Jazan’s jasmine promises blooming business opportunities

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Updated 11 January 2023
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Jazan’s jasmine promises blooming business opportunities

  • Farmers launch new body to boost industry
  • Modeled on Taif’s flourishing rose markets

RIYADH: A trip to this southwest part of the Kingdom, to the province of Jazan, will offer travelers an immersive experience in a distinctive and alluring culture.

Flowers and plants are among the most significant elements of Jazan’s way of life because of the region’s rich and fertile soil that supports its horticulture.

About six months ago, a group of farmers came together and formed the Association of Jasmine and Aromatic Plants in Jazan.




Visitors enjoy wearing jewelry made of flowers. (AN photos Huda Bashatah)

Mohammed Al-Hobani, chairman of the body, told Arab News this was a “promising” way for the industry to reach its objectives. “The most important of these goals is to set up a factory in the Jazan region to distill jasmine and aromatic plants, just like … in the Taif region.”

Al-Hobani also spoke about the marketing of jasmine in various regions of the Kingdom, including supporting locals through small development projects such as embroidery and design.

FASTFACTS

• The second edition of the Jasmine and Aromatic Plants Festival will take place this year.

• Flowers and plants are among the most significant elements of Jazan’s way of life because of the region’s rich and fertile soil that supports its horticulture.

Together with Al-Mayadeen Company, a training firm hired by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Water, a three-month training course was offered on how to make jewelry inspired by jasmine flowers.

There were 130 people in the first intake, rising significantly to 640 in the second.




Mohammed Al-Hobani. (AN photos Huda Bashatah)

Al-Hobani believes it is important to invest in jasmine and other aromatic plants because they symbolize the region and have an ancient agricultural heritage.

The most important of these goals is to set up a factory in the Jazan region to distill jasmine and aromatic plants, just like ... in the Taif region.

Mohammed Al-Hobani, Chairman Association of Jasmine and Aromatic Plants

He said all wedding ceremonies in Jazan feature these plants. Brides must wear necklaces and crowns made of jasmine flowers due to their cultural significance.

“Because it is in high demand, farmers want to grow it and make money from it,” he said.




(AN photos Huda Bashatah)

The first Jasmine and Aromatic Plants Festival was held in 2018, overseen by Jazan Governor Prince Mohammed bin Nasser. The second edition will take place this year.

The event will include the Jazan Winter Festival and other special attractions showcasing locally sourced harid, mango, coffee and honey.

Dafer Al-Fahad, director general of the Jazan Mountains Development Authority, told Arab News: “Jazan Province has many comparative advantages. The six mountainous governorates are full of investment opportunities especially in agriculture, agritourism, wellness tourism, and heritage sites.”

 

 


Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat

Updated 04 June 2025
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Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel recently visited a Hajj pilgrim who had received emergency cardiac surgery at East Arafat Hospital.

The minister, who is also chairman of the Health Holding Co., made the visit during an inspection tour of healthcare facilities before the pilgrimage begins later this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The hospital is one of several medical facilities serving the holy sites during the Hajj.

 


Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation

Updated 04 June 2025
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Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation

  • A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine

RIYADH: A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media.

The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation.

A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime.

The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations.

Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.

 


KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo

Updated 04 June 2025
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KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a pediatric cardiac surgery and catheterization program in Syria’s Aleppo, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Volunteer medical workers carried out the project — a part of the Saudi Amal Program for Syrians — which ran from May 16 to 23, the SPA reported.

The teams performed 28 cardiac catheterizations and two open-heart operations.

In addition, 30 diagnostic radiology services were provided, 30 laboratory tests conducted, and medications dispensed to 30 patients.

The project is an extension of the specialized volunteer medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief to help people in Syria.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy

Updated 04 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has provided 2,339 food parcels to vulnerable people in the Syrian Arab Republic and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Syrians in Aleppo received 1,339 parcels, while in Sudan’s Blue Nile State 1,000 were delivered for 4,686 people, the report added.

Saudi Arabia continues to provide much-needed aid to communities in crisis across the world, the SPA reported.

 


Saudi Arabia congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council

Updated 04 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council

  • Bahrain will begin its 2-year term as a nonpermanent member of the council on Jan. 1, 2026
  • It was elected alongside Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia

RIYADH: Saudi authorities congratulated Bahrain on Tuesday after the nation was elected to serve as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2026-2027.

The election of the country “confirms the international community’s confidence in Bahrain’s ability to contribute effectively to strengthening international peace and security,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

The Kingdom wished Bahrain success in representing the interests of the Arab group of nations within the UN and in carrying out its duties as a member of the council.

Bahrain was elected alongside Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia, all of which will serve two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

The 15-member Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consists of five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — plus 10 nonpermanent members elected by the General Assembly to serve staggered, two-year terms. Bahrain and the other newly elected nations will therefore join five existing nonpermanent members whose terms conclude at the end of 2026: Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.