

The post Benefits Of Fasting In Ramadan: Religious, And Health Benefits appeared first on Zamzam Blogs.