RAFHA: The Yemeni community in Rafha governorate, in the Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia, is an enduring model of coexistence and social integration.
One of the oldest expatriate communities in the governorate, Yemeni residents have contributed for decades to the social and economic fabric of the area, becoming an inseparable part of its local identity.
With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, those bonds come into sharper relief. Ancient Yemeni traditions blend seamlessly with the Kingdom’s Ramadan atmosphere in scenes that speak to a spirit of brotherhood and mutual enrichment — underscoring the depth of a shared human experience in a country that prides itself on security, stability, and cultural diversity.
Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, Yemeni residents in Rafha said they feel no sense of estrangement during their time in the Kingdom, citing the social and historical ties that unite the two peoples. They noted that Ramadan creates a unifying space where shared values converge — chief among them generosity, kinship, and social solidarity — most visibly expressed through iftar tables that bring together neighbors and friends of all nationalities.
Abdulrazzaq Al-Shuja’a explained that Yemeni families take care to preserve their Ramadan traditions as an expression of cultural identity, from extended family gatherings and the exchange of traditional dishes, to the observance of Ramadan evenings through prayer and communal activities.
