Startup of the Week: Saudi startup provides the right learning tools for children to think ‘Outside the Box’

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Updated 31 December 2019
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Startup of the Week: Saudi startup provides the right learning tools for children to think ‘Outside the Box’

  • Outside the Box is a book-based activity box that comes in different themes
  • The target age group is between three and 10 years old

JEDDAH: Every child is a creative genius with an explorer’s curiosity when given the right tools. Children today, though, are distracted by technology and are not using many forms of sensory activity.

Outside the Box is bringing back the right learning tools to stimulate children’s senses, expand their creativity and strengthen their language skills.

Outside the Box is a book-based activity box that comes in different themes, containing a story book, arts and crafts supplies, an instruction leaflet and a certificate of completion, all in Arabic.

The target age group is between three and 10 years old.

It was established by Raneem Fadul, a Saudi graphic designer and the mother of a four-year-old girl in early 2019.

“I love spending meaningful quality time with my daughter away from TV and the iPad, especially on weekends. It was difficult to plan something that would grasp her attention for a long time, and that’s how the idea of Outside the Box came to be,” she told Arab News

Arts and crafts are very important learning tools.

“These activities create a sense of achievement for children and increases their self-confidence,” she said.

“It also encourages them to think and become innovative, and helps them acquire decision-making and problem-solving skills.”

Each illustrated book is carefully handpicked and is related to the theme of the box.

“We make sure that the book is interesting and motivates the child to learn and get to know more about different concepts such as openness, flexibility, overcoming obstacles, positivity and caring for others.”

The boxes aim to teach children to love reading books in Arabic and expand their vocabulary.

“It also teaches them about environmental awareness, uses sensory play, helps cognitive development and encourages creativity and imagination.”

Check them out on Instagram (@outsidethebox.sa) and direct message them for orders.


Ministry of Culture launches crafts hackathon as part of Year of Handicrafts

Updated 02 January 2025
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Ministry of Culture launches crafts hackathon as part of Year of Handicrafts

  • Registration open until Jan. 31

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched a crafts hackathon to bring together creators and innovators from diverse fields.

The event aims to generate innovative solutions for various aspects of the handicrafts sector, including marketing, design and production, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
It aligns with the broader objectives of the Year of Handicrafts 2025.
The Ministry of Culture annually celebrates a distinctive Saudi cultural element, highlighting and celebrating it through projects and events.
The year 2025 has been designated as the Year of Handicrafts to solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life.
Registration for the hackathon is open until Jan. 31.
The selection of qualified participants will begin in early February, followed by a two-day training camp on Feb. 14-15.
It targets a diverse range of participants, including artisans, designers, developers and programmers. Teams must consist of at least three and no more than five members.
All participants must be at least 18 years old.
Handicrafts have long held a special place in Saudi Arabia’s cultural fabric, representing a prosperous heritage passed down through generations.
Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.


Saudi Foreign Minister receives his Syrian counterpart

Updated 02 January 2025
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Saudi Foreign Minister receives his Syrian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received on Thursday his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, in Riyadh, Al Arabiya TV reported.

Al-Shibani arrived with a high-level Syrian delegation, including Defense Minister Marahf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab. They were welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

This marks Al-Shibani's first foreign trip since the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar Assad on December 8. The visit comes after Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, praised Saudi Arabia's potential role in shaping Syria’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya on Sunday.


Saudi Arabia launches air bridge to deliver urgent aid to Syria

Updated 02 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches air bridge to deliver urgent aid to Syria

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched an air bridge to deliver essential aid to Syria, supporting efforts under the new leadership to rebuild the country after years of civil war.

Two planes carrying relief supplies landed at Damascus International Airport, Saudi aid agency KSrelief told Arab News.

The planes, which left from King Khalid International Airport, carried food, shelter and medical supplies, along with a KSrelief team to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people, KSrelief said.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, said: “The air bridge launched on Wednesday will be followed by a land bridge in the coming days to provide urgent relief to the Syrian people.”

Al-Rabeeah said that the humanitarian initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting those in need worldwide, reaffirming the Kingdom’s dedication to assisting nations in crisis.

He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support since the Syrian crisis began in 2011 and its significant role in international humanitarian efforts.

Al-Rabeeah said that, through KSrelief, Saudi Arabia has continuously provided aid to internally displaced Syrians, refugees in neighboring countries, and victims of the northern Syrian earthquake in February 2023.

According to KSrelief, the Kingdom’s total aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.

The first aircraft was received by Abdullah Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria; Mohammed Hazem Bakleh, president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent; and several media representatives.

Al-Harees emphasized that this assistance is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief, aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the crisis in Syria.

Bakleh expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian aid, noting that the relief will be distributed to those in need in all Syrian territories, without discrimination.


Saudi defense minister discusses Syrian political transition with officials

Updated 13 min 48 sec ago
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Saudi defense minister discusses Syrian political transition with officials

  • Syrian delegation was led by foreign minister Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani
  • Al-Shibani also held meeting with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan

RIYADH: Saudi defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held a high-level meeting on Thursday in Riyadh with senior officials from Syria’s new administration, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The discussions focused on advancing Syria’s transitional political process to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people while ensuring the nation’s security, stability, and territorial integrity, SPA added.

The Syrian delegation was led by foreign minister Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani, accompanied by defense minister Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra and Chief of the General Intelligence Service Anas Khattab.

The meeting also included prominent Saudi officials, among them Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed, Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan; 

The high-level Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night.

The delegation was received by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Elkhereiji at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

Al-Shibani, said on X on Monday that he had accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom, in what would be his first foreign trip since the ouster of former president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.

It follows comments made by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said Saudi Arabia had a major role to play in his country’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya, which aired on Sunday.

“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hoped to visit the city again.

Al-Sharaa also praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive” and commended Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.


Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack

A member of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team takes photographs near a pair of bodies after a car ramming in New Orleans. (AFP)
Updated 01 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack

  • Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Wednesday a deadly car ramming in New Orleans, Louisiana, that struck a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve.

A 42-year-old Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in the city’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.

The suspect was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police. Potential homemade bombs were found in the truck and around the French Quarter, the FBI said.

A Daesh flag was also located in the vehicle, the agency added.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s complete rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.

It also expressed the Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the American people, and the US government. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.