JEDDAH: The line that was built from Damascus, Syria, to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is a fascinating part of Hijazi history.
Sultan Abdul Hamid II put great effort into modernizing transportation and communication during the Ottoman Empire. He laid telegraph lines and railways to connect Ottoman villages and built the Hijaz Railway to connect Damascus with Madinah.
The line was built to meet the needs of pilgrims traveling to Makkah. Its construction took eight years. The first stage of the project from Damascus to Daraa began in September, 1900, and the first train reached Madinah in August 1908. The work was carried out by German and Turkish engineers and local workers recruited from the areas along the route.
The sultan planned to extend the railway on to Makkah and down the Red Sea coast to Yemen, but plans to extend the Hijaz Railway were disrupted by World War One (1914-1918).
The terrain between Tabuk and Madinah presented many challenges. One portion of Al-Akhdar valley required the building of both a tunnel and a 143-meter long bridge, the longest bridge in Saudi Arabia. In Al-Muazzam area high rubble landfills were used to lessen the steep angle of the track.
Small stations, all of the same design, were built along the line between Al-Ula and Hadiyya, where a mid-sized station was built and supplied with water. As the line approached Madinah the stations grew larger, such as at Istabl Antar.
Volcanic rock was used as building materials for the stations and bridges between Al-Ula and Madinah.
On Sept. 1, 1906, a ceremony was held in Tabuk to mark the arrival of the railway line. It was attended by an official delegation from Damascus, as well as sheikhs of tribes, nobles and merchants. One year later, a ceremony was held to mark the line reaching Al-Ula.
On August 22, 1908, the first train arrived in Madinah. The official ceremony was postponed until Dec. 1st to coincide with the anniversary of the accession of the sultan, and a grand ceremony was held to mark both events.
The railway station in Al-Madinah was also illuminated on this occasion, the first use of electricity in Madinah.
After 1918, the Arabs attempted to reopen the railway.
The train arrived in Madinah twice, once in 1919 and again in 1925. A lack of material and technical skills stopped the railway in Hijaz from working again. The Hijazi portion of the line is defunct, but the Syrian, Palestinian and Jordanian sections have remained in service locally.
The short history of the Hijaz Railway in Saudi Arabia
The short history of the Hijaz Railway in Saudi Arabia
- Volcanic rock was used as building materials for the stations and bridges between Al-Ula and Madinah
- The railway station in Al-Madinah was also illuminated on this occasion, the first use of electricity in Madinah
How a Saudi university’s AI solution is revolutionizing Red Sea coral conservation
- Coral-AI uses sensors and algorithms to monitor and protect coral reefs, offering a blueprint for global conservation efforts
- Developed by KAUST, the system monitors the ocean environment in real-time and delivers nutrients autonomously
JEDDAH: Facing the global challenge of coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures, scientists at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have pioneered an innovative AI-driven solution to monitor and protect these fragile ecosystems.
The groundbreaking technology, Coral-AI, combines real-time environmental monitoring with automated delivery of beneficial microorganisms, offering a proactive approach to preserving coral health not just in the Red Sea, but potentially across the world’s oceans.
The Red Sea, the world’s northernmost tropical sea, is a semi-enclosed body of water connected to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea through the narrow Suez Canal and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
While widely celebrated for its stunning coral reefs and tourism appeal, the Red Sea is also gaining recognition as a vital area for the study of coral ecosystems.
Home to more than 265 species of coral, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba provide food and shelter to hundreds of vertebrate and invertebrate species, including many endemic and endangered species.
This distinctive biodiversity underscores the growing need for conservation efforts in the region.
The coral reefs of the Red Sea are unique, serving as an open-air laboratory for studying coral resilience in the face of climate change. Due to rising ocean temperatures, coral reefs around the world have experienced significant bleaching in recent years.
That is why scientists at KAUST have developed Coral-AI, which combines automated beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs) delivery with on-site coral bleach detection.
This innovative system marks a significant advancement in coral reef health management, offering a comprehensive solution through the integration of image processing, AI, and advanced sensor technologies.
Coral-AI’s system introduces a novel approach by autonomously delivering BMCs to coral reefs, streamlining the process and reducing manual labor and costs. The device delivers probiotics to coral reefs and can identify when a coral is dying and deploy medicine.
Coral-AI is “equipped with sensors that monitor environmental conditions directly at the coral site, allowing for real-time adjustments in BMC dispensation,” Khaled Nabil Salama, project supervisor and professor of electrical and computer engineering at KAUST, told Arab News.
“This dual capability of monitoring and proactive intervention makes the system particularly innovative, as it not only assesses but also responds to signs of coral stress, such as elevated temperatures that can lead to bleaching.”
Using an ESP32 microcontroller for optimal performance in the underwater environment, Coral-AI employs algorithms to precisely control the BMC dispensation based on sensor inputs.
DID YOUKNOW?
• The Red Sea is home to more than 265 species of coral and serves as a natural laboratory for the study of climate resilience.
• KAUST developed Coral-AI to automate the delivery of beneficial microorganisms to coral reefs and detect bleaching in real-time.
• Initially tested in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, Coral-AI’s success indicates its potential for adoption in other regions.
• While Coral-AI automates many processes, human expertise remains essential for setting up, calibrating and analyzing data.
“Algorithms play a key role in the system’s functionality by precisely controlling the pumps based on sensor inputs,” Salama said.
“These algorithms allow for the adjustment of BMC dispensation in response to detected environmental changes, ensuring that the corals receive optimal treatment based on current conditions.”
Integrated sensors continuously monitor critical factors such as temperature that impact coral health. By detecting variations, the system can adapt the BMC dispensation to address specific requirements, whether for preventive care or active treatment of bleaching events.
“This proactive approach to environmental monitoring enhances the system’s ability to safeguard coral reefs,” Salama said.
Coral-AI’s system analyzes sensor data to evaluate coral health status and BMC treatment efficacy. By comparing real-time data against established thresholds indicative of coral stress, the system can optimize BMC dispensation to mitigate adverse conditions efficiently.
This data-driven approach provides valuable insights for informed decision-making in coral health management.
The system addresses challenges such as biofouling and variable underwater conditions by incorporating features such as extra pumps and hydraulic dampers to ensure consistent BMC delivery.
Rigorous calibration and testing under controlled conditions enhance the system’s accuracy and reliability, critical for maintaining coral health effectively.
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Humans are not entirely redundant in the process, however.
“While the system automates many processes, human experts are essential for setting up the system, calibrating sensors, analyzing long-term data trends, and making strategic decisions about coral health management,” Salama said.
“Their expertise ensures that the automated system functions as intended and that the interventions are scientifically sound.”
Although Coral-AI has so far only been tested in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, its success paves the way for potential adoption in other regions facing similar threats to coral reefs.
“The system’s scalability and effectiveness make it a valuable tool for global conservation initiatives, potentially revolutionizing coral reef management practices worldwide,” Salama said.
Protecting the coral reefs of the Red Sea is crucial for advancing scientific understanding of coral resistance to climate change, which will be invaluable in developing conservation strategies.
This effort could also support the preservation and restoration of these remarkable ecosystems and their associated marine life in the region.
Commemorative passport stamp unveiled to mark Global AI Summit in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Passports Directorate and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence unveiled a commemorative passport stamp to mark the Global AI Summit to be held in Riyadh.
Travelers at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam will get their passports stamped with the commemorative mark throughout the summit’s duration from September 10-12, 2024.
The Kingdom will welcome economic policymakers, major technology and artificial intelligence companies, international thought leaders, and heads of international organizations to the summit’s third edition.
The event will take place amid increasing concerns about the impact of AI technologies and will reaffirm the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at enhancing human welfare in the face of the challenges associated with developing technology.
Saudi Red Sea Authority issues new regulations for yachts
- New rules to oversee yacht use in Red Sea, uphold coastal environmental protection
RIYADH: New regulations for yachting in the Red Sea were issued on Thursday, the Saudi Red Sea Authority has announced.
The new rules will outline the necessary requirements and conditions for the use of yachts in Red Sea waters, as well as overseeing the issuance of tourism and leisure licenses and permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They will outline the conditions and procedures for issuing technical licenses for leisure tourism, and the required criteria for yacht owners or authorized tourism maritime agents.
The regulations will also ensure environmental protection for coastal areas, and an adherence to sustainability practices and all safety requirements as part of SRSA’s role in developing the coastal tourism sector.
They will specify the requirements for obtaining a tourism trip permit within Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea waters, including mandatory documentation such as passenger information, sailing destinations, and chartering contract.
The issuance of the new regulations coincides with the launch of SRSA’s awareness campaign More Than a Sea, through which the authority highlights its role in developing the coastal tourism sector.
Saudi women awarded at Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition
- Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani wins gold for innovative tech; Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi silver for her work in medical parasitology
MAKKAH: Two Saudi citizens were awarded prestigious medals for their groundbreaking work at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition, which was held from Aug. 28 to 31 in Bali, Indonesia.
Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani, a researcher from King Khalid University, won a gold medal for her innovation “AirEco,” which has the ability to detect and locate living beings in hard-to-reach mountainous terrain, where search efforts are typically hindered by challenging conditions.
By integrating advanced detection technologies with artificial intelligence, the device provides crucial support to rescue teams. It not only identifies precise locations but also executes functions to assist in rescue operations once the target is located.
It is one of the projects backed by the university’s Agency for Business and Community Partnership, through the Entrepreneurship Center.
The project has also earned four prestigious awards from Taiwan, Romania, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Reflecting on her achievement, she described it as a truly unique and fulfilling experience. She expressed the joy of seeing the fruits of her hard work over the past days and months, stating that the greatest reward was the pride and recognition from those around her. “It’s an incredible feeling,” she said.
“This accomplishment has fueled my desire to see it implemented quickly and made widely available,” she added. “I sincerely hope that authorities and companies will adopt the project, provide support, and help manufacture it to the highest standards so it can fully achieve its purpose.”
When asked how such achievements can positively influence Saudi participation in international competitions, she said: “Accomplishments serve as a powerful driving force for young people, pushing them toward their ambitions and future goals.
“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in particular, has become a major source of motivation, inspiring all Saudis to think creatively and pursue their aspirations.
“Saudi achievements have now become a source of national pride, shifting perspectives on the significance of success and its far-reaching impact. These accomplishments are key drivers of development, progress and prosperity.
“Beyond boosting individual self-confidence, they foster a positive mindset in society, encouraging leadership, innovation and the creation of economic opportunities. The impact of success doesn’t stop with the individual; it resonates throughout the community.”
Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi, headmaster of Highly Innovative Unique Foundation, also earned a silver medal at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 for her remarkable work in medical parasitology.
“My contribution was a personal achievement: I authored a book on medical parasitology, using engaging, narrative-driven stories to simplify the complex scientific content and make it easier for learners to distinguish between various parasites.
“I first introduced this approach while teaching at King Abdulaziz University, and it was incredibly well received by students, who found the subject much more enjoyable and accessible.”
She aid that the book, titled “Lisan Al-Hal,” has now been published and is now available in the market.
Dr. Majid Al-Aziman, director of the Entrepreneurship Center at King Khalid University, emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting innovators, raising awareness and redefining the concept of entrepreneurship.
The university also seeks to spotlight the success of projects incubated by the Entrepreneurship Center and actively contribute to creating new job opportunities.
Saudi authorities close 8 shops for sewing military clothes without license in Riyadh
RIYADH: The security committee overseeing shops selling and sewing military clothes in Riyadh on Thursday confiscated more than 600 military badges and emblems, and a machine used for embroidering emblems which was violating regulations. It also closed eight shops engaged in sewing military clothes without a license.
The actions came during ongoing inspection tours carried out by the committee and based on the directives of Riyadh authorities to control such violations and take legal action against those acting against the rules.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Province municipality carried out 336 inspections of food and commercial establishments in Al Lahabah, as part of its efforts at monitoring activities.
It also carried out 78 tours of buildings under construction, stressing that these aimed at reducing building violations of all kinds to ensure their conformity with the licenses issued by the municipality and adherence to all specifications.
The tours also seek to raise the quality of work, helping to create a healthy urban environment.
