JEDDAH: Saudi business people are mourning the death of the Kingdoms’s most famous magnate, Hussein Bakry Gazzaz, who died on Thursday morning at the age 95.
The funeral prayer for Gazzaz was performed in Makkah, his birthplace.
Gazzaz was one of the most well-known businessmen in the perfume sector in Saudi Arabia. He was born in 1925.
In his early years, he moved with his family to Egypt where he received his primary education before returning to Saudi Arabia, starting a small perfume business that became one of the largest of its kind in the region.
In a 2014 interview with Hia magazine, Gazzaz described Egypt in the late 1920s and early 1930s as the “Paris of the East.”
He said Cairo’s picturesque streets and shops left a strong impact on the mind “of the little boy who came from Makkah.”
Gazzaz told his interviewer that a child’s early dreams were the basis of any success.
“Dreams are the same, but what follows can be different. Normal people usually have the dream to succeed, but the stronger their belief in their dreams is, the more possible their dreams are likely to come true. Dream motives vary from one person to another,” he said.
“I have dreamed of bringing what I saw in Cairo in the 1920s to my beloved country. In the 1950s, I had another dream — my country would be like Paris, in its streets and beauty. I strongly believed that hard work is essential in making my dreams come true. Dreams live with us, and we should keep dreaming until we stop breathing,” he said.
According to the company’s website, the Hussein Bakry Gazzaz and Company (GAZZAZ) started in 1942, when Gazzaz became the first agent in Saudi Arabia to import fragrances.
Over 77 years, the brand name GAZZAZ has expanded to include cosmetics, watches, cufflinks, pens, gifts, antiques, hair products, makeup, accessories, leather goods and other luxury products.
Their main brands include Dior, Gucci, Versace, Cartier, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), Montblanc, Dunhill and Dupont.
In May 2001, former French president Jacques Chirac honored Gazzaz with the “Medal of Honor” for being the biggest importer of cosmetics in the Middle East in the 1990s.
The Gazzaz chain of showrooms is the strongest retail group in the luxury sector in Saudi Arabia, and in the Middle East.
Saudi perfume mogul Hussein Bakry Gazzaz dies at age 95
https://arab.news/2nayh
Saudi perfume mogul Hussein Bakry Gazzaz dies at age 95
- Funeral prayer for the Kingdom’s most well-known magnate was performed in Makkah, his birthplace
PSC members visit Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh
- The EU and the GCC held a political dialogue session, co-chaired by Pronk and Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC
RIYADH: Members of the EU’s Political and Security Committee, including its chair, Ambassador Delphine Pronk, and ambassadors of EU member states, paid an official visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh on Monday.
The delegation was accompanied by the European External Action Service Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa Helene Le Gal, and EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio.
The EU and the GCC held a political dialogue session, co-chaired by Pronk and Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC.
The two parties discussed matters of mutual interest and the need to increase joint efforts to tackle global challenges.
This included the situations in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, Gulf security and Iran, maritime security in the Red Sea region, Iraq, Sudan and the Horn of Africa, as well as Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The committee delegates and the GCC also agreed on strengthening the EU-GCC regional security cooperation.
The political dialogue constitutes an important step forward following the successful first EU-GCC Summit in Brussels on Oct. 16.
Winners of Arabic language prize honored
- Final results were based on evaluations by judging committees, considering criteria such as creativity, innovation, performance excellence, impact, and achieved outcomes
RIYADH: The winners of the King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language were recently honored in Riyadh in individual and institutional categories.
The event, held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, focused on four main areas: Arabic language teaching and learning, Arabic language computing and services through modern technologies, Arabic language research and studies, and promoting linguistic awareness and community initiatives.
The total value of the awards for both categories amounted to SR1.6 million ($426,000), with each winner receiving SR200,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The final results were based on evaluations by judging committees, considering criteria such as creativity, innovation, performance excellence, impact, and achieved outcomes.
The award honors those who excel in serving the Arabic language, recognizing their contributions to preserving linguistic identity, promoting Arab culture, fostering loyalty, and enhancing communication within the Arab community.
Formerly conjoined Filipino twins return to Riyadh 20 years after lifesaving surgery
- Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo stayed for more than six months in the Kingdom in 2004 as guests of Crown Prince Abdullah
- Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo stayed for more than six months in the Kingdom in 2004 as guests of Crown Prince Abdullah
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 Arabia hosts global cybersecurity conference Black Hat 24
- Black Hat 24 will host five national pavilions of the US, Canada, India, Egypt and Pakistan, alongside 43 exhibitors
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting Black Hat 24, a global three-day cybersecurity conference organized by the Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Black Hat 24 will be held from Nov. 26 to 28 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham district, north of the capital.
Mutab Al-Qunai, CEO of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, told SPA that the event aims to enhance innovation and cooperation in digital safety.
The current edition of Black Hat 24 is also organized by Tahaluf, one of the federation’s companies, and partners with company Informa and the Investment Events Fund.
It will bring together cybersecurity leaders, security researchers, and startup pioneers to exchange knowledge about technological challenges and the latest innovations in cybersecurity.
Some of the experts speaking at the Black Hat 24 event include Nikhil Shrivastava, a leading security researcher from India; Bianca Lewis, founder of the company Girls Who Hack, which supports women in cybersecurity; and Kiran, known by the codename “7h3h4ckv157,” who worked as a security researcher at NASA to discover vulnerabilities in their digital security.
Participants will showcase their expertise in dealing with major cyber threats in leading international organizations.
Black Hat 24 will also feature an interactive platform for Saudi students, technical workshops, and a competition to test the audience’s skills in finding solutions to complex cyber challenges.
The Saudi global event will host five national pavilions of the US, Canada, India, Egypt and Pakistan, alongside 43 exhibitors.
Saudi crown prince receives message from South African president
- Al-Rassi welcomed Gwen Ramakhoba, the Special Envoy of President Ramaphosa, who conveyed the message on behalf of the South African leader
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, which addressed relations between the two nations.
The message was delivered to Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, by Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Undersecretary for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Rassi welcomed Gwen Ramakhoba, the Special Envoy of President Ramaphosa, who conveyed the message on behalf of the South African leader.
Discussions during the meeting focused on enhancing and developing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and South Africa across various sectors, as well as exploring issues of mutual interest.
This exchange highlights the strengthening ties between the two countries as they seek to expand their collaboration in multiple fields.
