JEDDAH: Aseel Al-Hamad, the first Saudi woman board member at the Saudi Arabia motor federation and the first Saudi female to own a Ferrari, was a special guest at the Italian Culture Center’s event on Feb. 27 called “Saudi Women Can Drive.”
Diplomatic guests included Vincenzo Amendola, undersecretary of state of Italy, and Luca Ferrari, the Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.
Elisabetta Martini, the consul general of Italy in Jeddah, said: “The royal decree issued last September which has removed the ban on Saudi women to drive in their own country opens a huge market now for many companies.
“Mostly it was a dream that came true and tonight’s event is not about economy but about dreams. The two companies represented here, Ferrari and Maserati, are brands that have contributed the most in the creation of the Italian dream.”
Al-Hamad is an interior design engineer graduate and businesswomen who followed her dream about Ferrari cars. She decided to reward herself because of her successful business (a design company), and the reward was a roaring Ferrari car. She said how glad she was about the royal decree, which will have “a positive reflection for the country socially and economically.”
“I was so pleased by the decision, just like any other Saudi woman, and I was assured that my decision to buy the car of my dreams was the best decision to make. am so happy because I will drive soon in the Kingdom.”
Amendola told Arab News: “The reform decision helps use the energy of this country, especially of women in this young generation. This energy can help to achieve the reform that the government is presenting. The friendship between our countries is historical but now there are many projects that we are planning together.”
Another attendee said: “I am American by blood but Saudi at heart, and women being able to drive is absolutely superb. It rocks!”
Two Italian car brands presented a number of cars in the event, including Maserati. A short documentary was played about Maria Teresa de Filippis, an Italian who was the first woman to race in Formula One. She participated in five World Championship Grands Prix after May 1958, but scored no championship points. Though her Formula One career was brief, she won races in other series and is remembered as a pioneer in the sport.
Saudi women will be free to drive in the Kingdom by June 24.
First female Saudi Ferrari owner joins Italians to celebrate women driving
First female Saudi Ferrari owner joins Italians to celebrate women driving
Saudi permanent representative presents credentials to UNESCO chief
- Abdulelah Altokhais is seeking to strengthen Kingdom’s cooperation with UN agency
- Paris talks focus on collaboration to promote coexistence among peoples and cultures
RIYADH: Abdulelah Altokhais, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to UNESCO, presented his credentials to Audrey Azoulay, the organization’s director-general, at its headquarters in Paris on Sunday.
The Kingdom’s mission to the UN-affiliated agency wrote on the X platform that Altokhias is “continuing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen joint cooperation with UNESCO and member states toward a better-shared future.”
During his meeting with Azoulay, Altokhais reviewed Saudi Arabia’s contributions to numerous UNESCO projects through its role in the organization’s Executive Council and membership of the World Heritage Committee.
He emphasized the need to enhance collaboration with UNESCO to promote peace and coexistence among peoples and cultures.
Altokhais studied philosophy at the University of Florida, and has worked in the cultural heritage, planning, and tourism fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia to promote rural development at global trade fair
- Program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication said participation aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen international cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will showcase its advances in agriculture and promote a range of local products at one of the world's leading horticulture trade fairs in Germany.
More than 1,600 global exhibitors will take part in IPM Essen from Jan. 28-31, with the Kingdom participating through its Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program.
The goal is to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in advancing agriculture, supporting farmers, and promoting local rural products globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program will showcase its rural community development initiatives and support for small farmers, while emphasizing partnerships and collaboration with experts.
Majed Al-Buraikan, the program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said that participation aims to attract foreign investment, strengthen international cooperation, and align with Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, improve food security, and enhance Saudi Arabia’s global agricultural standing.
The event offers an opportunity to explore innovations and solutions that could benefit small farmers in Saudi Arabia, Al-Buraikan added.
The Saudi pavilion will present its support programs, and distribute informational materials on subsidized sectors, including Saudi coffee, honey, and aromatic plants.
The fair will feature sustainable agricultural solutions, along with conferences and workshops addressing sector challenges and opportunities.
Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla
- Two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday.
The two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest during the meeting.
Later on Sunday, Prince Mohammed and Meloni signed an agreement to establish a strategic partnership council between their governments.
Meloni arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday.
Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference
RIYADH: Participants in Bangkok on Sunday at the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stressed Islam’s foundation in worshipping Allah and following the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, urging Muslims to promote moderation while contributing to progress.
In a final communique of the two-day event, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, participants called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse.
They highlighted the importance of following the path of the Prophet’s companions, combating extremism, and rejecting groups that misused religion for personal gain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Participants stressed the need to leverage modern media and technology to promote Islam, counter misinformation through research, and develop programs instilling Islamic values and tolerance in young people.
The conference focused on research papers by various scholars and aimed to strengthen communication among Islamic leaders and institutions to advance civilization.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh on Saturday emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and uphold Islamic identity through solidarity and adherence to the truth.
He said that scholars had a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security issues facing the world.
Al-Asheikh added: “This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith.”
Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
RIYADH: The third group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured several historical and religious sites in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
As part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the visit aimed to enrich the cultural experience of visitors and Umrah performers in the holy city.
The group, consisting of 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries, visited the Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.
At Quba Mosque, the guests performed prayers and were briefed on its facilities and the ongoing expansion projects designed to increase capacity and enhance services for worshippers.
The guests also learned about the mosque’s historical and religious significance as the first mosque built after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Madinah.
Additionally, they toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah, where they explored the technical and administrative departments and learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an and its translation into multiple languages.
The visit also showcased the complex’s efforts in recording Qur’anic recitations, interpreting its meanings, advancing Qur’anic sciences, and supporting Islamic research and studies.
The guests were introduced to the complex’s written and audio publications, which aim to spread Islamic teachings worldwide. At the end of the tour, representatives of the complex presented copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.
This third group is part of a larger initiative to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries this year. After their visit to Madinah, the guests will travel to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.
