Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center
Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center is a center dedicated to serving the community and preserving the literary and archaeological heritage in Al-Jawf Province, in the north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The center includes Dar Al-Uloom in Sikaka City and Al-Rahmaniyah in Al-Ghat City. It was established in 1983.
Foundations of Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center
The center began with the establishment of a public library named "Library of Public Culture," founded by Prince Abdulrahman Bin Ahmed Al-Sudairy (former governor of Al-Jawf Province) in Al-Jawf in 1963. The library's name was later changed from "Library of Public Culture" to "Dar Al-Uloom in Al-Jawf."
The library covers a total area of approximately 2,350 m² and includes separate sections for men and women. It houses around 160,000 books and 250 periodicals, along with local and Arab books and newspapers. The library also contains a special collection of manuscripts, documents, maps, and stamps, as well as original books by travelers who passed through the region. In addition, it includes audiovisual materials and is open to visitors.
The library has produced research on the history and heritage of Al-Jawf Province and has focused on preserving and documenting the studies of Orientalists and travelers who wrote about the province. It includes images of manuscripts, documents, coins, stamps, and valuable books. The library is affiliated with a mosque called Al-Rahmaniyah, in addition to Al-Rahmaniyah Schools and Kindergarten, and a guest hotel.
Objectives of Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center
Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center aims to serve the community in Al-Jawf Province and across Saudi Arabia by fostering cultural, scientific, and developmental growth; preserving the literary and archaeological heritage of the region; supporting studies and research; disseminating information; publishing a monthly magazine; managing the public libraries affiliated with the center in Al-Jawf and Al-Ghat; and establishing a central mosque, a kindergarten, and a hospital.
Activities of Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center
The center provides cultural activities for the residents of Al-Jawf Province through the Cultural Season Program, which includes lectures, seminars, and workshops held throughout the year. These efforts aim to achieve a cultural renaissance within the local community and stimulate cultural engagement through a variety of community-driven programs and events.
Publications of Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center
The center has published books on Nabati poetry and the history of Al-Jawf Province. It also issues a cultural periodical titled Al-Jouba and a magazine called Adumatu, which focuses on the archaeology of the Arab world. Additionally, it has released studies on Al-Jawf Province, including a translation of Austrian traveler Alois Musil’s book "Arabia Deserta," and research on the Thamudic inscriptions in Al-Qara Village.
Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center Prize for Olive Research in Al-Jawf
Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center announced the sixth edition of the Olive Research Prize in Al-Jawf for 2024. The prize is subject to scientific peer review and is valued at SAR100,000. The research must not have previously won another award, been submitted for publication, or be extracted from a university thesis.
The center received the 2023 Prize for Non-Profit Cultural Institutions from the Ministry of Culture in recognition of its role in enriching and promoting cultural diversity in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah).
Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center