DAMMAM: A football stadium in Dammam, Saudi Arabia will be opening its doors to women for the first time Saturday.
Al-Ittifaq will be playing Al-Fateh at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium at 6:05 p.m. Saudi time. It is the third match women have been able to attend after the lifting of a ban which previously prevented them from entering football stadiums.
The decision allowing women in stadiums was first announced on Oct. 29, a month after a historical royal decree lifting the ban on women driving.
To prepare for the change, the Kingdom has designated "family sections" in the stands for women, separated by barriers from the male-only crowd. The stadiums have also been fitted with female prayer areas, restrooms and smoking areas, as well as separate entrances and parking lots for female spectators.
The first match that women attended was the Al-Ahli versus Al-Batin game on Friday Jan. 12 in Jeddah and the second was the Al-Hilal versus Al-Ittihad match that took place on Saturday Jan. 13 in Riyadh.
Stadium in Dammam opens doors to Saudi women for first time
Stadium in Dammam opens doors to Saudi women for first time
How Saudi Arabia is preserving its precious freshwater resources
- Vision 2030 prioritizes sustainable water management through conservation programs, advanced irrigation, and public awareness initiatives
- US firm Ecolab partners with Saudi companies like Aramco to develop water-saving technologies and improve resource management
RIYADH: Water scarcity is a pressing issue in Saudi Arabia, significantly impacting the country’s socio-economic development as well as its environmental sustainability.
As one of the hottest and driest regions in the world, the Kingdom faces many challenges owing to its limited natural freshwater sources and high rates of evaporation.
These harsh realities have forced the country to rely on limited groundwater and desalination plants, where 75 percent of the country’s water supply comes from.
However, the nature of the desalination process raises concerns about environmental sustainability and carbon emissions due to the amount of energy used by these technologies.
In addition, the over-extraction of groundwater for agricultural and domestic use could exhaust natural aquifers and deteriorate water quality.
This realization has pushed officials to explore solutions to develop the water sector in order to meet the needs of the Kingdom’s growing population.
Opinion
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Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda emphasizes green development, and sustainable water sources are a key aspect of the plan.
To achieve this objective, the Kingdom is collaborating with foreign companies including the US firm Ecolab to mitigate the severity of water loss.
Christophe Beck, chairman and CEO of Ecolab, outlined some of the company’s strategies to preserve water while reducing energy usage.
“In 2024, we helped preserve enough water for 800 million people, and we are on the path to 1 billion by 2030,” Beck told Arab News.
“We have built our capabilities around the world because of the science we have at our disposal. We have 3,000 people in research and development and digital technology.
Ecolab operates in 40 different industries across 172 countries, managing water supplies, combating potential pollutants and infections, and focusing on human and natural resource protection.
The company has been operating in Saudi Arabia for 47 years, collaborating with local firms such as Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and Almarai.
“This country has a lot of natural resources and a lot of ambition. But one thing is missing — water. There are no lakes, no rivers, but there is a lot of sea around us. However, this is not freshwater. That’s a big challenge,” said Beck.
The necessity to preserve freshwater has led the Kingdom to introduce water conservation programs, along with promoting efficient irrigation technologies and enhancing public awareness about water usage.
In addition, the National Water Co. has completed several operations to ensure easy access to fresh water for all in any location within Saudi Arabia, including rural areas.
NWC distributed more than 3.7 billion cubic meters of water during the past year in various regions of the Kingdom and treated more than 2.1 billion cubic meters of wastewater during the same year.
DID YOUKNOW?
• Ecolab operates in 172 countries, including Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Taiwan.
• 10% of animal species rely on freshwater ecosystems, according to Nature Conservancy Canada.
• Two-thirds of the world’s population experiences water shortages at least once a year, according to WWF.
However, achieving water security will require a holistic approach that integrates technology, media, and community engagement.
“Awareness helps, as does realizing that no one can solve it alone,” said Beck.
“When I think about Saudi Arabia, I think we have all we need. The natural resources, the industries, the means, and the ambition. But we don’t have water, and we have too few water experts who know how to reuse or recycle water to power the future industries of the Kingdom.
“What I hope to accomplish in Saudi Arabia, and again, we’ve been here for 47 years, is really thinking in the long term, to turn Saudi Arabia into an example of a country that can grow without using more water at the same time.
“And if Saudi Arabia can do it, many countries around the region can do it, and around the world as well.”
Addressing water scarcity is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of Saudi Arabia’s economy and overall quality of life.
Without significant and immediate action, the challenges associated with water scarcity and with the increasing heat conditions and drought worldwide, are likely going to intensify not only for Saudi Arabia but for several other countries in the region in the coming years.
Saudi FM, US Secretary of State discuss regional situation
- The two ministers discussed Saudi-US bilateral relations and strategic partnerships
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed events in the Middle East with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The pair discussed issues of mutual interest between their nations.
Rubio was recently confirmed as the US’ top diplomat in the administration of President Donald Trump who returned to the White House for a second term.
Saudi Ministry of Education issues directive for national dress for secondary school students
- Policy does not apply to students enrolled at foreign schools
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Education announced on Friday a new policy requiring secondary school students in public and private institutions to adhere to the national dress code.
The policy comes in line with the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The decision, which aims to reinforce national identity and instill pride in Saudi heritage, mandates that Saudi students wear the traditional thobe along with a ghutra or shemagh, while non-Saudi students are required to wear the thobe, SPA added.
The policy does not apply to students enrolled at foreign schools.
The move reflects the crown prince’s commitment to strengthening the connection between younger generations and Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, SPA reported.
The ministry also emphasized that the initiative aligned with national efforts to instill values, deepen students’ sense of belonging and reinforce their loyalty to the country’s leadership.
National dress is a key element of identity and reflects the rich traditions of Saudi society and is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage while preparing future generations for leadership and progress, the ministry said.
To ensure a smooth transition, the ministry has planned awareness campaigns and educational programs for students and parents to highlight the significance of the national dress in fostering cultural pride and maintaining a unified national image within the school environment.
Exploring the history of Saudi Arabia’s ancient Dumat Al-Jandal
- Dumat Al-Jandal was strong and rich because of trade, says Saudi archeologist
RIYADH: In the heart of Al-Jouf, around 50km away from Sakaka, is the city of Dumat Al-Jandal — or, to give it its ancient name, “Adumato.”
Civilizations and kingdoms have thrived here for thousands of years, leaving behind traces of their existence carved onto walls and corners.
“It was a rainy period with rivers and forests, then it turned into a savanna, then into a period of little rain, then the habitation moved to other nearby sites such as the site of Al-Jamal and the site of Al-Rajajil,” explained Hussain Al-Khalifah, a Saudi archaeologist with over 30 years’ experience.
“After that, the Arabian Peninsula became a desert as we see it today. In ancient times, humans moved to sites with fertile soil and water resources. Therefore, Dumat Al-Jandal is one of the oldest cities inhabited around the second millennium BCE,” he said.
FASTFACT
Among the kingdoms and empires that tried to control Dumat Al-Jandal were the Assyrians, who made numerous attempts to control and capture the lands.
A trade road was created to exchange goods and link regions, and Dumat Al-Jandal was one of the significant points on this for people coming from the south of the Arabian Peninsula.
“It was an important point at the beginning of the land trade,” Al-Khalifah told Arab News.
“Dumat Al-Jandal was strong and rich because of trade. The people were protectors of the trade that passed by the city and, therefore, they took some of the goods in exchange for protecting merchants.”
Among the kingdoms and empires that tried to control Dumat Al-Jandal were the Assyrians, who made numerous attempts to control and capture the lands.
However, another kingdom was rising at the same time — the Arabian Qedarites, which not only prevented the Assyrians from taking Dumat Al-Jandal but also expanded their territory until they reached Palestine, Al-Khalifah said.
The Assyrians captured Adumato eventually, though the exact date is unknown.
They were known to document information on clay tablets, some of which can still be seen today at Dumat Al-Jandal. They are among the primary sources that mention Arabs, providing a description of the people of the city and one of their queens, Talkhunu, among others.
They also mention a rebel named Yabu who revolted against Ayatea, the king of Dumat Al-Jandal who was loyal to the Assyrians.
The Assyrian king, an advocate of justice who despised aggression and rebellion, sent warriors to aid Ayatea who caught Yabu and put him in chains.
The tablets also mention a popular souk which took place each year on the first day of spring.
Jeddah literary event to explore oral, written expressions
- The forum’s agenda reflects the dynamic evolution of Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, structured around nine core themes examining the interplay between oral traditions and written expressions
JEDDAH: The Jeddah Literary and Cultural Club will hold its 21st Literary Text Forum from Feb.4-6.
The three-day event will explore “Literary and Cultural History in Saudi Arabia between Oral and Written Traditions,” bringing together prominent writers, critics and intellectuals from across the region.
Dr. Abdullah bin Owaiqel Al-Sulami, the club’s president, said the forum would continue the club’s mission to foster critical dialogue and deepen literary discourse through comprehensive historical and critical studies.
This year’s edition will honor historian Mohammed Abdul Razzaq Al-Qash’ami for his significant contributions towards documenting Saudi Arabia’s literary and cultural heritage.
The forum’s agenda reflects the dynamic evolution of Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, structured around nine core themes examining the interplay between oral traditions and written expressions.
According to Al-Sulami, these sessions will explore how these have shaped the Kingdom’s cultural narrative.
Dr. Abdulrahman bin Rajallah Al-Sulami, who heads the forum’s scientific committee, outlined the scope of the event.
Sessions will examine aspects of Saudi cultural heritage including ancient oral culture origins, historical inscriptions and documents, handicrafts and their literary manifestations, oral literature genres and literary narratives in biographies and memoirs.
He said the forum served as an intellectual platform aimed at motivating researchers and intellectuals to study and develop literature while promoting literary and creative trends.
The forum has drawn significant academic interest, with 50 research papers submitted, from which 20 were selected for presentation. Organizers say this robust response underscores the forum’s relevance to contemporary cultural discourse in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Sulami expressed gratitude to those whose papers were accepted, as well as to the researchers who contribute valuable perspectives to the forum.
