JEDDAH: The work of Saudi sculptor Wafa Alqunibit is on display in a Jeddah art gallery. A small glass box holds objects that have the appearance, shape and texture of dates. Only they are wrought from metal and glint silver and gold.
Alqunibit concedes that art can sometimes be a taboo subject in Saudi society, but says her work has its place.
“I do this to promote and represent our culture and religion as I belong to a very religious family. We have our freedom and we have open minds and I just wanted to portray this image to the world,” she told Arab News.
Her Instagram feed shows other examples of her art, including sculptures featuring the distinctive ringed and slightly curled horns of the Arabian oryx, and videos of her carving, sanding and sawing using machinery that can be seen in any carpentry or masonry workshop.
But her journey toward the arts — specifically sculpture — has not been straightforward.
“I went to Portland (in the US) to complete my doctorate in human resources. But I ended up changing my major to arts and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and they accepted me as a painter.”
But her professors thought she had different strengths — with one telling her she was born to be a tough person.
“At first I thought he was referring to me as an aggressive person, but later when I started sculpting I found out what he meant.”
She uses her work to communicate with people, especially those who misunderstand Islam, and recalled living in the US at a difficult time for Muslims.
“I took support from the arts, to tell people what we really are and now my artwork is displayed in so many galleries and I have been given the title of religious artist.”
Another artist taking inspiration from culture and religion is 26-year-old author Allaa Awad, who has taken the 99 names of Allah and turned them into poetry.
Her debut work, “Ninety-Nine: The Higher Power,” includes poems about purity, mercy, blessings and peace.
“I have encountered many people in life. They have a negative concept about life and God and I just wanted to turn that around and put my own perceptions of what I think God is, who He really is and how we should perceive Him,” she told Arab News.
She also experienced a struggle in her artistic journey, like Alqunibit did, but in a different way.
“The difficulties that I faced were getting the names on point, because a lot of them are very similar to each other. The best part was how people reacted to it on a spiritual level and how they were able to relate to what I had to say, rather than what online research had to say.”
Saudi artists draw inspiration from Islam
Saudi artists draw inspiration from Islam
- Wafa Alqunibit: “The difficulties that I faced were getting the names on point, because a lot of them are very similar to each other
Saudi conjoined twins center leading global medical understanding, Al-Rabeeah says
- Centralized healthcare key for advancing research and expertise, conference told
RIYADH: Centralizing medical knowledge in the Arab world is key to improving specialized medical care, Saudi Arabia’s top surgeon has said.
Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who also serves as supervisor-general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief and was once minister of health, was speaking at Riyadh’s International Conference on Conjoined Twins.
The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has separated dozens of conjoined twins from countries around the world under the care of Al-Rabeeah.
He said that dealing with rare specialties in medicine requires experience and volume, which comes with population. Most countries in the Middle East can go decades without seeing a case of conjoined twins, he added.
“Building a center of excellence with a large volume, it brings value of experience, value of research, value of outcome and value of care for the patients,” Al-Rabeeah said.
Quoting Lord Ara Darzi of the UK, who spoke at an earlier ministerial roundtable at the conference, Al-Rabeeah added: “In certain specialties you need to decentralize, like family medicine, women’s care — you have to have access anywhere. But in certain specialties, like conjoined twins, you need to centralize.”
Al-Rabeeah said that as health minister, he constantly called for collaboration between GCC and Arab countries to concentrate specialties into central reference centers to promote research and development, and advance expertise in the region.
Compared to worldwide numbers, Al-Rabeeah added that the conjoined twins program in Saudi Arabia is “on the top … in terms of volume and expertise and success rates, we are one of the highest in the world.”
With 143 evaluated cases and 61 separations, there are now seven cases waiting to be evaluated.
“The unique thing about Saudi Arabia: It is a large volume done by one team,” Al-Rabeeah said.
The team of conjoined twins specialists in Saudi Arabia have “collected the wealth of knowledge and developed their expertise,” and are ready to pass it on to younger generations of surgeons, he said.
Al-Rabeeah recommends early antenatal care to ensure the health and wellness of both mother and the baby, and to prepare any necessary treatment plans early on.
“One thing which has changed in the last three-and-a-half decades is the early diagnosis … during pregnancy, we have to ensure the level of anomalies and the risk on the mother,” he said.
Once the twins are born, a complete picture of the heart’s conditions, spinal columns, nerves and vital organs must be established before a plan of operation is set in place.
“After separation, now another dilemma is rehabilitation … how they can go into society, the independence, the separation trauma. We have to deal with all of those until the child moves from one body to two bodies which are independent,” he added.
For a complete transformation for both the patients and their family, the post-operative psychological and rehabilitative follow-up is a crucial step in the procedural process.
“If you have not lived with those families, you will not feel it. I have lived with them; I have listened to them. And it is actually a trauma to the mother, a trauma for the father and a challenge for the babies,” Al-Rabeeah said.
He recounted babies who cannot be bottle-fed because their sibling is in the way, so the doctors have to create tubes that connect between the nipples and each baby.
This creates an uncomfortable experience for the mother, and a difficult situation to encounter for women living in rural areas, lower-income families, or those living in countries with fragile health systems.
“(After) this trauma and uncertainty, as soon as you separate them … their whole lives have changed,” he added.
The Riyadh conference is set to hear from separated twins, who will tell audiences how surgery has changed their lives, allowing them to become more independent and integrated into society, Al-Rabeeah said.
In partnership with the UN Population Fund, Children’s Fund, as well as local and regional NGOs, nine agreements were signed on Sunday at the conference, two of which related to conjoined twins.
Additionally, four agreements were signed for the establishment of prosthetic centers aimed at improving children’s quality of life.
Al-Rabeeah also highlighted the signing of an agreement for children in Gaza: “This is something that is important and they deserve attention by us and others.”
Formerly conjoined Filipino twins return to Riyadh 20 years after lifesaving surgery
- Princess Mae: After our separation, I gained a new appreciation for individuality and independence
- Dr. Ahmed Bawaneh, deputy country representative at IMC Jordan, highlighted the emotional and psychological challenges faced by conjoined twins
RIYADH: Twenty years after they were separated in a complex surgery in Riyadh, two Filipino twins have returned to the Saudi capital to celebrate the medical expertise that saved their lives.
Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo stayed for more than six months in the Kingdom in 2004 as guests of Crown Prince Abdullah.
They were separated at Riyadh’s National Guard Hospital.
“After our separation, I gained a new appreciation for individuality and independence,” Princess Mae told the International Conference for Conjoined Twins on Monday.
The event is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, a global leader in the field.
She was speaking during a panel discussion titled “Exploring the Multifaceted Impacts of Separation: Conjoined Twins and Families.”
The unique story of the Manzo twins proved the central focus of the discussion.
They are now thriving as third-year students in their native Philippines.
“While we still cherish the unique bond we share, it is a balance of gratitude for our shared paths and excitement for forging our path,” said Princess Mae.
The panel invited experts and family members to discuss the medical and psychological challenges of separating conjoined twins, as well as the broader social, educational and emotional implications.
Princess Anne said that the separation deeply impacted her and Mae’s emotional well-being.
“It has made us more self-aware individually, helping us understand our limits by living life separately with different groups of friends, different schools and different workplaces.”
Dr. Gopal Mitra, global lead on disability and development at UNICEF, highlighted stigmas surrounding conjoined twins, warning that an “obsession with normalcy” often leads to harmful stereotypes and social exclusion for those who are perceived as different.
“Stigma arises when we assign attributes and characteristics to groups of people based on our perceptions of difference — how they look, move, behave, or communicate.”
Mitra added that when a mother gives birth to conjoined twins, the family already faces stress and strain.
Strategies to combat negative perceptions include community engagement, the training of frontline workers and role modeling, he said, adding: “Princess Mae and Princess Ann are wonderful role models.”
Mitra said that inclusive education is a foundation for addressing stigma: “Inclusive education respects individuality and tailors learning experiences to the unique needs of each child.”
Dr. Ahmed Bawaneh, deputy country representative at IMC Jordan, highlighted the emotional and psychological challenges faced by conjoined twins and their families throughout separation and recovery.
“The stigma doesn’t go away after the separation. It’s there before, during and after. It’s something the twins and their families have to grapple with for a long time,” he said.
“It is important that we don’t look at conjoined twins as just special cases.”
After separation, long-term rehabilitation poses another challenge, requiring sustained support from mental health professionals, Bawaneh added.
“We must focus on the stressors they face and provide holistic, integrated support that addresses their mental, emotional and physical well-being. The importance of integrated mental health services cannot be overstated.”
The panel discussion served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action.
“The support system that I had was very helpful during the separation and recovery was my family,” the Manzo twins’ mother said.
Her words served as a reminder that behind every medical milestone is a network of caregivers who provide emotional strength, practical assistance and unwavering love.
“Inclusive education and an inclusive society are not just ideals but necessities — because every child deserves the chance to flourish,” Mitra said.
Preparing professionals to address unique patients is crucial, said Bawaneh.
“We must remember that these children and their families are not defined by their circumstances — they are individuals with dreams, challenges and incredible resilience.”
Saudi, Japanese firms to release new game in MENA
- The action game will immerse players in legendary battles and strategic combat
Riyadh: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has signed a publishing and distribution agreement with Koei Tecmo to release Dynasty Warriors: Origins in the Middle East and North Africa, scheduled for Jan. 17, 2025.
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, according to a press release.
Manga Productions will collaborate with Koei Tecmo to localize the game for MENA audiences, involving Saudi talents in the process, in addition to handling its publishing and marketing.
The action game will immerse players in legendary battles and strategic combat, set in the iconic Three Kingdoms world of ancient China, appealing to both new and returning fans of the series.
Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary said: “Saudi Arabia and the MENA region are among the fastest-growing game markets globally. Manga Productions has successfully produced, distributed, and licensed content in recent years. We’re excited to partner with Koei Tecmo to publish this AAA game and invest in Saudi talent to further develop the gaming and creative industries in the region.”
Koei Tecmo President and Chief Operating Officer Hisashi Koinuma said that this partnership with Manga Productions goes beyond publishing to deliver a fully localized version tailored for regional gaming enthusiasts.
Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh, business development and content licensing director at Manga Productions, said that video games are a core part of the company’s business. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to expand into the MENA region, benefiting both parties, he added.
Matcha lovers, anime fans flock to Japan Festival in Riyadh
- Festival celebrates Japanese technology and products
- Major car brands demonstrate new models
RIYADH: Thousands of people flocked to the Japan Festival held recently in Riyadh, which attracted businesspeople, matcha tea lovers, anime fans, and car enthusiasts alike.
Organized jointly by the Embassy of Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization, and the Japanese Society in Riyadh, the festival was held at the Saudi capital’s Cultural Palace and hosted around 8,000 visitors over two days.
A JETRO spokesperson told Arab News that more than a few Japanese have been keeping a close eye on Saudi Arabia’s future potential.
“For Japan, Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important trade partners due to two reasons. One is that Saudi Arabia has been the biggest exporter of crude oil to Japan and the other (is that) Saudi Arabia highly evaluates Japanese technologies, in particular transportation equipment,” the spokesperson said.
On Japan-Saudi exports, the JETRO spokesperson noted that Japanese exports to Saudi Arabia totaled $6.36 billion in 2023, up 25.2 percent from the previous year.
Of that total, transportation equipment accounted for 70.2 percent of total exports. Automobiles grew 31.3 percent to $4.25 billion, with passenger cars and buses/trucks growing 32.8 percent and 24.2 percent respectively.
Imports declined $34.78 billion, down 19.2 percent from the previous year. Crude oil and crude oil imports, which account for 95.7 percent of total imports, declined 17.9 percent to $33.3 billion due to lower crude oil prices and production cuts. In 2023, oil imports from Saudi Arabia accounted for 40.4 percent of Japan’s total.
Major car brands like Mitsubishi and Toyota were on display at the event, as well as several technology, beauty, art and recreational brands.
Trading house Itochu, and Kumon, the children’s educational network, were some of the big name brands participating in the event.
Stage performances showcased a number of Japanese cultural offerings including a drum performance by the students of the Japanese School in Riyadh, a martial arts demonstration, a tea ceremony, umbrella juggling, live painting, and performances of popular traditional and anime songs.
Guests were able to learn about Japanese tourism, play with traditional toys, learn origami, and try on a Japanese kimono or yukata.
Visitors were also educated on Japanese tourism, and enjoyed traditional Japanese toys, calligraphy and craft workshops.
In the booth area, Japanese industrial products with cutting-edge technology and Japanese cars from major brands were displayed.
Camel organization welcomes Saudi HQ approval
RIYADH: The International Camel Organization welcomed the Saudi Cabinet’s decision to approve a headquarters agreement between the Kingdom’s government and the organization.
The decision reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for the camel sector and its efforts to elevate its role internationally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, chairman of the camel organization, expressed his gratitude for the Cabinet’s decision.
He said: “The organization has worked over the years to develop strategies and policies to promote the global camel economy. These efforts aim to advance rural and desert communities, preserve heritage and culture, foster scientific research, and encourage camel-related sports that attract global interest.
“Additionally, we have organized international events, expanded partnerships with global organizations, and prioritized camel welfare, health, and regulations governing their movement.”
Bin Hathleen said that the Saudi Cabinet’s decision underscores the government’s commitment, under King Salman’s leadership, to strengthening the organization’s role and enhancing international cooperation in the camel sector.
He noted that the decision aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to foster sustainable development, support key sectors, and boost international collaboration to benefit camel breeders and owners locally, regionally, and globally.
This achievement also supports the Year of the Camel and the International Year of the Camelids 2024 initiatives, which are designed to highlight the untapped potential of the animals, SPA reported.
These initiatives advocate for increased investment, further research, capacity-building, and the adoption of innovative practices and technologies in the camel sector.
