RIYADH: Richard Branson looks slightly out of place in the Louis Quinze splendor of the Green Room at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
His habitual open-neck shirt and jeans do not quite fit with the rococo glamor of the room, and are also in distinct contrast with the formal collar-and-tie uniform of most male participants at the Future Investment Initiative conference.
But that is the style 67-year-old Branson has made his own, and it has served him well as a branding feature in a half-century career that has succeeded by challenging traditional orthodoxies and marketing unashamedly to youth and youthful aspirations via his Virgin organization.
That philosophy is what has brought him to Saudi Arabia at a time of great change in the Kingdom, with a young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman leading a quiet revolution on behalf of the new generation of Saudi citizens.
“This is the most exciting time to be in, and come from, Saudi Arabia. There is such potential. Around 65 percent of the country is under 30, more than 50 percent are women. If (the crown prince) continues the way he is going, it is going to be a beautiful place,” he said.
Specifically, Branson was at the glittering Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference — billed as the “Saudi Davos,” in reference to the Swiss gathering of business leaders where he is also a regular star attendee — to sign a $1 billion deal with the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), advance his plans for the Red Sea Resort tourism project, and unveil a plan to increase Internet access in the region.
He was also there to give public backing from one of the best known names in the business world to the transformation underway in the Kingdom, and is fully aware of its historical significance. He has done his Middle East history homework.
“It’s nearly 40 years since 1979, and now there is an opportunity for the country to leave behind the problems that all seemed to stem from that year — the rise of violent religious extremism and intolerance that has caused so many problems in the Kingdom and in the world,” he said.
He explains that was the year of the Iranian revolution, the attack on the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which heralded an era of violent extremism and foreign intervention in the Middle East, the effects of which are still being felt today.
“There was a concern that Saudi Arabia would go the same way as Iran, which allowed the extremists to take full control. Now, a brave crown prince with the backing of his equally brave father are bringing it back to what it was before 1979 — an Islamic country, certainly, but one of tolerance, moderation and modernity,” he said.
He believes that change is already noticeable in the Kingdom. “I came to a big conference here last year, and the audience was almost entirely male. Now, at the FII, there are as many women as men, and they are walking around openly and mixing freely. There has been real change in just a short space of time,” he said.
“I’ve visited the Kingdom a lot recently, and I’ve talked to a lot of young people here, men and women. They are delighted at the prospect of being able to see a film together, or go to a concert, or spend their holidays at home rather than have to travel overseas. It’s a wonderful thing to see their hopes and ambitions for the future,” he said.
As a man well used to challenging the accepted orthodoxies, he recognizes that there will be challenges. “Of course, there are still some very conservative people, mainly older people, so it takes a young person to take the country forward and give the next generation what they want. I think a lot of the extreme right wing religious people will step down or be moved aside gradually,” he added.
He thinks the next step should be a loosening of the Kingdom’s guardianship laws that restrict women’s ability to travel and conduct business affairs freely.
“The next challenge is to change the rules that make women have to ask permission from men to be able to travel and move around freely. It’s about equality. Why should women have to ask men for permission to travel? Men should ask permission too. I know that I have to ask my wife permission when I travel, I cannot just head off and leave everything with her. It’s just normality.”
He tells how his wife Joan makes him sign a document each time he goes off on another daredevil adventure — solo ballooning, or round-the-world sailing — giving her possession of their Caribbean Island, Necker, in the event that he might not return.
The conversation turns to resorts, on which he regards himself as something of an authority.
“The projects here — Neom, the Red Sea, and the entertainment parks — are all very exciting. I was asked if I’d be a director on the Red Sea Resort, which is an amazing place. I visited some of the islands and it was breathtakingly beautiful, islands and coastline.”
Apart from Necker, he also has a home in the Maldives and has developed resorts on other island destinations. There are 50 islands in the Red Sea project, and he will advise on how to develop them in a tasteful way, in keeping with the Kingdom’s cultures and traditions.
“I have some experience with islands, so the plan is to develop the resort as a destination for high quality tourism, but to leave it still beautiful when it’s developed — the aim is to keep it virgin, untouched and pristine, but to be able to offer facilities that will allow people to enjoy it,” he said.
There is an ongoing discussion in the Kingdom about what kind of regime will run the resort, with some suggestions of semi-autonomous status and a more relaxed approach to traditional standards of dress and entertainment.
“That’s still being worked on, but I’d like to think it will be more like Dubai, not in all respects of course but in some ways. Maybe bikinis will be allowed, or maybe it will be developed as a detox area.
“Let’s wait and see,” he teased.
It is still early days in the project, and Virgin’s input so far — apart from the valuable endorsement of the Branson brand — is advisory. But it could go further.
“The idea is to develop them as four star to ultra luxury destinations, so no cheap beach-type holiday packages. But we’re looking at putting Virgin hotels there so that would be a significant investment by the group,” he said.
He is also considering the possibility of launching Virgin flights to the Kingdom. “Maybe one day. I’ll be traveling here a lot so it might be better to have the airline fly here as well,” he said.
The Virgin company began as a music label, but has since become a portfolio of brands all aimed at fast-growing markets with a youthful consumer profile, like air travel, tourism, telecommunications, online banking and retailing.
But his latest all-consuming preoccupation is with space travel. The $1 billion deal with PIF will ensure Saudi funding for the project to create the world’s first “spaceline” that will enable passengers to fly into space on a commercial basis. It is an ambitious project and has suffered setbacks along the way. “People use the phrase ‘it’s not rocket science’ about something that’s easy, but with space travel it literally is rocket science,” he joked.
Connectivity is one of the basic themes of the Virgin brand, and while in Saudi Arabia he also announced plans to expand the reach of the One Web communications satellite system, in which Virgin is an investor along with Japan’s SoftBank, to bring improved Internet connectivity across the region.
“It will help connect thousands of people in even the remotest parts of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
There is also a hint that Virgin will get involved in plans by some Gulf counties to develop “hyperloop” transportation systems which can cut train traveling times to a fraction of their current duration. “I think hyperloop is the future,” he said, promising more details soon.
There is no doubt that he sees the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia in particular, as a prime destination for future Virgin projects. “We are happy and keen to invest in the new Saudi Arabia. I’ve got to know (the crown prince) quite well in the past few months and I want to help him in a more positive way,” he said.
Does he think the crown prince is pushing ahead too fast with the transformation of Saudi society, culture and economy?
“Well, as a general rule it’s better to walk before you can run, but I never really went along with that. If you want to succeed you should have an idea and a plan to implement it, and just do it. He is doing that, and his heart is in the right place,” he said, before heading off to address a packed audience of men and women at the final day of the Riyadh conference.
As usual, Richard Branson gets the last word.
Richard Branson urges Saudi Arabia to ‘just do it’
Richard Branson urges Saudi Arabia to ‘just do it’
Forecast of higher temperatures, rainfall in July and August in Saudi
- 1 C rise in central, northern and eastern regions
- Above-normal rain in south, west regions forecast
JEDDAH: Higher temperatures are expected in July and August in the central, northern and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Meteorology has announced.
In a seasonal forecast carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, the meteorology authority expects a rise of 1 degree Celsius in parts of Riyadh, Qassim and Hail, as well as the eastern and Northern Borders regions.
It is expected to peak in August with a rise of 1.2 degrees Celsius in Jouf, Tabuk, Qassim, Hail and the eastern regions.
The NCM has also forecast higher-than-normal rainfall in Najran, Jazan, Al-Baha, Asir, parts of Makkah and Madinah, southern Riyadh and the eastern regions, particularly in July and August.
The rest of the Kingdom is expected to have normal rainfall.
The Summer 2025 forecast, covering the months of June to August, is based on climatic conditions from 1991 to 2020, the SPA stated.
According to the report, the highest temperature was recorded in Jeddah in June 2010 at 52 degrees Celsius, while Al-Ahsa recorded 51.3 in July 2024.
Dammam and Al-Qaisumah in the eastern part of the Kingdom recorded August highs of 51 in 1998 and 2021.
For rainfall, the southwestern region of Jazan recorded the highest daily amount in August 2024 at 113 millimeters. It also held the record for July at 67.6 in 1995.
For the month of June, Sharurah, in the southern province of Najran, recorded the highest daily amount in June 1996 at 53.8.
Governor of Qassim praises heritage center for preserving region’s culture and history
- Prince Faisal bin Mishaal highlights the ways in which the Cultural Heritage Center helps boost national pride in the Kingdom’s historical and cultural identity
- He tours exhibits that showcase the region’s various historical eras and feature a wide range of treasures, including prehistoric and pre-Islamic artifacts
RIYADH: The governor of Qassim, Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, praised a cultural center on Wednesday for the work it is doing to preserve and showcase the region’s rich history and heritage.
During a tour of the Cultural Heritage Center in Qassim he saw displays devoted to various historical eras and learned about the methods used to preserve the region’s historical and cultural assets, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The prince highlighted the important role the facility plays in shining a light on the region’s cultural heritage, and showcasing key historical artifacts dating back as far as ancient times from sites closely linked to the history and evolution of the Saudi state.
The center, which is part of the regional branch of the Saudi Heritage Commission, has displays that showcase the different historical eras of the region and feature a wide range of exhibits, including prehistoric artifacts and pre-Islamic treasures.
One exhibition is dedicated to Islamic-era Qassim, others to historic pilgrimage routes, architectural heritage sites, and the region’s intangible cultural heritage. There is also an interactive room for children, and a handicrafts section.
Prince Faisal praised the work of the Heritage Commission and highlighted the ways in which its efforts contribute to national pride in the Kingdom’s heritage and its historical identity.
He was accompanied during his visit by Ibrahim Al-Mushaikih, director of the commission’s regional branch, and other officials.
Al-Mushaikih said the governor’s visit represented a significant step in the development of the facility. He invited people from all parts of Saudi society to pay a visit and see for themselves the comprehensive information it offers about Qassim’s archaeological and heritage sites through enjoyable experiences and interactive displays.
Saudi UN envoy demands global action to protect kids in conflict zones, condemns Gaza violence
- Abdulaziz Alwasil denounces Israeli military operations in Gaza as ‘flagrant violation of international humanitarian law’
- He emphasizes Kingdom’s commitment to application of international legal instruments, including Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols
NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, called on Wednesday for urgent international action to protect children in conflict zones, warning that failure to do so would undermine efforts to build more stable and prosperous societies.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting convened to discuss the effects of armed conflicts on youngsters, Alwasil emphasized the importance of protecting children, describing it as a legal obligation and moral responsibility, particularly in nations affected by prolonged violence.
During the session, UN officials detailed an unprecedented surge in the number of grave violations against children during armed conflicts worldwide.
The meeting followed the publication of a devastating annual report by the UN secretary-general’s special representative for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba. It documented 41,370 grave violations against children during 2024, a 25 percent increase compared with the previous year, and the highest number since the UN’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism was established in 2005.
The verified abuses of children spanned 25 countries and included killings, maiming, recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of access to humanitarian assistance.
“This year marked a devastating new record,” Gamba told council members. “Behind these numbers are the shattered stories, dreams and futures of over 22,000 children.”
She cited a sharp increase in “compounded violations,” in which children were abducted, recruited and sexually abused, often simultaneously, in the context of deteriorating humanitarian crises.
Israel was responsible for the highest number of violations by a single country against children in 2024, the report stated.
Alwasil said: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1612, which established mechanisms for monitoring violations against children in armed conflict, the international community must focus on two priorities: We must break the cycle of violence and create an environment that rejects extremism and fosters resilience.”
The envoy expressed appreciation for Gamba’s work, and emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to the application of international legal instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. He stressed the shared responsibility of all parties for the protection of children and for efforts to address the root causes of armed violence.
Turning to the crisis in Gaza in particular, Alwasil sharply rebuked Israeli authorities over their military operations in the territory.
“What is happening in Gaza now is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and humanitarian values,” he said.
“Civilians live under constant bombardment and a suffocating blockade, facing systematic aggression by Israeli armed forces. This has led to the deaths of 55,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.”
The war has deprived more than 1 million children in Gaza of basic necessities, including food and medicine, Alwasil said. He called for immediate international action to end the conflict, protect vulnerable populations and hold accountable those responsible for violations.
“The Kingdom affirms that the protection of children in areas of armed conflict is a legal duty that cannot be shirked, and a moral responsibility that cannot be ignored,” he concluded.
“Saudi Arabia supports all UN efforts aimed at protecting civilians, and enhancing international cooperation to respond to the suffering of children affected by war, wherever they may be.”
Replacement of the kiswa that covers Holy Kaaba at Grand Mosque in Makkah begins
- A team of 154 skilled Saudi craftsmen will remove the old kiswa, detach its gilded elements, and install its replacement
- The cover is made up of 47 black-silk panels embroidered with 68 Quranic verses using 24-karat gold-plated silver threads, and weighs 1,415 kg
RIYADH: The annual ceremony to replace the kiswa, the embroidered, black-and-gold silk cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, began on Wednesday evening. It is a tradition that dates back more than a century.
The carefully coordinated process began with the removal of a section of the cloth measuring 6.35 meters by 3.33 meters that covered the Kaaba door.
The new kiswa is on its way to the Grand Mosque, accompanied by a comprehensive system of logistical and operational support, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A team of 154 skilled Saudi craftsmen will remove the old kiswa, detach its gilded elements, and install its replacement.
The cover is made up of 47 black-silk panels, intricately embroidered with 68 Quranic verses using 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. It weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.
A total of 825 kilograms of silk, 410 kilograms of raw cotton, 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread and 60 kilograms of pure silver were used in the creation of the new kiswa. In addition, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa.
Franco-Saudi music week unites cultures in Jeddah
- French musicians and artists descend on the Kingdom’s second city
- Week-long festivities kicked off coinciding with World Music Day
JEDDAH: A week-long music festival is celebrating the rich artistic ties between France and Saudi Arabia through a series of talks, musical performances and jam sessions in Jeddah.
Having kicked off on World Music Day – June 21 – the Music Week in Jeddah: A Franco-Saudi Celebration runs until June 27 and is hosted by the French Embassy and consulate in Jeddah in partnership with the Alliance Francaise, Art Jameel, Call of Culture, Music Home, Sout Albalad and Siddharta Lounge.
One of the featured events was a DJ session by French artist SONGE at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar on Tuesday. She told Arab News that through her music she aims “to break boundaries and create inclusive spaces where diverse voices and energies can connect.”
GUITARRAMA, the Ninth Artistic Music and Music Education Forum, hosted at Music Home on Monday, brought together a number of artists and experts.
It was spearheaded by Anouar Kablaoui, instructor at Music Home Higher Institute and founder of the forum.
Kablaoui said: “This ninth edition explores how the guitar, a traditionally Western instrument, is being reimagined within Arabic musical aesthetics, jazz vocabularies and local creative industries.”
The forum also featured Saudi jazz guitarist Aqeel Hussein, who reflected on his personal journey with jazz, beginning at an American university and continuing with his efforts to bring the genre into the Saudi musical landscape since 2004.
“This forum was an opportunity to share my story and the passion that drives me to keep performing and educating through jazz. It’s about showing how music can evolve when it crosses borders, while staying true to its roots,” Hussein told Arab News.
A performance by the student band Zakharef, formed by students of the University of Business and Technology, captured the spirit of the night. The band’s musical debut was a tribute to the Hijazi heritage and the historical charm of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, forming an emotional and lasting moment for both the performers and the audience.
Hayy Jameel is set to host an open jam session with French-Moroccan artist Karimouche on Thursday in collaboration with Hayy Sounds.
The performance promises a dynamic fusion of Eastern melodies, hip-hop, spoken word and beatbox — blending tradition and modernity in a truly global dialogue of sound.
Karimouche, the stage name of French Moroccan artist Karima Amarouche, told Arab News: “It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here.”
She is known for fusing rap, spoken word, and North African rhythms in songs that explore themes of identity and resistance. She revealed that her Hayy Jameel performance will feature songs from both her latest album “Folies Berberes” and earlier works.
She also shared how her collaboration with Saudi artist Roaa Lam began: “I saw her on Instagram. I listened and thought, ‘Wow, I love this artist. She’s amazing’.”
Karimouche is deeply committed to working with women in music, both in France and abroad. “It’s important for me. There’s a sense of female solidarity. It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here, and to witness the growing freedom year after year. God willing, I hope to return every year.”
Reflecting on her time in Saudi Arabia so far, she said: “The music scene here is very rich. The collaboration with the all-female band Siham in Riyadh was magical. We created new pieces together and blended our styles. Now, the same is happening here with Roaa.”
Kosh spoke to Arab News about how he imitates instruments with his unique style of beatboxing.
He explained that his journey began in childhood: “When I was a kid, I played with toy cars and made sounds … that evolved into beatboxing.”
Over the years, his talents have taken him to major venues, including the Montreux Festival in France. He now mixes beatboxing with humor, spoken word and live music.
Roaa Lam, the Saudi oud player, told Arab News about how she perceives oud and music: “For me, it’s not composition — it’s emotional storytelling”
Representing Saudi Arabia in the international collaboration, Lam is a self-taught oud player, singer, and composer who brings authenticity and deep emotion to her music.
“I compose music and collaborate with other artists,” she said.
Lam spoke about one of her most meaningful projects: A piece called Kurd Al-Tha’alib (Kurd of the Foxes), which she composed using field recordings of women’s voices in a public garden in Jeddah, before their neighborhood was demolished.
“I used the musical mode ‘Kurd’ and named the piece after the neighborhood that was called Al-Tha’alib before it was torn down,” she said.
The piece was performed at the Feminist Festival in Berlin — a milestone in her growing international presence.
She also reflected on her musical journey: “I’ve been playing oud for about six years. I taught myself. I never studied in a music school — it’s all self-expression. That’s what music is to me.”
Music Week in Jeddah is a creative crossroads. Through the voices of artists, the festival highlights the richness of cultural exchange and the transformative power of music to build empathy, connection and beauty.
As Karimouche put it: “My heart is full. The people here are respectful, kind and creative. I’ve learned so much from the Saudi artists.”
The celebration will conclude on Friday with an energetic Open Mic Night at Hayy Jameel, hosted by Slow Moe and spotlighting the emerging Saudi rap scene. This finale aims to showcase the voices of local youth and their growing impact on the global hip-hop scene.
Reflecting on the celebrations, Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise de Djeddah, said: “Alliance Francaise de Djeddah is thrilled to celebrate La fete de la musique alongside its partners. It is an event that transcends borders and brings people together through the universal language of music.”
Mohammed Nehad, consul general of France in Jeddah, said the event is a “powerful symbol of the deepening friendship and cultural cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia,” adding that he hopes it will continue to “energize the local cultural scene in Jeddah.”
