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JEDDAH: Friends gathering for the weekend, traffic on busy roads and residents heading to work and college are among the everyday scenes that people in Jeddah say have continued despite regional tensions.<\/p>\n
Residents who spoke to Arab News expressed confidence in their safety, with many saying daily life in the coastal city remained largely unchanged.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife in Jeddah is going on as usual, and everything feels calm and normal,\u201d Saudi national Ahlam Alhindi said. \u201cI personally feel safe living here, and I\u2019m happy that we can continue our daily lives without worrying too much. I\u2019m grateful for the safety and stability we have in Saudi Arabia.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents also stressed the importance of staying informed through official sources, rather than relying on unverified information circulating on social media.<\/p>\n Saudi national Rawan AlGhamdi said: \u201cDespite the ongoing situation, I feel safe living in Saudi Arabia. Daily life continues as normal, and I remain confident in the country\u2019s security and stability. For those concerned, I would say there is no need to panic, but it is important to follow official sources for accurate information.\u201d<\/p>\n Saudi national Zeina AlFarouki said Jeddah\u2019s familiar daily routines were a reminder of what residents often take for granted. \u201cI think that sense of safety is something we\u2019re very fortunate to have,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Jeddah is home for many long-term expatriates, and their confidence in the city is shaped by years of daily life there. From Al-Balad\u2019s historic streets to the Corniche and Tahlia\u2019s busy thoroughfares, residents continued to go about their routines, with those interviewed describing days that had changed little.<\/p>\n Egyptian Fayez Ibrahim, 52, who came to Saudi Arabia when he was three, said his daily routine was the same. He continued to work and visit local markets, drawing on decades of life in the Kingdom to describe his sense of security.<\/p>\n \u201cI have spent almost my entire life here, and I am grateful for this country,\u201d he said. \u201cI trust the government. They are doing everything to keep people safe.\u201d<\/p>\n He also expressed sadness over recent events in the region.<\/p>\n Ahmad Nadeem, a Pakistani national born and raised in Jeddah, said he continued to attend college and meet friends without disruption.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is safe and sound. We are out with friends, enjoying ourselves, and we have full trust in the Kingdom,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Many of the residents interviewed expressed confidence in the Saudi government\u2019s commitment to public safety, while acknowledging the sadness about the attacks in Riyadh. For them, that trust was shaped by their daily lives and also by the care and support extended to residents during difficult moments.<\/p>\n \u201cI am sure Saudi Arabia is the only place that goes to this extent to care for its residents,\u201d said Ahmed Ali, a Saudi resident.<\/p>\n Indonesian resident Nur Nurtasingo said: \u201cEverything has been going smoothly. I feel safe with my family, and I continue to go to work as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n Nurtasingo said friends abroad had asked about the situation in Jeddah, prompting him to share his perspective. \u201cI tell them that everything is fine here. I am thankful to the Saudi government for protecting residents and taking every measure they can in their efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n Moroccan Assia Boulam, who lives in Jeddah, described Saudi Arabia as her second home, highlighting the personal connection she has built with the Kingdom.<\/p>\n \u201cI have great confidence in the Kingdom\u2019s commitment to the safety and well-being of everyone who lives here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n That sense of reassurance also extended to visitors in the Kingdom. Khurram Siddique, who was visiting Jeddah from the US after performing Umrah, said the city\u2019s familiar weekend atmosphere had left him feeling at ease.<\/p>\n \u201cThe city is full of weekend vibes, and everything is the same as it has always been,\u201d he said, adding that the traffic was typical of Thursday evenings.<\/p>\n Siddique said he trusted the government to safeguard those living in and visiting the Kingdom.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I am in one of the safest places on Earth, and I have full trust in the Saudi government to keep us safe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n