In this episode, we discover the region of Najran in the province of the same name. As Canadian nationals, our government advised against travel to areas less than 80 km from the border with Yemen because of the risk of rocket, missile and mortar attacks on the populated areas of Saudi Arabia that are close to the border.
Despite this recommendation, we decided that the situation was safe enough to travel to this part of the country.
First, we leave Abha in the direction of Najran, located a few kilometers from Yemen. Before arriving there we made a short stop in Dhahran Al Janub, which is considered one of the closest points to the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, 15 kilometers away.
On the spot, we find the traces of the ancient Yemeni architecture with its old mud and straw towers that can be found in all the villages of the surroundings.
Najran is one of the fastest growing cities in Saudi Arabia. Its population has grown from about 50,000 in 1975 to 500,000 today.
It is believed that it was from here that the caravans on the incense route to the Mediterranean started.
Interestingly, there has long been a Jewish community in Najran, famous for the clothes she made. This community lived there until 1950.
Today, one of the city's tourist attractions is its rich heritage of villages with traditional Yemeni style architecture.
Any visitor stopping here must visit the archaeological site of Al-Okhdood.
This site is intimately linked in the Christian world with the name of the Martyrs of Najran.
The Martyrs of Najran are Christian saints who were killed under the tyrant Dhu Nuwas of Yemen, circa 523. More than 2,000 Christians are said to have been murdered here for refusing to convert to Judaism. Dhu Nuwas is also said to have destroyed the city, leaving it in ruins and ashes.
Since the beginning of the excavations in 1997, archaeologists have discovered many Islamic monuments and tombs.
After our visit of Al-Okhdood, we continue our tour of Najran and stop at the home of friendly camel breeders who only show the site and take us to meet the herd, including the babies born just a few days ago.
They also so kindly offered us to drink the milk of this emblematic animal of the region.
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Réalisation : Nicolas Asselin
Montage : Nicolas Asselin
Production : Nicolas Asselin
#NicolasAsselin
