Several young, avid animal rights activists have launched a campaign on social networking sites advocating the adoption of stray cats found on the streets and the opening of government-owned pet shelters with animal protection laws.
The campaign, under the slogan, “adopt, don’t buy,” encourages pet lovers to take in animals without shelters instead of spending money on high-end breeds, while warning of the cruel fate that awaits strays if left unsheltered.
Hussain Al-Dossari, a campaign participant, said that the idea of adopting cats is a wholly new concept within local society no matter how popular abroad.
“The goal of this campaign is to look for homes for stray cats and return lost cats to their owners or find them new homes. Our campaign also encourages residents to be kind to strays they encounter in the street,” he said.
“We also spread awareness on the fact that Islamic law permits the castration of cats whose owners cannot afford having more than one or a few,” said Al-Dossari. “This is pivotal in reducing the number of cats and the likelihood that so many will end up on the streets, some of which are picked up by authorities after receiving complaints from residents and dumped in the desert, where they die of starvation and dehydration.”
“We are appalled by shops that put cats in small cages to force them to mate and then sell the kittens off before they have been weaned because they are in high demand,” he said. “Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is quoted to have denounced taking baby birds away from their mothers after witnessing a newborn flapping its wings for help.”
Some shops do display cats that have been given up by their owners for adoption, he said. “Yet many private residential compounds are guilty of killing cats by drugging them or separating them from their babies, which is inhumane.”
Nada Ahmed, the owner of a profile for animal lovers on a social networking site, said: “I put up pictures of stray cats and animals on my page in a bid to find them homes.”
“I try to raise awareness about our religious obligation to be kind to animals,” she said. “There are many such pages on social networking outlets.”
Muhammad Al-Sofaian, spokesman for the Eastern Province Municipality, said: “We have a program in place to control the number of stray cats and dogs in residential neighborhoods. Residents are urged not to leave food on the street to avoid attracting a congregation of animals.”
Activists campaign to give stray cats a home
Activists campaign to give stray cats a home
Festival brings global cultures to life in Alkhobar, Jeddah
- ‘Your Passport to the World’ celebrates traditions from Sudan, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh
Riyadh: A cultural festival hosted by Saudi Arabia will bring the rich traditions of Sudan, India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh to Alkhobar and Jeddah.
Organized by the General Entertainment Authority, the “Your Passport to the World” event will celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of expatriate communities in the Kingdom.
The month-long festival will offer an immersive experience that reconnects participants with their roots, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Through a series of performances, culinary showcases, traditional crafts, and hands-on workshops, the event will provide a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate global traditions.
The festival will debut in Alkhobar, with each community featured for four days throughout April, according to the SPA.
The Sudanese pavilion will kick off the event from Wednesday to Saturday, followed by India from April 16-19, the Philippines from April 23-26, and Bangladesh from April 30 to May 3. Afterward, the festival will move to Jeddah.
Each cultural showcase will offer a holistic experience, incorporating folkloric patterns, textiles, natural elements, and architectural heritage unique to each nation, the SPA reported.
Specialized zones will highlight heritage clothing, dance performances, authentic cuisine, crafts, open-air markets, performance theaters, and interactive installations.
The initiative aims to celebrate cultural diversity, foster connections, provide an engaging family experience, and highlight cultural heritage through art and cuisine.
With its festive atmosphere and vibrant showcases, the event is expected to attract large crowds, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to enhance entertainment and improve quality of life for residents.
Riyadh to honor women’s excellence award winners
- Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University to celebrate contributions in science, arts, economic, humanities
RIYADH: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh will host a ceremony on Wednesday to honor the winners of the seventh Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, held under the patronage of King Salman, will be hosted at the university’s Conference and Convention Center and will be attended by Princess Fahda bint Falah Al-Hathleen, the spouse of the king.
This year’s award will recognize outstanding contributions in six categories: Natural sciences, health sciences, social initiatives, artistic works, economic projects and humanities.
The categories, covering both theoretical and practical fields, were opened for nominations last October, according to the SPA.
This year’s award marks a milestone, receiving a record-breaking 714 nominations from across the Kingdom, highlighting the increasing recognition and impact of the initiative.
Last year, the award introduced refined evaluation and selection processes, adopting more precise and objective criteria to ensure fairness and transparency.
The award framework was also updated to reflect national priorities and global developments, further enhancing credibility and reach.
The Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence aims to highlight the accomplishments of Saudi women and recognize distinguished and creative people.
It also seeks to support outstanding women-led efforts and inspire future generations of women to contribute to comprehensive national development.
New program to boost tech skills of Saudi leaders
- The curriculum covers key areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and digital transformation
RIYADH: Tuwaiq Academy has launched the Future Tech Leaders program, a six-month course designed to enhance the technical skills of professionals in leadership roles, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sponsored by the National Technology Development Program and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the program is conducted in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley.
It uses a hands-on learning approach to equip CEOs and IT managers with skills to keep pace with emerging technologies, according to the SPA.
The curriculum covers key areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and digital transformation — fields that are increasingly in demand.
Tuwaiq Academy seeks to develop national leadership in modern technologies through professional programs and bootcamps.
It partners with global leaders such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Stanford University to train skilled professionals across various sectors.
The academy also offers additional programs for various age groups, available at tuwaiq.edu.sa.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between the rapid evolution of modern technologies and the needs of the labor market.
RCRC warns public against intermediaries offering assistance in applying for land use in Riyadh
- Any claims or messages published regarding the existence of entities that allow or facilitate applications are baseless, RCRC warns
- The Commission said it is developing an electronic platform dedicated to receiving land use applications directly from citizens
RIYADH: Beware of unauthorized individuals or groups offering assistance in applying for land use in the national capital, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) advised the public on Sunday.
The Commission issued the warning as it announced that it has begun implementing the royal directive issued by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on taking practical measures to achieve balance in the real estate sector in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The RCRC noted that it is currently working on developing an electronic platform dedicated to receiving land use applications directly from citizens without the need for any intermediaries or external parties.
Any claims or messages published regarding the existence of entities that allow or facilitate applications are baseless, the RCRC said.
The Commission also called on everyone to obtain information from official sources only, and to beware of any fraudulent attempts claiming to grant land outside the regulatory framework.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier directed a series of measures aimed at achieving stability in the sector.
Among these measures was the lifting of restrictions on land transactions and development in northern Riyadh, as recommended in a study by the RCRC and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.
‘At the Edge’: Art Week Riyadh signals bold new chapter in Saudi cultural renaissance, say organizers
- Event organized by Visual Arts Commission and hosted at JAX District from April 6 to 13
RIYADH: Art Week Riyadh is making waves in the Saudi capital this week, with curators and creatives hailing the event as a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s fast-evolving cultural landscape, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the Visual Arts Commission and hosted at the JAX District from April 6 to 13, the event is bringing together local and international artists, curators, and institutions in a celebration of contemporary creativity and cross-cultural dialogue.
The initiative reflects the growing momentum of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation, part of the broader Vision 2030 reform agenda that is reshaping the Kingdom’s social and artistic fabric, according to organizers.
Vittoria Matarrese, Director and Art Curator of Art Week Riyadh, described the event as a significant turning point.
“We chose the title ‘At the Edge’ because it reflects the nature of the phase Riyadh is undergoing,” Matarrese said. “It is a city positioned between the desert and urbanization, between heritage and renewal. This balance is evident in the diversity of participation and the dialogues presented by the exhibition.”
She added that Riyadh is increasingly defining itself as a space where modernity and tradition intersect, enabling a unique creative evolution.
Shumon Basar, curator of the Public Cultural Program at Art Week Riyadh, underscored the importance of the conversations taking place as part of the programme, titled “How to Create an Art World: Lessons in Value.”
He explained: “Our goal is not only to share experiences, but also to raise essential questions about the types of value that art creates in the contemporary world—whether economic, symbolic, or social—and how art can serve as a tool to understand cultural transformations, rather than merely reflect them.”
Art Week Riyadh serves as a key cultural platform that embraces diversity and encourages artistic experimentation, offering a space for critical reflection on the evolving role of art in society, SPA added.
