The organizers of Souq Okaz – the Okaz Market – have published a 100-page book on the history and cultural relevance of the festival starting this year on Tuesday. The book, entitled “Phoenix of the Arabian Peninsula”, traces the event from its beginning more than 2,000 years ago, through 129H when it stopped. The book also has an account of how it was started again three years ago by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah. The organizing committee enlisted the help of a number of historians and editors in producing the publication. It includes seven chapters on such subjects as trade, education and culture, and ends with a schedule of the activities over the last three years. Dr. Juraidi Al-Mansouri, the festival's secretary general, said Prince Khaled Al-Faisal came to Taif to carry out the wishes of his father, King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, who wanted to revive the festival.
