JEDDAH: The General Court in Riyadh amended the decision to limit the entry inside the court to veiled women. Women can now enter courts without the need to cover their faces, as long as they dress modestly and adhere to the court’s dress regulations.
The court replaced a circular issued last year by the court’s president in which he stressed that women would not be admitted to the court if they are not dressed appropriately in revealing garments or without the face being covered.
Shoura member and associate professor at King Saud University Dr. Eqbal Darandari told Arab News: “Any applicant frequenting a government department is expected to uphold and adhere by its dress code. Courts of law, specifically, are governed by religious sanctions, which calls for women to dress accordingly in modest attire.”
In response to the news she said: “That, however, does not mean that we restrict all women under a specific Islamic sect, as there have always been differing opinions and sects when it comes to hijab. I’m sure everyone is grateful and appreciative of such a decision, as it helps the court to provide women with all needed services.”
She also believes it will enable women to feel more comfortable in frequenting courthouses, for when they dress as they regularly do, they’ll feel welcome and at ease.
Hala Abdullah from Riyadh told Arab News: “I was ecstatic, of course. It’s not just a step in the right direction – it’s completely necessary and couldn’t have come sooner. Proper representation of women in the courts of law cannot take place if we’re literally and figuratively invisible. We need to be seen.”
@iPhonjy responded with a tweet saying: “Finally, true Islam is slowly but surely returning to Saudi Arabia.”
General Court in Riyadh retracts ban on unveiled women
General Court in Riyadh retracts ban on unveiled women
Jeddah to transform public transport with new expansion
- Initiative includes 91 new buses, expanded bus stops and routes, and exclusive taxi franchise
JEDDAH: Jeddah is set to undergo a major public transportation expansion with new routes and increased services.
Jeddah Transport Co. CEO Yousef Al-Sayegh has announced the launch of 91 new buses, including three electric vehicles, and an increase in bus routes from six to 14 starting April 1.
This expansion will significantly enhance mobility across the city, with the number of bus stops increasing from 46 to 383, and a goal of serving 9 million riders annually.
The announcement was made during a recent event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia Jeddah Chapter, which focused on transportation initiatives and business collaboration opportunities.
During his presentation, Al-Sayegh outlined the company’s history and operations, focusing on public transportation, transit-oriented development, and sustainable urban mobility.
He highlighted key initiatives, including bus and taxi services, infrastructure development, and investments to enhance Jeddah’s public transport network.
Al-Sayegh discussed the company’s partnership with SAPTCO, the local bus service provider, which began in 2018.
“We started with six bus routes, and Jeddah remains the only city in Saudi Arabia with air-conditioned bus stations. Today, 76 buses serve the city, carrying 26 million passengers over the past five years,” he said.
Al-Sayegh also outlined plans for an exclusive public taxi franchise to improve service quality and efficiency.
A consultancy contract has been secured to assist with the tendering process, financial modeling, and operational requirements.
The initiative includes a distinct visual identity for Jeddah’s taxis, featuring a standardized brand, logo, official uniforms, and designated taxi parking signage.
Each taxi will have informative interior stickers and digital passenger screens.
“Taxis and drivers will maintain a standard appearance, with dashboards displaying the driver’s name and company details. Four different color-coded taxis will distinguish services provided by four companies,” he added.
Speaking to Arab News, Al-Sayegh emphasized the importance of expanding Jeddah’s bus network and increasing the number of stations to boost ridership.
“The more stations we have, the more people can access public transport. We have increased bus routes to 14, and if demand rises, we are prepared to expand further. Our goal is to make Jeddah’s public transport system comfortable, reliable, and punctual.
“Our buses are kept clean and are driven by qualified professionals who prioritize safety. Women can confidently use public transport as all buses are equipped with surveillance cameras linked to a control room with facial-recognition technology.”
Nausherwan Hafeez, president of the Jeddah chapter, said: “This conversation showcased Jeddah Transport Co.’s efforts to enhance mobility across the city and address a key challenge in our community.
“We look forward to organizing more events that bring business leaders together to exchange insights, foster connections, and collaborate across industries to find solutions to common challenges.”
Zeina Alnouri, head of events and programs for the Jeddah chapter, said: “These are exciting times for Saudi Arabia, and we are proud to serve as a platform for companies like Jeddah Transport Co., to share their vision and foster collaboration.
“We look forward to continuously hosting this new event series, featuring exclusive announcements that provide our attendees with valuable insights into the Kingdom’s future.”
Ithra hosts screening of Japanese indie horror hit
- Shinichiro Ueda: One key point is that this film was created as part of an acting workshop we conducted, and then we made a film with the participants
- Ueda: As a result, there were no casting costs. We also assembled a strong team from within the workshop, which helped keep the budget low
DHAHRAN: As a part of Japan Cultural Days in Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, recently hosted a special screening of the 2017 film “One Cut of the Dead.”
It was followed by an exclusive Q&A with director Shinichiro Ueda.
“One key point is that this film was created as part of an acting workshop we conducted, and then we made a film with the participants,” Ueda told the crowd.
“As a result, there were no casting costs. We also assembled a strong team from within the workshop, which helped keep the budget low,” he said.
The event gave audiences a rare opportunity to explore the film’s creative process, behind-the-scenes secrets, and the journey that turned this indie film into an international phenomenon.
“For the protagonist’s house, we used my own home, and as for the baby … that was my own child."
“Yes, ‘One Cut of the Dead’ was indeed shot in one continuous take,” he confirmed, earning applause from the audience.
At first glance, it seems like a typical horror movie — a film crew shooting a bloody zombie film in an abandoned location, complete with exaggerated movements and endless screams — only to find themselves caught in a real zombie outbreak.
Chaos ensues as they struggle to survive, all while the cameras keep rolling. However, nothing is as it seems.
Before the screening, audiences at Ithra were advised not to be deterred by the seemingly chaotic and confusing beginning.
“You will be rewarded after the first 40 minutes, and it will all make sense,” an announcement assured viewers before the 96-minute film began.
The film’s innovative structure and execution have made it a favorite among directors who appreciate smart and unconventional filmmaking. American filmmaker and actor Quentin Tarantino called it one of his favorite films of the year.
Edgar Wright, director of “Shaun of the Dead,” highlighted its clever storytelling, and Rian Johnson, director of “Knives Out” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” praised its creativity.
For the discussion, Ueda wore a Saudi thobe and shemagh, joining several of the film’s actors, along with a moderator and translator.
They explored how the film defied genre conventions, blending horror and comedy with an inventive storytelling structure that surprised audiences worldwide.
The film won multiple honors, including the Audience Award at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival and Best Director at the Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival.
Dammam resident Ahmed Albather shared his excitement with Arab News about finally watching the 2017 classic he had heard so much about.
“I heard about this screening and came specifically to watch it. The film is said to be one of the best Japanese indie zombie films of the last decade, if not longer. I love Japanese movies, so I had to come,” Albather said.
“This is my first visit to Ithra’s Japan Cultural Days, and I am really impressed by it and how they brought the director to talk to us here,” he added.
The film is being showcased in its original Japanese with Arabic and English subtitles.
For those who missed the event, “One Cut of the Dead” will have another screening at Ithra Cinema on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., without the director’s talk.
Tickets can be purchased through the Ithra website or at the venue.
KSrelief to empower Yemeni women in renewable energy
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief, in cooperation with the UN Development Programme, launched a project in Aden to empower Yemeni women in renewable energy initiatives.
The project includes establishing 375 small programs for producing and marketing solar-powered household devices, such as lanterns, stoves, and traditional ovens, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It provides vocational training for 375 women on solar energy use, life skills, and business management, as well as training guides on solar lanterns and traditional ovens.
Moreover, the initiative supplies alternative solar energy sources, including basic lighting and household cooking devices produced by women-led businesses in Hadramout and Lahij, benefiting 21,375 women.
UNDP project manager Alaa Ali said the project focuses on meeting the energy needs of vulnerable communities and creating sustainable livelihoods for Yemeni women.
Ali noted that it aims to enhance women’s participation in solar energy businesses and expand renewable energy use for household activities and lighting.
The UNDP official indicated that the initiative will also support women in establishing market-driven projects that meet local community needs, boost economic opportunities for rural women, improve the quality of life for them and their families, and promote sustainable development.
The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to empower women in Yemen by providing them with tools to generate income and strengthen their role in society.
Saudi Arabia says no to displacement of Gazans, rejects relations with Israel without Palestinian state
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said its long-held position that Palestinians must have their own independent state was firm and not open to negotiation, a stance Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated many times before.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement came shortly after President Donald Trump said he wants the US to own the Gaza Strip after all Palestinians are displaced from there and sent to other countries, where settlements will be constructed for them.
The Kingdom’s position has been a longstanding one with its leaders repeatedly calling for justice for Palestinians, who they say deserve a state of their own alongside Israel as a way to find a lasting solution to the decades long conflict.
Saudi leaders have repeatedly said any formal relations between the Kingdom and Israel hinge on the creation of a viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
The ministry statement highlighted a speech by the crown prince at the Shura Council on September 18, 2024, where he stressed that Saudi Arabia will continue its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, adding the Kingdom will not normalize ties with Israel without it.
The crown prince expressed a similar sentiment during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2024, where he stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state and demanded an end to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
He also urged more countries to recognize the State of Palestine, stressing the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the rights of Palestinians, which were expressed in the resolutions of the UN General Assembly by considering Palestine eligible for full membership of the world body.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses its previously announced categorical rejection of any violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian territories, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement added.
Trump, standing next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, said the Palestinians would be better off living outside of Gaza which has been bombed to rubble during Israel’s brutal 15-month attack.
“I don’t think people should be going back,” Trump said. “You can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”
The president insists Egypt and Jordan would have to take the Gazans he plans to displace. Both countries have rejected the idea outright.
The Kingdom said that it’s the international community’s duty to work to alleviate the severe human suffering of the Palestinian people, who will remain in their land.
“Lasting and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and this is what was previously explained to the previous and current American administrations,” the ministry statement said.
WORLD REACTS TO TRUMP'S PLAN
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday praised Saudi Arabia’s stance in favor of the establishment of a Palestinian State and the kingdom’s rejection of displacing Palestinians.
Abbas also “strongly rejected” Trump's proposal to take over Gaza.
“President Mahmud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership expressed their strong rejection of calls to seize the Gaza Strip and displace Palestinians outside their homeland,” Abbas's office said in a statement, adding that “legitimate Palestinian rights are not negotiable”.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also lashed out at Trump's proposal, saying “this is an unacceptable issue,” in statements to Anadolu news agency.
Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou said the proposal is a “racist” idea.
“The American racist stance aligns with the Israeli extreme right's position in displacing our people and eliminating our cause,” al-Qanou said in a statement.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Wednesday said: “I want to be very clear on this: Gaza is the land of Gazan Palestinians and they must stay in Gaza”.
“Gaza is part of the future Palestinian state Spain supports and has to coexist guaranteeing the Israeli state's prosperity and safety,” he added.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for swift reconstruction of Gaza Wednesday without the displacement of Palestinians from the territory.
France said Wednesday the future of Gaza must not involve “control by a third state” following Trump's remarks.
The French foreign ministry said it “will continue to campaign for the implementation of the two-state solution, the only one that can guarantee long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
The Kremlin said in a statement that Russia believes a settlement in the Middle East is only possible on the basis of a two-state solution.
“This is the thesis that is enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolution, this is the thesis that is shared by the overwhelming majority of countries involved in this problem. We proceed from it, we support it and believe that this is the only possible option.”
British Foreign Minister David Lammy said it should be ensured that Palestinians have a future in their homeland, saying: “We've always been clear in our belief that we must see two states. We must see Palestinians live and prosper in their homelands in Gaza and the West Bank”.
The UN Human Rights Office said any forcible transfer in or deportation of people from occupied territory breaches international law.
“It is crucial that we move towards the next phase of the ceasefire, to release all hostages and arbitrarily detained prisoners, end the war and reconstruct Gaza, with full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” said the UNHR in a statement to Reuters.
“Any forcible transfer in or deportation of people from occupied territory is strictly prohibited,” it said.
People around the world want long, healthy lives, but independent ones, says expert
- Summit aims to focus on issues of age-related disease
- Saudi nonprofit organization says it is dedicated to extending healthy human lifespan
RIYADH: People around the world want to remain healthy and independent into old age, according to the chief executive of Saudi Arabia’s Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to extending healthy human lifespan.
“We at Hevolution do not like to use the word longevity,” said Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, during the opening session of the organization’s Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh on Tuesday, which has Arab News as a media partner.
“Most people that we serve around the world actually don’t want to live longer just for the sake of living longer. They want to be independent; they want to be functional mentally and physically,” Khan added.
The summit is back for its second edition in Riyadh, with health professionals, decision-makers, and investors gathering until Feb. 5.
Most people that we serve around the world actually don’t want to live longer just for the sake of living longer. They want to be indepen-dent; they want to be functional mentally and physically.
Mehmood Khan, Hevolution Foundation CEO
The two-day conference aims to focus on issues surrounding diseases resulting from aging, their impact on society, economics, and overall health. At the same time the event is negotiating investment opportunities to improve the quality of health in the Kingdom and worldwide.
Khan added: “I have to acknowledge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose vision has led to the creation of Hevolution today.
“His unwavering support, I can tell you, as recently as four or five days ago, he wanted to know if everything was on track.”
The CEO further touched on some of the keys for improving healthy human lifespan, including scientific research and the quality of healthcare.
He said: “This is no longer a discussion for a few experts and patients, and I like to use the word consumers because we are in the business of maintaining them as consumers and not becoming patients.”
Touching on the networking opportunities presented by the summit, Khan added: “You are all here in this unique gathering, which is unprecedented anywhere else in the world. This is your opportunity, and your opportunity is to communicate, to figure out how to collaborate, how to convene in smaller groups and subgroups, and to push the boundaries of science.
“For the entrepreneurs in this room, there is no other business in the world that is going to affect every single human in 8 billion people.
“You have the chance to create businesses that will not only give you financial opportunity, given the scale, but will touch the life of every single human being.”
He concluded his speech by noting the concept of “sadaqah jariyah,” an Islamic belief of doing good not only for now but for the long term.
Khan added: “If we do this today, the benefit of this, and the value of this, will not only be seen in our generation but for generations to come. That is a fundamental belief not only for Islam but probably for most faiths.”
