Saudi Arabia reveals robot programmed to quench thirst of pilgrims
The robot hygienically distributes Zamzam water to pilgrims
Updated 13 June 2021
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque in Makkah will no longer have to queue to quench their thirst thanks to a new robot handing out Zamzam water.
The machine was put on show on Sunday and set to work zipping around the mosque, allowing staff to grab a bottle of water as it passed by.
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President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said it was important to use advanced technology to maintain the safety of pilgrims especially during the times of the pandemic.
The robot is designed to reduce the chance of contamination.
Pilgrims and staff at the mosques can simply grab a bottle of water as the robot passes by without the need to queue or share a bottle with someone else.
“The smart robot distributes Zamzam water through hygienic means that avoids touching,” Al-Sudais said.
Since the start of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of measures to reduce the chances of spreading COVID-19 among pilgrims and worshippers at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
This year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which before the pandemic attracted about 2.5 million pilgrims, has been restricted to 60,000 people.
Like last year, pilgrims are restricted to Saudi citizens and residents with none allowed to travel from overseas to take part.
Laheq: New era of residential island living in Saudi Arabia
Red Sea Global’s Laheq Island introduces island homeownership to Saudi Arabia
Updated 38 min 48 sec ago
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Unveiled by Red Sea Global, Laheq is the first island focused on residences rather than tourism, bringing resort-style living and homeownership to Saudi Arabia.
Located off Saudi Arabia’s western coast, Laheq Island is part of an archipelago of 92 untouched islands that are home to over 2,000 marine species, many of which are found nowhere else.
Out of all the locations, RSG selected the island for its intimate scale and natural beauty which is shaped by coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and calm lagoons.
Located near the western shores of Saudi Arabia, Laheq Island part of the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef. (Supplied)
Ahmad Darwish, group chief administrative officer at RSG, told Arab News: “Spanning over 400 hectares, the island is designed for everyday living, not just holidays. It offers a unique opportunity to own a private island home in a destination globally known for regenerative tourism and barefoot luxury.”
Laheq’s proximity to Shura Island, the main hub of the Red Sea, ensures seamless connectivity to the mainland, making it ideal for a close-knit year-round community.
Darwish added: “It is designed by Foster and Partners, whose vision is grounded in its natural beauty. Their ‘Forever Gardens’ concept creates a regenerative, sensory-rich island shaped by greenery and architectural harmony.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Laheq’s proximity to Shura Island, the main hub of the Red Sea, ensures seamless connectivity to the mainland, making it ideal for a close-knit year-round community.
• It is designed to support all generations, offering everything from beach clubs to family spaces and cultural programs.
Lissoni and Partners crafted the villa interiors, offering two palettes: light (with ivory, cream, and airy tones) and dark (with rich woods and earthy textures), to reflect different expressions of “barefoot luxury.”
Spanning over 400-hectare, the island is designed for everyday living, not just holidays, it offers a unique opportunity to own a private island home. (Supplied)
At its heart lies The Ring, an 800-meter circular structure of luxury apartments, hotels, and shops surrounding the island’s central lagoon and white sands.
Laheq is designed to support all generations, offering everything from beach clubs and wellness sanctuaries to family spaces and cultural programs.
Highlights include two luxury hotels, one focused on wellness and the other on social energy. There’s also a 115-berth marina with sailing and watersports schools, an 18-hole championship golf course, several beach clubs, and clubs for men and women.
Ahmad Darwish, group chief administrative officer. (Supplied)
A retail and dining souq caters to both everyday needs and luxury experiences. North Park features sports facilities like tennis, padel, basketball, football, a gym, and a lap pool. The island also includes cultural programming, a mosque, and curated events for residents.
Laheq embodies RSG’s sustainability ethos, and Darwish said: “Residences are intentionally placed to maximize privacy (with) natural views, and solar orientation, while the entire island operates on 100 percent renewable energy and adheres to Red Sea Global’s pioneering environmental commitments.”
The “Forever Gardens” philosophy ensures that buildings blend with nature, using reclaimed materials, prioritizing solar orientation, and protecting mangroves and coral reefs.
Located near the western shores of Saudi Arabia, Laheq Island part of the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef. (Supplied)
Laheq will also contribute to economic diversification, job creation, and tourism growth.
Darwish added: “It also shows RSG’s evolution, from a destination developer to a vertically integrated real estate company delivering enduring value through real estate, hospitality, and sustainability.”
Laheq is scheduled for completion in 2028, with sales now officially underway. Development is set to begin shortly, marking a new chapter in exclusive island living.
Spanning over 400-hectare, the island is designed for everyday living, not just holidays, it offers a unique opportunity to own a private island home. (Supplied)
Darwish said: “It appeals to those seeking second homes or primary residences in a private island setting, as well as intergenerational families looking to create meaningful shared experiences. The development also resonates with eco-conscious buyers who value sustainability and timeless design.”
RSG is working to plant 50 million mangroves and improve their natural habitats, while also protecting and restoring coral reefs in the Red Sea and nearby areas.
The developer is also on track to finish all 16 hotels in phase one of The Red Sea. By 2030 the full project will include 50 resorts with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 homes spread across 22 islands and six inland locations, with Red Sea International Airport ensuring easy access.
Dance of the dolphins steals the show at Farasan Islands
Sightings of 5 dolphin species highlight biodiversity
Vital to coexist with marine life, says local fisherman
Updated 22 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Sightings of more than five dolphin species have cemented the Farasan Islands’ reputation as a must-visit haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Among the species spotted, bottlenose and spinner dolphins steal the show. Spinner dolphins, known for their playful nature, often approach recreational cruises, delighting people with their charm.
Saudi Arabia fisherman Mohammed Fursani, who has navigated the waters for a long time, sees a deeper connection.
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Located 50 km off Jazan’s coast and spanning 1,050 sq. km across more than 84 coral islands, this destination welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually, Saudi Press Agency reported.
“Dolphins, like us, understand and cherish the sea, finding joy in it. This deep-rooted relationship highlights the local community’s awareness of the importance of coexisting with and protecting marine life,” he told the SPA.
Beyond these charismatic dolphins, the Farasan Islands are a vital sanctuary of biodiversity. Their pristine, pollution-free waters teem with fish, providing abundant food for these marine mammals to thrive and reproduce.
The area’s marine ecosystem supports 230 fish species and endangered species including green and hawksbill turtles, as well as whales and sharks that are spotted occasionally.
The sight of dolphins adds to the islands’ growing appeal as an ecotourism hotspot, supported by Saudi Arabia’s wildlife preservation efforts.
Designated a nature reserve in 1996, the islands benefit from ongoing conservation efforts by the National Center for Wildlife Development to preserve their natural heritage.
Located 50 km off Jazan’s coast and spanning 1,050 sq. km across more than 84 coral islands, this destination welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually.
Authorities are planning over 20 hotels and resorts to accommodate this surge while prioritizing sustainability at the Farasan Islands.
Saudi Cabinet reviews real estate measures, praises oil and gas discoveries during Jeddah session
Discussed ongoing implementation of measures aimed at stabilizing the real estate sector in Riyadh
Hailed recent discoveries of oil and natural gas in Eastern Province and Empty Quarter
Updated 22 April 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Saudi Cabinet session on Tuesday in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Among the matters discussed was the implementation of measures announced by the crown prince last month aimed at stabilizing the real estate sector in Riyadh.
The Cabinet stressed the importance of addressing the rise in land prices and rents that have been witnessed in the capital in recent years, highlighting the Kingdom’s keenness to ensure balanced growth, the SPA reported.
It also hailed the recent discoveries of oil and natural gas in the Eastern Province and the Empty Quarter, describing them as a “qualitative addition” that will consolidate Saudi Arabia’s economic standing and bolster its ability to meet both local and global energy demands for decades to come.
The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s communications with other countries, focusing on developments in regional and global arenas, and exploring ways to enhance joint cooperation. It highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting international security, stability and humanitarian support for those in need.
It welcomed the growing international support for the upcoming conference to resolve the Palestinian issue and implement the two-state solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
It stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians without delay.
During the session, the Cabinet approved a number of key agreements and initiatives.
These included agreements with Morocco on mutual assistance in criminal matters, extradition and the transfer of convicts; and a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia to exempt holders of diplomatic, special or official passports from short-stay visa requirements.
Further approvals covered environmental cooperation with Jordan, health cooperation with Iran and education collaboration with South Korea. The Cabinet also authorized the signing of an agreement with Bahrain to avoid double taxation, alongside agreements with Kuwait and Croatia for similar tax purposes.
In technology, an MoU was approved between Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission and Greece’s National Telecommunications and Postal Authority. The Kingdom also agreed to join the Tampere Convention on telecommunications resources for disaster mitigation and relief operations.
Additional MoUs included cooperation on disability care with Djibouti, trade promotion with China, combating terrorism with Kenya, and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency and Algeria’s state news agency.
In addition, the Cabinet praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Human Capabilities Initiative Conference recently held in Riyadh, which announced more than 100 launches, agreements, and MoUs aimed at stimulating international cooperation and furthering the goals of Vision 2030 in developing human capital.
Other notable decisions included the restructuring of the Primary Committee for the Resolution of Insurance Disputes and Violations in Jeddah, headed by Sultan bin Fayhan Aba Al-Ala, and the establishment of an operations room dedicated to processing financial fraud reports.
The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University for the previous fiscal year.
It also approved promotions and appointments at the fourteenth rank across multiple ministries, including the promotion of Abdullah bin Saad bin Saleh Al-Ghamdi at the Ministry of Energy and the appointment of Ghallab bin Ghaleb bin Rajih Abu Khashim as deputy emir of Al-Baha Region.
Finally, the Cabinet reviewed a number of general topics, including annual reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Saudi Red Sea Authority and the Social Development Bank.
Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE from May 13
Updated 22 April 2025
AFP
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will visit the Middle East next month on a three-country tour, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday.
It will be his second foreign trip since returning to office, following his planned attendance at the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday.
Trump “will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 until May 16,” Leavitt told a White House press briefing, without elaborating.
Red Sea Global unveils Botanica, its first guest experience dedicated to regenerative tourism
Botanica becomes the latest offering at The Red Sea
Updated 22 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Red Sea Global, the developer behind the flagship regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, announced on Tuesday the rebranding of its latest brand, Botanica.
Previously known as The Red Sea Landscape Nursery, Botanica is dedicated not only to supplying sustainable greenery across RSG’s developments but also to offering guests immersive, nature-based experiences.
Operational since 2020, Botanica has already grown and supplied more than 7 million plants to landscape RSG’s destinations, with ambitions to deliver 30 million plants by 2030.
From this month, it opens its doors to guests at The Red Sea, AMAALA, and beyond, offering a new way for visitors to engage with the natural environment.
“Botanica is more than just a nursery, it’s a step toward regenerating Saudi Arabia’s rich biodiversity,” said John Pagano, group CEO of RSG.
“After providing us with more than 7 million plants for landscaping our destinations, the nursery now becomes our first guest experience that caters uniquely to the RSG DNA of regenerative tourism. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy immersive, hands-on experiences that reconnect them with nature,” he added.
Guests visiting Botanica can explore the nursery through guided tours, participate in planting their own flora, and enjoy refreshments at the Botanica Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch.
They can also visit a garden shop and a tropical area.
Covering over 1.8 million square meters, Botanica is the largest landscape nursery in the region. The nursery also plays a significant role in supporting the local economy, with around 400 people employed on site, 25 percent of whom come from nearby communities.
Botanica becomes the latest offering at The Red Sea, following the launch of WAMA, specializing in water sports; Galaxea, offering underwater adventures; and Akun, which delivers land-based exploration experiences.
The Red Sea welcomed its first guests in 2023 and currently has five hotels open.
Upon full completion in 2030, the destination will feature 50 resorts, providing up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties spread across 22 islands and six inland sites.
The development will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment venues, dining, and leisure facilities.
