Dozens of women qualify to drive Haramain Express Train in Saudi Arabia
The train service facilitates Hajj and Umrah pilgrims along with other visitors to the Grand Mosque
The new drivers commend trainers for helping them overcome difficulties in their work environment
Updated 23 January 2023
Arab News
JEDDAH: The Saudi Railway Company has qualified 32 women to be drivers on the Haramain Express Train Leaders Program, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Women expressed their pride in working in this field, with Tharaa Ali Al-Zahrani saying: “Since the polytechnic announced job opportunities last January, I made sure to apply for work, and the personal interview and test took place, and I was accepted as one of the first batch of Saudi female train conductors.”
She added that the increased focus under Vision 2030 helped her ambition to serve her country, saying “It is useful that the accepted students have been trained theoretically and practically on safety and security systems, and take part in driving the train as conductors under training.”
Rotella Yasser Najjar said that the leadership provided the opportunity for Saudi women and enabled them to work in various locations to serve the country, including the Haramain Train project, which serves Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, as well as visitors to the Grand Mosque.
Raneem Talal Azouz said she felt she had a sense of responsibility as a train conductor and praised the continuous follow-up of the trainers at the institute and their role in qualifying females to work in this field and overcoming many difficulties in the work environment.
She added that serving pilgrims and visitors of the holy city was her great motivation to work on the Haramain train.
How climate change is disrupting the Earth’s water cycle
Flash floods worldwide have claimed lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed infrastructure, with global warming seen as a key driver
Land-use changes, like deforestation and urbanization, increase water run-off, altering rainfall patterns and water distribution
Updated 15 March 2025
Tamara Aboalsaud
RIYADH: From Argentina and South Sudan to Spain, Indonesia, and even Saudi Arabia, recent episodes of flash flooding around the world have cost numerous lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed infrastructure.
What is causing this flurry of flash flooding? Many factors come into play, from poor urban planning to improper resource management, but some argue the major culprit is climate change.
“Numerous environmental factors affect the water cycle, but temperature is perhaps the most important one,” Hylke Beck, assistant professor of earth science and engineering at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, told Arab News.
“Earth’s water cycle is all about movement. Water is constantly shifting between the ocean, land, and atmosphere,” Beck continued. Water rises as it evaporates, after which it cools, condenses into clouds, and then falls as rain or snow. Some of that water runs off into rivers and oceans, some infiltrates the ground, becoming groundwater, and some is taken up by plants.
“It’s a continuous cycle that keeps water moving and sustains us and other organisms,” Beck explained.
But what role does temperature play in the process? Warmer air holds more moisture. For every degree the planet warms up, the atmosphere can store approximately seven percent more water.
This extra moisture means that, when conditions are suitable, storms have a larger water supply to work with, resulting in heavier rainfall.
The Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology states that from 1979 to 2019, Saudi Arabia’s climate has warmed by 2.1 degrees Celsius — almost three times the global average.
Vehicles are submerged in water following flash floods in the holy city of Makkah on May 9, 2014. (AFP)
At the other end of the extreme, shifts in the water cycle have also led to more droughts, since higher temperatures also accelerate water evaporation, meaning more moisture is “pulled” from the ground at a faster rate. This dries out soil and makes droughts worse if there is not enough rain to replace it.
Longer dry spells and less frequent but heavier rainfall discourages crop growth and can lead to desertification.
In the Kingdom, stronger winds and drier soil causes more frequent and harsher sandstorms, harming the country’s agriculture and air quality. Air pollution can also change how clouds form and impact the amount of rainfall.
“In some places, increased evaporation can lead to more rainfall, but not necessarily where it’s needed,” said Beck. “Some regions get soaked, while others dry out even more.”
Sprinklers irrigate a rice field in Mishkhab in Iraq's Najaf province on July 8, 2024, as four consecutive years of drought and declining rainfall have strangled rice production in the country. (AFP/File)
Depending on where and how the moisture moves, warming can intensify both extreme rainfall and drying.
Changes in land also play an important role. Cutting down trees reduces transpiration, the urbanization of cities increases run-off, and damming rivers changes the direction of water flow.
Then there are also natural factors which can exacerbate man-made influences.
“Large-scale climate patterns like El Nino and La Nina (alter) where rain falls and for how long,” said Beck.
Both of those patterns are part of a natural cycle called El Nino-Southern Oscillation, El Nino is the phase in which the Pacific Ocean’s surface becomes warmer than usual. La Nina is the phase in which they are cooler. Both lead to changes in global weather, causing heavier rainfall in some areas and dryer conditions in others.
“Climate change is essentially throwing the whole system out of balance,” said Beck. “The result is more extremes — wetter wet seasons, drier dry seasons, and more unpredictable weather generally.”
Beck added that organizations like World Weather Attribution do crucial work in the field of climate monitoring by analyzing how climate change influences extreme events and how human activities shape the Earth’s water cycle.
Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale celebrates Ramadan with Biennale Nights
Held at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz Airport, the event offers visitors a cultural and spiritual experience
Updated 15 March 2025
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has unveiled Biennale Nights, a special Ramadan program at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah.
Held at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, the event runs until May 25, offering visitors a cultural and spiritual experience that celebrates the holy month while showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich Islamic heritage.
Under the warm glow of Ramadan nights, visitors at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah come together to celebrate faith, art, and tradition. (Supplied)
During Ramadan, visitors can take part in workshops featuring Arabic calligraphy and traditional craftsmanship, as well as interactive experiences exploring the artistic expressions associated with the holy month.
Sharing his experience, Ahmed Ramadan told Arab News: “This was my first time visiting the Islamic Arts Biennale, but I had planned to go for a while. When they announced the Ramadan events, I got even more excited. I feel that there is a strong connection between Ramadan activities and Islamic arts. I came with a group of friends, and we found many activities that suited young people.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Guests can explore an array of international cuisines, indulge in specialty delicacies like dates, honey and chocolates, and enjoy traditional beverages such as Karak and Arabic coffee.
• The market also features henna art, storytelling sessions for children and game wagons, creating an engaging atmosphere for families.
He added: “We played some group games, enjoyed a variety of food, including traditional Saudi dishes and Ramadan sweets popular in the western region. Honestly, it was a wonderful experience.
The Islamic Arts Biennale serves as a global platform for dialogue and exploration of Islamic arts. (Supplied)
“The timing, in the middle of Ramadan, was ideal, after the initial days of the month, which are usually packed with family gatherings and invitations. It was a great opportunity for my friends and me to come together in such a unique place.”
Running from March 6-15, the Ramadan Market welcomes visitors daily from 8 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., offering a vibrant mix of activities and attractions.
Under the warm glow of Ramadan nights, visitors at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah come together to celebrate faith, art, and tradition. (Supplied)
Guests can explore an array of international cuisines, indulge in specialty delicacies like dates, honey and chocolates, and enjoy traditional beverages such as Karak and Arabic coffee.
The market also features henna art, storytelling sessions for children and game wagons, creating an engaging atmosphere for families.
Under the warm glow of Ramadan nights, visitors at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah come together to celebrate faith, art, and tradition. (Supplied)
Adding to the festive spirit, live music and cultural performances take place, while visitors can find unique Ramadan-themed gifts at the Biennale Design Store.
For many, the Ramadan Market has been a memorable experience.
Walaa Ali, a visitor from Jeddah, said: “The venue offered a diverse range of activities specifically designed for the holy month of Ramadan. What made these activities special was how well they aligned with the spirit of the month, covering various disciplines and formats — some were workshops, others were entertainment spaces and some featured food.”
Rowa Haddad from Makkah said: “I found it to be the perfect place to visit with my family. The venue offers a variety of activities that cater to all family members, and what makes it even more special is the spiritual Islamic theme that fits both the location and the essence of this holy month. That’s why visiting this place was an excellent choice for us.”
In partnership with the Red Sea Film Foundation, the biennale also presents a curated selection of film screenings, delving into themes of resilience, faith and identity from across the Islamic world.
These experiences offer visitors a meaningful way to engage with art, culture and heritage, blending traditional Islamic aesthetics with contemporary artistic expression.
The Ramadan Market offers iftar and suhoor options, including curated iftar menus for pre-booked gatherings featuring dishes inspired by Saudi and Middle Eastern cuisines.
The Islamic Arts Biennale serves as a global platform for dialogue and exploration of Islamic arts. It is held at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, an award-winning architectural site that has long served as a gateway for pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah.
The first biennale welcomed more than 600,000 visitors, and the second expands on this success with an even richer program.
The Ramadan events are open to all biennale visitors. Registration is available through the official website at biennale.org.sa.
Saudi crown prince congratulates Mark Carney on confirmation as Canada PM
Updated 15 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Mark Carney on Friday, on the occasion of the formation of the new government headed by him and his taking the constitutional oath as Prime Minister of Canada, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince expressed his best wishes for success and guidance to Carney and for the friendly people of Canada further progress and prosperity, SPA added.
Ex-central banker Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau as Canadian premier, following the latter’s announcement of his resignation in January.
Royal Commission for Yanbu signs animal welfare deals
The first deal, signed with the Rahma Association for Animal Welfare, focuses on the running of a veterinary clinic, the provision of training and certification programs, and campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of animal welfare
Updated 15 March 2025
SPA
YANBU: The Royal Commission for Yanbu has signed two agreements that will promote animal welfare and environmental protection.
The first deal, signed with the Rahma Association for Animal Welfare, focuses on the running of a veterinary clinic, the provision of training and certification programs, and campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of animal welfare.
The second, signed with the Yanbu Environmental Association, will see the establishment of community partnerships with non-profit organizations, including the organization of events, workshops and school visits to raise environmental awareness, and the creation of opportunities for residents to actively contribute to the preservation of their environment.
Islamophobia ‘most alarming manifestation’ of hate speech, Muslim World League chief tells UN
Updated 14 March 2025
Arab News
NEW YORK: Islamophobia is one of the most alarming manifestations of hate speech, according to the head of the Muslim World League, who was speaking at the UN on Friday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the MWL secretary-general, was the keynote speaker for the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the UN General Assembly.
The event provided a platform for Al-Issa to highlight the growing concerns surrounding Islamophobia and its broader implications for global coexistence.
During his visit, Al-Issa also held bilateral talks with the President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang, discussing the rising trend of anti-Muslim sentiment and a range of other issues of mutual concern.
Al-Issa also held bilateral talks with the President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang. (Supplied)
In his address, Al-Issa warned that the consequences of Islamophobia extend beyond the Muslim community to fuel extremism and social division. He stressed that such prejudice poses a fundamental challenge to inclusive citizenship, which is enshrined in democratic constitutions and international human rights principles.
He noted a concerning rise in discrimination against Muslims, including incidents of marginalization, barriers to integration, and denial of basic rights.
Exploring the root causes of Islamophobia, Al-Issa emphasized that the nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide represent the true essence of Islam and actively engage with the world’s religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity.
He referenced the Qur’anic verse that calls for human understanding and unity, stating that Islam’s message is one of peace and coexistence.
Al-Issa also underscored that Islamophobia is not merely a religious issue but a global humanitarian challenge that threatens social harmony, asserting that defending Islam in this context was synonymous with defending universal human values.
He denounced political rhetoric that exploits fear for electoral gains and condemned media platforms that propagate divisive narratives.
Al-Issa called for an end to policies that sow fear and division, rejecting attempts to link terrorism with Islam. He also criticized extremists who manipulate religion for their own agendas, emphasizing that rejecting others simply because of their religious or ethnic differences is a dangerous mindset that must be challenged.
He urged the international community to take responsibility in fostering tolerance and understanding. He highlighted the role of educational and cultural institutions in shaping future generations, stressing that raising awareness among young people is crucial in countering hatred and misinformation.
Following his address, representatives from various UN member states took the floor, outlining their governments’ efforts to combat Islamophobia and promote social cohesion.
