As Saudi Arabia advances through its Vision 2030 transformation, global attention often settles on what is new, NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and economic diversification. Yet the Kingdom’s transformation is also rooted in continuity, shaped by a land whose history stretches far beyond the modern era. The Hejaz, long a crossroads of Arabia, holds layers of civilization embedded in its oases, trade routes, and tribal life. Among these layers is a long-established chapter often overlooked: ancient Jewish tribes who were not outsiders to Arabia, but part of its social, linguistic, and economic fabric.
A visual tribute to the Arabian spirit, this image illustrates the enduring legacy of the Hejaz by weaving together the figure of Samuel ibn ʿAdiya, the historical sites of Khaybar and Medina, and the modern spirit of Saudi cultural stewardship.
The Hejaz: A Land of Shared Civilization
The Hejaz has always been a crossroads of cultures, tribes, and faiths bound together by the realities of desert life. Long before the rise of Islam, Arab and Jewish tribes lived within the same ecological and tribal system, spoke Arabic, honored the same codes of loyalty, and contributed to the moral culture of the Peninsula.
The Jewish tribes of the Hejaz, among them Banu Nadir, Banu Qaynuqa, and Banu Qurayza, were Arabized communities fully embedded in Arabian society. They lived by the ethics of tribal honor, poetry, protection of guests, and fidelity to one’s word.
A powerful symbol of this shared moral heritage is Samuel ibn ʿAdiya (Al-Samawʾal), the Jewish warrior-poet of Tayma. His legacy is so deeply rooted in Arabian culture that his name remains a living proverb in Saudi Arabia today:
“Be faithful like Al-Samawʾal.”
This saying survived because Al-Samawʾal embodied the highest virtues of the Arabian desert: loyalty, courage, and honor. His story reminds us that these values were never exclusive; they were born of the land itself.
Builders of the Oases
Before the rise of modern states, the Hejaz thrived through networks of fortified oases. Jewish tribes played a significant role in developing advanced agricultural systems, particularly in places such as Khaybar and Tayma, where irrigation, stone fortifications, and date cultivation reached remarkable levels.
Early Islamic historians themselves recorded this reality, acknowledging Jewish expertise in oasis agriculture and water management. These communities helped transform harsh volcanic terrain into sustainable centers of life and trade.
Today, when Saudi institutions preserve the archaeological remains of Khaybar and other sites, they are not preserving foreign relics, they are protecting Saudi heritage, rooted in the ingenuity of all the peoples who contributed to the civilization of Arabia.
The Constitution of Medina: Arabia’s Indigenous Model of Coexistence
Pluralism is often portrayed as a modern import, yet Arabia produced one of history’s earliest frameworks for coexistence from within its own traditions.
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established the Constitution of Medina, he created a legal and moral order that recognized religious diversity within a unified political community. The document clearly affirmed:
“To the Jews their religion, and to the Muslims theirs.”
This was a binding social contract based on mutual defense, justice, and responsibility. It reflects an Arabian solution to diversity, grounded in tribal agreements and moral accountability.
Completing the Story
Completing the story of the Hejaz brings great national pride and confidence to Saudi Arabia. Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia honors its deep civilizational roots. Through the important work of the Royal Commission for AlUla in places like Khaybar and Tayma, the Kingdom is restoring the oases where Jewish and Arab tribes once created a shared world filled with agriculture, poetry, and honor. A nation this strong knows how to present its entire past as a single, impressive Arabian story. This story reflects the broad nature of the Arabian identity and the commitment to a Moderate Islam that welcomes the world. The wells of the Hejaz continue to flow, and the fortresses stand as proof of the Kingdom’s ability to share its complete story. By doing this, Saudi Arabia demonstrates that a confident future is built on a full, respected, and honored past.
