Jeddah Season opens with spectacular fireworks and drones show

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Visitors from across Saudi Arabia enjoy the second edition of the Jeddah Season. (AN photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Visitors from across Saudi Arabia enjoy the second edition of the Jeddah Season. (AN photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Visitors from across Saudi Arabia enjoy the second edition of the Jeddah Season. (AN photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Visitors from across Saudi Arabia enjoy the second edition of the Jeddah Season. (AN photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Visitors from across Saudi Arabia enjoy the second edition of the Jeddah Season. (AN photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Visitors from across Saudi Arabia enjoy the second edition of the Jeddah Season. (AN photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 04 May 2022
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Jeddah Season opens with spectacular fireworks and drones show

  • Saudi citizens travel from across the country to witness the vibrant festivities
  • Fireworks by the sea decorated the sky with beautiful, complex designs at Jeddah’s Art Promenade

JEDDAH: The second edition of the Jeddah Season kicked off on Monday, showcasing a creative drone display in the shapes of balloons and children on swings — all symbols of Eid Al-Fitr celebration — along with Jeddah’s landmarks.

Fireworks by the sea decorated the sky with beautiful, complex designs at Jeddah’s Art Promenade, and dazzled visitors next to Al-Rahma Mosque, a sentimental landmark for Jeddawis.

Many visitors from Riyadh came to attend the season.

Basma Al-Aqeel, a Riyadh local, drove all the way to enjoy the activities. She said she was very happy to see the return of extravagant seasons in the Kingdom after the repercussions of COVID-19 and its social restrictions.

“It was a very wonderful change after all this quietness, we really needed these activities,” she told Arab News.

“I really enjoyed the fireworks show by the sea, it was a spectacular display and I really do feel like we don’t need to travel abroad anymore to attend such shows,” she added.

The drone show displayed the word “Jeddah” in the Jeddah Season font, and Al-Aqeel said that was her favorite drone image.

Nahla Al-Beeshi commented on the neat organization of the opening day.

“The opening was wonderful as we expected, as if this country did not go through any crisis,” she told Arab News.

Al-Beeshi described the fireworks display as “dreamlike” because of its enchanting designs.

“Every year the fireworks are simply more and more beautiful, as if we were in a beautiful dream,” she said.

“The pictures made with the drones were all beautiful, especially the shape of the diver, the fish, and the shape of the swing because it gave me a feeling of freedom and happiness,” she added.

She said the taste of Eid is back with these high-quality festivities, adding that the seasons will boost the Kingdom’s popularity for tourism. 

“The seasons are imaginative and up to international standards, and soon we will be number one for tourist destinations, with the efforts of the Kingdom’s leadership and its people. Thank you from the heart for bringing Eid back,” she said.

Ahmed Al-Mali, a Jeddawi who lives in Riyadh, traveled back to his city for the activities. He said he has never attended a fireworks show before Jeddah Season’s opening day.

“It’s the first time in my life that I have attended a fireworks show like this; the drones and the fireworks together were an amazing show and so beautiful,” he told Arab News.

Al-Mali highlighted that the Kingdom’s entertainment field had evolved significantly for job opportunities as well.

“I’m in the engineering field, but I love the field of entertainment and I work in it as well. This field is really developing and has great opportunities for both men and women,” he 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 06 January 2025
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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 06 January 2025
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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.