RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has made extensive arrangements to celebrate its 87th National Day in a fitting manner throughout the Kingdom.
On Wednesday, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced that elaborate preparations were being made to unveil 27 diverse festivities across 17 cities within Saudi Arabia to mark the National Day.
Celebrations will begin on Thursday and run through Monday, starting from Jeddah. They will also be held in Dammam, Riyadh, Hail, Alkhobar, Jazan, Abha, Onaiza, Tabuk, Sakaka, Jubail, Yanbu, Hafr Al-Batain, Hofuf, Madinah and Najran.
During a press discussion on Wednesday at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh, it was revealed that programs and events are in line with Vision 2030. Citizens and expatriates will have the opportunity to enjoy a chain of related events, which will highlight the country’s achievements through an eclectic combination of sports events, cultural shows, fireworks and concerts
To light up Saudi Arabia’s horizon with high technology, the GEA has organized laser shows and vibrant firework displays.
There will be aerobatics and animated smoke shows in the sky, all displayed in harmony alongside a variety of the country’s national music.
The Kingdom Tower in Riyadh will be lit up against the night skies with a display of fireworks and the largest HD projection on a tower in the world.
To depict the country’s culture, the GEA will be presenting an operetta “National Epic” at the King Fahd Stadium, highlighting the history of Saudi Arabia; holograms will dance on the water signifying the stories of the Kingdom’s rich culture and history.
A festival in Madinah — “A Nation’s Smile” — will combine the story of the country with a historical past and a brighter future
Eleven Saudi and Gulf music artists will entertain the audience at the Al-Johara Stadium in Jeddah. The participating artists will include Mohamed Abdo, Majed Al-Mohandes, Aseel Abu Baker, Abdulmajeed Abdullah, Tala Salamah, Abadi Al-Johar, Hussein Al-Jasmi and Abdullah Al-Rowaished.
Other events lined up during the five-day celebrations include car festivals, sports and folklore shows, bazaars, fashion shows, dancing fountains, parades, hot air balloon rides and even the Jungle Book play. Organizers will harness high-end technologies including 3D shows, LEDs and HD projections — the results promise to be magnificent.
The GEA is a government-sanctioned body based on the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program. The authority looks to develop, promote, regulate and fund a competitive entertainment infrastructure in the Kingdom, partnering with both government bodies and the private sector to achieve these ambitions.
Five days in the Saudi calendar that will make history should not be missed. The GEA said a full program of all its activities are available at www.Roznamah.sa.
Saudi National Day celebrations to feature 27 major events in 17 cities across Kingdom
Saudi National Day celebrations to feature 27 major events in 17 cities across Kingdom
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s move to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip in what the Kingdom described as a practice of “collective punishment” against Palestinians in Gaza.
The Kingdom stressed its categorical rejection of Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, a foreign ministry statement said.
It reiterated its call on the international community to take urgent measures to restore electricity and the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip immediately without conditions or restrictions.
The Kingdom “renewed its call to activate international accountability mechanisms for these serious violations,” the statement concluded.
Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.
It also suspended last week supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war.
Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed an agreement between the interim Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that controls the country’s northeast.
The Kingdom praised the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to safeguard domestic peace in Syria and efforts made to complete the path of building state institutions, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said on Monday.
The deal includes a ceasefire and the merging of the main US-backed force there into the Syrian army.
The deal was signed by interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
The deal to be implemented by the end of the year would bring all border crossings with Iraq and Turkiye, airports and oil fields in the northeast under the central government’s control. Prisons where about 9,000 suspected members of the Daesh group are also expected to come under government control.
— With input from AP
Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments
- Rubio in Kingdom ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending conflict with Russia
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening.
Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending three years of conflict with Russia.
They reviewed relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance and develop them in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, exchanged views on them, as well as efforts made toward achieving security and stability, SPA added.
The reception was attended by Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump’s national security advisor.
On the Saudi side, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Saudi ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, were also in attendance.
The top US diplomat is in Jeddah ahead of the talks with Ukrainian officials expected on Tuesday, leading a delegation that also includes Waltz.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in the Kingdom on Monday.
Pakistani community hosts large iftar gathering in Jeddah
- The iftar table featured a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including pakoras, samosas, haleem, and dahi bhalla, alongside Rooh Afza, a drink often enjoyed during Ramadan
JEDDAH: The Pakistani community in Jeddah organized its annual iftar gathering this week, bringing together a large number of residents along with representatives from the Pakistani Consulate.
The initiative strengthens community ties, upholds the shared values of Ramadan, and enhances the spiritual essence of the holy month, Saudi Press Agency reported, with heartwarming scenes of unity, brotherhood, and camaraderie among attendees.
The iftar table featured a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including pakoras, samosas, haleem, and dahi bhalla, alongside Rooh Afza, a drink often enjoyed during Ramadan. Traditional sweets, symbolizing Pakistani hospitality, were also part of the feast.
Guests embraced their cultural heritage by wearing traditional Pakistani attire. Men donned the shalwar kameez, a customary outfit for religious and social occasions, while women wore vibrant, intricately embroidered garments, adding a cultural charm that reflected their pride in their traditions.
Muhammad Irfan, press counselor at the Pakistani Consulate, highlighted the significance of such gatherings in fostering unity and strengthening the bond among community members.
He expressed his joy at witnessing the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity that Ramadan promotes.
“As you see, Pakistan has a huge community in Jeddah and the western region,” he told SPA. “Saudi Arabia is a second home for all of us.”
He emphasized how celebrating Ramadan in Saudi Arabia brings an added spiritual experience: “It just feels like home. So we don't feel much of a difference, rather it brings a more elevated spiritual experience, especially being close to the Haram.”
His wife, Rubina Irfan, also spoke about the communal aspect of Ramadan in the Kingdom.
We prepare for Ramadan here the same way we do in Pakistan. As a community, Ramadan is really enjoyable in Saudi Arabia.
Rubina Irfan
“We prepare for Ramadan here the same way we do in Pakistan. As a community, Ramadan is really enjoyable in Saudi Arabia. Here, we go for Taraweeh together, share food, and see each other,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of traditional Pakistani dishes during Iftar. “We cannot do Iftar without pakoras, samosas, rolls, and dahi bhalay. These are the traditional Pakistani foods,” Rubina explained.
“In water, we mix fruit syrup and sugar — it’s called Rooh Afza water, and everybody loves it because it gives you energy.”
Tahir Ayoub, the coordinator of the Pakistani community gatherings, described the distinct experience of observing Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: “Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is an entirely different experience. Specifically, the last ten days, with Qiyamul-Layl (late night prayers) and other spiritual gatherings, are truly marvelous.”
He concluded by expressing how remarkable Ramadan in Saudi Arabia feels compared to other places: “It’s an incredible experience, and whenever I return to Pakistan, I always say that nowhere in the world is Ramadan like it is in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi envoy chairs landmark global conference, says barriers denying women equal rights must fall
- Call from Abdulaziz Alwasil, Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, comes in New York at opening of 69th Commission on the Status of Women
- Jenna Riffi, a Saudi woman who became the youngest member of the NEOM megacity project team at age 16, tells event of her trailblazing journey in science and engineering
NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, on Monday urged nations to use a pivotal conference in New York on the status of women not only as a chance to reflect on achievements to date, but to translate decades of commitments to gender equality into concrete, measurable action.
He warned that global challenges such as climate change, conflict and economic instability pose risks that could reverse the significant strides made in gender equality, and said true progress demands “unwavering political will,” inclusive leadership and continuous investment.
His comments came during the opening session in New York of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, which underscored the urgent need to advance efforts to achieve gender parity worldwide.
The commission, established in 1946, is a key global platform for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It meets annually to review and appraise progress toward these aims and make recommendations for further action.
This year’s session marks the 30th anniversary of the historic 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a groundbreaking framework adopted by 181 countries during the 4th World Conference on Women. The declaration set ambitious goals for the advancement of women’s rights, including equal access to education, healthcare and economic participation, and the eradication of violence against women and girls.
Alwasil, who serves as chairperson of the commission’s 69th session, said it is important to reflect on the achievements that have been made since the Beijing Declaration, while also confronting the challenges that remain.
“The promise of Beijing remains as urgent as ever,” he added, acknowledging that although progress has been made — including more women in leadership positions, improved access to education, and the introduction of legal frameworks to advance gender equality — much still needs to be done.
He warned that global crises such as climate change, conflict and economic instability threaten to undo hard-won gains in gender equality, and that real progress requires political will, inclusive governance and sustained investments.
“We must create the conditions for women and girls to lead, shape policies and drive solutions," Alwasil said.
He highlighted the important need to convert commitments into concrete actions, and underscored the importance of a gender-equal approach in all policies and initiatives.
“Let us use this historic moment not only to reflect on our achievements and challenges, but also reignite our collective determination to turn commitments into concrete action,” he added.
“This means ensuring that gender equality is centered across all policies, which must be fully funded and implemented. It means dismantling the structural barriers that continue to exclude women and girls from leadership opportunity and equal rights.
“It means holding ourselves accountable, not only for the progress we celebrate, but for the gaps that persist.”
The Saudi envoy gave a portion of his speaking time to three remarkable women who shared their journeys. They included Jenna Riffi, a young woman from Saudi Arabia, who captivated the audience with the story of her personal journey as a trailblazer in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
At just 16 years old, she became the youngest member of the NEOM project team, a futuristic project to develop and build a sustainable, smart megacity in Saudi Arabia. As an advocate for the empowerment of women, she told how the support of her family, the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, and international opportunities had enabled her to pursue a career in renewable energy and electrical engineering.
“I stand today as proof that determination, resilience and a supportive environment can empower young women to achieve incredible dreams,” Riffi said.
She credited Vision 2030 in particular for providing young women like her with opportunities to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields such as science and technology. Through educational programs and leadership initiatives, it has played a key role in changing the narrative about the roles of women in Saudi society, she added.
Riffi also highlighted the importance of continuing support for women and girls in all areas of life, noting: “Every step you take builds a bridge for the next generations.”
The commission will convene for two weeks, during which delegates and advocates from around the world will discuss a range of critical topics, including poverty, work opportunities, climate change, violence against women, and youth engagement.
