Al-Murabba welcomes visitors with music, food and more for Riyadh Season

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Al-Murabba, one of Riyadh Season’s 14 zones, offers visitors a rich experience of music, culture and food. (Photo: Huda Bashatah)
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Al-Murabba, one of Riyadh Season’s 14 zones, offers visitors a rich experience of music, culture and food. (Photo: Huda Bashatah)
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Al-Murabba, one of Riyadh Season’s 14 zones, offers visitors a rich experience of music, culture and food. (Photo: Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 28 October 2021
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Al-Murabba welcomes visitors with music, food and more for Riyadh Season

  • Al-Murabba offers a luxurious dining experience with a range of famous international eateries — Italian, Japanese, Argentinian, French and others
  • Other areas in the zone boast sweet shops — like that of Pierre Hermé — light-strewn night gardens, concept stores, art shops and traditional clothing stores

RIYADH: Al-Murabba, one of Riyadh Season’s 14 zones, is welcoming visitors this week as part of the city’s festivities.

Visitors are offered a taste of authentic Saudi hospitality as they are greeted with Arabic coffee, incense, and music at the main entrance.

The zone offers a luxurious experience, reflecting the great diversity of culinary cultures around the world with a range of famous international eateries — Italian, Japanese, Argentinian, French and others. Reservation can be made through The Chefz application.

In addition to gastronomic experiences, visitors can enjoy a host of musical and artistic performances.

Musician Re’aab Bukhari told Arab News that he plays Saudi music for famous local singers at the zone.

“I’m here with my crew to participate for Riyadh Season in Al-Murabba zone. I came to the first Riyadh Season a couple of years ago, and the level of organization I’ve witnessed is beyond professional,” he said.

Other areas in the zone boast sweet shops — like that of Pierre Hermé, famous French pastry chef — light-strewn night gardens, concept stores, art shops and traditional clothing stores featuring the work of local designers.

Visitors eager to taste Japanese cuisine can book at restaurant Bar Masa, featuring authentic creations by Chef Masa Takayama, known for his three-star Michelin restaurant in Manhattan, New York City.

Charming Parisian-style restaurant Oplaisir welcomes its diners with music and a menu rich with unique dishes. The Petit Trois, another famous, award-winning French restaurant, is also available in Al-Murabba.

Dareen Rajeh, a senior specialist at Takamol Holding who came to Al-Murabba for the festivities, shared with Arab News her feelings on Riyadh Season.

“Part of me can’t believe it, and the other part is grateful because we never expected to return to normal so quickly, especially as everything we used to read would say that life will never go back to normal. But, in a record time, we are back,” she said.

Having experienced Riyadh Season in the past, Rajeh was excited to relive the festival again.

“I’m also excited to visit Winter Wonderland this year, as the winter is almost near. I definitely want to experience the Crystal Maze as well,” she added.


King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday

King Faisal Prize was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979. (Supplied)
Updated 9 sec ago
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King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday

  • Selection committees start meetings to select winners in Islamic studies, Arabic language & literature, medicine and science

RIYADH: The names of the King Faisal Prize winners for 2025 will be announced on Jan. 8 in Riyadh.

Ahead of the event, specialized selection committees for the prize’s four categories — Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine and science — convened at the prize’s headquarters starting Monday, the General Secretariat of King Faisal Prize said.

Deliberations will continue through Jan. 8, it added.

The General Secretariat had previously announced the themes for the KFP 2025: Islamic studies focuses on Studies of Archaeology in the Arabian Peninsula, Arabic language and literature explores Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature, medicine highlights Cellular Therapy and Science centers on Physics.

Nominations for the prize are accepted by universities, research centers and scientific institutions, ensuring that nominees meet rigorous criteria.

Candidates must be living, and their work must already be published, intellectually impactful and beneficial to humanity’s progress. Nominations from individuals or political groups are not accepted, the secretariat said.

This year, the selection committees include prominent experts, scholars and specialists from 16 different countries. The evaluation process adheres to the highest standards of integrity.

The announcement of the winners will be made by the General Secretariat on Jan. 8 at 8:00 p.m. during a ceremony at the Prince Sultan Grand Hall in the Al-Faisaliah Center, Riyadh.

The KFP was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Blinken during call

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. (File/AFP)
Updated 28 min 57 sec ago
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Blinken during call

  • Blinken called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office during a visit to South Korea on Monday

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed regional developments and efforts made with regard to them during a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.

Blinken called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office during a visit to South Korea on Monday.

“We very much want to bring this over the finish line in the next two weeks, the time we have remaining,” Blinken told a news conference.


Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom

Updated 06 January 2025
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Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom

  • Mazen Ghoneim praised Saudi authorities for their services to Muslims worldwide

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh received the newly appointed Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in his office on Monday in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Sheikh discussed the ministry’s programs in service of Palestinian pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.

Ghoneim praised the Saudi authorities for their services to all Muslims worldwide.

He highlighted the generous program that hosts the family members of Palestinian martyrs, enabling them to perform Hajj with ease.


Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism

The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival highlights the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product. (SPA)
Updated 06 January 2025
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Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism

  • Event showcases Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually

RIYADH: The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival offers an engaging experience, highlighting the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product.

Held at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until Jan. 12, the event showcases the Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.

The festival features 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies offering high-quality olive oil, table olives, and related products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In addition to competitive pricing, all products meet strict food safety standards, having undergone rigorous testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory.

Seven analyses — acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical content, oil blending, taste, and authenticity — ensure the products’ quality. Those that pass receive a certification label for consumer confidence, the SPA added.

The festival has also become a key tourism and economic event for both the Kingdom and Al-Jouf region, attracting significant interest, visitors, and investment.

It also supports families in cottage industries, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by offering spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer reach.

Additionally, the festival celebrates Saudi heritage through folk art performances, the Saudi Ardah, traditional fashion, Sadu weaving, plastic arts, poetry, and cultural evenings.


Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

Updated 06 January 2025
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Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.

On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.

The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.

A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.

The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.

The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.

The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.