Souk Al-Layl in Yanbu gets back its lost glory

Until 30 years ago, the Souk Al-Layl (night market) was a lively market where traders used to come from places as far as Africa crossing the Red Sea in addition to those coming from different parts of the Kingdom to buy commodities available at the souk. Now the souk, which is considered a symbol of the culture and heritage of Yanbu, sells goods that are unavailable at other souks such as various kinds of dry fish, coffee beans, henna, mulukhya and rotba dates of special variety. The souk got its particular name because it was the only souk open till late at night, unlike other souks in the region, which closed at the sunset. It remained open during the night to cater to the needs of fishermen who would return from the sea late in the evening. The souk is currently being renovated at a cost of SR 500,000 by the “Friends of Heritage” society of Yanbu. Arab news