RIYADH: A joint team from the Center of Excellence in Information Assurance (CoEIA) at the King Saud University (KSU) and Noor IT Research Center for the Holy Qur’an at the Taibah University, Madinah, is working on a project funded by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to secure framework for a digital Qur’an.
“The research teams from the CoEIA and the Noor IT Research Center are exploring the methods to protect the integrity of the Holy Qur’an contents available in digital formats on smart phones and web applications,” said Muhammad Khurram Khan, who is leading the project at the CoEIA. He recently returned from the United States after presenting a research paper on it and chaired a session at the 35th IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE 2017) held in Las Vegas.
ICCE is a flagship international conference of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (US), which is held annually since 1982 in conjunction with the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas.
“As the apps are free many people download it on smart phone, iPad, laptop and desktop to read the Holy Qur’an in digital format without knowing the fact if it is authentic or not, if it assure of cyber protection,” Khan told Arab News.
He said that when we read the Holy Qur’an in the hard copy, we know that it has been printed at the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex or some other recognized printing house in different countries, which assure of the authenticity, while the Holy Qur’an apps have been made available in digital formats and freely distributed through Internet in the form of portable documents, websites, mobile applications, and digital handheld devices.
The digitization of religious contents brings ease to people to explore, read and study contents with their convenience on the move, but on the other hand, authenticity of the content itself might be uncertain because it is cumbersome to track and verify hundreds, even thousands of digital versions of Qur’an available online, he added.
“We have proposed a system to secure framework for digital Qur’an certification as the objective behind the project is to assure of authenticity of the digital Holy Qur’an apps,” he said.
He added that there should be an authority to monitor such apps for authentication, and issue certificate, so that readers know that this app has been certified.
The team is working to come up with novel solutions to solve research challenges. Proposed framework and techniques can overcome the authentication problems in the minds of reciters of digital versions of the Holy Qur’an, he said.
Research outcome of this project is encouraging and it has attracted commendable response from Muslims around the World, said Khan.
“We are also looking for support to spin-off a company and seeking financial support to implement this project in the real-life environment,” he said.
KSU, Taibah University team working on securing framework for digital Qur’an
KSU, Taibah University team working on securing framework for digital Qur’an
OCHA donor support group discusses humanitarian strategies for 2025, Saudi Arabia highlights commitment to Sudan
- A key concern raised during the meeting was the funding gap in OCHA’s 2025 budget
LONDON: The UN’s humanitarian office met on Thursday in Geneva to discuss its plans for 2025, with representatives from Saudi Arabia taking part in the meeting, Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) donor spport group convened its regular expert-level meeting, which was chaired by Norway.
Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) led the Kingdom’s delegation.
The meeting covered key topics including the implementation of OCHA’s Strategic Plan for 2025 and its Flagship Initiative, which aims to enhance global humanitarian coordination.
Al-Ghamdi lauded the initiative, calling for a stronger integration of humanitarian and development efforts to ensure long-term sustainability in global aid responses.
Discussions also touched upon updates on the analysis of global humanitarian needs and resource allocation strategies. Al-Ghamdi emphasized the importance of involving local communities in the planning processes to ensure effective and inclusive aid delivery.
A key concern raised during the meeting was the funding gap in OCHA’s 2025 budget.
Al-Ghamdi advocated for sustainable solutions to bridge this gap and called for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that aid reaches those most in need.
In a special session focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Al-Ghamdi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s active role in supporting the region.
He noted the Kingdom’s recent efforts during the United Nations General Assembly, where more than $500 million was pledged to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan and surrounding regions, including a $25 million contribution from the Central Emergency Response Fund.
Saudi Arabia has committed to providing $115 million to support Sudan’s humanitarian needs, focusing on critical areas such as food aid, health services, water, sanitation, and shelter for displaced populations and refugees.
The meeting concluded with a call to strengthen cooperation and partnerships between donor countries and OCHA to ensure the necessary funding for a comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian response to crises around the world.
Manga production unveils Saudi anime ‘Asateer2 Future’s Folktales’ at special screening in Riyadh
RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, “Misk,” celebrated the premiere of the second season of the Saudi anime series, “Asateer2 Future’s Folktales,” at Vox Cinemas-Roshan Front in Riyadh.
The event was attended by prominent media, art and culture figures, marking a new step in promoting Saudi heritage through world-class anime production.
Earlier, a special screening took place on Oct. 14 at Vox Cinemas-VIA Riyadh for diplomats and senior officials, where audiences enjoyed watching the second season for the first time in a festive atmosphere.
The audience engaged enthusiastically with the characters and new story developments, receiving widespread praise for the animation quality and visual effects that blend Saudi heritage with innovation.
The premiere reflected Manga Productions’ commitment to delivering content that showcases Saudi cultural identity.
The series continues to follow its heroes, Maha, Rayan and Sultan, as they face daily challenges, drawing wisdom from Grandma Asmaa through her traditional folktales.
The second season of the anime series “Asateer2” is set to air on MBC1 TV channel and streamed on Shahid in the Middle East and North Africa, starting Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. Saudi time.
The second season is also set to air on TV Tokyo in Japan, starting Sunday, Nov. 3 at 7 a.m. Tokyo time.
Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: “We are delighted to see such a strong response to the premiere of the second season. This success not only reflects the quality of the work but also demonstrates the capabilities of the Saudi talents who worked on this project with passion and professionalism. At Manga Productions, we are committed to continuing this approach in producing content that meets global standards.”
Daliyah Abuabah, manager of public relations, communications and events at Manga Productions, said: “We are proud of the positive feedback received following the premiere of the second season of ‘Future’s Folktales.’ The premiere in Riyadh was a pivotal moment that brought together anime enthusiasts and influential figures from the creative field. At Manga Productions, we are committed to delivering a unique experience that reflects the essence of Saudi culture in innovative and contemporary ways. We look forward to seeing this work continue to inspire future heroes, both locally and globally.”
The premiere was marked by significant engagement on social media, with followers praising the artistic and narrative quality of the series, as well as the development of the characters and the intricate details that enhance the depth of the story. This success comes from the collaboration of 50 Saudi artists in character design, creative direction and production, in partnership with the Japanese studio, Toei Animation.
Jordanian artist delivers ‘Love Letter to Riyadh’
- Show at Ritz-Carlton comprises 26 works inspired by Saudi capital
- ‘I fell in love with every part of the people,’ Aida Murad says
RIYADH: A Jordanian artist has captured her love for Riyadh in a collection of 26 paintings that went on display recently at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Titled “A Love Letter to Riyadh,” this is Aida Murad’s first exhibition in the country and seeks to convey her passion for the city and its people.
“I fell in love with every part of the people: the nature, the energy,” she told Arab News.
“So, naturally, I had to express my love through art, which is, in this case, 26 abstract paintings that are love letters.”
Murad’s passion for Riyadh is tangible in the works on show.
“It’s a Colorful World,” for instance, includes actual leaves the artist collected from the city’s Diplomatic Quarter, which she said represented the diversity of its people.
“What I have done is actually walk around the Diplomatic Quarter and gather leaves, which felt really beautiful because I felt like a child just being curious, playing and walking around.
“I got different leaves and painted them with different colors to celebrate the diversity that I have met in Riyadh, while also honoring nature.”
She said she hoped visitors to the show would “feel the love.”
“I hope you will take away from this exhibition a feeling of nourishment. Really, it’s a nourishment and gratitude to standing on the land that we are on … and a deeper appreciation for the people and for being alive.”
“A Love Letter to Riyadh” closes on Friday.
Walaa Al-Jundi sings at Ithra for two nights
DHAHRAN: Acclaimed 30-year-old Lebanese musician and vocalist Walaa Al-Jundi graced the King Abdulaziz Center’s Ithra Theater for her two-night gig starting on Thursday.
Wearing a glittery black dress, she dazzled the crowd with her performance on opening night.
“I’m happy to be here with you and my hope is that we will perform the best songs for you,” said Al-Jundi.
She sang a mix of original songs and classics, and several members of the audience joined her in song, swaying in their seats and creating an impromptu karaoke-like atmosphere.
Al-Jundi became a household name nearly a decade ago when she participated in the Arabic version of the singing competition, “The Voice,” in 2015. Although she did not win in that third season of the show, she captivated audiences and advanced through multiple rounds.
Known for her rich, soulful voice, Al-Jundi seamlessly weaves together elements of classical Arabic music and contemporary pop. Her distinct style has earned her recognition across the Middle East.
At Ithra, the ensemble consisted of Al-Jundi, Bahaa Daoud as maestro, Moayad Saleh, and Ahmad Ghorbel and Eslam Gamal on the violin. They were accompanied by Maichel Fouad on the qanoun, Hany Bedair and Mohamad Arafa on percussion, Karim Kotb on bass, Anas Moukhtar on ney, and Anis Waja on cello.
“Journey through the golden era of Arabic music, showcasing the timeless music of the Middle East with a selection of songs originally performed by iconic singers such as Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Souad Mohamad, Mohamad AbdelWahab, Sabah and others,” the booklet that was handed out at the entrance described the show. “Walaa will bring her unique vocal power and interpretation to these classics, bridging tradition and modernity.”
Awareness event promotes early detection of breast cancer
JEDDAH: An event to highlight the need for early detection of breast cancer was held in Jeddah.
Dr. Mayada Mohammad Samkari, family medicine consultant and a champion of the breast cancer screening pathway at the Second Jeddah Health Cluster, said picking up the disease early was a critical factor in saving lives.
“As a speaker at this event, my key message is that early detection and awareness of breast cancer can save lives. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, but when caught early, the survival rate is significantly higher — over 90 percent for localized cases,” she said.
Samkari also underlined how important it was for women to be proactive in advocating for their health and highlighted advancements in breast cancer screening.
The event, hosted by the Hotel Galleria Jeddah, Curio Collection by Hilton, was part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It attracted 100-150 attendees including healthcare professionals, industry experts, and volunteers.
Sessions were held in collaboration with organizations such as King Abdul Aziz University, King Saud University, the Ministry of Health, the Blood Bank Center, the Jeddah Second Health Cluster, and the Tuwaiq Volunteers Group.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with experts and participate in discussions focused on topics such as preventive measures, early examinations and practical steps that could be taken to safeguard health. The event also included a blood donation drive.
“Breast self-examination has historically played a role in breast health awareness, but it should not be relied upon as the primary screening method. Instead, regular mammograms and clinical evaluations have proven to be more effective in reducing mortality rates,” Samkari said, explaining the important of educating women about breast health and fostering open communication with healthcare providers.
“By focusing on evidence-based screening practices, we can empower women to take charge of their health in a way that is both informed and effective.”
Tulin Yilmaz, general manager of Hotel Galleria said: “We are motivated to host a breast cancer awareness event as part of our commitment to community health and well-being. By supporting breast cancer awareness, we aim to empower individuals with knowledge and encourage early detection, which can significantly improve outcomes.”
The event also emphasized the psychological aspects of breast cancer care, with psychiatrist consultant Amina Al-Khateeb emphasizing the need for comprehensive support.
“I participated to highlight two key aspects — the importance of early detection and screening for breast cancer, and the critical role of psychological support for patients. Providing emotional and mental support can improve prognosis, reduce mortality, and lower the chance of recurrence.”
Amal Al-Balawi, of Public Health at King Abdullah Medical Complex Jeddah, said it was important to empower women to access screening services.
“We are here for breast cancer awareness and to empower women to get their mammograms and schedule appointments with us. Our program encourages all women aged 40 and above to take advantage of free mammogram appointments available at hospitals across Jeddah. We are actively educating women about mammograms, explaining how they work, and sharing important facts to help them understand the process and its significance.”
