Nada Kadasa is an architect. Her father established a new real estate company by the name of Al-Ard Al-Salbah and asked her to head and manage it.
“I knew this was the place for me. In less than a year, we were finishing construction on four villas and renovating two multi-story buildings. It became one of the first few companies to be licensed by the Ministry of Housing in the country,” she said.
She said she would use the work ethic given to her by her family to achieve the company’s vision.
Kadasa said she tries to balance work and her personal life. She is a member of a charity called Kayan that is specifically for children of unknown parenthood. She also volunteers with animal shelters. She has fostered more than 40 cats, dogs, birds and even rabbits — taking care of them until they find a family to adopt them or sponsoring their medical care. Currently, she owns three dogs and eight cats. Most were rescued from the street and have different medical issues.
But her most loved animals are her four parrots. She helps raise awareness for bird care within the animal-loving community, since most people do not know how sensitive and intelligent birds are.
Kadasa also teaches art to beginners on Instagram, to hopefully help them become better artists. She had staged two art shows so far and is setting up her third event next month. “Even in my hobbies I like to set goals. Nothing feels more amazing that when you aim for something and reach it,” Kadasa said.
Kadasa said she grew up in a very intelligence-focused household. Her father established one of the first and strongest intellectual property firms in Saudi Arabia, representing brands such as Apple and Versace. Her mother was a social activistand is still a member of many charities
She already has a driver’s license because driving was one of the biggest issues that “upset me since I tried to drive a golf cart when I was eight without my family knowing. (I was caught right away).”
Kadasa said she loved art and analytical thinking so when it was time to get into college she chose a major that reflected that, and studied architecture. Initially, Kadasa’s family tried to pressure her to study law like the rest of her family. She refused and went with her heart.
While in college she also drove her professors crazy, asking “why” for every single design decision. That affected her grades during the year, “but I truly didn’t care and believed in myself, so at the end of each of those classes I would present a project so good it proved to my professors that I was not being ‘disruptive or disrespectful’ with my questions. I was truly wanting to grow and that got me the respect of most of the faculty by the time I graduated.”
Her final project was the largest in square meters in the university’s history at the time. If built it would break the largest dome-size world record and be the second largest indoor theme park in the world.
She received a lot of pushback for this project from her professors, but her stubborn nature helped her keep going and in the end they loved it! After her graduation, Kadasa worked in different companies from design to IP and designed a cafe in Riyadh called Symphony Lounge.
TheFace: Nada Kadasa, Saudi architect
TheFace: Nada Kadasa, Saudi architect
- Kadasa teaches art to beginners on Instagram, to hopefully help them become better artists
Saudi Arabia welcomes Oman’s hosting of Iran-US talks, says dialogue is the way to go
- Kingdom says it prefers dialogue as a way to end all regional and international disputes
- American and Iranian delegations met for the first time in Muscat, Oman, to lay down the format of their talks
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed Oman's hosting of the Iran-US talks on Tehran's nuclear program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said, adding that the Kingdom prefers dialogue as a way to end all regional and international disputes.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said Saudi Arabia hopes that the talks "will lead to supporting joint action to enhance security, stability and peace in the region and the world."
On April 12, American and Iranian negotiators met for the first time in Muscat, the Omani capital, as the long-term adversaries try to come up with a new nuclear deal in place of the failed 2015 accord.
The 2015 accord, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was a long-term deal that Iran agreed with world powers known as the P5+1 - composed of the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.
Under that agreement, Iran was to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspectors to visit its nuclear sites. In return, economic sanctions on Iran would be lifted by the world powers, notably the US.
Donald Trump, however, pulled the US out of the agreement in his first term of office in 2018 amid objections by other regional powers that the accord lacked the teeth to curtail Iran's nuclear activities and only empowered Tehran to continue interfering in the affairs of its neighbors.
In his second terms as president, Trump invited Iran's leadership to the negotiating table to avoid military action.
In Saturday's initial meeting in Muscat, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi acted as intermediary, shuttling from one room to the other where the American and Iranian delegations were assigned, as the long-time adversaries tried to lay the groundwork for their high-stakes nuclear talks.
Albusaidi later told reporters that the talks took place in a “friendly atmosphere,” adding: “We will continue to work together.”
According to the Iranian foreign ministry, the negotiators also spoke directly for “a few minutes,” and that the talks were held “in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere.”
Steve Witkoff, a real estate magnate, headed the US team, while Iran's team was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat and key architect of the 2015 accord.
Just before the first meeting started, Trump told reporters: “I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser Ali Shamkhani said Iran was “seeking a real and fair agreement.”
The two sides have agreed to meet again.
Misk Foundation, London Business School sign strategic agreement
- The agreement aims to explore collaboration in areas such as leadership development, executive education, scientific research, and strategic communication
RIYADH: The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as Misk, and London Business School signed on Sunday a strategic agreement to strengthen leadership and advance executive education.
The agreement aims to explore collaboration in areas such as leadership development, executive education, scientific research, and strategic communication, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to empower leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
It was signed by Dr. Badr Al-Badr, CEO of the foundation, and Professor Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School, in the presence of Majid Al-Qasabi, Vice Chairman of Misk Foundation, and Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education.
The cooperation includes designing and delivering empowerment and leadership development programs for youth, and developing short executive courses and tailored workshops for Saudi leaders.
It will study the potential establishment of a regional executive education hub in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.
Commenting on the partnership, Al-Badr said the agreement reflects Misk Foundation’s commitment to developing a generation of leaders capable of shaping a sustainable future and driving national transformation.
“Through the strategic collaboration, we aim to deliver effective educational and executive solutions, and to advance scientific research that support the development of qualified leadership capabilities, contributing to enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness regionally and globally,” he added.
This partnership with London Business School, one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, falls within Misk Foundation’s broader efforts to provide innovative learning and training opportunities that contribute to building a thriving society led by youth.
US energy secretary praises Saudi cooperation
- Chris Wright discussed renewable energy sources with Saudi officials
RIYADH: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership for fostering robust energy cooperation between the two countries.
Wright, who visited the Kingdom on Sunday, expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman for supporting energy partnership with the US.
During a media briefing at the Energy Ministry in Riyadh, Wright discussed his conversations with Saudi officials regarding energy investment, trade and security. He praised the Kingdom’s solar energy sector and innovative energy development approach.
He discussed renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen and solar power with Saudi officials, stressing the need for long-term investments to meet rising global demand, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Wright highlighted the importance of stable oil prices to encourage investments in vital minerals, and emphasized the need to promote mutual investment and consistent growth in energy supplies, the SPA added.
Regarding the tariffs introduced globally by the US, he said the focus was on fair trade and bringing jobs back to the country. Wright described them as strategic tariffs aimed at encouraging domestic investment.
Fashioning identity: Saudi designer champions tour guides as ambassadors
- Dallal Al-Juhani’s uniform concept weaves together tradition, technology
- We should showcase Saudi heritage to the world through tourism and fashion, she says
JEDDAH: In Saudi Arabia, where each region’s distinct heritage shines through its landscape and traditions, tour guides serve as vital ambassadors — and one Saudi designer believes their attire is key to embodying the cultural treasures they represent.
Dallal Al-Juhani, a fashion design faculty member at Taibah University, has developed a visionary concept for tour guide uniforms in AlUla which blends heritage with modern style.
Using technology to champion heritage, her project merges the cultural identity of AlUla with aesthetics and the functional needs of the job, highlighting Saudi identity in its finest form.
“Saudi heritage has its place and value,” she told Arab News. “We should be proud of it and showcase it to the world through the tourism and fashion sectors."
HIGHLIGHT
Dallal Al-Juhani, a fashion design faculty member at Taibah University, has developed a visionary concept for tour guide uniforms in AlUla which blends heritage with modern style.
Al-Juhani holds a bachelor’s degree in clothing and jewelry design from Taibah University, and boasts a master’s in fashion design from King Abdulaziz University.
She added: “During my studies there was a significant focus on fashion that reflects heritage, as well as the role of modern technologies in the development of the fashion industry.”
Reflecting on the inspiration behind her vision for tour guide uniforms, she said: “During my visit to AlUla in 2021 I noticed that tour guides did not have a specific uniform to stand out to visitors.
Saudi heritage has its place and value. We should be proud of it and showcase it to the world through the tourism and fashion sectors.
Dallal Al-Juhani, Saudi designer and academic
“As a fashion designer I felt compelled to find a solution to this issue by creating designs suitable for this role.”
Al-Juhani’s uniform concept reflects the rich identity of AlUla through colors, patterns, materials, and techniques, all inspired by the region’s heritage.
It serves as a visual narrative, representing the beauty of AlUla’s monuments while establishing a deep connection between the storyteller and the place itself.
She said: “Patterns were inspired from iconic locations such as Al-Hijr and Jabal Ikmah, incorporating Nabataean letters and prominent symbols such as the bull, lion, and hand.”
Functionality was a key consideration in the uniform’s design, and Al-Juhani added: “The uniform gives the tour guide a sense of belonging and comfort, leaving a positive impression on tourists, which elevates the level of professionalism in the tourism sector.”
As a young Saudi designer Al-Juhani’s message to her peers is to keep up with modern trends by utilizing new technologies in design and illustration. In fact, as part of her project, she harnessed artificial intelligence techniques to enhance her designs.
And to bring her vision to life she used AI-powered tools like Midjourney and Lexica to develop prototypes before transitioning to manual work.
She said: “I used natural leather and techniques such as burning and decoration that mimic the ancient Nabataean style. I also added traditional details using leather threads and blanket stitching to enhance the heritage touch.”
While Al-Juhani did face some challenges in sourcing high-quality materials, the input offered by tour guides made the process smoother.
She added: “I made sure to involve them in every stage to strengthen their connection to the uniform, making it a project they felt a part of rather than just a product.”
Her innovative approach has already earned her recognition, and Al-Juhani was awarded the gold medal at the London International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations in 2024, as well as receiving special recognition from Croatia and Romania at the same event.
“It was proof that heritage and monuments give design authenticity, uniqueness, and enhance its aesthetic and expressive value,” she said.
Saudi traditional crafts on show at Jouf camel auction
- Women demonstrate art of making sameel storage pouches
RIYADH: The art of making leather containers for storing food and drinks was just one of the attractions at the recent Jouf camel auction in Dumat Al-Jandal governorate.
With 2025 designated as the Year of Handicrafts, festivals across Saudi Arabia are providing important platforms for artisans to showcase and market their traditional skills.
At the camel auction, which ends on Tuesday, craftswoman Umm Meshaal, told the Saudi Press Agency how she produced sameel, a type of pouch made from animal hide and used for storing ghee, yogurt and water.
Meshaal said that sheep skin worked best for keeping yogurt, while goat skin was better for ghee.
FASTFACTS
• At the Jouf camel auction, craftswoman Umm Meshaal told the Saudi Press Agency how she produced sameel.
• It is a traditional pouch made from animal hide and used for storing ghee, yogurt and water.
The process starts by tanning the skins using a tree extract and salt to remove the hair and any impurities. The hides are then left to dry before being cut and sewn together into the desired shape.
The ancient art of making sameel is still relevant in modern-day Jouf, particularly among Bedouin communities who use them for storing and carrying vital supplies.
Many consumers say the best ghee in the Kingdom comes from these traditional vessels, the report said.
