AL-AHSA, Saudi Arabia: Dates are a staple in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, both in their own right and as a common ingredient in local dishes. In particular, they form an important part of the diet of Muslims during Ramadan, when they are traditionally eaten every evening to break the fast.
Al-Ahsa, in eastern Saudi Arabia, is the largest date-palm oasis in the world, with about 3 million trees spread across 30,000 acres. It is particularly famous for the khalasah date — known in Saudi Arabia as khlas, a word that loosely translates as “quintessential” — which is routinely named in polls as the best date in the world.
In the Islamic tradition, dates are the food the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ate when he broke his fast.
The date palm, called “nakhl” in Arabic, and the fruit, called “tamr,” are mentioned more than any other fruit-bearing plant in the Qur’an, and are symbols closely associated with Islam and Muslims.
Date palms are now grown extensively around the world. There are about 240 to 360 varieties, and the flavor of each is greatly influenced by the soil and weather conditions in the area where they are grown. Amir Hajj, Saidy, Khadrawy and Medjool are some of the finest varieties, known for their rich flavors and superior quality.
The Ajwah variety, however, has particular religious and medicinal significance. The Prophet said: “Ajwah dates are from Paradise.”
Every year, Al-Ahsa hosts a dates festival in an area covering 3,600 square meters, featuring government agencies and companies that grow and sell dates.
The strategic vision of the festival is for Al-Ahsa to become a focal point for the dates industry, by transforming them from simply being an agricultural item to a distinctive product for investment, tourism and the economy.
The festival aims to develop the concepts of agricultural marketing, quality production and communication between farmers and trader.
ThePlace: Al-Ahsa — the largest date-palm oasis in the world
ThePlace: Al-Ahsa — the largest date-palm oasis in the world
- Al-Ahsa is particularly famous for the khalasah date, which is routinely named in polls as the best date in the world.
- In the Islamic tradition, dates are the food the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ate when he broke his fast.
How Saudi Arabia’s wild lotus shrub was brought back from the brink of extinction
- The wild lotus shrub thrives in streams, blooming with small red flowers during the hot summer months
- Afforestation and land reclamation efforts under the Saudi Green Initiative were key to the plant’s revival
RIYADH: After coming to the brink of extinction, the wild lotus shrub has been rediscovered in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region. This revival is owed in large part to the afforestation and land reclamation efforts of nature reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Protecting and preserving wild areas, along with restoring trees and plants to the environment, such as this annual shrub with its vibrant red flowers, are key components of Saudi Arabia’s sustainable development agenda.
The wild lotus is native to areas stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in arid regions and dry shrubland biomes, found in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and the Sinai Peninsula.
Nasser Al-Majlad, president of Aman Environmental Society, told the Saudi Press Agency that the wild lotus shrub has been found thriving in streams in the valleys of the Kingdom’s Northern Borders region.
Locally known as “Hamar Ward” or “Harbith,” the shrub blooms during the hot summer months, producing small, red flowers. Its scientific name is Lotus lanuginosus.
“Wild Lotus, or Hamar Ward, is an herbaceous perennial wild plant, branched, extending vertically to 40 cm or 20 cm, and its leaves are compound with five leaflets and their dimensions are from 1.3 to 0.5 cm,” Obid Aloni, an environmental activist and member of Al-Yusr and Desert Plants Association, told Arab News.
Herbaceous perennial plants complete their life cycle over a period of more than two years. They have non-woody stems, allowing them to reach their full height and produce flowers year after year.
Aloni, who has specialized in plants and agriculture for 30 years, told Arab News that the wildflower serves as a stunning embellishment in both cultivated and rocky landscapes.
“It is planted usually at the beginning of winter — for those who want to plant it — like spring flowers,” he said, adding that the species had almost reached extinction if not for the efforts of royal reserves in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to the wild lotus shrub, Saudi Arabia’s wilderness is home to a diverse array of flower species — including the Convolvulus buschiricus. Native to Hegra in the Madinah province, this shrubby plant has hairy stems that can grow up to 1 meter in height. It also has pink, scentless flowers measuring 2.5 cm in width.
Also found in Hegra is the Retama raetam, a shrubby plant with thin, flexible branches. Its small flowers, measuring one cm in width, are accompanied by simple, narrow leaves that are 10 mm long.
Other Saudi wildflowers include the Lavandula dentata in Asir’s Jabal Soudah, Echinops in Diriyah and Teucrium oliverianum in Tumair, Riyadh province. Teucrium oliverianum, commonly known as "ahneh," is also found in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, located in the Kingdom's northern provinces.
DID YOUKNOW?
• The lotus flower is a traditional herb used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
• The plant’s tea has been promoted as a weight-loss aid and a drink for reducing body lipids.
• Nelumbo nucifera is known for its anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Afforestation and the preservation of natural habitats in the Kingdom have advanced significantly in recent years, driven by environmental protection schemes like the Saudi Green Initiative.
One of the key goals of the SGI is to rehabilitate more than 74 million hectares of land by planting 10 billion trees nationwide, while also restoring the Kingdom’s natural greenery.
Through extensive planting efforts, the Saudi government aims to restore vital ecological functions, improve air quality, and, ultimately, reduce the frequency of sandstorms.
Since 2021, more than 49 million trees and shrubs have been planted, and 94,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated, according to the SGI website.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental protection extends beyond its borders, making a significant impact at both a regional and global level.
The Kingdom launched the Middle East Green Initiative in 2021 to help mitigate the impact of climate change in the wider region and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in global sustainability efforts.
The MGI also promotes afforestation with the aim of planting some 50 billion trees across the Middle East.
Also contributing greatly to the restoration of nature in Saudi Arabia is the NEOM giga-project taking shape on the Kingdom’s northwestern coastline. In collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification, NEOM has been implementing its own regreening initiative since 2022.
Khaled Al-Abdulqader, the center’s CEO, highlighted in a NEOM report that the regreening initiative will significantly support efforts to protect the environment, in addition to “directly contributing to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative.”
Through dedicated afforestation efforts, wildflowers like the wild lotus and other native plants may have the opportunity to grow and thrive, even in some of the most arid regions of the world.
The Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining a healthy environment and balancing its ecosystem is a key goal of its Vision 2030 agenda, aimed at ensuring sustainable development while creating a thriving society.
Makkah royal commission showcases city’s cultural, tourist offerings at World Travel Market
- Saudi minister of tourism speaks of Kingdom’s investment in sector
LONDON: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites this week showcased key projects that highlight the Saudi city’s rich cultural and historical significance, as part of the Saudi delegation at the World Travel Market 2024 in London.
Major initiatives featured by the RCMC included the Hira Cultural District, the Revelation Exhibition, the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Kaaba, and the Institute of Manuscripts and Revival of Islamic Heritage.
The RCMC pavilion also provided insights into major infrastructure developments, such as Makkah’s public transportation system.
This system, with 12 bus routes covering all neighborhoods, is designed to ensure seamless, reliable travel and improve the quality of life for both residents and visiting pilgrims.
This year’s World Travel Market event, which finished on Thursday, also saw Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Saudi minister of tourism and chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, launch the Kingdom’s participation with the Saudi Land Pavilion.
The pavilion included the Visit Saudi exhibition, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority for the fourth consecutive year and supported by more than 70 partners in the sector, including destinations, hotels, airlines and travel companies.
Al-Khateeb said: “Saudi Arabia, the fastest-growing tourist destination globally, seeks to solidify its leadership in world tourism, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals by highlighting unique destinations, new projects, and significant investment opportunities.”
He added: “Saudi Arabia is the largest global investor in the tourism sector.”
Meet Reman Assere, Saudi Arabia’s youngest Arabic calligraphy instructor
- She became the youngest certified instructor at the age of just 11
- Assere now tutors students of all ages
MAKKAH: After qualifying at just 11 years old, Reman Assere officially became Saudi Arabia’s youngest calligraphy instructor.
Her journey started in fifth grade, sparked by a school activity. She began with basic exercises but, with continuous practice and self-learning through platforms such as YouTube, she steadily refined her skills.
Her ambitions and her love of the art drove her to undertake professional training in Kufic calligraphy, believed to be the earliest example of a universal style of Arabic calligraphy. Once qualified, she was registered on the Ministry of Culture’s official platform, Al-Khattat.
What truly set her apart and caught people’s attention was her relentless dedication to learning. Even during vacations, she practiced tirelessly, seeking out special events and connecting with other calligraphers.
FASTFACT
Reman Assere’s ambitions and her love of the art drove her to undertake professional training in Kufic calligraphy.
Now aged 15, Assere told Arab News that her professional training was carried out under the guidance Shurooq Al-Harbi. She also highlighted the pivotal role played in her development by Prof. Siraj Al-Omari, whose ongoing support and encouragement were instrumental.
Today, Assere has become proficient in both in writing and teaching Kufic calligraphy and is expanding her expertise to include the Diwani style.
However, her journey has been far from easy. A lack of calligraphy institutes in her native region of Abha posed considerable challenges and meant she had to rely on online courses or travel to other cities.
It was worth it, however. Her numerous awards include first place in the 2023 Cultural Skills Competition and the Ministry of Education’s National Olympiad for Arabic Calligraphy. She has also demonstrated her talents at prominent events, such as the Layalina Festival in Wadi Al-Dawasir and the Abha Shopping and Entertainment Festival.
Assere has also led courses at the Holy Mosque Library in Makkah and organized calligraphy workshops in schools.
Today, she is recognized as one of the most influential trainers in Arabic calligraphy, teaching across all age groups. She takes pride in seeing her students compete in calligraphy competitions, a testament to the success of her approach and teaching methods.
Even in an age of rapid technological advancements, Assere is confident that calligraphy’s unique beauty will endure. She believes the future is bright for students and trainees, as the art of calligraphy continues to inspire and cultivate creativity.
She explained how the beauty of Arabic calligraphy is in the balance and harmony of its letters, with fluid lines that interlace. For Assere, Arabic calligraphy not only captures the essence and grace of the Arabic language, but it also allows the writer to convey thoughts and emotions.
Arabic calligraphy is celebrated for its variety of styles, including Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani, and Ruq’ah, each with a unique character and distinct lettering technique. Rooted in precise geometric principles, Arabic calligraphy achieves a harmonious visual balance, allowing for flexibility in letter formation, overlapping designs, and intricate decorative motifs.
Assere said: “The beauty of Arabic calligraphy extends beyond writing; it is a visual art that enhances both artworks and decorations. Over time, it has become a cultural symbol that embodies Arab and Islamic identity.”
Saudi Arabia’s urban planning on display at WUF
- The pavilion highlighted prominent Saudi infrastructure development initiatives, in line with international quality standards, that meet the needs of residents and visitors of Saudi cities
CAIRO: The Saudi pavilion at the World Urban Forum in Cairo this week hosted a series of workshops and bilateral meetings on the Kingdom’s strategies and projects in comprehensive urban planning.
The Saudi presence also underlined the positive effect of these strategies on achieving sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life in Saudi cities, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
Through representatives and officials of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and more than 30 national entities, the Saudi pavilion showed the Kingdom’s efforts to adopt and expand comprehensive urban planning practices focused on sustainability, and apply the requirement to study environmental impact in municipal and investment projects.
The meetings highlighted the concept of smart municipalities aimed at improving the quality of municipal services in Saudi regions and adopting modern technologies and enhanced municipal regulations for smart city policies, as well as the use of artificial intelligence technologies and data in improving the quality of life.
The pavilion highlighted prominent Saudi infrastructure development initiatives, in line with international quality standards, that meet the needs of residents and visitors of Saudi cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported, in addition to urban landscape development projects and visual distortion treatment projects.
Saudi foreign minister, Blinken discuss regional crises
- Two discussed ongoing efforts to address the issues in Gaza and Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone on Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they reviewed regional issues, with a particular focus on Gaza and Lebanon and ongoing efforts to address the issues there, SPA added.
In a separate call on Friday with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Blinken stressed the need to stop the fighting in Sudan and the need to support efforts to form a civilian government, the State Department said.
Blinken also discussed the need to expand humanitarian access to Sudan and thanked the UAE for its provision of aid for Gaza and Lebanon, according to a State Department statement.
