JEDDAH: A rare Hajj photo taken by Ammar Alamir, a young photographer from Makkah, was featured in National Geographic Magazine.
The photo depicted pilgrims in Makkah circling the Holy Kaaba while carrying colorful sun umbrellas.
Alamir, who is passionate about capturing Makkah’s beauty and heritage, has a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Umm Al-Qura University and works as a TV director at the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation.
He is also a member of several international photography organizations, among which are the International Federation of Photographic Art, the Global Photographic Union, the Photographic Society of America, and the World of Photography Group, which is led by Najla Angawi.
“A photographer is a silent tourist guide,” Ammar said.
His passion for photography started in 2005 when he bought his first digital camera to document family trips and capture scenic travel photos. Then, some of his photographs won contests, leading him to sell a number of them and give others as gifts to different bodies and officials.
“I did not stick to one theme,” he said. “There are many themes, and an ambitious photographer will practice all fields of photography.”
“However, capturing photos of the most sacred spot on earth could be everyone’s favorite thing to do,” he added.
“The more you reflect and learn, the wider the circle of your vision gets before you capture the shot; the secret lies in the details.”
This is portrayed in what the Egyptian novelist Tawfik Al-Hakim said: “A great photo is easy for people and difficult for the photographer.”
Alamir’s photos often win during Saudi events. “One must always be ready and prepare good photos for these events,” he said, “My photography calendar must always be synced with dates of contests.”
“Saudi Arabia gives great attention to talents and provides them with platforms through which they can express themselves,” he said, then continued, “Creative photographers must know the rules of photography, light and shadow, and other secrets that contribute to capturing an amazing, successful photo.”
Speaking about how to deal with recurring occasions that reduce the chance of capturing something new, Alamir said: “Occasions will get repeated for sure, but the photo must be new. A photographer’s spirit must not be paralyzed by repletion but rather inspired to find a new innovative idea.”
He added: “Every place provides different scenes and inspires new ideas, and behind every spot is a story. Excuses should not be part of a photographer’s agenda; he must create roses from the desert and rain from clouds, and a photo will be born on its own.”
Alamir’s portfolio is full of photos taken in the holy places of Makkah, Jabal Al-Nour, Jabal Al-Thawr, Makkah’s old neighborhoods, archaeological sites in Makkah, the Cemetery of Ma’la (Jannat Al-Mu’alla), the factory stitching the Kaaba’s gold-laced cover, Souk Okaz, Makkah and Taif’s mosques, the historical markets of Jeddah and other places inside Saudi Arabia, which he plans on publishing in one book.
He might display these photos in exhibitions inside and outside the Kingdom, and he believes that one of the main obstacles he faces is travel for attending exhibitions abroad because the photographer is responsible for the majority of his expenses.
“We live in the days of the digital revolution and the time of photos,” he said.
“Of course, the new generation is aware of the importance of photography and are sensitive and critical enough of what they see. We can deliver messages through photos, and this is widely noticed among the Saudi youth.”
“Saudi photographers have made great self-efforts, and despite the lack of specialized photography clubs, many photographers have achieved global success and organized photography trips outside Saudi Arabia, especially in India and Africa.”
Saudi photographer makes it into National Geographic
Saudi photographer makes it into National Geographic
Saudi authority issues health warning on food import
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.
The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.
Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.
Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.
The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.
Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative
RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.
The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.
The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.
Hayy Matsuri celebrates Japanese, Saudi cultural traditions
- Three-day festival features performances by Japanese and Saudi artists alongside a host of cultural-inspired activities
- Event coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kingdom
JEDDAH: Art Jameel, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Japan in Jeddah and Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, has launched the second edition of Hayy Matsuri, a cultural festival celebrating the fusion of Japanese and Saudi traditions, arts, and innovation.
The festival runs until Jan.11 at Hayy Jameel, and marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
This year’s event features exclusive performances by Japanese music project Electronicos Fantasticos! and sound artist Daisuke Tanabe, both making their Saudi debut.
Their groundbreaking work, which transforms everyday objects and repurposed electronics into musical instruments, will be showcased in collaboration with Saudi artists such as DesertFish, Akram Ali, and Abstract Crew. Together, they explore memories of the past, present, and future through immersive audiovisual performances.
The festival has already garnered immense public interest, with more than 3,000 visitors attending on its opening day.
Antonia Carver, director of Art Jameel, highlighted the festival’s importance in fostering cultural exchange. “Through the Jameel family’s great history of philanthropy and long-standing relationship with Japan through ALJ Motors and Toyota, we have a special cultural connection here to explore through Hayy Matsuri.
“This year marks 70 years of Toyota in Saudi Arabia and 70 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia, making it a particularly significant year for us.
“The enthusiasm for Japanese culture in Saudi Arabia is immense, as demonstrated by the overwhelming response we received during our open call for the Hayy Matsuri market and the crowds here tonight — the creativity and passion for Japan that exists here is truly remarkable.
“This year’s highlight is a set of performances and workshops by Electronicos Fantasticos!, a groundbreaking band that transforms old technology into instruments. Their fusion performance with Saudi musicians is a perfect example of the cross-cultural exchange we aim to foster at Art Jameel, showcasing how music, cinema and the arts can unite and communicate across cultures in an exciting and compelling way.”
Daisuke Yamamoto, consul general of Japan in Jeddah, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and its role in strengthening Saudi-Japanese ties. “Hayy Matsuri, held in wonderful cooperation with Hayy Jameel for the second consecutive year, strengthens the bonds of friendship and cultural exchange between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
“This festival showcases various forms of Japanese culture, introducing them to Saudi society, and we are excited to have welcomed over 5,000 visitors last year, with hopes of seeing even more this year.
“As Saudi Arabia embraces cultural openness through its Saudi Vision 2030, Japan is proud to partner with the Kingdom in achieving these cultural goals, and Hayy Matsuri plays a vital role in this mission.
“This year, as Japan and Saudi Arabia celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, we are reminded of the importance of cultural exchange, as demonstrated by the recent signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s minister of culture and Japan’s minister of education, culture, sports, science, and technology.”
The festival offers an array of workshops, performances, and activities that reflect Japanese and Saudi cultural practices. Visitors can enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, Ikebana flower arrangements, Japanese calligraphy, and origami.
Interactive sessions such as manga drawing, fan art illustration, a board games zone, printmaking activations and cosplay competitions provide creative outlets for all ages.
An open cultural market, supported by Monochrome Community, brings together over 30 vendors, celebrating a fusion of local and Japanese creativity.
The market features brands and artisans, such as Taiyo Matcha, The Boba Bar, and Onigiri Bites, offering visitors a range of authentic and innovative cultural experiences.
Founders of Taiyo Matcha, Anas Jeelani and Ai Nakamura, launched their products at the festival, aiming to elevate matcha standards in Saudi Arabia.
“We noticed that the matcha sold in the Saudi market is not as authentic as we are used to in Japan. We thought if we could bring authentic matcha from Japan and sell it at competitive prices, it would raise the standard for matcha in Saudi Arabia,” Jeelani said.
Workshops such as “Manga Drawing: The Hero’s Story” by Mohamed Almadan immerse participants in Japanese art techniques.
Almadan said: “In this workshop, we focused on creating a space-themed story where everyone had the chance to both write and draw their own manga.
“My goal is to guide participants in building their unique stories and characters while making the process approachable and fun.”
Alliance Française Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Hayy Cinema, presents Rendez-vous with French Cinema as part of the Hayy Matsuri 2025 festival.
Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Française, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying: “As the newest resident of Hayy Jameel, we are thrilled to partner on Hayy Matsuri 2025 to highlight the strong cultural ties between France and Japan.”
“Our collaboration features two key components: the screening of ‘The Truth,’ a French-Japanese film directed by Hirokazu Kore-Eda, and a workshop dedicated to exploring the influence of Japanese culture on French traditions.
“France, now the second-largest market for Japanese animation and manga, has embraced various aspects of Japanese culture, from martial arts like judo to the growing popularity of sushi.
“Through this partnership, we aim to showcase the cultural synergy between the two nations and emphasize France’s role as a global cultural powerhouse.
“We hope to introduce audiences to the French perspective, encourage them to learn French, and offer them a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of manga, anime, and Japanese pop culture.
“The workshop will provide a unique opportunity to explore these cultural connections, and attendees can also dive into our newly available French manga collection at the Alliance Francaise library.”
Saudi fund supports Tunisia with hospital projects
RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development recently signed agreements to strengthen Tunisia’s healthcare sector by completing hospitals in Sbiba, Kasserine governorate, and El Jem, Mahdia governorate.
Funded through a soft loan, this initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and supporting development in Tunisia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The signing ceremony, held at the Tunisian Ministry of Health in Tunis, was attended by Tunisian Minister of Health Mustapha Ferjani, Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz Al-Saqr, and the fund’s director general for Arab countries operations, Bandar Al-Obaid.
Ferjani expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Tunisia, emphasizing that this project reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to the Tunisian healthcare sector.
Al-Saqr reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing joint development projects in Tunisia, financed through various Saudi entities, and stressed the fund’s commitment to completing all its initiatives in the country.
The Saudi Fund for Development so far has financed 32 development projects and programs in Tunisia through soft loans exceeding $1.23 billion, along with four grants worth over $105 million to support key sectors, SPA reported.
Kingdom arrests 19,418 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,418 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,787 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,380 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,251 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,221 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 56 percent were Ethiopian, 42 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 136 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 19 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
