“I don’t believe that motion picture cameras ever have filmed a human spectacle more colorful than my eyes took in”
“During the past 11 days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug — while praying to the same God — with fellow Muslims”
Updated 20 August 2018
HUSSAM AL-MAYMAN
MAKKAH: Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. But his detractors accused him of preaching racism and violence.
He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm was a member of the Nation of Islam, an African American politico-religious movement founded by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in the 1930s.Their goals were to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic conditions of African Americans in the US. Critics have described the organization as black supremacist.
Malcolm formally left the organization and made a Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, where he was profoundly affected by the lack of racial discord among orthodox Muslims. He returned to America as Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which advocated black identity and held that racism, not the white race, was the greatest foe of the African American. Malcolm’s new movement steadily gained followers, and his more moderate philosophy became increasingly influential in the civil rights movement, especially among the leaders of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. This organization was founded after Malcolm’s awakening from his pilgrimage to Makkah.
Decoder
Al-Hajj
is a title given to those who performed the pilgrimage.
“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Mohammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures,” Malcolm X wrote in his letter from Makkah, a letter that he spent the night duplicating while staying there. He sent a copy to his wife and his older sister Ella. He also asked for a copy to be sent to the press in the US.
He also wrote: “During the past 11 days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug — while praying to the same God — with fellow Muslims.” He ends his letter: “Never have I been so highly honored. Never have I been made to feel more humble and unworthy.”
He signed his name with his new title Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. “Al-Hajj” is a title given to those who performed the pilgrimage.
When Malcolm first arrived at Jeddah Airport, he noticed that the people there were pilgrims from Ghana, Indonesia, Japan and Russia. He then explained in his biography: “I don’t believe that motion picture cameras ever have filmed a human spectacle more colorful than my eyes took in.” He concluded “Chinese, Indonesians, Afghans. Many, not yet changed into the Ihram garb, still wore their international dresses. It was like pages out of the National Geographic magazine.”
On Feb. 21, 1965, one week after his home was firebombed, Malcolm X was shot dead by Nation of Islam members while speaking at a rally of his organization in New York City.
Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025
Aim to raise public awareness among school children
‘Our Environment is a Treasure,’ is the theme this year
Updated 7 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: The organizers of Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week are aiming to increase public engagement to secure a thriving and greener future for the country.
The event began on Sunday and was attended by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir.
Reema Obaid, one of the participants, told Arab News: “We are here at the environmental awareness initiative, which is raising awareness about our environment for a healthier and greener environment.”
Obaid explained that children can gather at her booth to plant seeds or cuttings. Then they can either take their plants with them or donate them to national parks in the Kingdom.
Another activity is “Green Leader,” under the nation’s Environment Fund. It is a green bus symbolizing the country’s sustainability journey from the past to the present.
Weed Al-Balawi, a participant in the initiative, said they designed it to “deliver major concepts regarding sustainability, resource conservation, ancestral heritage, and technology in environmental conservation.”
The aim was to ensure a “simple and enjoyable way to benefit the target group, which is the age group from primary to intermediate school,” said Al-Balawi.
She said the education stations at the event were created for the public to experience how people used sustainable practices in the past on a daily basis to coexist with nature and biodiversity.
The final station at the event showed current practices, which includes how people are now using technology to protect the environment, said Al-Balawi.
One of the examples displayed was the camel’s watering place, where people would dig a small well for the animals next to the one they used for drinking.
This ancient technique was used to prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and to reduce the amount of wasted water.
The theme of this year’s event is “Our Environment is a Treasure” and will be held until April 26.
A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor progress and guide policy.
There were 13 agreements signed between the ministry’s entities and the private sector to improve collaboration in environmental projects.
Unusual ecosystem found deep below Red Sea coral reef: KAUST-NCW study
Despite the low oxygen and high acidity of the deep waters, marine animals were found of be thriving, says study
Unexpected ecosystem found in Difat Farasan near the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Updated 21 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Marine scientists have found creatures thriving in deep waters in the Red Sea where animals are not supposed to survive, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has announced.
The unusual ecosystem, found in Difat Farasan near the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, was reported in the science journal PNAS Nexus by a team of scientists from KAUST and Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW), KAUST said in a press statement posted on its website.
Also known as the Farasan Bank, Difat Farasan is located below the third largest coral reef system in the world and biggest in the Red Sea.
Despite the low oxygen and high acidity of the deep waters of Difat Farasan, corals, fish and other animals were found of be thriving.
"Several of the creatures showed unexpected coping strategies to the extreme environment. Fish swam slower, and corals were healthy in conditions that normally prevent the calcification of their skeletons," said the statement explaining that Calcification is necessary for coral growth and survival."
"The ability for these animals to live in warm, oxygen-depleted zones suggests they have an unusual ability to reduce how much oxygen they use to sustain life. This discovery highlights the need for greater marine exploration of deeper layers tropical coastal areas, as they may hold unexpected ecosystems,” said KAUST Research Scientist Dr. Shannon Klein, who led the study.
The study also noted that while coral reefs usually exist in shallow waters, depressions that went more than 200 meters deep throughout the Farasan Bank coral reef system were found.
"Considering that oxygen depletion in the sea is one consequence of rising temperatures, greater study of how these creatures exist there may help us understand how marine life can withstand the challenges of climate change," the study said.
"This research highlights the significance of the Red Sea as a natural laboratory for studying marine resilience. Discovering ecosystems that thrive in extreme conditions expands our understanding of how marine life adapts and reinforces the need for continued exploration and conservation of these unique habitats," said Dr. Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife and contributor to the study.
KAUST Assistant Professor Froukje van der Zwan, Associate Professor Francesca Benzoni and KAUST Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Carlos Duarte also contributed to the study.
‘Take care of your liver now, and it will take care of you for life,’ deputy minister for population health tells Arab News
Saudi Ministry of Health focuses on measures to tackle liver disease
Updated 20 April 2025
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: The liver plays a central role in keeping our bodies healthy. It filters toxins, supports digestion, stores energy and essential nutrients, and helps the body fight infections.
The major concern with liver diseases, however, is that they are often silent killers. The progression is very gradual, and most patients experience no symptoms, leaving them unaware of their condition. This makes awareness and early detection vital.
This is a national health priority for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, which is focusing on preventive care.
Dr. Abdullah Assiri, Deputy Minister for Population Health at the Saudi MOH. (Supplied)
Protecting liver health means preventing long-term complications and improving the quality of life for millions, contributing to the ministry’s targets to improve healthy life expectancy, in line with Vision 2030’s goal of creating a vibrant society.
In an exclusive interview following World Liver Day on Saturday, Dr. Abdullah Assiri, the deputy minister for population health, said that viral hepatitis — especially hepatitis B and C — has been a long-standing concern and is responsible for many cases of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
He said: “In Saudi Arabia, the hepatitis C virus has caused the most cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, and liver transplants.”
Hepatitis is essentially an inflammation of the liver caused by different viruses — types A, B, C, D, and E — each differing in how they spread, how severe they become, and how they are prevented.
Assiri added: “The challenge with hepatitis is that up to 95 percent of people living with the infection globally are unaware they have it, because the illness can remain silent for years.
“In terms of early warning signs, these can be quite vague, including fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or mild jaundice, but there are often no symptoms at all until the disease is advanced.”
Assiri explained that the main reason why liver conditions go undiagnosed until the later stages is that the liver is a remarkably resilient organ.
It continues to function well, even when partially damaged. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms like swelling, jaundice, or digestive issues appear, the disease may have already progressed to cirrhosis or liver failure.
He said: “Late detection can lead to serious consequences, including irreversible scarring of the liver, liver cancer, and life-threatening complications.
“That’s why we strongly recommend that people, especially those with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or a family history of liver disease, undergo regular check-ups and screenings.”
Lifestyle is everything when it comes to liver health. Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking all put extra pressure on the liver.
Though alcohol-related liver disease is less prevalent in the Kingdom, other lifestyle factors, like unhealthy eating habits, along with viral hepatitis, play a larger role.
He said: “The good news is that the liver has an exceptional capacity to heal if given the right care. Even early-stage damage can often be reversed through lifestyle changes. I have personally witnessed patients transform their health by adopting better habits.”
As a medical professional Assiri always recommends lifestyle changes centered around four key pillars: nutrition, sleep, relaxation, and exercise. These are all vital to maintaining a healthy liver, as are hepatitis vaccinations.
At the national level the Ministry of Health is tackling liver diseases through policies that focus on prevention, early detection, infection-control practices in healthcare, and effective treatment.
Assiri said: “A major milestone in the national strategy was the introduction of direct acting antiviral medications in 2014, which marked the beginning of an ambitious nationwide effort to eliminate hepatitis C.
“Data shows that a comprehensive program combining targeted screening, aggressive treatment of around 8,000 patients per year, and strengthened prevention strategies could see this disease eliminated in Saudi Arabia by 2030 — or even earlier.
“Eliminating hepatitis C would save an estimated 3,000 Saudi lives and SR10 billion ($2.6 billion) in healthcare costs.
“Importantly, this elimination program also enables broader screening initiatives for other ‘silent killer’ diseases such as hepatitis B, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia — allowing us to implement early preventive health interventions on a national scale.”
He added: “Our progress has been substantial. We met our 80 percent treatment coverage targets in 2023, are on track to reduce mortality by 65 percent by 2025, aim to diagnose 90 percent of cases by 2026, and are working to reduce new hepatitis C infections by 80 percent by 2030.”
These metrics reflect a robust public health response, and demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to leading by example in regional disease control efforts.
In addition to this, Saudi Arabia continues to be a leader in medical innovation and research in the field. For example, the world’s first robotic left liver lobe transplant was performed here, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to world-class liver care.
The ministry has several initiatives underway. One of the key programs is premarital screening, which tests couples for hepatitis B and C to reduce the risk of transmission and ensure early intervention.
Additionally, it is expanding community screening drives, especially for high-risk groups, and enhancing access to affordable treatment for hepatitis C. In collaboration with health centers, the ministry continues to promote hepatitis vaccinations for adults who may have missed earlier immunization.
Assiri said: “Take care of your liver now, and it will take care of you for life. The liver is the largest and one of the most vital organs in the human body, yet it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves because symptoms of disease can be silent.
“I urge everyone to lead a more active life: eat healthier, stay hydrated, sleep, and get regular check-ups, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or obesity.
“Get vaccinated, and remember that small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference for your liver and your overall health.”
They discussed prominent developments on the regional and international front and efforts made in this regard
Updated 20 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received vice chairman of the foreign affairs, defense and armed forces committee of the French Senate and chairman of the France-GCC Friendship Group, Olivier Cadec, in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X on Sunday.
They also discussed prominent developments on the regional and international front and efforts made in this regard.
France’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Patrick Maisonnave, was among the officials present at the meeting.
Environmental Week highlights Saudi Arabia’s sustainability vision
New national index aims to monitor Kingdom’s environmental health, guide policy decisions
Updated 20 April 2025
Ghadi Joudah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched Saudi Environment Week on Sunday, themed “Our Environment is a Treasure,” to showcase the Kingdom’s efforts in ecosystem protection and sustainable development.
A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor environmental progress and guide policy.
The event, inaugurated by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli in Riyadh, brings together government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and local communities to promote eco-friendly practices and collective responsibility.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir also attended, with the event featuring environmental presentations, agreement signings, and children’s performances to encourage positive environmental behavior.
Activities include nationwide exhibitions, workshops on biodiversity and renewable energy, and forums for green innovations.
The new index, which Al-Fadhli described as essential for informed decision-making, will track environmental metrics like air quality, water conservation, and biodiversity.
It aims to align national development with ecological priorities, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable growth.
Al-Fadhli stressed the Kingdom’s leadership in sustainability, prioritizing natural resource protection and societal responsibility. He said that the index ensures accountability and progress as the country builds a greener future.
Al-Fadhli toured the exhibition, featuring sections on vegetation cover, desertification control, biodiversity, waste management, meteorology, and environmental compliance.
The exhibition also includes workshops highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role in fostering environmental cooperation, raising awareness, encouraging private sector investments in sustainable projects, and advancing technology.
The ministry emphasized that the newly introduced index serves as a nationwide monitoring tool, developed in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme.
It is designed to align with government bodies, environmental organizations, and national centers, ensuring cohesion with Saudi Arabia’s ecological priorities.
Key goals include evaluating environmental health, identifying change drivers, and establishing an early detection system for sustainability challenges and progress.
By tracking progress toward environmental targets, the ministry noted that the index identifies gaps for urgent action, enabling data-driven policy adjustments.
Phase 1 focuses on five core areas linked to the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030: wildlife conservation, green space expansion, waste management efficiency, pollution levels in air, soil, and water, and weather forecasting accuracy.
Phase 2 will address emerging priorities, such as climate change metrics, reflecting their importance in long-term environmental planning.
The ministry stressed that the index will provide policymakers with actionable insights, driving improvements in ecological resilience, public health, and quality of life for Saudi citizens.
The National Fisheries Development Center has joined the celebrations of Saudi Environment Week.
Riyadh Al-Fageeh, director general of the center, said: “Our participation highlights the importance of preserving the environment, raising awareness, and strengthening quality of life goals. We aim to emphasize the role of institutions and individuals in maintaining ecological balance, aligned with Vision 2030.”
He added: “Saudi Environment Week reaffirms the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting natural resources and leading regional efforts in sustainability. We encourage all citizens and residents to actively participate and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.”
