JEDDAH: The high-speed Haramain train’s importance to Saudi Arabia has been highlighted with an announcement by King Salman that he will rely on the super-fast service for his next visit to Madinah.
The city’s governor, Prince Faisal bin Salman, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi ruler for his support of public transport in the Kingdom, and especially for the high-speed Haramain train.
The project is part of the Kingdom’s role in serving pilgrims to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.
Prince Faisal used the high-speed rail for the journey to Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque of Makkah.
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, has informed me of his intention to take the Haramain high-speed rail soon when he visits Madinah or departs from it to Makkah,” Prince Faisal said.
Among passengers for a journey that left Madinah on Friday were Prince Faisal, Minister of Transportation and chairman of the Saudi Railway Organization Nabil Al-Amoudi, and Chairman of the Public Transport Authority (PTA) and acting head of the Saudi Railways Organization Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih.
Prince Faisal highlighted the importance of the project linking Makkah and Madinah through Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh in light of efforts to receive 30 million pilgrims as part of Vision 2030 program to diversify revenues.
He said the Haramain high-speed rail link was among the safest and most important transportation services in the world. The rail service will enhance the flow of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques through the link between the two holy cities.
The Madinah governor expressed confidence in the performance of the Saudi youth and the services they provide at the stations.
“What I saw invites me to register my honor and pride in the significant role played by young men and women in all stages of the development, including their effective contribution and participation in establishing and implementing the high-speed rail.”
Al-Amoudi said the support of Prince Faisal had made it easier to meet the challenges faced by work teams building the Haramain station in Madinah and the related phases within the time frame of the project.
He said the SR60 billion ($16 billion) high-speed train is on track to be fully operational this year.
Al-Amoudi said the pilot operation has been going to plan since the end of 2017. Project supervisors have organized regular trips in which a large number of governmental, non-governmental and charitable bodies have participated.
He said the PTA was focused on taking transport in the Kingdom to another level, guaranteeing opportunities for nationalization and thus achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The Haramain train station was proof of the Kingdom’s competence in achieving such projects, he said.
The Haramain service is one of the biggest public transport projects in the Middle East, a 450-kilometer, two-way electric train linking Makkah and Madinah, with extensions to Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.
The project will carry 60 million passengers a year on 35 trains, with a seating capacity of 417 per train and traveling at a speed of 300 kph.
The station is about three kilometers from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, while the Madinah station is located in the Knowledge Economic City on King Abdul Aziz Road.
Saudi Arabia’s Haramain train project expected to serve 30 million pilgrims
Saudi Arabia’s Haramain train project expected to serve 30 million pilgrims
Saudi ambassador to US represents Kingdom at Trump inauguration ceremony
- Princess Reema bint Bandar passes on congratulations of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Trump as he begins second term as US president
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, represented the Kingdom at US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday.
The princess passed on the congratulations of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Trump on the day of his second inauguration as US president. She also conveyed the hopes of the Saudi leadership that he will enjoy success in his duties, the Saudi Press Agency reported
“As our two nations celebrate 80 years of friendship, it was my honor to convey our leadership’s heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to President Donald Trump and the American people on his inauguration,” Princess Reema wrote in a message posted on social media platform X.
“The relationship between our two countries is historic and we look forward to continuing our work together for the benefit of both our peoples, our region and the world.”
As he was sworn in as 47th president of the US, Trump promised a “revolution of common sense.” He takes charge as Republicans also assume unified control of the Capitol and set out to reshape the country’s institutions.
Jeddah’s oldest school to begin new chapter as museum
- We still visit to remember the good old days, says 82-year-old alum
JEDDAH: The first school formally established in the Arabian Peninsula is poised for a new chapter as a museum, according to Ali Al-Sulimani, the managing director.
The historical section of Al-Falah School building will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture for its transformation into a cultural landmark.
It was built in 1905 by Saudi businessman Sheikh Mohammed Ali Zainal Alireza as the first boys’ school in Jeddah at a time when the Hijaz, the western part of modern Saudi Arabia, was partially under Ottoman Turkish rule and both poverty and illiteracy were common.
Although Zainal went through major financial crises, he continued funding the school with help from other business families. Eventually, the Kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz visited it and appreciated its great educational and social role, and arranged for government support.
The school marks the onset of modern education in Saudi Arabia and has been the alma mater of numerous national figures, including former Minister of Information Mohammed Abdu Yamani, former Minister of Commerce Abdullah Zail, former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ahmed Zaki Yamani, and former Minister of Hajj Hamid Harasani among others.
Al-Falah School, is located in the heart of the historical area in Jeddah, has continued to the present day, and includes two buildings, the older of them dating back more than 120 years.
According to Al-Sulimani the older building will be a fully integrated museum, including a cultural space, a cafe with a heritage theme and seating areas where visitors can learn about the historical area and the history of the school.
“The old part was handed over to the Ministry of Culture to be prepared to comply with the development plans for the old buildings in the historic area,” he said.
One former pupil, 82-year-old Hamza Awfi, told Arab News: “The school was based on a solid foundation. It is the place I considered as our second home. Here I have met many students who graduated and later held important leadership positions and I still remember them, young and old.
It was a place of knowledge and it provided me a wonderful environment and opportunity to learn and grow myself in every field.
Ahmed Abdulgader Al-Noaman, 72-year-old alum
“We really hold great memories, and by the way, I and other friends who graduated from this school, still go and visit it from time to time to remember our old good days.”
Awfi added that keeping the modern building for education as a symbol of resilience and enlightenment while at the same time transforming the old building into a museum is a great idea.
Another former pupil, 72-year-old Ahmed Abdulgader Al-Noaman, told Arab News: “My four years at Al-Falah have been an excellent memory to cherish for a lifetime. The time spent has been full of learning opportunities. It was a place of knowledge and it provided me a wonderful environment and opportunity to learn and grow myself in every field.”
The school offers three levels of education — elementary, intermediate and high school — with each having its own playground. Today, the old U-shaped building stands in the center of the complex and is used by elementary students. The classrooms remain their original size, which is considered small by current standards.
The floors, ceilings, and doors of the school’s original building are made from wood they were restored, with their traditional character retained in order to preserve the school’s history and heritage. The original green dome still rests on top of the old building.
Turki Alalshikh launches City Hub entertainment project in 7 Saudi cities
- Project works exclusively with Saudi companies
- Jazan, Alkhobar, Buraidah, Hail, Al-Baha, Taif, and Tabuk to host City Hub
RIYADH: A new project bringing a range of entertainment offerings to seven Saudi cities has been announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
The City Hub project will begin its journey in Jazan on Jan. 23, followed by stops in Alkhobar, Buraidah, Hail, Al-Baha, Taif, and concluding in Tabuk in August after spending 14 days in each city.
The project exclusively works with Saudi companies, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities in the Kingdom’s entertainment industry, according to organizers.
Covering an area of more than 20,000 square meters in each city, City Hub will provide a diverse range of entertainment including video games, circus acts, and a “Horror Zone.”
One of the main attractions is the “Play and Learn Festival,” which offers children a hands-on experience in various professional fields, including innovation, banking, and medicine.
This initiative was designed to allow young visitors to explore future career paths through interactive activities, organizers said in a statement.
An electronic games zone will feature esports tournaments with titles such as EAFC24 and TEKKEN 8, presenting prizes to winners.
For thrill-seekers, the “Horror Zone” promises an immersive experience, complete with lifelike challenges.
Meanwhile, the circus tent will host a variety of performances, including dancing fountains, trapeze acts, and the adrenaline-filled 360-degree motorcycle cage performance.
A pet bird zone allows guests to engage with rare birds in a natural setting.
Visitors can also enjoy a diverse marketplace and a curated selection of local and international restaurants, ensuring a rich culinary experience.
Each city will host City Hub for 14 days, underscoring GEA’s commitment to promoting local content.
Saudi fund chief receives GCC representative to UNHCR
- They discussed ways to enhance development cooperation between the Saudi fund and UNHCR
RIYADH: Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Al-Marshad received the senior adviser and GCC Representative to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Khaled Khalifa, and an accompanying delegation in Riyadh on Monday.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance development cooperation between the Saudi fund and UNHCR, the former’s official account wrote on X.
Al-Marshad also received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petreno and discussed bilateral cooperation during a recent meeting in Riyadh.
KSrelief, Saudi Esports Federation donate $1.7m to UNICEF to boost children’s education in Burkina Faso
- John Agbor: Thanks to the generous contribution of KSrelief and SEF, thousands of children will benefit from formal and non-formal education, vocational training and radio-based learning
- Funds will support preschool education for 4,500 children, formal and non-formal education for 16,700 children, and technical innovations for 6,600 children
RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation, through the Gamers Without Borders tournament — the largest virtual charity event for gaming and esports — in collaboration with Saudi aid agency KSrelief, donated over $1.7 million to UNICEF’s office in Burkina Faso.
The grant aims to provide formal and non-formal education to more than 27,800 children, 50 percent of whom are girls, in areas affected by insecurity.
John Agbor, UNICEF representative in Burkina Faso, said: “Thanks to the generous contribution of KSrelief and Saudi Esports Federation, thousands of children will benefit from formal and non-formal education, vocational training and radio-based learning.”
The funds will support preschool education for 4,500 children, formal and non-formal education for 16,700 children, and technical innovations for 6,600 children in the Central-North, North, East, Sahel, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions.
As of December 2024, the humanitarian situation in Burkina Faso remains difficult, with over 2 million displaced due to conflict.
Despite the government’s efforts to reopen more than 1,500 schools, over 5,000 remain closed, affecting 20 percent of the country’s educational institutions.
In one year, primary school enrollment rates in Burkina Faso dropped from 85.8 percent in 2022 to 77.4 percent in 2023.
With KSrelief and the Saudi Esports Federation’s support, UNICEF has launched several initiatives, including building and equipping 27 classrooms, creating more than 100 accelerated learning centers for out-of-school children, and planning vocational training for 500 boys and girls.
Other initiatives aim to reach 6,000 children through emergency classrooms and 600 children via remote learning with tablets, as well as increase radio-based learning and provide school supplies for vulnerable children.
