AL-AHSA: Traditional woodcrafts ingrained in a Saudi region’s heritage were showcased at a major festival event.
Wood-carving has played an important part in Al-Ahsa’s history, and experts in the art demonstrated their skills at one of the latest Sharqiah Season attractions taking place in the Eastern Province.
Male and female artists from Al-Ahas are aiming to breathe new life into the ancient craft which has been passed down through generations.
The wood carvings from the region take on many shapes and forms, with triangles being the most popular, and often incorporate calligraphy.
The cultural event titled Al-Ahsa Creative highlighted some of the many traditions of the area including music and handicrafts.
Abdullah Al-Shabaan, 70, has been producing wood carvings since he was 10 years old and is the last person in his family carrying on the tradition.
“I started practicing this craft with my grandfather and uncle, and I would create items after school and on vacations with both of them. The craft brings me peace and I cannot let go of it,” Al-Shabaan told Arab News.
Although his children have not followed in his footsteps, Al-Shabaan has held tutorials for those wishing to learn the craft.
“In 2016 I held a workshop for four females and a male, and one of the women really excelled. Then in 2017 I taught a group of five women and two men, and last year I was teaching 17 young men. Young people remain interested in this craft and are still holding on to it,” he added.
Fatimah Al-Hmoudi, 39, is a visual artist who started carving wood two years ago.
“Women are a minority in this field, and so I’m happy to be among those women who practice this art. I like to merge the past with the present, and as someone from Al-Ahsa I want to hold onto our heritage,” she said. “I am interested in all of Al-Ahsa’s history and want to showcase its identity.”
Al-Hmoudi pointed to one of her artworks shaped as a palm tree and with the word “Al-Ahsa” engraved on it in Arabic. “The palm tree symbolizes Al-Ahsa, and I added patterns that are specific to Al-Ahsa,” she added.
One visitor to the event, Shahad Al-Ghamdi, told Arab News: “Al-Ahsa has developed in so many ways. Culture is being showcased all the time, and we are provided with great entertainment events.”
Saudi heritage event aims to carve out future for traditional woodcrafts
Saudi heritage event aims to carve out future for traditional woodcrafts
- Wood-carving has played an important part in Al-Ahsa’s history
Islamic banking forum inaugurated in Madinah
Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah, inaugurated on Wednesday the 45th AlBaraka Islamic Economics Symposium, themed “Islamic Banking in 50 Years: Past Achievements and Future Aspirations,” at Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University in Madinah.
The two-day symposium convened leading experts in economics, finance, and investment.
During his address at the event, Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri, Royal Court adviser and Council of Senior Scholars member, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Islamic banking, noting that over 85 percent of the Kingdom’s banking operations adhere to Islamic principles, a globally unmatched percentage.
Belgian center visits Qur’an printing complex
- The complex is the world’s largest printing press dedicated to the Qur’an
The president and members of the Islamic Future Center in Belgium visited the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an to learn about the Kingdom’s efforts in printing copies of the Qur’an, SPA reported on Thursday.
The complex is the world’s largest printing press dedicated to the Qur’an.
The delegation began its visit by watching a documentary film showcasing the complex’s history since its establishment, its development stages in recent years, its significant contributions to serving the Qur’an, its global achievements, and its efforts to translate the meanings of the Qur’an into more than 76 world languages, which have been distributed worldwide.
Afterward, the delegation was guided to the balcony overlooking the production area, where they learned about the stages of printing the Qur’an — from the meticulous review of texts and the use of the latest printing technologies to the final packaging and distribution, all part of a professional system integrating precision and mastery.
The delegation described the complex as embodying the Kingdom’s contribution to serving Islam and Muslims worldwide, SPA reported.
Enabling delegations to visit the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an is part of efforts to showcase its global mission of printing the Qur’an and translating its meanings into various languages for distribution as gifts to Muslims worldwide.
This aligns with the Kingdom’s vision of supporting initiatives that serve Islam and strengthen bonds of Islamic brotherhood among peoples, SPA reported.
AlUla to host Instagram Creators Summit
- This groundbreaking summit is the first of its kind in the region and will bring together leading content creators from around the world
ALULA: AlUla is poised to host the first Instagram Creators Summit in the Middle East and North Africa. The event will take place from April 20 to 22, organized by Meta, the technology company, in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, and in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority and Riyadh Air.
This groundbreaking summit is the first of its kind in the region and will bring together leading content creators from around the world. The agenda includes interactive panel discussions, keynote speeches, and conversations about the future of content creation, covering topics such as social media, artificial intelligence, and the evolving digital landscape.
These creators collectively reach more than 231 million followers worldwide, highlighting the growing importance of influencer marketing in today’s travel destinations.
The summit will also feature sessions on how to best utilize platform tools, explore the latest technical updates, and identify new opportunities in the creator economy.
Interactive dialogues will allow participants to engage directly with Meta’s product managers, while open forums will encourage the sharing of expertise and the building of strong collaborations among creators.
This summit presents an opportunity to gain insights, connect with industry leaders and stay at the forefront of the ever-changing digital scene.
UNESCO adds Salma Geopark, North Riyadh Geopark to its global network
- This prestigious designation opens new frontiers for geological tourism, scientific research, and international collaboration
- North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors fossilized coral reefs dating back over 150 million years, alongside limestone caves and mountain ranges that unveil geological transformations
RIYADH: UNESCO has recognized Saudi Arabia’s geological diversity by adding the North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark to its global network — marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts.
This prestigious designation opens new frontiers for geological tourism, scientific research, and international collaboration.
Hussam Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, emphasized that this achievement transcends mere classification. It represents a strategic vision deeply aligned with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of establishing the Kingdom as a global leader in environmental sustainability.
“From the beginning, we aspired for these geoparks to be more than geological sites — they are living platforms that narrate Earth’s stories, bearing witness to the passage of time and reflecting the rich natural diversity we possess,” Al-Turki told Arab News.
Each geopark boasts a unique geological character. North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors fossilized coral reefs dating back over 150 million years, alongside limestone caves and mountain ranges that unveil geological transformations.
Salma Geopark in Hail presents a dramatic landscape of rare volcanic formations, including calderas, lava fields, and volcanic craters that chronicle millions of years of geological activity.
Beyond tourism, these geoparks represent promising research platforms. Universities and scientific centers, both locally and internationally, now have unprecedented opportunities to study Earth’s layers and natural phenomena.
Al-Turki noted that the project adheres to the highest global standards, with UNESCO conducting rigorous evaluations before approving the sites.
This classification sends a clear message to the world: preserving geological heritage is not a luxury but a developmental commitment and an investment in a green future.
“With additional sites under development, Saudi Arabia is redefining humanity’s relationship with the Earth,” Al-Turki concluded.
First phase of Saudization in healthcare professions starts today
- Saudization rates will increase across four key private-sector healthcare professions as of April 17, 2025 in line with the approved professional titles
- First phase targets specific Saudization percentages: 65 percent for radiology, 80 percent for clinical nutrition, the same for physiotherapy, and 70 percent for medical laboratories
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in partnership with the Ministry of Health, announced the commencement of the first phase of Saudization in the healthcare sector.
Saudization rates will increase across four key private-sector healthcare professions as of April 17, 2025 in line with the approved professional titles, the MHRSD said in a series of posts on X.
The first phase targets specific Saudization percentages: 65 percent for radiology, 80 percent for clinical nutrition, the same for physiotherapy, and 70 percent for medical laboratories, it added.
The stipulated minimum monthly salaries are SR7,000 for specialists and SR5,000 for technicians in these roles.
The decision, according to the MHRSD, aligns with ongoing efforts by each ministry to enhance the participation of national talent in the labor market and to provide productive and lucrative job opportunities for Saudi citizens, while simultaneously supporting the objectives of the Labor Market Strategy and the Health Sector Transformation Program.
“It’s a steady step towards empowering national competencies in the healthcare professions, investing in their capabilities and skills to build their professional futures and enhance their opportunities in the private sector,” the MHRSD said.
The initial implementation covers all establishments, regardless of size, in the major cities — Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam and Al-Khobar.
Large and mega-sized companies in other regions of the Kingdom are also included in this first phase.
The second phase of implementation, which will encompass the remaining establishments throughout the Kingdom, is scheduled to begin on Oct. 17, 2025.
Comprehensive procedural guidelines outlining the decision and the mandatory Saudization rates are available on the official website of the MHRSD.
Businesses that fail to meet Saudi localization quotas are subject to fines. The MHRSD urged all relevant establishments to comply with these regulations to avoid penalties.
The Kingdom in October 2024 announced higher mandatory localization rates in four private sector health professions with the mandatory localization rate in radiology to be raised to 65 percent, medical laboratory to 70 percent, therapeutic nutrition to 80 percent and physiotherapy to 80 percent.
Welcoming the decision, Abdullah Ahmed, a physiotherapist in Riyadh said: “It’s a good decision for Saudi graduates in this sector and aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to make more employment opportunities available for nationals in the private sector.”
In March 2024, the MHRSD and the MOH began implementing a mandatory 35 percent localization rate in dental professions. They also applied localization ratios to private sector establishments employing three or more workers in dental professions.
