Saudi Arabia pledges continued financial support for Palestine, Yemen

Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Kattan attends a meeting of the League of Arab States’ Council in Cairo. (SPA)
Updated 07 March 2019
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Saudi Arabia pledges continued financial support for Palestine, Yemen

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s minister of state for African affairs on Wednesday pledged the Kingdom’s continued support for Palestine and Yemen at a top-level meeting of Arab states.

Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Kattan made the commitment on behalf of the country as he attended a ministerial session of the Arab League Council, being held at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo.

Kattan, who was leading the Saudi delegation to the meeting in the Egyptian capital, said resolving the Palestinian issue remained a top priority for Arab League nations.

He added that in 2018 Saudi Arabia provided $160 million for UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) programs and said the Kingdom would continue to offer financial and political support.

The minister also confirmed future Saudi financial backing for the Yemeni people. He condemned the Iranian-backed Houthi militias’ violations against the Yemenis and said the Kingdom was committed to helping bring stability to Yemen. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the UN envoy there in finding a political solution to the country’s crisis. 

Kattan added that the Kingdom supported a peaceful resolution to the war in Syria in order to maintain the war-torn nation’s integrity and unity in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. He also backed Libyan efforts to rebuild the state and its institutions.

The Cairo gathering was preceded by a consultative meeting attended by heads of delegations and other officials.

The Arab ministers are scheduled to discuss the agenda for a major Arab summit to be held in Tunis later this month. The officials will also hold talks about joint political, economic, social, cultural and security cooperation between Arab countries, as well as the Palestinian issue and Arab-Israel conflict. Latest developments in the region, particularly in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen will be reviewed too.


Saudi fashion startups award reaches final stage

Updated 9 min 35 sec ago
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Saudi fashion startups award reaches final stage

  • Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said that sustainability was central to the commission’s vision for the future of the industry

RIYADH: The Fashion Commission and luxury group Kering have launched the selection process for the winners of the Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia.

The initiative aims to support innovative startups making a significant impact on the fashion industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The application process began in November 2024, inviting startups to submit applications and promote sustainability. More than 100 startups applied, with 20 selected to participate in a three-day training camp in Riyadh.

The program featured workshops focused on key performance indicators, goal setting and pitching skills, SPA reported.

On Jan. 14, the shortlist of 20 startups gathered in Riyadh for the final presentation, where each applicant was evaluated on customer engagement, circular economy and water protection.

Following the presentations, the evaluation process began to select the top 10 proposals, which will be assessed by the jury based on innovation, relevance, fashion connection, and potential impact on nature and society.

The awards ceremony will take place on Jan. 27 in Riyadh, where the top three winning startups will be announced.

Winners will have the opportunity to travel to Paris for exclusive mentoring with Kering’s sustainability teams and present their innovations at the ChangeNOW 2025 summit.

Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said that sustainability was central to the commission’s vision for the future of the industry.

He added that the award aimed to showcase and support startups driving innovation in circular fashion and environmental stewardship.

Cakmak emphasized the commission’s commitment to advancing solutions that address current challenges and pave the way for a sustainable future in fashion.

 


Jazan festival showcases region’s rich heritage

Erth Village, a highlight of the festival, is showcasing traditional handicrafts, games and clothing. (SPA)
Updated 9 sec ago
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Jazan festival showcases region’s rich heritage

  • Visitors can learn about heritage professions in the craftsmen’s corner, including leather tanning, pottery, weaving, ornament making, sewing and embroidery

RIYADH: The Jazan Winter Festival has attracted a large number of visitors with a variety of heritage events, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The festival plays a key role in boosting regional tourism, drawing guests from within the Kingdom and beyond.

Erth Village, a highlight of the festival, is showcasing traditional handicrafts, games and clothing, the SPA reported.

Visitors can learn about heritage professions in the craftsmen’s corner, including leather tanning, pottery, weaving, ornament making, sewing and embroidery.

The scheme stimulates the local economy and highlights the region’s culture through captivating performances and folk dances, the SPA added.

Local perfumes and herbs are on display, highlighting the area’s rich heritage. Food enthusiasts can try traditional dishes that showcase local ingredients and culinary traditions.

Spanning three months, the event features 300 activities across 42 sites in Jazan and its governorates. The festival’s activities also include art exhibitions, plays and poetry gatherings.

 


Saudi ambassador meets Mauritian minister in Port Louis

Mohammed Reza Cassam Uteem (R) receives Fayez bin Meshal Al-Temyat in Port Louis. (Supplied)
Updated 47 sec ago
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Saudi ambassador meets Mauritian minister in Port Louis

  • They discussed way to enhance bilateral relations as well as other topics of mutual interest

PORT LOUIS: Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Temyat recently met Mauritian Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations Mohammed Reza Cassam Uteem, the Saudi Embassy wrote on X on Saturday.

During the meeting, they discussed way to enhance bilateral relations as well as other topics of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, officials at the Digital Cooperation Organization received Austrian Ambassador to the Kingdom Oskar Wustinger and a delegation from Austria’s Ministry of Finance, the Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development, and other institutions, the organization wrote on X on Saturday.

 


Saudi customs tackle 2,124 smuggling cases in single week

Updated 18 January 2025
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Saudi customs tackle 2,124 smuggling cases in single week

  • The crackdown included more than 350 cases linked to prohibited substances

RIYADH: Customs officials at land, air, and sea ports across the Kingdom were involved in 2,124 seizures of prohibited items in a single week, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority reported.
The figure reflected the authority’s commitment to protecting society from smuggling and illegal activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The crackdown included more than 350 cases linked to prohibited substances, of which 98 involved narcotics such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, shabu and captagon pills.
The authorities also thwarted more than 1,745 attempts to smuggle tobacco and its derivatives, 22 cases involving money and three cases involving weapons and related accessories.
The authority urged the public to report any information regarding smuggling by calling 1910, the international number 009661910 or by emailing [email protected]. Financial rewards are offered for accurate information.


Symphony of scripts: Calligraphers make their mark in Dammam exhibition

Updated 18 January 2025
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Symphony of scripts: Calligraphers make their mark in Dammam exhibition

  • ‘The Pulse of Ink’ unites 30 young and experienced artisans to honor cultural heritage

DHAHRAN: In the heart of Dammam, the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts is hosting a calligraphy art exhibition titled “The Pulse of Ink,” showcasing works of the Qatif Calligraphy Group.

Art enthusiasts and curious minds alike have until Jan. 20 to explore works by renowned calligraphy and ornamentation artists, including some as young as 12-years-old.

To complement the exhibition, the Qatif Calligraphy Group has organized a series of engaging activities, including workshops for aspiring calligraphers.

The first workshop was presented by 14-year-old Hussein Bazaroun, who has been practicing calligraphy for two and a half years.

Bazroun’s passion and dedication to the craft are a source of inspiration for young and aspiring artists alike.

Additional workshops will focus on Diwani script, led by calligrapher Ali Al-Khuwaildi, and Ruq’ah script, taught by his fellow calligrapher, Hassan Al-Radwan.

Among the showcased talents is 12-year-old calligrapher Ali Al-Kadhim, a prodigy who has been perfecting his craft for just over a year and a half. His talent is a testament to the group’s mission to promote and preserve the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy.

The exhibition also features a diverse range of pieces, each a captivating blend of intricate lines, curves and ornaments that seem to dance across the page.

The calligraphy group’s goals are diverse and far-reaching. By hosting workshops, exhibitions and lectures, they promote Arabic calligraphy as an Islamic and artistic art form, while also supporting local artists and enriching the cultural landscape of Qatif.

Through competitions and showcases, they are creating a new generation of calligraphers to carry forward the tradition.

For Al-Khuwaildi, vice president of the calligraphy group, calligraphy is more than just a hobby — it is a refuge, a source of comfort and a means of creative expression.

“I fell in love with calligraphy in elementary school, and it evolved from a hobby into a refuge throughout my life,” he told Arab News.

“Whenever life gets overwhelming, I return to it like a bird to its nest.” His words reflect the therapeutic power of calligraphy, which requires patience, dedication and a deep understanding of the intricate relationships between letters, lines and spaces.

Hassan Al-Bashrawi, secretary of the calligraphy group, highlighted the unique appeal of Arabic calligraphy: “It combines two key aesthetic qualities: Artistic construction and meaningful values reflecting Islamic civilization and Arab heritage.”

Al-Bashrawi’s own journey as a calligrapher has been marked by intense study, practice and collaboration with fellow artists. Through his work, he is building a strong foundation for renewal, drawing inspiration from both ancient resources and contemporary artists.

For Muna Al-Muhanna, a talented artist featuring her first piece in the exhibition, the experience is nothing short of exhilarating.

“My feelings were a mix of the joy of accomplishment and pride in creating something in remembrance of Allah, the Most High,” she said.

Capturing the essence of the ancient art form, she added: “It separates me from the tangible world and immerses me in a realm of beauty represented by calligraphy.”

At the Qatif Calligraphy Group’s exhibition in Dammam, visitors will be treated to a visual feast of intricate scripts, majestic ornaments and heartfelt expressions of creativity.

In an era where technology dominates our daily lives, this celebration of Arabic calligraphy serves as a reminder of the beauty, spirituality and timelessness of handwritten art.

Whether you are an art lover or history enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, the exhibition is sure to leave you in awe of the magic that happens when pen meets paper.