Hussein bin Salameh ordered the construction of two paths — one for camels and one for pedestrians — to facilitate the exchange and trade of goods in the Kingdom.
Updated 07 May 2021
SPA
JEDDAH: The ancient stone road known as the “caravan route” linking Taif and Makkah is a cultural legacy of great historical value. It was constructed more than 1,000 years ago and was used regularly by pedestrians up to the 1960s.
At the time the road was built, movement between Taif and Makkah was restricted by Al-Qarah Mountain, researcher Hammad Al-Salimi explained. So Hussein bin Salameh ordered the construction of two paths — one for camels and one for pedestrians — to facilitate the exchange and trade of goods in the Kingdom.
The winding road made it possible to cross the mountain and was a remarkable feat of engineering, considering the limited technology available at the time of its creation.
“The roads were paved with stones, which made them resemble staircases winding between the top of the mountain in Al-Hada, the Karr below Al-Qarah Mountain, Shaddad and then Wadi Noman,” Al-Salimi said, adding that a third road, for cars, was built in the mid-1960s, during the reign of King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
Al-Salimi said that the two original paths are “important monuments, which should be preserved and maintained because they are part of the Al-Qarah Mountain system and complement the beautiful image of this mountain.”
Historian and writer Saleh Al-Judi explained that — before cars were common in the Kingdom — people would use the route to travel between the two cities, a journey taking around three days. The passage through the mountain, he said, is around six kilometers. In the middle of the route, he added, is a well-known site called Al-Rukb.
He said the route is mentioned in histories from the fifth Hijri century (1009-1106 CE), which say that it had room for pedestrians and animals alike. Al-Qathami stressed the importance of preserving the road as an historical landmark, as it is an important artery linking Taif and Makkah.
How AI is decoding multi-omics data to boost health and longevity in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom is investing heavily in AI, genomics, and biotech to build a future where healthcare is predictive — not just reactive
Saudi firm Rewind is leading the country’s shift to AI-powered omics diagnostics, transforming how diseases are prevented
Updated 6 sec ago
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is embracing the future of healthcare by integrating artificial intelligence and omics-based diagnostics to deliver personalized, preventive care. This is part of a broader transformation that frames longevity not just as an individual aspiration but a national priority.
Central to this transformation is the integration of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other omics disciplines into clinical practice — powered by AI. Leading the charge is Rewind, a Saudi Arabia-based company using the technology to pioneer proactive, individualized care.
“At Rewind, we harness the power of AI and omics technologies to shift healthcare from a generalized, reactive model to one that is deeply personalized and proactive,” Dr. Walid Zaher, the founder of Rewind, told Arab News.
“AI is the engine that makes this vast data actionable. It identifies patterns, predicts health risks, and recommends the most effective interventions for each individual.”
He said that “such a dynamic, data-driven approach” enables healthcare to be “as unique as the patient it serves.”
DID YOU KNOW?
• Integrating AI with omics-based diagnostics supports early disease detection and predicts health risks.
• In cancer care, AI and genomics are used together to match patients with the most effective targeted therapies.
• Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK are making major investments in the integration of AI and omics.
Omics refers to a group of biological fields ending with the suffix “-omics,” each examining a different layer of biological data on a system-wide scale. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of how the body functions.
Transitioning from this broad understanding to actionable insights requires AI’s ability to analyze trillions of variables across DNA, protein expression, metabolic changes, and epigenetic shifts. This capability allows practitioners to intervene earlier and more accurately than ever.
Dr. Walid Zaher, the founder of Rewind. (Supplied)
“Omics-based diagnostics have already begun to make a profound impact on patient outcomes,” said Zaher.
“The precision enabled by genomics and multi-omics technologies allows us to detect diseases at their earliest molecular stages — often well before any clinical symptoms appear.
“Beyond disease detection, multi-omics approaches help in monitoring disease progression and response to treatments. The result has been an increase in patient satisfaction, as they experience better health outcomes and more personalized care.”
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to health innovation is evident in both its infrastructure and ambition. National initiatives like the Saudi Genome Program and investments through the Hevolution Foundation are driving the development of a knowledge-based healthcare system aligned with Vision 2030.
“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has made healthcare innovation a strategic priority,” said Zaher. “The government has invested heavily in infrastructure that supports cutting-edge research, particularly in AI, genomics, and biotechnology.”
This focus is positioning Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global longevity economy, according to Dmitry Kaminskiy, a co-founder and managing partner of Deep Knowledge Group.
Dmitry Kaminskiy, a co-founder and managing partner of Deep Knowledge Group, speaking about longevity in Spain in June 2022. (Supplied)
“Saudi Arabia and its GCC counterparts are strategically positioned to be not just participants but global pioneers in the longevity economy,” Kaminskiy told Arab News.
“With Vision 2030, the Kingdom has set the foundation for integrating economic diversification, healthcare innovation, and AI governance — all key components of a national longevity strategy.”
Kaminskiy, who has authored multiple books on AI and healthspan, believes that AI has shifted from a supporting role to something far more central to the field.
“We are now witnessing a paradigm shift where AI is not just an assistant but the architect of next-generation healthcare platforms,” he said. “Just as fintech redefined personal finance, AI will redefine personal health.”
Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in mainstreaming AI and omics-based care into national systems. Zaher of Rewind noted that overcoming these hurdles will require both technological and cultural shifts.
“Integrating AI and precision medicine into a national healthcare system comes with several challenges, the most pressing of which is the need for a robust data infrastructure,” he said.
“Healthcare data is often fragmented or siloed, making it difficult to create a cohesive system that AI can utilize effectively.”
Another critical challenge is training healthcare providers to engage with this new era of medicine.
Zaher said the integration of AI and precision medicine into clinical practice demands “a level of technological literacy that has yet to become widespread across the healthcare workforce.
“We need targeted training programs that equip providers with the skills to interpret AI-generated insights and translate them into actionable, patient-centered care,” he added.
Looking ahead, Kaminskiy said establishing ethical data governance will be vital to ensuring progress.
“Data is the lifeblood of AI-powered longevity,” he said. “But it is not just the amount of data that matters — it is the ownership, security, and ethical governance of that data that will define the winners in this domain.”
The Hevolution Foundation is playing a key role in funding and shaping the longevity research agenda in the region.
According to Zaher, it is “poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating global healthspan science by providing the funding and resources necessary to drive innovation in aging research.
“Through supporting projects that focus on extending healthspan and preventing age-related diseases, Hevolution is helping to set a global standard for longevity science,” he added.
As Saudi Arabia expands its investment in AI-driven healthcare and global collaborations deepen, the boundaries between technology, biology, and medicine are blurring — bringing the goal of healthy aging closer to reality.
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.
The complex is the world’s largest printing press dedicated to the Qur’an
Updated 36 min 52 sec ago
SPA
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.
This groundbreaking summit is the first of its kind in the region and will bring together leading content creators from around the world
Updated 46 min 40 sec ago
Arab News
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
Updated 51 min 39 sec ago
Hebshi Alshammari
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.
