Top UK school opens in Riyadh with pledge to ‘motivate, inspire’

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The opening ceremony was attended by Downe House UK Principal Emma McKendrick and British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 May 2022
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Top UK school opens in Riyadh with pledge to ‘motivate, inspire’

  • Downe House ‘will prepare Saudi girls for their place on world stage’

RIYADH: Downe House, Riyadh’s first British international school for girls, opened on Thursday with a promise to inspire a generation of young Saudi women to take their place on the national and world stage.

The school, one of the most highly regarded for female students in Britain, said that its Riyadh branch will offer a global curriculum utilizing the latest education advances in the developed world.

Downe House UK Principal Emma McKendrick, who attended the school’s opening ceremony, said: “This is one of the most exciting opportunities to create a rich school to support the development of young women in Saudi Arabia, who, I hope, will go on to play a significant part in society and global society.”

She told Arab News that the school will seek to “foster cognitive and intellectual curiosity, nurture talents and interests outside the classroom, open up to cultures and respect others.”

The opening comes as part of a Royal Commission for Riyadh City program to bring international teaching institutions to the capital. A major project led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seeking to attract global education organizations to the Kingdom, in partnership with the ministries of education and investment.

Downe House School has over a 100 years of experience, and focuses on the academic excellence and well-being of female students, developing their abilities and self-confidence in order to contribute to the development of their local and global community. 

HIGHLIGHT

Graduates of Downe House Riyadh will join an alumni community of more than 3,000 women, including members of British and other royal families, and leading figures in research, writing, arts and business.

Neil Crompton, British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that the opening of a Downe House School branch in the Kingdom is an affirmation of the strong historic relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia, as well as a model for strengthening both countries’ links in the education sector.

“I think having the school here is terrific news (and shows) that the relationship is flourishing between the two kingdoms and has a lot of commitment by both governments,” Crompton told Arab News.

“Education is very important and, historically, many Saudis come to the UK to study. But I think it’s nice to have the opportunity here, as in the past year four British schools were opened in Riyadh. And Downe House is distinguished for its education as it will be the first independent British girls’ school to open its doors in Saudi Arabia, and we are proud to support this journey,” he said.

Downe House Riyadh offers a modern campus, with facilities including libraries, open halls, technical and scientific laboratories, a music studio, a theater that can accommodate 560 people, a major sports academy, and an indoor swimming pool designed by leading Saudi female architects.

Faisal Al-Muammar, chairman of Downe House Riyadh, expressed his gratitude to the partners in RCRC, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Investment, and the Ministry of Human Resources for their support and vision to attract the British school to Saudi Arabia.

“Downe House Riyadh focuses on motivating and inspiring female students. It will work to develop personal skills, research skills, and knowledge to enhance individual talents and interests and instil a culture of participation and respect for others beyond the limits of academic achievement,” he said.


Saudi Arabia’s Uruq Bani Ma’arid gains spot on global conservation list

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s Uruq Bani Ma’arid gains spot on global conservation list

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site praised for ecological restoration, biodiversity efforts
  • Uruq Bani Ma’arid has implemented a breeding and reintroduction program for the endangered Arabian oryx

RIYADH: Uruq Bani Ma’arid, one of Saudi Arabia’s most ecologically significant protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been admitted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.

The recognition confirms the site’s global ecological importance and highlights the Kingdom’s growing leadership in conserving arid-land habitats, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia’s inclusion of Uruq Bani Ma’arid follows earlier Green List achievements, notably the Ibex Protected Area and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.

These milestones reflect sustained progress toward excellence in protected-area management, according to the SPA report.

Uruq Bani Ma’arid covers 12,765 sq. km at the western edge of the Empty Quarter — the world’s largest continuous sand desert — and harbors the greatest biodiversity in the region. In 2023, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural value.

The union’s Green List sets the global benchmark for effective and equitable protected-area management. To qualify, sites must demonstrate transparent governance, measurable conservation outcomes and meaningful engagement with local stakeholders.

Uruq Bani Ma’arid met the criteria through integrated planning, resilient ecological monitoring and habitat restoration programs, the SPA reported.

Under the stewardship of the National Center for Wildlife, Uruq Bani Ma’arid has implemented a breeding and reintroduction program for the endangered Arabian oryx.

Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said: “Uruq Bani Ma’arid exemplifies what science-guided conservation can achieve in extreme landscapes. Its inclusion on the IUCN Green List reflects our dedication to protecting biodiversity and delivering real conservation impact at both national and global levels.”

He added that the milestone supports Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the global 30x30 biodiversity target — protecting 30 percent of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 — and aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, a core pillar of Vision 2030.


Islamic coalition launches training program in Comoros

Updated 15 min 18 sec ago
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Islamic coalition launches training program in Comoros

  • Organized by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the initiative is part of the organization’s broader intellectual strategy
  • Comoros Defense Minister Youssoufa Mohamed Ali reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the coalition in combating extremism and eradicating terrorism

RIYADH: A new training program, “Building the Capacity of Imams and Preachers,” has been launched in Moroni, Comoros, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Organized by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the initiative is part of the organization’s broader intellectual strategy.

Comoros Defense Minister Youssoufa Mohamed Ali reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the coalition in combating extremism and eradicating terrorism.

He highlighted the coalition’s key role, particularly its focus on intellectual engagement, and said the program’s launch was a significant step forward.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, the coalition’s secretary-general from Saudi Arabia, said the initiative was part of a wider effort involving 15 strategic programs across four areas — intellectual development, media, counter-terrorism financing and military operations.

Recently, the coalition held specialized training on combating terrorist financing in Bamako, Mali. The program aimed to strengthen national capacity to counter terrorist financing and money laundering.


MWL chief, UK speaker hold talks on social unity, countering hate speech

MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa meets with UK House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in London.
Updated 16 min 51 sec ago
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MWL chief, UK speaker hold talks on social unity, countering hate speech

  • Two officials highlighted importance of combating hate speech, discrimination and exclusion — especially when stemming from influential legal or institutional sources

LONDON: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa met UK House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in London.

They discussed the foundations of social cohesion in religiously and ethnically diverse societies, highlighting mutual respect and the need for legislation that protects national unity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The two officials highlighted the importance of combating hate speech, discrimination and exclusion — especially when stemming from influential legal or institutional sources.

Al-Issa said that the vast majority of Muslims in Britain show strong religious and national awareness. He added that discordant voices are isolated cases that reflect individual views, not the values of Islam.

Separately, the UK parliament hosted Al-Issa for a side meeting at its London headquarters, organized by several members of parliament and attended by the speaker.

Talks focused on enhancing integration and harmony in British society, fighting extremism and hatred, and showcasing the league’s efforts to build bridges between civilizations and promote mutual understanding.


Chinese pianist to mentor young Saudi musicians

Updated 35 min 8 sec ago
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Chinese pianist to mentor young Saudi musicians

  • Set to take place at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh, the month-long program begins on June 29 and will host more than 30 students
  • Program represents a major step in transforming music education in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Music Commission has launched the Kingdom’s first summer piano program, in collaboration with renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Set to take place at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh, the month-long program begins on June 29 and will host more than 30 students from across Saudi Arabia.

It aims to enhance participants’ technical and artistic skills through a comprehensive curriculum, including individual lessons, group classes, hands-on training, and live interactive sessions — all led by distinguished academics and music professionals.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of the commission, said: “This initiative marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of music education in the Kingdom. By partnering with world-class international educators we are not only nurturing the next generation of Saudi talent but also expanding the horizons of our cultural ambitions.”

The program represents a major step in transforming music education in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the commission’s vision to enrich artistic learning and build a strong national talent ecosystem, the SPA added.


Jouf’s historic wells tell timeless stories 

Updated 24 June 2025
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Jouf’s historic wells tell timeless stories 

  • Historical water sources, once vital for survival, were built using natural, locally sourced materials at no financial cost
  • Salma’s Well in Sakaka stands out as an educational site for young people

RIYADH: In the heart of the Jouf region, the timeless craft of stone building and the use of palm trunks and fronds have revitalized its ancient wells. 

These historical water sources, once vital for survival, were built using natural, locally sourced materials at no financial cost, a Saudi Press Agency report said recently. 

Among them, Salma’s Well in Sakaka stands out as an educational site for young people. It showcases traditional extraction methods and how locals secured drinking water and irrigated their farms.

Heritage expert Ahmed Al-Arfaj said that the wells are made of sandstone, palm trunks, and fronds. Each features key elements: a water distribution channel, a collection basin, and a circular stone to control water flow. 

Essential tools at the wellhead include a rope and pulley, once used to raise and lower a water bucket. Historically, locals used livestock — such as camels and cows — to extract water, with animals pulling the rope.

This practice changed in the 1980s with the introduction of generators, which made the process more efficient, the SPA reported. 

Today, Salma’s Well stands as a vibrant symbol of Jouf’s heritage, drawing visitors eager to explore the stories of these ancient wells and experience the region’s rich history.