Riyadh's History as Current Host of ISG 2025

Amidst the dry, windswept Arabian desert, stands a city that was once merely a small oasis named Hajr al-Yamamah.

From that oasis, Riyadh's long history began. A city that has now transformed into the heart of Saudi Arabia, and this year becomes the host of the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) 2025.

The name Riyadh itself means "gardens" in Arabic, describing the fertility of this area in the past. Amidst the barren plains of Najd, this place was once an important stopover for caravans crossing the peninsula. From that green point, civilization slowly grew, bringing life and intercultural encounters.

In the 15th century, Riyadh became part of the territory ruled by the Bani Hanifa tribe, a large tribe that built a local power center there.

However, its true golden age arrived in the 18th century when Imam Muhammad bin Saud made the area around Riyadh—namely Diriyah—the center for establishing the first Saudi Kingdom. This marks the beginning of modern Saudi Arabian history, with Riyadh and its surroundings becoming the main stage for the nation's political and religious journey.

After a period of conflict and power struggles, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (better known as Ibn Saud) successfully recaptured Riyadh in 1902. That event became a symbol of Saudi Arabia's rebirth. Since then, Riyadh has grown rapidly, from a desert fortress into a modern royal capital.

Today, more than a century later, Riyadh stands as a cosmopolitan city with a skyline adorned by skyscrapers, wide highways, and museums preserving the breath of history. To the west, the At-Turaif District of Diriyah, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, bears witness to the early journey of this kingdom.

Interestingly, amidst the glitter of modernity and art festivals like Noor Riyadh, the city still preserves its identity. It blends Islamic heritage, desert culture, and a spirit of renewal. Thus, when the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 are held here, it feels as if the wheel of history has come full circle. Riyadh once again becomes a gathering place for the Islamic world, not in warfare, but in the spirit of sportsmanship and brotherhood.

Today's Riyadh is not just the capital of Saudi Arabia. It is a symbol of how tradition and modernity can walk hand in hand. From a small oasis to a global metropolis, from a silent land to the center of Islamic world solidarity, Riyadh has written a new chapter in its history.