JEDDAH: The Saudi Media Ministry held an annual ceremony in Jeddah to honor media delegations that participated in coverage of this year’s Hajj season.
Media Minister Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah hailed the Saudi leadership’s keenness on the season’s success, saying the Kingdom has the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims.
The ceremony featured speeches by guests of the ministry, who praised efforts to serve pilgrims. Presentations on those efforts were also shown.
Al-Shabanah honored participating bodies from inside and outside the ministry. He thanked the media for their efforts and coverage of Hajj, which enabled pilgrims to share their stories and spiritual experiences with the world.
There were 2,489,406 pilgrims at this year’s Hajj, of whom 1,855,027 came from outside the Kingdom, according to the General Authority for Statistics.
There were 634,379 domestic pilgrims, of whom 67 percent were non-Saudi. There were 1,385,234 male pilgrims and 1,104,172 female pilgrims, the authority added.
Earlier, Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal thanked local and international media representatives for their Hajj coverage.
This year, 630 permits were issued to Arab, foreign and local media representatives to cover Hajj.
Stationed at more than 20 locations, the authority’s teams are operating around the clock to assist pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Inspection teams from the Transport General Authority have begun early operations at entry points to the Makkah region, the holy sites, and Madinah as part of preparations to serve pilgrims during Hajj.
Stationed at more than 20 locations, the authority’s teams are operating around the clock to assist pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Their daily operations focus on ensuring a smooth experience for pilgrims and verifying that all licensed operators comply with regulations.
The authority has instructed all transport operators to follow approved guidelines during the pilgrimage season.
These include using designated routes, securing operating licenses, and avoiding entry into Hajj-regulated areas without authorization.
It also emphasized that drivers must wear approved uniforms and obtain vehicle operating cards, the SPA reported.
The authority highlighted its continued cooperation with government agencies to ensure safe and secure transport for all pilgrims.
The public s been advised that reports and inquiries can be submitted via the unified number 19929 or through the authority’s Beneficiary Care account on social media.
Saudi Arabia activates first smart buoy in Arabian Gulf
Updated 8 min 6 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance has activated the first smart buoy in the Arabian Gulf at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It is part of a national initiative to deploy 35 smart buoys across the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf by the end of 2025 as part of a comprehensive marine and coastal environmental monitoring strategy.
Anwar Alnahdi, the center’s general manager of monitoring operations, said that the deployment was progressing rapidly.
The first was launched off Jeddah Islamic Port, followed by deployments in Yanbu and Jazan, and the project is now extending to the Arabian Gulf, the SPA added.
Alnahdi said that the full network of 35 buoys will be operational by the end of 2025.
He added that the first buoy in the Arabian Gulf represented a major step in environmental monitoring, allowing real-time data transmission from both the Kingdom’s eastern and western coasts to its major ports.
This will provide vital data for environmental oversight and decision-making, Alnahdi added.
The solar-powered buoys, which are equipped with smart sensors, measure parameters like temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, dissolved solids, and chemicals.
They also feature wireless systems for real-time data transmission, enabling swift detection and response to pollutants.
Alnahdi stressed the importance of this technology, given the Kingdom’s active maritime traffic and ongoing port development, which could lead to pollutants threatening the marine and coastal environment if not addressed promptly.
Saudi Arabia has condemned the recent RSF attacks on vital facilities in Port Sudan and Kassala
Updated 04 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned and strongly denounced the recent attacks on vital facilities in Sudan, in Port Sudan and the eastern border town of Kassala.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom reaffirmed its rejection of such attacks, saying it “threatens regional stability and Arab national security.”
The ministry also said the solution to the current crisis is only through political means and that it must respect Sudan’s sovereignty and unity.
The Kingdom also underlined the importance of adhering to the commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration, which aims to safeguard civilians in Sudan.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Sunday struck Port Sudan with drones, targeting Osman Digna air base, a goods warehouse and some civilian facilities.
The RSF, at war with the regular army since April 2023, have increased their use of drones since losing territory, including much of the capital Khartoum, in March.
#بيان | تعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة المملكة العربية السعودية واستنكارها استهداف المرافق الحيوية والبنية التحتية في "بورتسودان وكسلا" بجمهورية السودان، وهو ما يمثل تهديداً للاستقرار الإقليمي والأمن الوطني العربي والأفريقي pic.twitter.com/HJQ7zXc2Cr
Visitors drawn to historic mosques pavilion in Jakarta
Pavilion featured illustrated panels and information on mosques that have played a pivotal role in Islamic history
Presented in a visually engaging and informative manner, the exhibition included rare photographs and detailed architectural renderings
Updated 04 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Visitors to the Jusoor exhibition, which was organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Jakarta, Indonesia, were attracted to the pavilion showcasing the historic mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
The pavilion featured illustrated panels and information on the mosques that have played a pivotal role in Islamic history, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Among them were the Quba Mosque — the first established in Islam — and the Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the qibla (direction of prayer). Also featured was the Al-Jum’ah Mosque, where the Prophet is said to have led his first Friday prayer. Other historically significant mosques were also highlighted.
Presented in a visually engaging and informative manner, the exhibition included rare photographs and detailed architectural renderings that placed the spotlight on the spiritual importance of these sacred sites.
It also reinforced the deep emotional and historic connection Muslims around the world have with the legacy of the Prophet’s life and mission, the SPA added.
The pavilion was part of the exhibition’s broader goal to promote Islamic values and underscore Saudi Arabia’s leading role in preserving, maintaining, and documenting historic mosques as part of its custodianship of Islamic heritage.
Jeddah’s Balad Al-Fan Festival is haven for creative souls
Festival features art competitions, workshops, cultural talks, weekend markets, and live music shows
Updated 03 May 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district has once again transformed into a vibrant hub of art for the second Balad Al-Fan Festival, which runs until June 13.
The festival, which began on April 5, and is organized by Zawiya 97 in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, features more than 90 events, including artistic competitions, creative workshops, cultural talks, school workshops, live shows, and weekend markets.
Hashem Al-Shawi walks participants through the process of soap making at the festival while Khloud Nass prepares for her pottery class. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)
Abdulrahman Al-Aseri, managing director of Zawiya 97, told Arab News: “Building on our mission at Zawiya 97 to enhance the cultural and artisanal presence in Historic Jeddah, we place creativity at the heart of our vision by bridging living heritage with the spirit of contemporary innovation. Through our participation in Balad Al-Fann 2, we present more than 90 artistic and craft events aimed at reviving Historic Jeddah with a crafting energy.”
The festival includes four themed weekends: handmade crafts; nature and sustainability; youth weekend; and “A Sweet-Scented Farewell,” which focuses on Al-Balad apothecaries.
HIGHLIGHT
The festival includes four themed weekends: handmade crafts; nature and sustainability; youth weekend; and ‘A Sweet-Scented Farewell,’ which focuses on Al-Balad apothecaries.
“This season, we have designed a vibrant platform that celebrates traditional crafts, reimagining them through sustainability, cultural storytelling, and youth empowerment,” said Al-Aseri. “We believe that creativity is not merely about having an idea, but about breathing new life into the timeless alleys of Al-Balad.
Visual artist Khloud Nass will be running one of the workshops. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)
“With a new group of distinguished artisans joining our Artisans Incubator Program, we continue to build a community that preserves heritage and innovates for the future. We welcome everyone who shares this passion to be part of reviving Historic Jeddah.”
Visual artist Khloud Nass will be running one of the workshops. She said: “I have been working with Zawiya 97 for a year to train those who want to learn through workshops such as pottery.”
Azzam Al- Ghamdi from Dar Azzam will be working with fragrances including musk, oud, and rose, to showcase the art of perfumery using native plants of Saudi Arabia. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)
Azzam Al- Ghamdi from Dar Azzam will be working with fragrances including musk, oud, and rose, to showcase the art of perfumery using native plants of Saudi Arabia.
He told Arab News: “Traditional know-how and the perfect soil for growing aromatic plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have given perfume a central role in our lifestyle. (It is) deeply entrenched in Saudi culture. The use of perfumes for cultural and religious purposes dates back many centuries in this country.”
The festival offers visitors the chance to take part in various competitions, including “Your Creativity Revives Al Balad” and “Handcraft & Calligraphy”. (Supplied)
Beside showcasing his creativity, Al -Ghamdi is also training visitors in his workshops.
Hashem Al-Shawi is offering soap-making workshops at the festival. “Organic skincare methods have always proven reliable and I am so glad to be part of this festival and to share the different types of soap and the process of soap making,” he said.
The festival also offers visitors the chance to take part in various competitions, including “Your Creativity Revives Al Balad” and “Handcraft & Calligraphy,” which allows them to redesign Al-Balad’s pavements and public spaces into works of art, with the chance of winning cash prizes.
