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
Obesity prevention begins at home, says authority
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority targets fast food, sugary drinks
RIYADH: Parents should be mindful at all times of the food they give their children, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority has said, as it emphasized the critical role of families in healthcare.
In a statement carried on the occasion of World Obesity Day on March 4, the SFDA urged parents “to encourage children to replace sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, with water and natural fruit juices.”
Families should also “significantly reduce fast-food consumption, a key contributor to weight gain and related health issues,” said the statement carried by the SPA.
Rather than frying food, the SFDA further advocated healthier cooking methods such as grilling and roasting.
“Recognizing the alarming global rise in obesity rates, the authority emphasizes the necessity of higher community awareness to address this growing challenge.
“Obesity is a complex disease that has reached pandemic proportions worldwide, tripling in prevalence since 1975. This surge is widely attributed to the adoption of increasingly sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets.
In response to the health and social implications of the obesity problem, the government has implemented a wide range of policies under its Vision 2030 plan, aiming to create a healthier population and improve quality of life.
A study published in 2022 by the Global Obesity Observatory revealed that approximately 60 percent of Saudi Arabia’s adult population is overweight, with 20 percent classified as obese.
Among children, 10.5 percent are overweight and 4.1 percent are obese.
Recent data from the Kingdom’s leading health bodies indicate an increase in childhood obesity, while the number of obese adults has decreased compared to a decade ago.
Homes, businesses in Jeddah compete to capture spirit of Ramadan
- The scheme invites the public to create a memorable Ramadan experience, sparking creativity with diverse decorations
- Winners of the competition will be announced after Ramadan
JEDDAH: Homes and businesses in Jeddah will capture the festive spirit of Ramadan as part of a decoration competition launched by the city’s municipality.
The scheme to decorate the facades of homes and shops was launched in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority.
It invites the public to create a memorable Ramadan experience, sparking creativity with diverse decorations — from colorful lanterns and Islamic designs to twinkling lights — and adding unique charm to the festive atmosphere.
Mohammed Al-Bugami, the spokesperson of Jeddah Municipality, told Arab News that the competition will recognize the efforts that residents, restaurants, cafes and shops put into their festive lights and ornaments.
“The Ramadan Home and Shop Decoration Competition is a great opportunity to showcase the spirit of the holy month and bring joy and happiness to the community,” he said.
“Ramadan has a special place in the hearts of Muslims and is a time for reflection, worship and social interaction,” he added. “By decorating homes and shops, everyone can participate in creating a festive environment that expresses the values of generosity and hospitality.”
The scheme is a celebration of the holy month and reflects Jeddah’s commitment to its society, Al-Bugami said.
The competition invites Jeddah residents to decorate their homes and highlight the Ramadan atmosphere through creative designs that reflect the spirit of the holy month.
Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, the use of heritage elements, lighting and environmental sustainability.
Winners of the competition will be announced after Ramadan.
Saudi foreign trade authority chief meets Rwanda’s ambassador
Mohammed Abdul Jabbar, acting governor of the Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade, met with Rwanda's Ambassador to the Kingdome Segore Kayihura in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the officials discussed ways to enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries, the Embassy of Rwanda in the Kingdom wrote in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeirmet with the recently appointed Ambassador of Egypt to the Kingdom Ihab Abu Sarea in Riyadh, wishing him success in his new role, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.
Baha’s stone building craft thriving as local artisans embrace heritage
- Building using stone, a cornerstone of the region’s heritage, remains integral to Baha’s cultural fabric, with locals working to adapt the practice to meet contemporary demands
RIYADH: The natural environment profoundly shapes the architectural heritage of Saudi Arabia’s Baha region, where the traditional craft of stone building has thrived for generations, with local artisans skillfully utilizing the region’s abundant stones and trees.
Building using stone, a cornerstone of the region’s heritage, remains integral to Baha’s cultural fabric, with locals working to adapt the practice to meet contemporary demands, a Saudi Press Agency report highlighted.
Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, a seasoned builder in Baha, highlighted the labor-intensive nature of the building process, which lasts several months and involves using various types of stones, including cornerstones, long stones and the supporting Al-Mateen or Al-Dahr stones, which are essential for erecting a room.
Saleh Al-Zahrani, another local builder, highlighted the process of finishing a building with mud plastering, using juniper trees for doors and windows, and embellishing them with decorative carvings. The houses are further adorned with white quartz stones, creating a distinct look.
The architectural similarities among buildings in Baha are notable. Dwellings are closely arranged, and villages feature narrow streets and a central square for social activities.
Online registration for itikaf at Two Holy Mosques begins
- Itikaf is the act of remaining in seclusion at a mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan
- An applicant must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the Kingdom, or hold valid residency status
RIYADH: Authorities are now accepting online applications for itikaf at the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque.
Itikaf is the act of remaining in seclusion at a mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan. While doing so, individuals devote themselves to the worship of God during what Muslims consider to be the best 10 nights of the year.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque urged those who wish to perform the ritual to choose a mosque, submit an application, watch an awareness video to familiarize themselves with the service, and review the conditions that must be fulfilled during the period of seclusion, which runs from Ramadan 20 until the end of the Isha prayer on the night before Eid Al-Fitr.
An applicant must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the Kingdom, or hold valid residency status. Itikaf permits are free and registration requests can be submitted at eserv.wmn.gov.sa.
