Farasan Islands, 21 Shawwal 1447 AH (9 April 2026)

"Hareed Nights 22" opens today in the Farasan Islands Governorate in the Jazan region under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Jazan Region, with wide official and community attendance from residents and visitors, as one of the region's most prominent heritage and tourism seasons.

A Week of Heritage and Cultural Events

Hareed Nights runs for a full week with a varied program of heritage, cultural and artistic events that reflect the maritime identity of the Farasan Islands and highlight their environmental and social character.

The opening ceremony features performances of the islanders' folk performance heritage, along with stalls for productive families to present their heritage products and side events in Al Qassar village, which hosts a variety of cultural and heritage activities.

Quality Projects Supporting Tourism in Farasan

On the sidelines of the festival, a number of quality projects are being inaugurated, most notably:

  • The launch of the Hareed Resort
  • The opening of the permanent pearl and Hareed exhibitions

These projects aim to highlight the historical standing of the Farasan Islands, famed for their heritage of hareed (parrotfish) fishing and pearl diving, and strengthen their presence as a prominent tourism and cultural destination.

The Hareed Catch: A Living Maritime Legacy

The events continue on Friday with the Hareed catch, one of the region's most important maritime traditions, in which residents join in catching schools of parrotfish in a festive atmosphere that reflects a deep bond with maritime heritage. This year the event is organized more professionally, with online registration and matching vests for participants.

Islands of Global Value

The Farasan Islands hold a distinguished environmental and tourism standing. They are included in UNESCO programs and listed on the IUCN Green List of protected areas, reflecting their environmental and natural value at the international level.