RIYADH: A workshop organized by the Ministry of Education was held on Tuesday to discuss the “Physical Education for Improving the Health of Female Students” initiative.
Discussions revealed that there were 315 nutrition and fitness graduates from Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, who could be of great benefit in the field of physical education.
The ministry’s plan, which was presented during the three-hour workshop, included the training of 17,655 family education teachers so that they can temporarily teach physical education in addition to their tasks; 9,000 of them are primary school teachers while 8,655 are elementary and secondary school teachers.
The plan also included introducing physical education as a subject at girls’ schools, which is listed as an initiative in the lifestyle improvement program.
The workshop, which was launched by Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Assami, deputy minister of education, drew attention to the absence of physical activities at the girls’ public schools. On the other hand, the Ministry of Education started carrying out physical activity programs in private schools since 2012, in addition to the programs carried out at the Neighborhood Schools Clubs, where the number of girls’ gyms (clubs) surpassed 212 this year.
The ministry’s physical education plan for promoting female students’ health discussed the lack of courses specialized in physical education at girls’ Saudi universities.
Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, president of Saudi Federation of Mass Participation, highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Ministry of Education and the General Authority of Sports in implementing programs that can achieve positive progress and improve girls’ and teachers’ health at schools.
For her part, Haya bint Abdul Aziz Al-Awwad, the undersecretary of education for girls, pointed out that the Ministry of Education seeks to implement training programs for physical education teachers, especially after discussing the physical education diploma program, which was presented in detail to 10 deans of education department at Saudi universities.
“We have agreed to form a committee that will plan and implement this diploma program, which we expect to launch at the beginning of the next academic year,” she said.
“The physical education diploma program will most likely be after a student has finished her bachelor’s degree because the Ministry of Education does not hire those who don’t hold education degrees.” Al-Awwad continued: “Therefore, we requested that the input of this diploma be offered to education graduates who are on waiting lists at the Ministry of Civil Service.”
Saudi Education Ministry holds workshop to discuss physical education at girls’ schools
Saudi Education Ministry holds workshop to discuss physical education at girls’ schools
Jadal Library: A cultural oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
- Ali Al-Herz turned his home into a library of over 37,000 books, offering visitors space where memory, philosophy, culture come alive
DHAHRAN: In the quiet village of Umm Al-Hamam, located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a lifelong passion for books has been transformed into a cultural haven.
Ali Al-Herz, a bibliophile and literary archivist, has turned his home into Jadal Library, a treasure trove of over 37,000 books, more than 100,000 newspapers and magazines, and antiques, some dating back more than a century.
Yet Jadal is not just a library; it is much more than that. It is a museum to explore, a philosophical space to reflect, and a stand against forgetting important cultural stories.
Al-Herz told Arab News: “Since I was born I have been surrounded by my mother’s books. I grew up immersed in this passion to the point where it completely took hold of me; I became a bookworm.”
The spark that ignited it all was when Al-Herz encountered the epic “Sirat Antar” at age 13. “From that epic and through it, I began to look into other worlds,” he said.
This curiosity and fascination ultimately led Al-Herz to create one of Saudi Arabia's most unique initiatives.
The name “Jadal” means “debate” or “discussion” in Arabic, reflecting the library’s curious spirit. For Al-Herz, the goal is not just to preserve texts but also to preserve the idea of questioning and exploring ideas.
Al-Herz said: “I chose this name for the library because it is deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophical history and in our own Arab-Islamic cultural tradition, particularly in our religious heritage.”
The philosophical atmosphere fills three main halls — named after Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle — which welcome visitors into a curated world of reading and reflection.
Rare manuscripts, ancient texts, newspapers, and antiques have been carefully archived. Each piece is a whisper from the past speaking into the future.
Al-Herz explained: “Even my recent focus on buying books has mostly shifted toward rare editions and old prints, to create a harmony between heritage and modernity.”
But Jadal is not stuck in nostalgia, as every two weeks Al-Herz holds a literary gathering. The event brings back a tradition that was once important in the intellectual life of Arabs.
It is an environment where writers, scholars, and thinkers gather over Arabic coffee to exchange ideas in a vibrant atmosphere.
And in a time when people seek instant information online, Al-Herz still uses traditional methods. “There is an ongoing struggle between two generations,” he observed. “Victory will ultimately go to this latter generation once my generation becomes extinct. Paper libraries will then be transformed into museums.”
Perhaps he is right; but for now, in the heart of Qatif’s countryside, Jadal Library lives on, and it is a place where ink, memory, debate, and heritage continue to shape the cultural soul of the Kingdom.
Saudi envoy leads maritime safety talks in London
- Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization recently made history by chairing the 51st advisory committee meetings of the International Mobile Satellite Organization in London.
Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee, creating a milestone for both the Kingdom and the Arab world in maritime governance, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
His role also reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in international maritime organizations and commitment to advancing maritime communication and safety systems.
Al-Junaidi managed the sessions and acted as a neutral facilitator, helping member states reach consensus on key issues, including oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety standards and audit reviews for satellite communication providers.
He also led discussions on proposed maritime safety regulation amendments, monitored the organization’s strategic direction to ensure alignment with IMO standards and submitted the committee’s recommendations to the General Assembly.
The 51st session took place at the IMO headquarters in London, with representatives from 44 countries engaging in in-depth discussions on key maritime challenges.
Madinah records 82% satisfaction rate in quality of life, survey says
- Rise of 16% over previous finding
RIYADH: As part of its push to enhance livability under Vision 2030, Madinah has recorded an 82 percent satisfaction rate in the quality of life, marking a 16 percent rise over the previous finding, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
The new findings, released by the Madinah municipality, reflect significant public approval of recent improvements to parks, public services and infrastructure.
More than 75,220 citizens and residents participated in the survey, according to the SPA.
Driven by smart lighting, safe pedestrian pathways and improved public facades, satisfaction with the urban landscape rose to 78 percent — an 18 percent increase.
Road quality satisfaction jumped to 62 percent, up 27 percent, following enhancements in road design and lighting systems.
General cleanliness ranked among top-performing areas, with satisfaction reaching 81 percent.
Neighborhood cleanliness stood at 71 percent, while satisfaction with environmental sanitation rose to 61 percent, a 28 percent increase, fueled by improved pest control, rainwater drainage, and faster municipal response times.
The survey also showed 69 percent satisfaction with waste management, specifically the handling of construction and demolition debris.
Some 71 percent of residents expressed satisfaction with direct municipal services, and 64 percent with indirect services, supported by the region’s smart service portal and digital assistant.
Public amenities recorded a satisfaction rate of 68 percent after the municipality added more than 14 new parks and expanded green space per capita to 2.1 sq. meters.
Community engagement also featured in the survey, with 68 percent of residents satisfied with their role in shaping local decisions through open forums and channels of direct communication.
The municipality said the results underscored its commitment to transparency and resident-focused development, and will be used as a reference point for future initiatives aimed at raising the quality of life across the region.
The municipality has undertaken efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure and tourism appeal.
Madinah ranked 88th globally on Euromonitor International’s 2024 index of the world’s top 100 city destinations, and was seventh globally on the Tourism Performance Index.
Saudi forces foil several drug smuggling attempts
- Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities
JEDDAH: Saudi authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests throughout the Kingdom recently, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Yemeni resident in Jeddah for attempting to sell 194,000 amphetamine pills.
Security patrols in Jazan thwarted two smuggling attempts involving 213 kg of qat in Al-Aridah governorate, while in Fifa governorate, 51 kg of qat were seized.
Border Guard patrols in Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector arrested seven Yemenis for smuggling 140 kg of qat.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, patrols foiled an attempt to smuggle 19 kg of hashish and arrested three Ethiopians with 75 kg of qat.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
Authorities urged the public to report drug activity by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere. Reports can also be submitted confidentially via email to 995@gdnc.gov.sa or by calling 995.
Departing pilgrims praise Saudi hospitality, organization during Hajj
- As well as taking their personal memories of a well-organized Hajj, each of the departing pilgrims is given a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift from King Salman
RIYADH: Saudi authorities at the Halat Ammar border crossing in the Tabuk region have been saying their goodbyes to departing Hajj pilgrims from around the world.
The farewell process reflects Saudi Arabia’s coordinated efforts to serve pilgrims under the supervision of Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan.
Government and service agencies have been working professionally to ensure procedures are completed smoothly and pilgrims have access to any necessary, health and guidance services, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
As well as taking their personal memories of a well-organized Hajj, each of the departing pilgrims is given a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift from King Salman.
Many commented on how well managed the Hajj had been and expressed their gratitude to the officials and organizers at the Two Holy Mosques and other holy sites.
Egyptian Mostafa Allam said: “We did not expect such organization and coordination at every stage, from reception to farewell.”
Kawthar Mohamed, also from Egypt, said: “Everyone treats us kindly, with constant smiles and good service.”
Mohammed Ibrahim Abdulrahman, a pilgrim from Jordan, said: “We felt as though we were among our own family. Thanks to the Kingdom, its government and people for their generosity and care.”
Palestinian Issa Abdulwahab said: “Not for a moment did it feel like a departure, but rather a farewell filled with love and appreciation.”
