Beauty queens of the desert steal the show at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Camel Festival

Camels compete in the beauty pageant of the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, some 160 kilometres east of Riyadh on December 24, 2020. (AFP)
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Updated 14 January 2023
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Beauty queens of the desert steal the show at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Camel Festival

  • Annual event outside Riyadh draws thousands of visitors to 17 different categories of competition
  • Festival became a high-profile spectacle after the council of ministers formally began to regulate it

RIYADH: Camels have long been associated with Middle Eastern history and culture. Indeed, for many Bedouin peoples who still live in the deserts of Arabia they continue to provide a source of food, transportation and clothing to this day.

Historically, the domestication of camels unleashed the potential of early Arab societies. Arabian armies were able to quickly conquer territory and establish large empires thanks to the speed and resilience of these “ships of the desert.”

It is therefore perhaps no surprise that festivals are held throughout the region to celebrate these qualities and the single-humped dromedary’s symbolic place in Arabian identity, even as the Gulf states rapidly embrace the trappings of urbanization.

One stand-out event in the region’s calendar is the Mazayen Al-Ibl — the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year to witness one of Arabia’s most unique competitions — the camel beauty pageant.

Considered one of the biggest events of its kind in the Middle East, the festival is made up of 75 camel competitions, with participants vying for prizes of up to SR100 million ($26 million). Indeed, rare-camel breeding is a multimillion-dollar industry in Saudi Arabia.

Although the festival, held at a showground north of Riyadh, has been taking place over many years, it was only after the Saudi Council of Ministers issued a decision in 2017 to formally regulate the event that it became the high-profile spectacle that it is today.




Saudi men cheer for camel owners taking part in a beauty contest during the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, some 160 kilometres east of Riyadh, on January 19, 2018. (AFP/File Photo)

Organized by the Saudi Camel Club, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives took over the management of the festival under the supervision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Camels are not usually the first animals that spring to mind when one contemplates beauty. But it would be unfair not to recognize the aesthetic attributes of even this most humble of livestock. So, this raises the question: How does a camel participate in a beauty pageant?

Breeders can either opt to enter a single camel or a herd of up to 50 in the contest. Candidates are then divided into categories based on their color — mijahim (dark skinned) and maghateer (light skinned).

These lighter-skinned camels are then further subdivided into wodh (bright white), sheal (yellow), sofor (yellow with black humps), shiggih (white but less bright), and homor (red).

Entrants are also categorized by age, with competitions for degh (camels under the age of five) and jel (over the age of five).

A separate category is reserved for sawahil, or coastal, camels, distinguished by their red coloring, large heads, long necks, large bodies, and greater overall body length.




Saudi cameleers parade their animals during the sixth edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in the Rumah region, some 161Km east of the capital Riyadh. (AFP)

Then there are purebred asayel camels, which are known for their speed, meaning they are usually used in racing competitions. The most famous are the Omani, divided into asayel, hybrid (mehajjin), Al-Seairyat and Al-Awarik.

Of course, all of this begs the question: What exactly is a pageant judge looking for while trying to determine the beauty of a camel?

“The beauty features of the camel depend greatly on the head,” Mosallam Al-Hawamlah, a Saudi camel breeder, told Arab News.

“It is better to have longer lips and the nose is preferred to be high and curved. The beauty of camels increases when they have a longer beard and broader cheeks.”

There are also several features that are distinct to the mijahim and maghateer categories, including the size, shape and composure of their respective ears, tails and toes.

FASTFACTS

• Tens of thousands attend the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, staged northeast of Riyadh.

• The latest edition of the festival allowed women to show off their camels for the second time.

“It is preferable that the ears of the maghateer are short and sloped backwards, and the mijahim is preferred to be with long ears and sloped forward,” said Al-Hawamlah.

The camel’s neck is also a key determinant of its beauty, with judges preferring long necks set forward, provided they are in proportion with the rest of the body.

However, it is the positioning of the camel’s hump that is considered among the most important gauges of its beauty. According to Al-Hawamlah, judges prefer the hump to slope backward.

Mijahim camels are also often judged based on the curve of their legs. Winners tend to have legs with an inward curvature and also a long broad tail. Meanwhile, judges often prefer maghateer camels to have shorter tails.

As one might expect from a beauty pageant, participating camels are given a thorough makeover before they are presented to the judges, allowing breeders to accentuate their animals’ natural qualities.

Camels are washed, shaved, combed and styled to ensure they look their best. Some camel owners even opt to use hair-fixing spray to highlight the thickness of their animals’ mane.




A Saudi man leads camels as he heads back home from a training center on April 1, 2016 near the city of Tabuk, located some 1500km northwest of the capital Riyadh. (AFP)

To maintain the authenticity of camel breeds and to guard against mistreatment, organizers have in recent years cracked down on more invasive cosmetic enhancements.

At last year’s festival, 43 contestants were disqualified after breeders used botox injections and other forms of “tampering” to enhance their animals’ appearance.

According to SPA, some breeders even injected their camels with silicone and fillers, while others artificially inflated their animals’ body parts using rubber bands.

To detect any such tampering, festival judges and veterinarians thoroughly examine each camel with X-ray machines and sonar devices.

Stricter regulation means it takes a great deal of time and planning for breeders to prepare an animal for such a pageant, including the provision of proper transportation, fodder, health care and nutrition.

During the festival and throughout the year, breeders meet to buy and sell camels that have specific beauty criteria, striking deals valued in millions of dollars.

Mousa Al-Mousa, a camel owner, recently sealed a deal worth SR80 million ($21.3 million) to buy 17 deq camels from fellow breeder Mohammed bin Jokhdob.

More than 70 camels were auctioned in just the first three weeks of the current festival, with the highest demand for wodh and sofor.

While the value of camel sales has exceeded SR500 million at this year’s festival, the market value of the festival in the first five weeks amounted to about SR10 billion. Several major companies in Saudi Arabia sponsored the event.

Preparing for such competitions is a way of life for many camel breeders. In recent months, Mijbil Aldhifiri, a young businessman from Hafar Al-Batin in the Eastern Province, told Arab News that he had spent up to 12 hours a day caring for his prize-winner, Thokor.




Cars and people surround camels for sale during the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, some 160 kilometres east of Riyadh. (AFP)

Another camel owner, Abdulaziz bin Shouraim, told Arab News that he was looking forward to participating in the next festival, adding that he struggled to purchase a camel with prize-winning looks, such is the high demand for such contenders.

Organizers have sought to diversify the festival by introducing new competition categories, including last year’s launch of a camel race for female breeders. This year they introduced the International Camel Organization event, where Royal Omani camel riders made their debut.

More than 32 participants from around the world competed in this year’s beauty pageant, which took place on Jan. 8.

Fifteen participants — nine from Iraq, two from Egypt, and one each from Yemen, Libya, Britain and India — qualified for the final round of judging. In the end, though, it was an Iraqi entry that came away with the prize for the most beautiful camel.

Iraq’s Watbaan Jabo Abbas Al-Rafi was ecstatic at taking first place.

“I was honored to participate in the festival’s competitions,” he told Arab News. “I thank all those in charge of it, as this festival today has become a global event with the participation of many countries.”

 


Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter

Updated 27 November 2024
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Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter

  • Message delivered to minister during meeting in Riyadh

RIYADH: King Salman has received a letter from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inviting him to the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

The message was delivered to Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd during a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.

The two sides held cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest.

The 45th GCC Summit takes place in Kuwait on Sunday.


King Salman asks people of Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain

Updated 5 min 26 sec ago
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King Salman asks people of Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain

RIYADH: King Salman called on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“Everyone who is able should be keen to perform the prayer, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad,” the Royal Court said.

Muslims are often asked to pray for rainfall in times of drought or other water shortages.


Global Harmony event concludes with celebration of Egyptian culture in Riyadh

Updated 26 November 2024
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Global Harmony event concludes with celebration of Egyptian culture in Riyadh

  • Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture

RIYADH: The Global Harmony initiative concludes its third edition with a week-long celebration of Egyptian music, art and tradition in Suwaidi Park as part of Riyadh Season.

Running from Nov. 24-30 and organized by the Ministry of Media, the event invites visitors to experience Egypt’s rich heritage through a range of cultural activities.

Speaking to Arab News, Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Tarek El-Meligy highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the two nations. “The Egyptian community is the most harmonious, coexistent and understanding in a positive way within Saudi society,” he said.

“If you ask any Egyptian which country they would like to live in after Egypt, they will say Saudi Arabia.”

The Egyptian ambassador to Saudi Arabia visits the Egyptian festival at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, held as part of the Global Harmony initiative on Nov. 24, 2024. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Sarry Shaaban, an executive and consultant at the General Entertainment Authority, said: “We are talking about millions of visitors, both residents and Saudis, entering the park. Whether I’m a resident, a Saudi or from a country hosting the event, it provides an opportunity for residents to learn about your culture, colors, explore its arts, food, crafts, and traditional industries.”

Live music and dance performances displaying Egypt’s cultural traditions, with the rhythm of drums and flutes and performers in traditional costumes, have brought the life and spirit of Cairo’s streets to Riyadh.

A separate bazaar area has been set up featuring Egyptian cuisine, traditional clothing and handcrafted items.

Performers showcase traditional Egyptian folk costumes and dances during celebrations at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, part of the Global Harmony Initiative, on Nov. 24, 2024. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“An event like this carries positive messages and highlights something we strive to emphasize every day, that we are one people, united by love and affection,” said El-Meligy.

Egyptian Sameh Nabil emphasized the feel of unity: “This initiative brought us closer together as Egyptians, and with Saudis here, I feel like we are brothers. I always feel like we are not expatriates.”

And visitor Khaled Zahir said: “This event reflects the love, connection and affection between Egyptians living in the Kingdom and Saudis.”

Performers in Egyptian attire take part in a parade at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, celebrating Egyptian culture as part of the Global Harmony initiative on Nov. 24, 2024. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Egyptians make up 11 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population, according to the Saudi Census, meaning such exhibitions are important in promoting mutual respect and harmony.

El-Meligy said Saudi Arabia hosted the largest Egyptian expatriate community abroad, with remittances from those in the Kingdom forming a significant part of their home nation’s income.

“In recent months, remittances from Egyptians abroad have increased substantially, thanks to the facilities between the two countries and the confidence in both the Saudi and Egyptian economies,” he added.

Performers in Egyptian attire take part in a parade at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, celebrating Egyptian culture as part of the Global Harmony initiative on Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo/@RiyadhSeason)

Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture. In his October visit to Cairo, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss investment opportunities and the establishment of a supreme coordination council to deepen bilateral relations.

Trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt saw a 35.16 percent annual increase in the first half of 2024, according to the General Authority of Statistics. The increase was driven by a 73.44 percent surge in Saudi imports from Egypt, totaling $4.18 billion.

Egypt has also shown a growing interest in investing in Saudi Arabia, with a 71 percent rise in licenses granted to Egyptian firms in the second quarter of 2024.

The festival, which began in October, highlights the lives, contributions and cultural integration of its residents. So far, it has celebrated cultures including Indian heritage and moving through Philippine, Indonesian, Pakistani, Yemeni, Sudanese, Bangladeshi, Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian traditions.

 


Riyadh Expo 2030 provides progress update to international exhibitions regulator BIE

The General Director of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Support Office, Abdulaziz Alghannam, speaks at the 175th general assembly meeting.
Updated 26 November 2024
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Riyadh Expo 2030 provides progress update to international exhibitions regulator BIE

  • Members of Riyadh Expo 2030 update Bureau International des Expositions on progress toward hosting the event

RIYADH: A Saudi delegation representing Riyadh Expo 2030 took part in a Bureau International des Expositions meeting on Tuesday to review the Kingdom’s readiness to host the global event.

In November 2023, Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the 2030 World Expo between October 2030 and March 2031 in the capital, Riyadh.

The Riyadh Expo 2030 delegation took part in the 175th general assembly meeting of the BIE, a Paris-based intergovernmental organization which oversees and regulates World Expos, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They updated senior officials of the BIE about the latest Saudi developments and preparations for hosting the event. They also discussed progress on work to accommodate an expected 246 exhibitors, including countries, organizations and companies, at a site north of Riyadh.

Under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” the event aims to be a unique platform for innovations and modern technologies which aim to find answers to challenges facing the planet in various fields, according to the Expo 2030 website.


Hospitality sector innovations, trends showcased at Riyadh exhibition

Updated 26 November 2024
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Hospitality sector innovations, trends showcased at Riyadh exhibition

  • Event gathers local and international exhibitors, industry leaders, and visitors to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the sector
  • Exhibition features an array of engaging activities, including live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a barista competition, and workshops for aspiring culinary professionals

RIYADH: This year’s HORECA exhibition held in Riyadh is underscoring the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global hospitality market.

Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the three-day event concludes on Nov. 27 and gathers local and international exhibitors, industry leaders, and visitors to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the sector.

The event contributes to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by fostering private-sector growth, promoting tourism, and enhancing the country’s food and beverage industries.

The exhibition features an array of engaging activities, including live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a barista competition, and workshops for aspiring culinary professionals.

Visitors can sample creative dishes, observe new techniques in food and beverage, and explore sustainable packaging solutions, among other highlights.

Prince Waleed bin Nasser, guest of honor and CEO of Mukatafa Co., highlighted the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Speaking at a session on public policies impacting the food and beverage sector, he said: “The vision today aspires for the private sector to play a significant role in the development of the economy. The private sector must take the initiative to have a voice. To achieve this, it needs to be organized and united in presenting a single perspective.”

He also emphasized the need for proactive engagement: “We must work as one, united with a common vision, and present this vision in a professional manner backed by facts, ensuring that the decisions made have a positive impact on the sector and the citizens.”

Culinary competitions are among the highlights celebrating creativity and technical skills at HORECA. Mohammed Naif, a participant representing Saudi Arabia’s Hotel and Tourism Management Institute, told Arab News: “The atmosphere was amazing, and the competition was all about passion and enjoyment. There was a panel of judges and organizers who were very supportive — if you made a mistake, they would help you, and if you had an incomplete idea, they would guide you.

“I encourage anyone with a passion for cooking to join, showcase their creativity, and learn while bringing out their best.”

The exhibition also provided a platform for networking, with exhibitors showcasing local innovations as well as international brands. From cutting-edge hospitality tech to Saudi-inspired culinary creations, the event highlighted the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a global hub for the sector.