View source for Unaizah

{{For|the settlement in [[Qatar]]|`Unayzah}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| native_name            = محافظة عنيزة
| settlement_type        = Governorate
| image_skyline          = A picture of the internal ring road in Al-shrimyah district in Unaizah.jpg
| image_caption          = The internal ring road in Al-shrimyah district and Unaizah Mall
| pushpin_map            = Saudi Arabia
| map_caption            = Location in Saudi Arabia
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_name       = Saudi Arabia
| subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Saudi Arabia|Province]]
| subdivision_name1      = [[Al-Qassim Province|Al Qassim Province]]
| founder     = zuhri bin jarrah Al-Thawri
| leader_title           = Mayor
| leader_name             =سليمان بن عبدالعزيز
| leader_title1          = Borough Governor
| leader_name1           = Fahad Al Sulaim
| leader_title2          =
| leader_name2           =
| established_title      =
| established_date       =
| established_title2     =
| established_date2      =
| established_title3     =
| established_date3      =
| unit_pref              = Metric
| area_magnitude         =
| area_total_km2         =
| area_total_sq_mi       =
| area_metro_km2         =
| area_urban_km2         =
| elevation_m            =
| area_footnotes         =
| population_note        =
| population_as_of       = 2022<ref>{{cite web|archive-date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621214318/https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/1/15/1367?type=DASHBOARD|title=الهيئة العامة للإحصاء {{!}} تعداد السعودية|url=https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/1/15/101460?type=TABLE}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
| population_total       = 184,600
| population_density_km2 =
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_urban       =
| population_footnotes   =
| utc_offset             = +3
| utc_offset_DST         = DST not observed
| postal_code_type       = Postal Code
| postal_code            = 51911
| area_code              = +966-16
| website                = {{URL|http://um.gov.sa}}
| coordinates            = {{coord|26|5|26|N|43|59|15|E|region:SA-04_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| name                   =
}}
'''Unaizah''' ({{langx|ar|عنيزة}} {{transliteration|ar|DIN|ʿUnaizah}}) or officially The '''Governorate of Unaizah''' (also spelled Onaizah, Onizah, or Unayzah; {{langx|ar|محافظة عنيزة}} {{transliteration|ar|DIN|Muḥāfiẓat ʿUnaizah}}) is a Saudi Arabian city in the [[Al-Qassim Province|Al Qassim Province]]. It lies south of the province capital [[Buraydah]] and north of [[Riyadh]], the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the second largest city in Al-Qassim Province with a population of 184,600 (2022 census).<ref>{{cite web|archive-date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621214318/https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/1/15/1367?type=DASHBOARD|title=الهيئة العامة للإحصاء {{!}} تعداد السعودية|url=https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/1/15/101460?type=TABLE}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
Historically, Unaizah was an important stopping point for Muslim pilgrims coming from Mesopotamia (now Iraq) and Persia (now Iran) on their way to [[Makkah]]. Many scientists and historians believe that Unaizah was inhabited hundreds of years before the spread of [[Islam]], citing its reference in numerous poems from some of the most important poets of pre-Islamic Arabia such as [[Imru' al-Qais]].
==Geography==
Unaizah is in the south of [[Al-Qassim Province]] and at the heart of the historical region of [[Najd]]. It is located roughly 30 kilometers from [[Buraydah]] (the capital of the province) and more than 300 kilometers north of the Saudi capital, [[Riyadh]]. Unaizah lies in the northern-central region of the [[Najd]] and to the south of the [[Wadi al-Rummah]] (Rumma Valley), which is the longest [[valley]] on the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. It is surrounded by [[sand dunes]] to its north and west, which are known locally as the Al-Ghamis Sands. The Al-Ghadha Woods are located to the north of the city. Next to Unaizah is the Al-Aushaziyah [[salt lake]] (or Sabkha), which is considered an official part of the city.
===Climate===
Unaizah has a hot desert climate (Köppen Climate Classification BWh), with long, extremely hot summers and short, very mild winters. The average high temperature in August is {{cvt|43.6|°C}}. The city experiences very little precipitation, especially in summer, but receives a fair amount of rain in March and April. It is also known to have dust storms during which the dust can be so thick that visibility is under {{cvt|10|m}}.
==Agriculture==
[[Image:Palm Trees in Unaizah.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Palm trees in Unaizah]]
[[Image:Leeks farm in Unaizah.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Leeks ([[kurrat]]) farm in Unaizah]]
[[Image:Unaizah International Dates Festival.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A section in Unaizah International Dates Festival 08]]
Unaizah is an agricultural area and produces [[wheat]] and [[barley]] of various strains. The region also grows [[grape]]s, [[grapefruit]]s, [[lemon]]s, [[leek]]s, [[Mandarin orange|mandarins]], [[orange (fruit)|oranges]], [[pomegranate]]s and [[Date (fruit)|dates]].
[[Leek]]s ([[kurrat]]) are a very important part of the local culture of Unaizah. They are popular among the locals and comprise a significant portion of the local agricultural industry.
An annual Date Season Festival has been held in September since the early 2000s, giving Unaizah the distinction of hosting the second largest date festival in the [[Persian Gulf]] and the Middle East. The festival rivals the date festival of neighboring Buraydah's, which is sometimes known as "Buraydah, the City of Dates".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plQDYtTYyFI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/plQDYtTYyFI |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=YouTube video تقرير قناة الجزيرة عن مهرجان تمور عنيزة الرابع 1429 هــ|website=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="2017-09-25_Slate">[http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/roads/2017/09/unaizah_date_market_the_world_s_second_largest_date_festival_can_teach_us.html Hot Dates in the Saudi Desert -- The world’s second-largest date festival shifts into high gear.], Andrew Leber, [[Slate.com]], 2017-09-25</ref>
Unaizah's 2008 (4th) annual Date Festival was known as the "Unaizah International Date Festival", though the city's title "Unaizah, the Kingdom of Dates" was retained as a motto. Many people from different places of the Middle East come to see this festival and buy dates because they know there is a good quality of dates.
==Government==
[[File:Unaizah Municipality logo.jpg|thumb|right|Unaizah Municipality logo]]
The '''Unaizah Municipality''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: بلدية عنيزة or '''[[baladiyah]]''' [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: البلدية ) was founded in {{AH|1381}} in Unaizah. It carries out the [[Local government|civic administration]] for the Metropolitan area of Unaizah. The municipality was established for the purpose of maintaining villages, regulating construction projects and systematizing public health, safety measures and the construction of the infrastructure of the city such as roads, the stormwater drainage network and street lighting. The Unaizah Municipality has 3 main agencies:
*'''Services Agency''' : Responsible of maintenance and operation of facilities in the city.
*'''Project Management Agency:''' Responsible of managing and regulating the construction projects in the city.
*'''Urbanization and Planning Agency:''' Responsible of urban planning and administrating lands and properties in the city.
The municipality has had 16 mayors since it was founded.
{| class="wikitable"
|+<big>Unaizah Municipality Mayors</big>
!n
!Mayor
!From
!To
|-
|1
|Abdullah bin Saleh Al Muhaimid
|1381 AH
|1388 AH
|-
|2
|Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Bassam
|1388 AH
|1389 AH
|-
|3
|Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Dahman
|1389 AH
|1390 AH
|-
|4
|Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Humaidi
|1390 AH
|1396 AH
|-
|5
|Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jamaan
|1396 AH
|1396 AH
|-
|6
|Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Hammad
|1396 AH
|1403 AH
|-
|7
|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Bassam
|1396 AH
|1409 AH
|-
|8
|Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Naeem
|1409 AH
|1413 AH
|-
|9
|Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Nadawi
|1413 AH
|1413 AH
|-
|10
|Fahd bin Muhammad Al-Jubeir
|1413 AH
|1420 AH
|-
|11
|Abdullah bin Suleiman Al-Attiyah
|1420 AH
|1421 AH
|-
|12
|Eng. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mazrou’
|1421 AH
|1426 AH
|-
|13
|Eng. Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al-Khalil
|1426 AH
|1432 AH
|-
|14
|Eng. Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Bassam
|1432 AH
|1440 AH
|-
|15
|Eng. Khalaf Hamdan Al-Otaibi
|1440 AH
|1442 AH
|-
|16
|Eng. Faris bin Muhammad Al-Qahtani
|{{AH|1442}}
|Incumbent
|}
there is 18 villages and offices within the range of Unaizah Municipality.
{| class="wikitable"
!Alhufayrah
!Albuaiten
!Al'awniyyah
!Wadi Aljanah
|-
!Alrawghani
!Alwahlan
!Wadi Abu Ali
!Aldal'ah
|-
!Manzelt Abu Ali
!Aladaen
!Alfardah
!alanbaryah
|-
!alrafiah
!Alghabshyah
!alaushazia
!Almubarkiya
|-
!Albarbk
!Alnaam
!
!
|}
==Education==
Unaizah is home to some pioneers in [[education]]; the first [[Saudi people|Saudi]] person from [[Al-Qassim Province]] to earn a [[PhD.]] degree was from Unaizah, and his name was Abdulaziz Al-Khowaiter.<ref>[http://www.alriyadh.com/2009/03/15/article415934.html الكنز الثمين في شخصية د. عبدالعزيز الخويطر]</ref> The first [[Saudi people|Saudi]] female from [[Al Qassim Province]] to earn a PhD degree was also raised in this city.  Her name was Ebtisam Al Bassam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unaizah.net/showthread.php?t=34224|title=علم من أعلام عنيزة في اليونسكو .. د. ابتسام البسام|website=www.unaizah.net}}</ref>
One of the first cities to embrace female education in [[Al-Qassim Province]] and [[Najd]] was Unaizah. It faced resistance from neighboring provinces and brought Unaizah at the forefront of a national debate. After lengthy negotiations, the capital city of Qassim, [[Buraidah]] a sister city of Unaizah, officially recognized the right of an education for females, partly due to [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]]'s interference in settling the dispute.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alsaha.com/sahat/4/topics/113760|title=جريدة دولية تتحدث عن تسامح عـنيزة وتطرف بريدة|access-date=2009-10-03|archive-date=2010-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115061941/http://www.alsaha.com/sahat/4/topics/113760|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Today, there are many [[Public school (government funded)|public schools]] in Unaizah for all three educational levels (primary, intermediate, and secondary). There are also two [[private schools]] and one private [[international school]]. There is also a boys' technological secondary school in the city and a technological college, as well as a girls' educational college. [[Qassim University]] is located approximately 30 kilometers north of the city, and enrolls both males and females.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.onaizahgedu.gov.sa/news/news.asp |title=ادارة التربية والتعليم للبنات بمحافظة عنيزة |access-date=2009-10-03 |archive-date=2010-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211162248/http://www.onaizahgedu.gov.sa/news/news.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Western travelers==
The people of Unaizah are well known for their hospitality and acceptance for people from other races and religions. The famous [[Charles Montagu Doughty]] lived in the city during his odyssey and wrote highly about the city.
[[Amin al-Rihani]] (the famous [[France|Franco]]-[[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] scholar and traveler) spoke highly of the city's architecture and works of art in his book "[[Kings of Arabia]]" likening it to Paris thereby coining the nickname "Paris of Najd" for the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unaizah.net/showthread.php?t=20544|title=عنيزة ...باريــــــس نجــــد ...وإعجاب أمين الريحاني|website=www.unaizah.net}}</ref>
==Tourism==
[[Image:The roman amphitheatre, Unaizah.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Roman Amphitheatre during the 2005 Unaizah Festival]]
[[Image:Al Ghadha.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Al Ghadha Desert Festival]]
[[Image:Al Bassam Mansion.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Built in 1955, Al Bassam Mansion is one of the main tourist attractions in Unaizah]]
There are twelve tourist [[festivals]] and activities recognized by the [[Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities]], and a calendar has been made for these events.
{{blockquote |text = Unaizah, has renewed its status as a trailblazer of Tourism in the Qassim Province|author=[[Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud|Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud]] (the Governor of Al-Qassim and Chairman of the province's Tourism Council)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://onaizah.net/majlis/t31476.html|title=Loading...|website=onaizah.net}}</ref>}}
The [[tourist attractions]] in Unaizah range from [[festivals]] to private meetings in family ranches. Some of the most notable venues in which festivals are held are the following:
* Almusawkaf
* Onaizah Mall
* Othaim Mall
* Al-Ghada Park
* Al Bassam Mansion, a traditional house and a private museum
* Al Hajeb Parks
* Al Hamdan House, a traditional house and a private museum
* Asia Resort and Park
* Dream Land, the largest [[theme park]] in Al Qassim Province and reportedly the [[Najd|Central Region]]
* Judaida Local Market
* King Fahd Cultural Center
* The Roman amphitheater
* Salih Bin Salih Cultural Center
* The Unaizah House for Traditional Legacy
* Caravanserai Museum, a little museum of antiques, family memories, traditional things, and historical stories
There are five [[hotels]] in Unaizah, two of which are currently under construction, in addition to the [[rental]] [[apartments]] and [[Suite (hotel)|suites]] distributed all around the city:
* Al Fahd Crown (under construction)
* Golden Tulip (under construction)
* Radisson Blu Hotel (under construction)
* Onaizah Hotel
* Boudl
Although Unaizah is thought to be relatively more accepting of visitors than its neighbors, its tourism industry faces criticism for a number of reasons. One such criticism is its disregard for infrastructure maintenance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aqarcity.com/t75522.html|title=سياحة عنيزة تنقصها البنية التحتية|access-date=2009-10-03|archive-date=2011-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009024941/http://www.aqarcity.com/t75522.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Culture==
===Religion===
[[File:Grand Mosque of Unayzah.jpg|thumb|left|[[Al Gadhi Mosque]]]]
All of the Saudi [[citizens]] of Unaizah are [[Sunna Islam|Sunni Muslim]] with a small minority of [[Dharmic religions]], (mostly [[Hinduism]]) brought and practiced in the city by Asian workers (mainly Indians). As with the rest of Saudi Arabian cities, non-Islamic worship houses are not allowed. The majority of the city's inhabitants are socially conservative. One of Saudi Arabia's leading religious clerics [[Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen]] was a student of the [[Sheikh]] [[Abd ar-Rahman ibn Nasir as-Sa'di]], an Unaizah native. [[Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen]] was born and raised in Unaizah. He lived in Unaizah where many mosques have been built and named after him.
=== Cuisine ===
The [[Al Qassim Province|Qassimi]] cuisine in general, and the cuisine of Unaizah is very famous for its delicious food, and for its renowned and tasty traditional meals such as ''Jereesh'', ''Margoug'', ''Gersan'', and ''Metazeez''.
As for sweets, along with other [[Al Qassim Province|Qassimi]] sweets, the Qassimi Kleeja is a well-known sweet all over Saudi Arabia and in [[Eastern Arabian cuisine|Eastern Arabia]].
Like other Saudi cities, the [[Najd]]i [[Kabsa]] is the most traditional lunch. The [[Yemeni cuisine|Yemeni]] [[Mandi (food)|Mandi]] is also popular as a lunch meal.
===Sports===
[[File:Department of Education Stadium (Unaizah) A.jpg|thumb|[[Department of Education Stadium (Unaizah)|Department of Education Stadium]]]]
Unaizah is very active in terms of [[sports]]. [[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport all over [[Saudi Arabia]], and it is very popular in Unaizah, it is played in school's P.E. (i.e. Physical Education) lessons, and it is common to see a group of kids playing it in the streets.
There are two local clubs in Unaizah, the Saudi ''Al Najmah club'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=goalzz.com: Live sports scores, news and more |url=https://www.goalzz.com/?team=151 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.goalzz.com}}</ref> and the ''Al Arabi club''.
===Population===
The city has experienced very high rates of population growth. Unaizah officially counted population in the city limits in 2010 was 163,729.
===Media===
Unaizah is served by six major [[Arabic]]-language [[newspapers]], ''[[Al Jazirah (newspaper)|Al Jazirah]]'', ''[[Al Riyadh (newspaper)|Al Riyadh]]'', ''[[Okaz]]'', ''[[Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia)|Al Watan]]'', ''[[Al Hayat]]'', ''[[Al Yaum (newspaper)|Al Yaum]]''. Unaizah has one local [[magazine]], that issues every four months, it is called ''Paris Najd'', named after the widest spread [[nickname]] of Unaizah. In addition to many other national and international magazines distributed everywhere in the city's markets.
[[Television stations]] serving the city area include Saudi TV1, Saudi TV2, Saudi TV Sports, Al Ekhbariyah, [[Arab Radio and Television Network|ART channels network]] and hundreds of cable, satellite and other specialty television providers.
==Ruling dynasty==
The city has been ruled by the [[Al-Sulaim|Al Sulaim]] family (Sons of Sulaiman Al-Zamil) since 1818. They came to power when Prince Yehya Al-Sulaim in 1822 killed the governor appointed by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman emperor]], Abdullah Al-Jamei. This dynasty still rules the city according to a written treaty between them and the [[House of Saud|Saudi royal family]]. Some of the most famous families in [[Saudi Arabia]] originate from Unaizah, including Al Juffali, Al Saikhan, Al Ohaly, Alsmaeel, AlGarawi, Al Abalkhail, Al Ghothami, Al Hatlani, Al Ghumayz, Al Sulaiman, Al Hamdan, Al Akeel, Al Fadl, Al Tamimi, Al Zamil (ALZamel), Al Olayan, Al Bassam, Al Gadhi, Al Matrody, Al Salloum, Al Saheel, Al Subaiee, Al Senany, Al Mansour, [[Alyahya|Al Yahya]], Al Thukair, Al Turki, Al Dubayan, Al Shoshan, Al Shubaili, Al Shebel, Al Damigh, Al Othaimeen, Al Malloohi, Al Marzooki, Al Manei, Al Se'di, Al Abeeki, Al Houthi, Al Khwaiter, Al Sowayil, Al Daffaa, Al Jaffali, Al Dukhayyel, Al Dakheel, Al Abdeli, Al Suhaimi families and many others.
[[File:Musaad Al-Sulim.jpg|thumb|170px|Unaizah Governor Musaad Al-Sulim
from (2007–2011).]]
* [[Mohammad al-Yahya]], first Saudi Arabian CEO at the bank of HSBC
* [[Heythem Abdullah ALZamel]], one of the First Saudi Trauma/Acute Care Surgeons; educated and trained in the United States.
* [[Abdullah al-Senany]], poet, educator, and calligrapher
* [[Azzam al-Kadi]], laparoscopic and trauma surgeon, public figure, and assistant professor at [[Al Qassim University]]
* [[Mohammad al-Sebayel]], the first Arab surgeon to perform a human liver transplant
* [[Abdulaziz al-Hazzaa]], [[comedian]] notable for his different voice levels.
* [[Musa'ad al-Senany]], Saudi Minister of Labor and Social Affairs
* [[Khalid Al-Mansour]], Saudi retired footballer
* [[Abdullah al-Nuaim]], Riyadh city manager, vice president of [[King Saud University]], founder and President of the Board of Trustees, [[King Fahad National Library]]
* [[Abdulaziz al-Nuaim]], member of the [[Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Shura Council]].
* [[Abdullah al-Hamdan]], [[Saudi Air Force]] general
* [[Abdullah bin Sulaiman al-Hamdan]], Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, adviser to [[King Abdulaziz]]
* [[Abdullah Al Shebel]], president of [[Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University]]
* [[Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al Zamil]], industrial engineer and politician, Minister of Industry and Electricity
* [[AbdalRahman al-Subeit]], vice president of the [[Saudi Arabia National Guard]]
* [[AbdalRahman Abalkhail]], Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and [[Saudi Ambassador to Egypt]]
* [[Yousef Al-Othaimeen]], Minister of Social Affairs
* [[Mohammad Al-Sowayel]], President of [[King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology]]
* [[Ahmad Al Dubayan]], director of the Islamic Cultural Centre in [[London]]
* [[Ali Al Khayat]], poet and writer
* [[Abdullah Al Shoshan]], poet
* [[Abdullah Al-Dabibi|Abdullah Al-Houthi]], Former General Manager and Controller of Sabick Inc <ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|title=Abdullah Al Dabibi - [PPT Powerpoint]|url=https://vdocuments.site/abdullah-al-dabibi.html|website=vdocuments.site}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/united-states/texas/houston/buyers-information-services/34321460-sabic-americas-inc|title=Sabic Americas Inc in Houston, TX 77216 - (713) 532-4999 - ChamberofCommerce.com|website=www.chamberofcommerce.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nusacc.org/uploads/2/2/9/7/22977530/26_trdln0405saudi.pdf|title=Saudi Arabia Closes In On WTO Accession}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bizstanding.com/directory/TX/SA/162/|title=Sabic Americas ... SABIA'S FUTURE NATURE - Texas business directory.|website=bizstanding.com}}</ref>
* [[Saleh Al-Dabibi]], Lawyer <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/50408/saudi-girl-12-drops-push.html|title=Saudi girl, 12, drops push to divorce octogenarian|date=2010-02-02}}</ref>
* [[Muhammed Al-Dabibi|Muhammed Al-Houthi]], Former Goalkeeper for Al-Najma SC and the Saudi International Team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.al-jazirah.com/1999/19990606/sp22.htm|title=الحارس النجماوي الدبيبي في حديث لـ الجزيرة|website=www.al-jazirah.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/account/suspended|title=Twitter / Account Suspended|website=twitter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportksa.net/main/archives/46554|title=من هو؟ لاعب سابق - صحيفة سبورت السعودية}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alyaum.com/articles/56454/|title=ايقاف حارس العربي 3 شهور|date=January 8, 2003|website=alyaum}}</ref> Featured on the "Coke Collectible Cans" that featured various "Gold Star" players on the Saudi Arabia National Team. He is seen in the first row, third can.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ad-informatica.com/davideandreani/serie/saudiarabia.htm|title=Davide Andreani Coca-cola Home Page - Coca-cola CANS Collectors|website=www.ad-informatica.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ad-informatica.com/davideandreani/collezione/serie2serie/saudiarabia_wc94_all.jpg|title=Photo}}</ref>
* [[Abdul Rahman Al-Dabibi]], Former Captain of Al-Camel Milk FC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.akherkhbr.com/news-action-show-id-5270.htm|title=وفاة لاعب نادي التعاون السابق الكابتن عبدالرحمن الدبيبي (رحمه الله) - صحيفة أخر خبر الالكترونية|website=www.akherkhbr.com}}</ref>
* [[Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Suwaiyel]], former [[Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States|Saudi Ambassador to the United States]]
* [[Ebraheem Alsuleiman (Alakeel)]], former chief of Crown Prince [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|Faisal]]'s Royal Court and former [[Saudi Ambassador to Egypt]]
* [[Yusef Al-Bassam]], President of the Saudi Development Fund
* [[Lubna Olayan]], prominent businesswoman<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/2006/03/28/arabia-top-businesswomen-cx_gl_0328autofacescan10.html Al-Olayan Leads Forbes' Top Arab Businesswomen List]</ref>
* [[Muhammad Al Shubeili]], former Saudi Ambassador to Iraq and Malaysia
* [[Muhammad Al Zughaiby]], Minister of Transportation
* [[Abdulmohsen Al-Bassam]], Retired officer in the Royal Saudi Air Force and a former astronaut. He was the back-up payload specialist for [[Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]] on [[STS-51-G]].
* [[Nassir Al-Salloum]], Minister of Transportation
* [[Dawood Alsulaim]], pilot, major general, and former Saudi [[Military Attaché]] to the United Kingdom.
* [[Saleh Al Abbad]], former chief of the [[Saudi Royal Court]].
* [[Saleh Al Nugaidan]], [[drawing|draughtsman]], [[Painting|painter]], and [[photographer]].
* [[Sulaiman S. Olayan]], one of Saudi Arabia's leading businessmen whose autobiography is titled "From Unaizah to Wall Street."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=28&article=159440&issueno=8881|title=سليمان العليان.. من عنيزة إلى وول ستريت}}</ref>
*[[Sulaiman Al Sulaim]], former Minister of Commerce and Finance and Chairman of Saudi American Bank
*[[Abdulrahman Rashed Alkhayat]], [[Royal Saudi Navy]] admiral
* [[Saad Al-Sowayan]], anthropologist and writer
* [[Abdul-Rahman al-Sa'di|Abdul-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Sa'di]], a Sunni Muslim scholar and former imam of the city's Jami' mosque
* [[Muhammad ibn al-Uthaymeen|Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen]], a Sunni Muslim scholar and former imam of the city's Jami' mosque
== In the news ==
Unaizah is well known for its hospitality, hence, there are a variety of tourism Festivals in the year. These include dates, and healthy crops festivals. There is also a bi-annual cultural festival which is a trademark for this city.
It was the only city of the [[Najd]] region to invite a Saudi [[Shiite]] cleric to speak in a public event, in a grass-roots effort to promote a united national identity. This drew criticism from conservatives in neighboring cities.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}
==Gallery==
{{Commons category|Unaizah}}
<gallery mode=packed heights=120px>
Image:Bin Uthaimeen Mosque, Unaizah.jpg|Bin Uthaimeen Mosque
Image:Grand Mosque of Unayzah.jpg|Al Gadhi Mosque
Image:Unaizah View.jpg|Al Gadhi Mosque and The Municipality Building
Image:Unaizah Hotel.jpg|Onaizah Hotel
Image:Aerial view of Al Ghadha.jpg|Aerial view of Al Ghadha Desert Festival 2007
Image:King Abdulaziz Road, Unaizah.jpg|King Abdulaziz Road
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Unaizah.jpg|Satellite view of the city -->
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[Unaizah Municipality]]
* [[Najd]]
* [[`Anazzah]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->
==External links==
* [http://www.unaizah.com/ Information about the city]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080411022153/http://www.onaizah.biz/ Unaizah's Department of Education]
* [http://www.um.gov.sa/ Municipality website]
{{Saudi cities}}
[[Category:Unaizah| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Al-Qassim Province]]
[[Category:Cities in Saudi Arabia]]