Saudi music scene booming, says Arab singer

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Updated 05 January 2023
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Saudi music scene booming, says Arab singer

  • Hager Elkhashab lauds Kingdom’s Culture Ministry
  • ‘Talented women singers emerging nationwide’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s music scene is booming and showcasing the depth of talent in the country, according to Arab singer Hager Elkhashab. 

Speaking on “The Mayman Show” this week, Elkhashab — an Egyptian national born in Abha — said her passion for music saw her perform at the Asir Festival, in the region she grew up. 

Elkhashab praised the Ministry of Culture for helping to create the conditions for the flourishing arts scene in the country. She lauded several initiatives including Riyadh Season, Taif’s music concerts, and ITHRA’s shows in Alkhobar in the Eastern Province. 

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Elkhashab said she also performed at the ITHRA festival, “an amazing experience” which allowed her to present a fusion of classical Arab and traditional Khaleeji music. “A lot of people came to ITHRA to listen to Arabic classical music. I sang for six successive days, four hours per day. So it was a really different experience for me.” 

She said ITHRA events are largely multinational affairs but lacking an understanding of Arabic was not a barrier for the audience. “It was really interesting to see different cultures listening to and enjoying classic Arabic music.” 

Elkhashab said the crowd consisted of Indian, Chinese and Japanese people, who spoke to her after her performances, and said they really enjoyed the experience even though they did not understand what she was saying. 

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She said that her performances at ITHRA’s events boosted her profile as a singer. “You know, I’m so proud of myself that I started here in Saudi Arabia and from that, Cairo or let’s say Opera Egypt, contacted me to have a performance in Cairo. So that was very special for me to have that kind of opportunity starting from here, from Saudi Arabia,” she said. 

She is scheduled to perform at the Cairo Opera House in February. “My name was not known in Egypt. But when they saw the video, they saw the quality of the music that we are providing here in Saudi Arabia. They (became) interested (in having) one performance there,” she said. 

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Elkhashab, whose last performance was at the Asir Festival, said her dream is to perform at the Mariyah Concert Hall in AlUla and other parts of Saudi Arabia, including NEOM and the Abu Bakr Salim and Mohammed Abdou stages. 

“You know, I was born and raised here in Saudi Arabia and I can see the revolution happening in every aspect … We can sing freely, we can show our talent.” 

Elkhashab said she was also excited to see many talented Saudi women singing and developing careers as musicians. 

 

 


Saudi Shoura Council speaker participates in Rome conference

Saudi Arabia's delegation was headed by the speaker of the Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh. (Supplied)
Updated 20 June 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council speaker participates in Rome conference

  • Event aims to build bridges, promote mutual understanding

ROME: The Second Parliamentary Conference on Interreligious Dialogue — titled “Strengthening Trust and Embracing Hope for our Common Future” — has started in Rome, with the participation of the Saudi delegation headed by Shoura Council Speaker Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh. The event is being attended by heads of parliaments from around the world.

Lorenzo Fontana, the president of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, praised the body’s significant and vital role, stressing the importance of the conference in building bridges and promoting mutual understanding.

 


Pesticides workshop held in AlUla

The workshop targeted farm owners, agricultural workers, and those interested in the sector. (SPA)
Updated 20 June 2025
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Pesticides workshop held in AlUla

  • The workshop was part of a series of different guidance programs and workshops implemented by the National Center for Palms and Dates throughout the year in many regions of the Kingdom

ALULA: A workshop, titled Safe Handling of Palm and Date Pest Pesticides, was held on Friday in the AlUla Governorate. The event, which was organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, took place in the agricultural sector of the commission’s headquarters.

The workshop targeted farm owners, agricultural workers, and those interested in the sector. It aimed to raise awareness about safe pesticide use while enhancing efficiency in agricultural pest control in a way that improves production quality while ensuring environmental safety.

The workshop was part of a series of different guidance programs and workshops implemented by the National Center for Palms and Dates throughout the year in many regions of the Kingdom. They bid to support the agricultural sector’s development and enhance sustainability practices.

 

 


KSrelief distributes shelter aid in Somalia’s Togdheer region

The assistance comes as part of a 2025 initiative to distribute shelter aid to displaced persons in the African country. (SPA)
Updated 20 June 2025
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KSrelief distributes shelter aid in Somalia’s Togdheer region

  • The assistance will be distributed in cooperation with the UN World Health Organization to 45 healthcare facilities in northwestern Syria, based on field-identified needs

TOGDHEER: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center recently distributed 1,030 pieces of clothing, 475 shelter bags, and 20 tents to several camps in the Togdheer region of Somalia, benefiting 1,525 families and 9,150 individuals. The assistance comes as part of a 2025 initiative to distribute shelter aid to displaced persons in the African country.

Earlier, three relief trucks provided by the Saudi aid agency arrived on Wednesday in the town of Sarmada in Syria’s Idlib governorate, carrying 20 tonnes of medical aid.

The assistance will be distributed in cooperation with the UN World Health Organization to 45 healthcare facilities in northwestern Syria, based on field-identified needs. The aid supports frontline medical teams in underserved areas, benefiting about 150,000 people.

Elsewhere, the agency distributed 3,000 cartons of dates to families in need in the Shabwa governorate of Yemen, benefiting 18,000 individuals.

 


Masam Project achieves massive success in Yemen

Updated 20 June 2025
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Masam Project achieves massive success in Yemen

  • KSrelief has implemented 3,438 diverse humanitarian projects across 107 countries, valued at over $7 billion, since its launch in May 2015

RIYADH: Masam, a project launched by the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, has achieved a significant milestone by clearing 67,585,167 sq. meters and removing 500,000 explosives from Yemeni lands since its launch in June 2018.

Items removed include anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, unexploded ordnance, and explosive devices indiscriminately planted to harm civilians.

Demining efforts have dramatically reduced casualties — and allowed displaced people and farmers to return and resume cultivation — earning widespread praise from the UN and international organizations.

The agency has also initiated the Artificial Limbs Centers Project in several Yemeni cities, providing prosthetics and aiding physical rehabilitation to those injured by explosives.

The Masam Project stands as a vital contribution in enabling a safe and dignified life for Yemenis.

KSrelief has implemented 3,438 diverse humanitarian projects across 107 countries, valued at over $7 billion, since its launch in May 2015.

 


Saudi foreign minister arrives in Istanbul for OIC meeting

Updated 20 June 2025
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Saudi foreign minister arrives in Istanbul for OIC meeting

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Istanbul on Friday to take part in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The high-level meeting, to be hosted by Turkiye, will see foreign ministers from OIC member states convene on Saturday to discuss avenues for strengthening joint multilateral cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The agenda also includes deliberations on regional developments and their broader international implications, SPA added.

The gathering comes amid heightened tensions across parts of the Islamic world, with participants expected to address key geopolitical challenges and reaffirm the OIC’s collective stance on pressing issues.