Jibal Salma

Jibal Salma are a vast mountainous region located southeast of Hail Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its borders extend from the northeastern part of the city of Hail to its southwestern part.

Jibal Salma are approximately fifty km east of Jibal Aja. It stretches from the northeast to the southwest for about sixty km, with the highest peaks reaching 1,430 m.

The range of Jibal Aja and Salma includes several individual mountains, such as Karaman al-Asmar and Ruman al-Ahmar, in addition to valleys, plains, and deserts in the outer southern parts of Jibal Aja. Several valleys flow from the mountains of Ruman, including valleys like al-Mashat, Hamiyan, and Abu Namir.

Jibal Salma are commonly linked to Jibal Aja because of the famous love story dating back to pre-Islamic times. The story of Aja and Salma tells of their intense love for each other despite belonging to different tribes, which caused tension between the two tribes. Sadly, their relationship was not accepted, and they had to escape. Other accounts suggest that Salma's brothers did not allow Aja to propose to Salma. Yet, another narrative states that the rejection of the young lovers' marriage came directly from their parents. In all versions of the story, Salma and Aja are killed; one atop the mountain located south of Hail and the other on the summit of the mountain to the north.

The Salma Mountains are encircled by a number of villages and are famous for their volcanic peaks. The surrounding area of the ancient town of al-Nai is also noteworthy due to the presence of two significant archaeological and historical sites. These include Antarah Ibn Shaddad's spring, which boasts a stunning natural water source with a strategic location on the mountainside that is still accessible today. The other site is Antarah Ibn Shaddad's burial site, which is believed to be located at the peak of the cliff overlooking the spring.

The Aja and Salma Festival was launched by the Ministry of Culture in al-Maghwah Park in Hail in 2022 to highlight the site's historical value and distinctive tourist location. The festival comprised various activities, such as events for children, craftsmen's exhibitions, and an international fashion area. Furthermore, participating countries presented their folklore performances, and visitors could also enjoy live cooking demonstrations in the cooking area.