RIYADH: The new academic year 2017-18 kicked off on Sunday with more than 6 million students in different levels of public education attending the first day of classes all over the Kingdom.
More than half-a-million teachers were on hand to welcome the students and ensure an orderly educational process.
In the Saudi capital, Minister of Education Ahmed Al-Issa visited two schools on the first day of classes, expressing pleasure over the level of attendance and readiness on the first day of the academic year. At the Al-Mughira School, he inaugurated a program for first-grade students.
He said Saudi Arabia deserves schools and universities that will prepare students to compete at the “world level.”
“Our country deserves to have an advanced educational system enjoying creative capacities (and) bright minds ... to provide the best opportunities to our sons and daughters to enable them compete,” he said.
The minister said students should commit to Islamic teachings and community values, preserve Saudi Arabia’s achievements and work hand-in-hand with teachers and other students.
He also lauded the role of families in making the work of schools and universities a success.
Moreover, teachers and students worked with the Department of Traffic in the Riyadh region on traffic awareness by distributing roses and leaflets.
Officers and staff of the department were deployed at many intersections and roads to guide drivers and passengers in compliance with traffic regulations.
In Qassim, more than 186,000 students trooped off to 1,726 schools for boys and girls at the kindergarten, primary, intermediate and secondary levels.
The first day of classes was characterized by a “disciplined start in the early hours of the first school day.” The highest degree of readiness was achieved after a series of preparatory meetings.
Director General of Qassim Education Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Rukayan, also the head of the school preparedness committee, chaired a number of meetings in connection with the current academic year.
In Asir, 46,000 students attended the first day of classes, with Prince Mansour bin Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, deputy governor of the Asir region, saying that teachers carry a noble message and play an important role in the education of young people.
He attended the first day of classes at an elementary school in Abha, in the presence of Asir Director General of Education Jalawi bin Mohammed Al-Karkman, who said that ten school buildings have been completed in conjunction with the beginning of the new academic year.
He said that the buildings will contribute to the reduction of rented buildings and provide an attractive environment for the employees and teachers in general, and students in particular.
More than 15,000 teachers attended a series of training programs, most notably on Canadian experiences in education, the skills required for new teachers, and reading proficiency, evaluation methods, among others.
Over 6m students head to schools as classes kick off in Saudi Arabia
Over 6m students head to schools as classes kick off in Saudi Arabia
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MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity
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- Makkah conference will feature senior figures from various sects, denominations
- Guide to common Islamic principles to be launched during forum
RIYADH: The Muslim World League will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects on March 6-7 in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The conference will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations.
It will serve as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions as well as coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity, while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity.
The forum also aims to overcome sectarian disputes that have historically led to division and conflict, and promote fraternity and cohesion through practical initiatives.
This year’s conference marks a critical step in transforming the principles outlined in the inaugural conference into actionable programs, SPA said.
Discussions will address issues such as enhancing intra-Islamic dialogue and cooperation.
A highlight of the conference will be the launch of the encyclopedia of Islamic intellectual convergence, prepared by the Center for Safeguarding Intellect.
The encyclopedia, developed with contributions from 60 Islamic scholars and thinkers, aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to common Islamic principles.
Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia
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- Russia, US agree to start working toward ending conflict in Ukraine
RIYADH: Arab countries on Tuesday welcomed Saudi efforts to host talks in Riyadh between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict.
Russia and the US agreed to start working toward ending the conflict in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after the talks.
The UAE expressed “hope that the talks will serve as a significant step towards bridging differences, fostering communication and advancing dialogue to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict,” the Emirates News Agency reported.
Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia in hosting the talks “which reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international peace efforts, and achieving global stability and prosperity.”
The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promoting international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Majed Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Saudi efforts to lead the talks that “will hopefully result in peace in a struggle that has gone on for a very long time.”
Al-Ansari added: “We have called from day one for both parties to engage in a peaceful resolution of this war. This war has had huge humanitarian costs and great geopolitical (and) economic impact globally.”
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the talks and expressed the hope that they would “lead to achieving their desired goals in enhancing security and stability in the world.”
Sufyan Qudah, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, commended Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the talks and said they highlighted the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to foster comprehensive and just peace worldwide.
The Palestinian presidency said the talks were a culmination of the wise policy pursued by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, adding that it was “a policy that fosters regional and international stability and affirms Riyadh’s commitment to its effective role in achieving peace and security.”
Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform
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- Event strengthens bonds of friendship, cooperation between Kingdom and Japan, says consul-general
JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah is marking the milestone with Manga Hokusai Manga, a three-week art exhibition running until March 8.
Organized in collaboration with the Jeddah Historical Development Project and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.
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Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the exhibition highlights both the similarities and contrasts between the artistic styles while showcasing the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling.
Rather than simply focusing on how Hokusai’s work influenced manga, the exhibition invites visitors to compare both styles and understand what makes them unique. It examines themes such as visual storytelling, artistic techniques and cultural participation across different eras.
HIGHLIGHT
The exhibition in Jeddah explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.
Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. Unlike modern comics, his work was not centered on humor but balanced artistic instruction with entertainment — much like how manga today combines storytelling with visual artistry.
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Hokusai created his manga using woodblock printing, transferring the images onto paper in three primary colors: Black, gray and pale peach. The collection, comprising 4,000 illustrations across almost 800 pages, was published between 1814 and 1878 in 15 volumes bound with string.
The phrase denshin kaishu, which precedes the title, translates to “transmitting the spirit and learning the craft,” highlighting the collection’s educational purpose.
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Hokusai Manga was originally used as a reference book for aspiring artists, much like today’s “How to Draw Manga” guides. Similar to modern fan-made manga, his work encouraged learning, copying and artistic experimentation.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul-general of Japan in Jeddah, described Hokusai as one of Japan’s greatest artists, modernizing traditional print styles through innovations in subject matter and composition.
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“Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e genre traditionally focused on images of fleeting pleasures — by shifting its emphasis from people to landscapes and the changing seasons,” Yamamoto said. “His print designs invited audiences to witness nature’s transience, capturing birds in flight, flowers in bloom and water in motion. Through his work, he blended an acute awareness of the fleeting with a deep appreciation for the timeless.”
According to an official statement, Hokusai’s work captured Japan’s diverse landscapes, portraying scenes and activities connected by shared symbols and narratives. He was among the first artists to both shape and be shaped by globalization, drawing from international influences and later inspiring European artists who adopted his decorative motifs, serialized compositions and vision of contemporary society. To this day, countless artists continue to engage with his legacy.
(This exhibition) provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.
Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah
Reflecting on the exhibition’s significance, Yamamoto highlighted its role in strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan: “Holding this exhibition and other cultural events basically confirmed the excellent cultural cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.”
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Since the 1970s, Hokusai himself has appeared as a character in manga, reimagined by various artists in styles ranging from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations. This reflects manga’s evolution, blending historical figures with contemporary storytelling techniques.
Ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 18th and 19th centuries, foreshadowed comic techniques such as visualizing the invisible. However, its speech-like balloons often depicted dreams rather than dialogue, and weather lines were integrated into the scene rather than used as abstract symbols.
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Hokusai’s most popular collection of printed drawings was named “manga.” While the collection is primarily known for its diverse subjects and painting style, its frequent portrayal of exaggerated expressions and acrobatic scenes has led many to associate “manga” with cartoons or humorous images.
When compared to the work of his contemporary, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, it becomes clear that Hokusai’s manga images were not necessarily intended to be funny.
In 19th-century Japan, the success of Hokusai’s manga was rooted in the balance between the mundane and the whimsical, instruction and entertainment. This blend helped secure the collection’s lasting appeal.
Today’s Japanese comics share similarities in content, particularly in their focus on capturing movement, and in their wide circulation, thanks to advancements in reproduction technology.
Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims
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- The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience
MAKKAH: The Nusuk app, the official guide for pilgrims visiting the holy sites, has introduced new services to enhance the visitor experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The updates include features that allow users to explore unique historical destinations, a tasbih service, a Hisnul Muslim guide for daily prayers and supplications, and Haramain Qur’anic recitations.
Additionally, the app offers awareness cards, interactive maps, an event calendar, and a comprehensive digital guide with multilingual instructions.
It also provides health information and services. Moreover, service providers can showcase their offerings electronically to Umrah pilgrims and visitors, according to the SPA.
The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience.
Integrated with 25 government bodies and 10 business sector entities, the app aligns with the Kingdom’s digital transformation efforts to enhance technology use.
Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery
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- King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery
- The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at King Hussein Medical City
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of congratulations on Tuesday to Jordan’s King Abdullah after he underwent minor surgery.
In separate cables, the king and crown prince prayed for the Jordanian monarch’s health and happiness.
King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery, the Jordanian royal palace said.
The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at the country’s King Hussein Medical City.
He is set to resume his working schedule on Wednesday, according to the royal palace.