JEDDAH: Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to express his desire to start a dialogue and discuss the demands of the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ), the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
Crown Prince Mohammed received the call on Friday, a day after US President Donald Trump offered to mediate and help resolve the dispute between Qatar and the quartet of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Trump made the announcement in a joint press conference at the White House with Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who had been mediating between Qatar and the ATQ.
The Crown Prince welcomed Sheikh Tamim’s dialogue offer, SPA said, adding that the details will be announced later after Saudi Arabia “concludes an understanding” with its three partners.
The ATQ severed diplomatic relations with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting extremist groups and of being too close to Iran, which has been accused by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of fomenting strife in various partrs of the region.
The four countries also shut down air, maritime and land links and imposed economic sanctions on Qatar.
A defiant Qatar rejected the quartet's demands, even though these were reduced from an initial 13 to six. Doha also restored diplomatic ties with Tehran, further widening the rift.
Earlier Friday, Washington said Trump had called the Qatari emir and “stressed the importance of unity in fighting terrorism.”
“The president underscored the importance of all countries following through on commitments from the Riyadh Summit to maintain unity while defeating terrorism, cutting off funding for terrorist groups, and combating extremist ideology,” the White House said in a statement.
Trump and Sheikh Tamim also discussed the continued threat Iran poses to regional stability, the statement said.
The ATQ said in a statement early Friday that dialogue with Qatar should not be preceded by any condition.
And while the ATQ thanked the Emir of Kuwait for his mediation efforts, it made it clear that the military option against Qatar was never on the table.
"The Quartet regrets what the Emir of Kuwait said about the mediation succeeding in preventing a military intervention. (The Quartet) stresses that the military option was never — and never will be — an option in any way."
The ATQ also thanked President Trump for insisting that the only path to resolve this issue is to stop financing terror, and that he wouldn't have the desire to resolve it (the issue) if that is not achieved.
Emir of Qatar calls Saudi Crown Prince, seeks dialogue to end row with Anti-Terror Quartet
Emir of Qatar calls Saudi Crown Prince, seeks dialogue to end row with Anti-Terror Quartet
KSrelief continues food aid projects globally
RIYADH: KSrelief, Saudi Arabia’s aid agency, continues to provide food assistance to vulnerable populations in several countries.
KSrelief distributed 500 cartons of dates on Thursday in the Red Sea State of Sudan, benefiting 5,162 individuals from displaced families.
The agency also handed out 175,000 bags of bread to needy families, including Syrians, Palestinians and members of the host community in northern Lebanon.
This initiative benefited 125,000 individuals.
In Pakistan, KSrelief has distributed 2,300 food boxes in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, benefiting 14,227 individuals.
In Syria’s earthquake-hit regions, KSrelief has distributed 747 food parcels and 747 hygiene kits to affected families in Al-Dana of the Idlib Governorate.
The aid, which benefited 4,482 individuals, is part of a continuing project that supports people affected by the recent earthquake in northern Syria.
Border guards thwart drug smuggling attempts
RIYADH: Saudi border guards have foiled several attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into the country, state news agency SPA reported.
Border personnel seized 1.3 tonnes of hashish, 1,388,622 narcotic pills and 136 tonnes of qat in separate operations in Jazan, Aseer and Najran and also arrested 959 Ethiopians, 849 Yemenis, three Somalis and Eritreans and 12 nationals suspected of involvement in the smuggling attempt.
Security authorities urge the public to report any information related to drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern regions, and 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
People may also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email: [email protected]. All reports will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Young Saudi rug makers weave kaleidoscope of dreams
- Bassam Al-Khalifi, Saud Al-Rasheed master the art of tufting rugs
RIYADH: In the wake of the pandemic Bassam Al-Khalifi and Saud Al-Rasheed transformed their isolation into creativity, leading to the birth of Ghazlah Studio — a hub for unique, hand-tufted rugs.
The Saudi men’s story is not just about artistry but a testament to how challenging times can inspire innovation and passion.
Al-Khalifi’s journey began when he sought to decorate his room. Frustrated by the lack of appealing rugs in the market, he decided to create his own.
“I wanted something different, so I ordered the equipment and dedicated a year to learning how to tuft,” he told Arab News. What started as a personal project quickly evolved into a larger vision.
Initially, neither Al-Khalifi, an artist and designer, nor Al-Rasheed, an avid art collector, had any experience in weaving. They faced a steep learning curve but were undeterred.
“We took six months to learn how to conceive designs, source materials, and weave the rugs,” Al-Khalifi explained.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The journey of Ghazlah Studio began when Bassam Al-Khalifi, frustrated by the lack of appealing rugs in the market, decided to create his own.
• Their debut collection titled ‘Color as a Scene’ evokes a range of emotions, reflecting the complex sentiments many experienced during the pandemic.
They experimented with various techniques, ultimately settling on a “cut and loop” method using 100 percent acrylic yarn. This approach stands in contrast to traditional Arabian carpet-making methods which often utilize wool and time-honored designs.
Their learning process was filled with challenges, but their determination pushed them forward.
Al-Khalifi pored over tutorials, consulted with experts, and practiced tirelessly. Al-Rasheed, with his keen eye for aesthetics, contributed by curating color palettes and design concepts.
What started as a hobby soon blossomed into a commercial venture. With their rugs gaining traction, Al-Khalifi and Al-Rasheed launched Ghazlah, featuring a debut collection titled “Color as a Scene.”
The collection evokes a range of emotions, reflecting the complex sentiments many experienced during the pandemic. “I wanted to splash all these emotions on the piece itself,” Al-Khalifi said. The vibrant tapestries of feelings capture the essence of joy, nostalgia, and hope.
The vibrance of their work makes a statement piece in any room. Each piece is unique, with some featuring Saudi themes that enhance their significance and appeal. The artists also draw inspiration from their heritage, incorporating traditional motifs and modern designs, creating a fusion that resonates with a broad audience.
In Ghazlah’s Riyadh workshop, the atmosphere is filled with creativity and energy. The walls are lined with neatly organized shelves filled with spools of yarn in every imaginable color. There are some of Al-Khalifi’s paintings and rugs still in progress, showcasing their journey.
Al-Rasheed gestured around the space, saying: “This place is full of rugs that we made but decided not to sell. Why? Because we love them. I’m trying to push Al-Khalifi to sell them, but he won’t.”
Ghazlah Studio has made a notable impact in Riyadh, showcasing creations in three galleries. Their work has garnered attention not just locally but also from international platforms, leading to collaborations with major brands such as Vogue and Sephora.
These partnerships have elevated their profile and allowed them to reach a wider audience with which they can share their artistry and craftsmanship.
The duo’s success can also be attributed to their innovative marketing strategies. They leverage social media to share their creative process, engage with customers, and build a community around their brand.
By showcasing behind-the-scenes footage, they invite their audience into their world, allowing them to witness the transformation of raw materials into stunning art pieces.
As they continue to grow, Al-Khalifi and Al-Rasheed are committed to exploring new design possibilities, as well as looking into creating home decor items. They plan to expand their collections, experimenting with different textures, materials, and techniques.
From a simple idea born during quarantine to a noteworthy business, Ghazlah Studio continues to make waves in the art scene, proving that even in isolation, inspiration can thrive.
As they weave their stories into every rug, Al-Khalifi and Al-Rasheed invite us all to find beauty and meaning in our own creative pursuits.
Hail governor inaugurates Middle East’s largest salmon production center
- The 10,000-square-meter facility features the latest marine technology
HAIL: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Hail, inaugurated the Excellence Center for Salmon Production on Saturday, the largest facility of its kind in the Middle East.
A collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and King Abdulaziz University, the center aims to produce 100,000 tons of salmon annually, bolstering Saudi Arabia’s food security and aquaculture sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The 10,000-square-meter facility features the latest marine technology, including recirculating aquaculture systems and aquaponics units, which integrate fish and vegetable production.
It is designed to reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on salmon imports, currently at 23,000 tons per year.
Prince Abdulaziz hailed the project as a cornerstone of Vision 2030, promoting sustainable development and economic diversification, while attending officials highlighted its potential to enhance innovation, create jobs, and serve as a model for sustainable aquaculture in the region, SPA added.
Islamic minister highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting peace
- European guests praise Saudi Arabia’s hospitality, cultural outreach efforts
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs hosted a cultural event for the second group of Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit, featuring various cultural and entertainment activities.
The group comprised 250 pilgrims from 14 European countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They expressed their gratitude to the leadership and the ministry for hosting them, allowing them to perform Umrah rituals and visit historic sites in Madinah and Makkah.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh said Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was committed to being a beacon of goodness and moderation.
HIGHLIGHT
The minister also highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to those in need around the world, in line with Islam’s core values of promoting compassion and support.
During a reception for the guests, he said the Kingdom would continue to serve Islam and Muslims, and promote tolerance, coexistence and understanding worldwide.
Al-Asheikh, who is also the general supervisor of the program, met the guests, conveyed the greetings of the Saudi leadership and along with members of the program’s working committees reviewed the services provided and received a briefing on their work.
Under its leadership, the Kingdom strove to offer top-tier services to the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques from around the world, he said.
The guests commended the Kingdom on its efforts to promote Islam’s message of tolerance and foster appreciation for its historical and spiritual legacy. They also praised the new projects and expansions at the holy mosques and sites, which align with Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Khamar Al-Baqari, head of imams in the Netherlands, expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia, its government and its people for their hospitality.
Sheikh Ali Al-Zughaibi, the program’s executive director, said that since its launch in 2014 it had provided the opportunity for 4,500 men and women from around the world to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque.
Al-Asheikh also highlighted the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to providing humanitarian aid to those in need around the world, in line with Islam’s core values of promoting compassion and support.
