Jazz power on full display at Dhahran’s Arabic Jazz Music Festival 

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Rabih Abou Khalil performing at the Arabic Jazz Music Festival. (AN Photo / Essa Abdullah Aldobaisi)
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Updated 24 July 2022
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Jazz power on full display at Dhahran’s Arabic Jazz Music Festival 

  • The lineup at the Arabic Jazz Music Festival in Dammam featured many of the region’s most popular musicians
  • Majaz guitarist and vocalist Hameed Al-Saeed: There’s something about the claps, I don’t know — everyone can do it

DAMMAM: On a humid Friday night, the Dhahran Expo — the venue where people received COVID-19 vaccines over the past year — had a different remedy to offer: Music.

The auditorium, with rows of plush white seats facing the large stage where oud, saxophones and singing inaugurated Shargiyya’s first Arabic Jazz Music Festival, organized by the Music Commission and the Saudi Ministry of Culture.

The lineup consisted of the region’s most well-known jazz musicians and composers from the Middle East and beyond, including award-winning German Jazz Music Award winner and German-Lebanese oud master Rabih Abu Khalil. The Bands Across Borders ensemble, a supergroup featuring leading musicians and top vocalists, instrumentalists, jazz, pop and rock musicians from around the Arab world, joined by legendary European musicians, managed by the renowned Jordanian artist Aziz Maraqa in a jazz orchestra performance of the most well-known Arabic tunes from the region.

The two-day event featured Egyptian oud master, the award-winning Hazem Shaheen in his new jazz formation. Muhammad Abu Zekry also performed, best known for being the youngest officially recognized Arab oud master at only 14 years of age, and has now moved on to being the founder of one of the most invigorating jazz ensembles in France. This lineup was supported by the rising stars from the Saudi music scene, including Bahraini-Saudi fusion band Majaz, Saudi band Al-Farabi, the Saudi National Music Group, featuring the best traditional music from the Kingdom, and Dammam’s very own Jazz fusion band, Mosaic.

The collective sounds of clapping and fingers tapping to the rhythm of the audience members were invisible but audible.

Dammam’s very own local jazz fusion band strummed gently, with no words or lyrics, allowing listeners to fill the gaps with feelings or words of their own. With clear Khaleeji-Latin-American influences, their set almost felt like a sonic collage or soundtrack for the day; upbeat and danceable at times but also melancholy and reflective and slow, too.

Majaz Bahraini band, known for what is referred to as “earth music,” came from across the bridge from Bahrain. With their bombastic, muffled sounds of rock-inspired melodies, the sound was also distinctively Khaleeji, with plenty of clapping. The stage lights also played a critical part in pulsing with the music beats, illuminating the space as audience members instinctively used their hands to clap along or to drum on their knees.

The event started fashionably early — nearly an hour ahead of schedule.

Local band member Fawaz Ba’assam, the lead in Mosaic who also plays keys, was bewildered and exhilarated after the show. Playing in larger venues was something the band hoped for when they formed years ago, but it seemed so far-fetched to be on stage in their hometown when they started — or even just a few short weeks ago.

“The festival is amazing. I’m really happy that that happened. And I’m really glad that happened here in Dhahran and Dammam where we grew up and where we live because it’s always in the big cities; it’s always in Riyadh and Jeddah,” he told Arab News.

Band member and bass guitarist Saud Al-Ashikh also reiterated how the band had to be quick on its feet and jump at opportunities that came to them without much prior notice. The collaboration on stage between both Majaz and Mosaic happened on the spot — they joked that the organizers simply needed to fill 20 minutes to stall for the next performer — so they just went on stage and moved their instruments on the fly. They mentioned how the city only received approval to put together this festival a fortnight ago and, in true jazz spirit, they enthusiastically simply went with the flow and improvised.

“This happened quickly. I didn’t expect five years ago that the Arabic Jazz Music Festival will happen anytime soon. Or even two weeks! Literally, before two weeks, I didn’t expect this. I’m really happy,” Al-Ashikh told Arab News.

Self-proclaimed “music hobbyist,” Ahmed Hindash, moved to Khobar during the pandemic and has been trying to connect with the creative community in Shargiyya ever since. As a Jordanian, he jumped at the chance to hear live music performed by local bands in an attempt to experience Saudi culture better. He serendipitously came across a post about the festival while scrolling through Instagram and immediately booked a ticket for both days — for himself and his friend. During the performance on opening night, he couldn’t help but continuously tap his hands on his legs.

“I’m a big fan of drums, and I enjoy whenever I see a drummer in front of me. I just get into the flow of music, get into the tempo of the music. Majaz, they play this fusion of reggae, Moroccan style, Khaleeji, Bahraini music and this fusion of everything really picks up the whole vibe. It’s a definite unique band that I would enjoy to see them again,” Hindash told Arab News.

Audience members using their hands to show appreciation was definitely the reoccurring theme of the night.

While speaking to Arab News, Majaz wholly agreed.

“There’s something about the claps, I don’t know — everyone can do it. And it’s like, you don’t need any kind of rhythmic knowledge. It’s kind of something that innately comes with every human being; you know how to clap. And think it is a very powerful aspect of our kind of music now that I actually think about it,” Majaz guitarist and vocalist Hameed Al-Saeed told Arab News.

“We want to make the audience feel like they’re a part of this, as well. We want them to immerse in this whole thing. And that’s the beauty of a live show. It’s like, yes, just come be a part of the band with us. Let’s all play together and clap,” Al-Saeed said.


Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

Updated 24 min 53 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday at Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed the longstanding ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, SPA added. 

They also reviewed regional developments and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability in the region.

The reception was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Also in attendance were Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy; Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari; Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan; and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki.

On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar joined the meeting along with Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim, Chief of Army Staff and ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq.


The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city

Updated 56 min 42 sec ago
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The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city

  • Hajj experience is pathway to lifelong transformation

RIYADH: Every year, millions of Muslims around the world take on a spiritual journey to perform the pilgrimage to Makkah. This religious obligation is only performed once in a lifetime for those who are able, and begins long before the pilgrim arrives in Makkah.

The route to the holy city begins with a deep, personal decision motivated by faith, hope for closeness to God, and the fulfilment of accomplishing one of the five pillars of Islam.

From the moment pilgrims form the intention to perform Hajj, a transformative process begins where they must secure their spot through Saudi officials in their countries.

Some countries request attending educational seminars before the Hajj to prepare them spiritually and physically for the trip.

“We have the administrative facilities that include Hajj registration, application, and all related administrative matters,” said Abdulrahman Mustafa Hamidh, a Syrian living in Turkyie, who is currently working as a religious guide for pilgrims.

“It’s simple. The process starts by applying through the Hajj offices located throughout the city, or by appointing someone for those who are far away in distance and unable to attend. They can appoint someone else, such as a brother, to do the registration process for them and pay a small registration fee,” he said.

Hamidh is currently studying for his PhD in religious studies and has been a frequent traveler to Makkah for Hajj since 2016.

After registration is completed, Hamidh explained the second step, which is the final part of the process. According to him, people take their passports to their guide or group leader to complete their registration applications for them.

“The entire process for pilgrims is very, very simple,” he said.

After this step, pilgrims wait for their applications to be accepted by Saudi officials and to receive their visa and the documents that they need for Hajj.

Once accepted, pilgrims receive the necessary tools such as Ihram, luggage, and all the belongings they will need for the journey.

“As for packing a travel bag, it’s also easy. Hajj pilgrims often receive large luggage from the organizing agency, which contains smaller bags and other Hajj supplies, such as Ihram, as well as Hajj garments for women,” Hamidh said.

When pilgrims complete the logistics, prepare their luggage and say their farewells to their families and loved ones, they leave their homes, carrying with them not only essential supplies but also hopes, prayers and hearts full of devotion.

However, while they arrive in Makkah and engage in this emotional and precious experience, others may face obstacles that hinder them from either completing the journey or arriving early.

One example is the journey of a pilgrim from Libya, Amir Qathafi, who was part of the last group of pilgrims from his country to depart for Makkah this year.

Unfortunately, before boarding, it took some time to go through security due to an issue with his passport. This resulted in the plane taking off, leaving him behind.

Surprisingly, a problem with the plane arose a few minutes after take-off, which required the pilot to return to the airport to solve the issue.

For a second time, Amir was refused permission to board the plane, and the flight took off again. Yet, miraculously, performing Hajj this year was destined for him, and the plane faced another technical issue a few minutes after the second departure.

This time, the pilgrim from Libya was allowed to board the plane to join the rest of his team on the route to Makkah.

Like Amir, millions of Muslims have genuine appreciation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The journey to Hajj is more than a physical experience. It is a deeply spiritual and emotional commitment that begins with intention and ends with lifelong transformation.


Saudi crown prince speaks with Turkish President Erdogan

Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince speaks with Turkish President Erdogan

  • President Erdogan began the call by commending the Kingdom for the successful organization of this year’s Hajj season

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

President Erdogan began the call by commending the Kingdom for the successful organization of this year’s Hajj season and the effective measures taken to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Turkish leader also extended Eid Al-Adha greetings to the Crown Prince, who in turn offered his congratulations on the occasion to President Erdogan.


Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

Updated 06 June 2025
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Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Health has advised pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — when temperatures at the holy sites are at their highest — to help avoid heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

The importance of following preventive measures such as using umbrellas, drinking plenty of water and complying with instructions from the authorities has also been emphasized.

The guidelines have been issued to protect pilgrims and ensure their safety during Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

So far, the ministry has reported a 90 percent reduction in the number of cases of heat exhaustion from last season.

The improvement aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, both part of Vision 2030, which aim to ensure a safer Hajj experience.

The Ministry of Health said the decrease was a result of stronger preventive measures, expanded awareness campaigns and effective coordination across relevant agencies.

These actions have included the launch of an awareness kit in eight languages to help prevent heat-related illnesses during Hajj.

The kit includes guidelines, videos, social media posts and printable materials advising pilgrims to stay hydrated and use umbrellas to avoid direct sun exposure.


Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

Updated 06 June 2025
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Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has supported government efforts for this year’s Hajj season through its Sawaher system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

Sawaher was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and uses data and AI technology to analyze broadcasts, video recordings, and images captured by smart cameras.

The initiative enhances analytical capabilities and contributes to a safer Hajj experience, the SPA reported.

The system helps manage and analyze large datasets and produces tailored analysis of pilgrims’ behavior. It “uses advanced algorithms for density and crowd counting, supporting government agencies in implementing Hajj plans and estimating pilgrim numbers.” The system also provides real-time updates.

For Hajj, more than 5,000 cameras have been integrated into the Sawaher system, covering more than 80 permanent and seasonal locations across the holy sites and key entry points.

This network supports the work of 18 government agencies and more than 600 personnel, according to the SPA.

The system offers more than 80 services and is operable on 100 workstations in operations rooms and monitoring centers, contributing to improved response efficiency during the Hajj season.