Founding Day celebrations sweep Saudi Arabia

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Saudis celebrate Founding Day. (SPA)
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Updated 22 February 2023
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Founding Day celebrations sweep Saudi Arabia

  • Parades, balloon flights and family events highlight 300 years of history

JEDDAH/DHAHRAN/RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is marking its second Founding Day celebrations with events, activities and a four-day holiday. 

Founding Day — celebrated on Feb. 22 to commemorate the country’s founding by Imam Mohammed bin Saud — was declared a national holiday last year following a royal decree by King Salman. 

Cultural and artistic events are taking place across the Kingdom. 

Nationwide competition 

The UN in Saudi Arabia is celebrating Founding Day by launching a photography competition under the theme “People and Property” to highlight the Kingdom’s culture and heritage. 

Organizers suggest images of people wearing regional and traditional attire from different parts of the Kingdom, or of younger and older generations, cultural heritage and modern architecture, or regional landscapes. 

Local photographers have to submit four high-resolution images taken with a digital camera. 

Photographs can be taken in any style or format and can be in black and white or color. For printing purposes, images must fit the required format of 3:2 ratio, in portrait or landscape. The minimum file size is 1MB and the maximum file size is 12MB.

All entries must be original and it is the photographer’s responsibility to ensure that no copyright infringement took place.

Each entry will be judged individually. All entries automatically give the UN in Saudi Arabia the right to reproduce images for publication by the UN. The copyright is retained by the photographer.

Winning photos will be used in the UN annual country report, and a selection of the 10 best images will be showcased on the UN Saudi Arabia website as a virtual exhibition. Winning images uploaded for the contest may appear in UN materials.

The UN World Tourism Organization will award 10 winners a scholarship to attend a course at the UNWTO Tourism Online Academy. The UNWTO will also showcase the best photos at special events, promote them on their social media platforms and some images may appear in their selected publications.

To submit, send an email to: rcs-ksa-commsteam@un.org with full contact information and the images. Visit www.SaudiArabia.UN.org for more details. 

Riyadh 

The Kingdom’s capital rang in Founding Day celebrations with parades and live performances in locations across the city.

Families dressed in traditional attire gathered to watch the colorful parades and performances, while streets filled with celebrations.

Al-Kindi plaza in the Diplomatic Quarter hosted a heritage tent featuring a traditional souq, live performances and local dishes for visitors to sample on Wednesday. The event will continue on Thursday. 

The Ministry of Culture held a musical theater performance highlighting the history of Saudi Arabia in Princess Noura University’s Red Hall. The show premiered on Wednesday and will continue until Feb. 27.

The ministry also hosted a parade at the intersection of Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road and King Salman Road in Riyadh featuring Arabian horses, traditional attire and colorful performances highlighting three centuries of the Kingdom’s history.

Al-Liwan, a cultural event featuring traditional markets, informative seminars and historical theatrical performances, was staged in 14 locations across the Kingdom simultaneously, including Riyadh, Arar, Sakaka, Tabuk, Hail, Buraidah, Dammam, Madinah, Taif, Jeddah, Al-Baha, Abha, Jazan and Najran. 

In Riyadh, it will continue until Friday. 

The historical site Diriyah hosted a Founding Day parade and other family activities in four locations, including JAX Park and Riyadh Skate Park.

One of the most popular family festivities was the Majlis, an educational event spotlighting the heritage and culture of the First Saudi State through lectures, panel discussions and workshops hosted in King Fahd National Library.

Many of the celebrations in Riyadh will continue over the next two days, with some, such as the Princess Noura University’s Red Hall, continuing until Feb. 27.

Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Wohaibi, the first Saudi to become a licensed hot air balloon pilot in the Kingdom, joined the Riyadh celebrations, soaring high above the city in flights on Tuesday and Wednesday from two locations: Marat, a historical town, 200 km northwest of Riyadh, and Al-Khararah, on the southwest side of the city.

Al-Wohaibi described the balloon flights as a gesture of gratitude to his country.

“I have been working on importing this balloon for six months, and the idea came to my mind once my pilot license was issued,” he said. “I felt that I needed to express my love for this country in a different way, so I chose our Founding Day.”

Al-Wohaibi’s balloon was manufactured by the Kubicek Factory in the Czech Republic and is registered in Saudi Arabia with the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

The balloon carried a 32-meter printed banner showing the Founding Day logo in black, with symbols of the Kingdom’s culture, such as the flag, dates, majlis, an Arabian horse and ancient manuscripts. 

The special banner, which took more than a month to prepare, was printed in Europe. 

Al-Wohaibi said that hot air balloons can fly higher than aircraft reaching 63,000 feet. 

“However, due to regulations and oxygen supply, my Founding Day balloon will not exceed 8,000 feet,” he said

Dhahran 

In Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) will hold Founding Day festivities until Friday. 

Visitors will be able to link the Kingdom’s past with the future through a series of cultural programs. 

Around 19 activities will be available at various times, including an Ardha, or Najdi sword dance performance; an interactive outdoor theatrical show telling the story of the Kingdom’s founding; and a film depicting the life of 13-year-old Prince Faisal before he became a king.

The family-friendly day targets visitors of all ages.

The falcon has long been a symbol of glory and national pride in the Kingdom. During the Saudi Falcons’ event, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the different types of falcons and see falconry tools first-hand. 

People are encouraged to dress in traditional attire. There will be plenty of Instagrammable backgrounds to take selfies with and professional photographers will be on hand to capture group photos.

The Children’s Museum and Ithra Library will also offer educational activities introducing youngsters to the country’s national identity and highlighting the history of the Kingdom.

Attendees can join in or simply sit and enjoy the many scheduled outdoor activities outside the Ithra doors.

The center is free to enter and will be open between 4-11 p.m. during the celebrations.

Jeddah 

In Jeddah, Founding Day celebrations are taking place among a number of monuments and heritage buildings that are around 400 years old, according to the Heritage Commission.

The celebration kicked off with the famous folkloric Ardah dance, which is now listed in the UNESCO World Intangible Heritage. 

Earlier, it was performed only by males of the Shammar tribe of the central Najd region before going to war, but nowadays it is performed at by all tribes during celebrations and cultural events. 

It followed a walk where visitors delved into stories of the past at Al-Sham historical open square. 

In an open theater, performers using ancient tools and utensils enacted scenes from previous eras showing how people traded, made crafts, kneaded dough and baked bread. 

Ahmad Khamees, live acts artmaker from 321 Action Art Production, told Arab News: “We prepared a full story with eight different scenes that will shed light on Hijazi dishes, and offer an overview of the oldest trade market, where people used to exchange food and goods.

“All the tools we used date back over 100 years and were brought from different national museums and antiques collectors to provide the true essence of Founding Day.”

The interactive theater also introduced visitors to one of the Hijazi traditional dishes usually made in cold weather: “Madoos,” which is made of broth, onions, lentils, rice and cumin, and consumed with salted dry fish.

Visitors in the old town can also experience getting milk in “gerbah,” an ancient type of bottle made from goat or sheep hide, which was used to store or transport milk and ghee.

Chon Yee, a Chinese tourist visiting Jeddah Al-Balad during the Founding Day celebrations, told Arab News: “It is my first time in Saudi Arabia; it is such a great area as I am also a history lover.”

He added: “This is the third day I visited here and I cannot get enough of these amazing buildings, unique style and windows I haven’t seen elsewhere. I am so happy that the Ministry of Culture is paying for efforts to maintain it.”

In addition to the kiosks that offer many traditional and local products, there is a mural where visitors can draw to express their love for the Kingdom, as well as a photo booth to capture the moment with family and friends in their traditional attire.

Elsewhere, Monteja, a nonprofit organization in collaboration with the Swissotel Living Jeddah, organized a family bazaar selling handmade crafts, food and drinks. 

The bazaar brought 15 self-employed families at the Quarter restaurant with an aim to create a platform to showcase and uplift their livelihood as well as explore ways to develop their businesses. 

Maram Aldeen, general manager of Monteja, said: “Founding Day is very special to us, and celebrating this day reflects our love for the beloved country. Through this family bazaar, we believe it is important to stand hand-by-hand and give back to our community and empower these families.”

Productive families are an important part of the Kingdom’s economy, and promoting them can be a true starting point for the development of small and medium-sized enterprise industries. Besides, there are more than 4,000 families in the western region that are in need of support, she said. 

“My expectation of organizing this event at the hotel is to really have all the hotel guests, employees, and their families, as well as many visitors, experience the vibe and also purchase from them while appreciating their beautiful products.”

Jaouad Sbihi, general manager at the Swissotel Living Jeddah, said: “We are a newly opened hotel in Jeddah since September 2022, and this is our first year to have the chance to celebrate the Founding Day as an operating hotel. We always aimed to be an active contributor other than collaborating with a such noble organization that promotes and advocates for a good cause in supporting local producing families and craftmanship talents.

“I consider it as an obligation for our industry to support and promote such partnership whereby offering our hotel platform free of charge yet ensuring that all generated sales revenue goes to the nonprofit organization and at the same time give them a chance to showcase their talents and skills to our guests, colleagues and community in general which will organically generate other opportunities to them,” he added.

Speaking to Arab News, Raja’s Kalantan from Needle and Yarn, which makes products using yarn, said: “All the entrepreneurs are honored and appreciate the collaboration of the organization with the luxury hotel, Swissotel Living Jeddah for believing in us. It means a lot when well-known brands are looking after a social cause and empowering people like us.”


How AI and microtools are empowering the next generation of Saudi entrepreneurs

Updated 20 June 2025
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How AI and microtools are empowering the next generation of Saudi entrepreneurs

  • AI-powered tools can save small business owners up to 10 hours weekly, boosting efficiency and freeing time for growth
  • Social media remains a key starting point, but surveys show long-term success depends on managing a dedicated digital presence

JEDDAH: Digitalization has reshaped how entrepreneurs get started — particularly in the early stages. Increasingly, small businesses are launching via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, bypassing the traditional route of setting up a dedicated website.

These social-first entrepreneurs are meeting customers where they already spend time, turning social media from a communication tool into a sales platform.

“Generative AI is reshaping the future of business, and when combined with digital marketing, the results are transformative,” Selina Bieber, vice president for international markets at the US-based web hosting company GoDaddy, told Arab News.

With the right mix of AI and easy-to-use tools, turning a side project into a long-term venture is more achievable than ever. (Supplied)

According to the GoDaddy 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey, 22 percent of small business owners in the Middle East and North Africa now run their businesses primarily on social media.

This trend highlights the rising importance of social commerce, especially for solo founders and part-time business operators.

However, running a business solely on social platforms comes with risks. Visibility may be high, but ownership and control are limited. Algorithm changes or policy shifts can dramatically affect a business’s ability to reach customers or generate income.

Shoppers also tend to look for additional signals of trust before making a purchase. A professional website, for example, often strengthens a business’s credibility.

According to The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024 report by Checkout, 73 percent of online shoppers in the region are more confident buying from businesses that have a website, rather than relying exclusively on social media accounts.

In response to this shift, new digital tools have emerged to support social-first entrepreneurs.

Features such as branded microsites, product catalogues, and smart links — often packaged into accessible platforms — help founders establish a more centralized and professional presence online without needing advanced technical knowledge.

Artificial intelligence is also playing a growing role in this transition, helping entrepreneurs move more quickly from concept to launch. It can assist in writing product descriptions, developing pricing strategies, and automating customer engagement.

Beyond time savings, AI helps to level the playing field by making it easier for people to launch and scale businesses with minimal upfront investment. (Supplied)

Internal data suggests AI-powered tools can save small business owners up to 10 hours a week — a meaningful benefit for entrepreneurs managing limited time and resources.

Beyond time savings, AI helps to level the playing field by making it easier for people to launch and scale businesses with minimal upfront investment.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a particularly dynamic arena for these digital shifts.

In 2023, GoDaddy signed a partnership agreement with the Kingdom’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises — Monsha’at — to equip Saudi entrepreneurs with the digital tools and training needed to build their online presence.

Signing of the Go Daddy-Monsha'at partnership by Mohammed Alamro, general manager of entrepreneurship planning at Monsha’at, and Selina_Bieber, Go Daddy's VP for international markets. (Go Daddy photo)

The agreement, signed during the Biban 23 entrepreneurship forum in Riyadh, aimed to empower aspiring business owners through workshops, seminars, and a planned business accelerator.

It also included support for Monsha’at Academy and content initiatives to share local success stories.

“We’re inspired to see Saudi entrepreneurs and small business owners feel confident in embracing technology and in their approach to entrepreneurship,” said Bieber.

While social media remains a powerful tool for customer engagement, long-term growth often requires a more permanent digital footprint.

A dedicated website, complemented by tools like GoDaddy’s Show in Bio, can provide an added layer of credibility and security — something that social media accounts alone may not guarantee.

With the rise of impersonation and questionable accounts online, many customers check whether a business has a standalone website before making a purchase.

The latest generation of entrepreneurs is pragmatic and digitally fluent. While they may start on social media, many are increasingly looking for tools that offer more autonomy, control, and brand distinction.

Combining a social-first approach with a professional online presence can offer the credibility and resilience needed for sustainable growth.

“GoDaddy continues to level the playing field by offering powerful, affordable tools that allow small businesses to elevate their marketing and achieve real success,” said Bieber.

With the right mix of AI and easy-to-use tools, turning a side project into a long-term venture is more achievable than ever.

Social media may be where the journey starts — but building lasting value depends on owning and shaping your own digital presence.
 

 


Saudi science university makes world’s top 100

Updated 19 June 2025
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Saudi science university makes world’s top 100

  • KFUPM jumped to 67th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings from 101st last year

DHAHRAN: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals has achieved a milestone by entering the list of the world’s top 100 establishments, ranking 67th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings after being 101st last year.

The transformation has taken place across academic, research, and administrative domains. Nearly 100 new programs have been launched, including innovative undergraduate and graduate offerings.

The university has also introduced the region’s first entrepreneurship program, granting students and researchers full ownership of their startups in a move that reflects a modern, innovation-driven academic culture focused on economic empowerment.

In addition, the university has adopted the FAST transformation model and the AI+X initiative, which integrates artificial intelligence as an integral knowledge component across all disciplines, making it a core academic requirement for all students.

The university has also achieved the highest female enrollment rate in engineering programs globally, and attracted students from more than 75 countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
 


Adventurous couple travel across GCC states on motorcycle

Updated 19 June 2025
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Adventurous couple travel across GCC states on motorcycle

  • Driven by faith and adventure, the couple traveled thousands of miles in 24 days, enduring long hours on the road, all to reach their target

JEDDAH: Two Jeddah-based Indian-Saudi bikers have covered a distance of 62,218 kilometers across the Gulf Cooperation Council region on their motorcycles. 

Driven by faith and adventure, the couple traveled thousands of miles, crossing the GCC borders — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Bahrain — and enduring long hours on the road, all to reach their target.

Their 24-day trip stands as a powerful testament to their devotion, determination, and love for an adventurous journey. 

Mir Shakeel Ur Rahman from Hyderabad and Amal Ahmed from Jeddah started biking together 6 years ago after their marriage. It has been a journey of self-discovery, shared interest and passion that has made their biking experience more surreal.

The couple have rode across Saudi Arabia to Makkah, Jazan, Abha, Hail, Riyadh, Dammam, and Al-Ahsa to promote Saudi tourism, but this time, the duo decided to go on an epic adventure across the GCC states. “We were excited to start the journey and tackle a route new to us,” said Shakeel.

Mir and Amal taking timeout for a selfie along the road. (Supplied)

For Shakeel and Ahmed, this journey is about much more than reaching and discovering new destinations. It is also about the motorcycle friends they have met and respect.

“Actually this journey was aimed to visit our dear friends and celebrate with them their national days. We really wanted to attend Oman’s national day, UAE’s national days and Bike Week in Bahrain.”

The couple officially left Jeddah at the end of November 2024 to Makkah followed by Taif before riding through Riyadh from where they crossed the border over to Abu Dhabi.

During their stay in Riyadh, the couple met with a number of motorcyclists from all regions of the Kingdom as well as riders from Iraq, and Bahrain. They also participated in the celebration held at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman to mark the 54th Omani National Day.

Mir and Amal at the UAE border. (Supplied)

“On our way to the border of UAE from Riyadh, it was not as easy as we expected because of the sandy weather we faced, but we managed to get through with the great help we received from the Saudi patrol officers who kept us safe all the way,” added Shakeel.

Once they reached Abu Dhabi, the couple contacted Sheikh Suhail Bin Hasher Al-Maktoum, widely known as the “Father of All Bikers” in the UAE who invited them to celebrate the UAE’s 53rd National Day along with other motorcyclists from all over the world at his farm.

“It was a great night with Sheikh Suhail who gathered all bikers from all over the world, it was also a great opportunity to exchange our deep relations with our friends while celebrating the UAE’s national day. Actually, we were surrounded by people who were trying their best to help us in any way they can to make our journey safe,” said Ahmed.

The couple with Sheikh Suhail Bin Hasher Al-Maktoum in Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)

Keen to take things further, the pair continued their journey to Oman. Shakeel found riding through Oman particularly enjoyable, from exploring the historic Nizwa Fort and Souq to venturing into the surrounding mountains.

“It was a truly a new experience. It allowed us to explore Oman’s diverse landscapes, immerse ourselves in its rich history, and create lasting memories,” he said.

His wife stated that visiting Oman’s iconic Jebel Akhdar — the Green Mountain — was probably the highlight of their journey.

She added: “Our Omani motorcycle friends also were extremely generous with us all the time we were there; they took us on tours to various parts of Oman and also were very helpful in maintaining our bikes.”

After enjoying their stay for few days in Oman, they rode toward Bahrain and attended the annual Bahrain Bike Week, which featured various activities like motorcycle races, concerts, and street festivals.

“We had wonderful days and the event was filled with energy, passion, and the love for two wheels,” said Shakeel.

While they had reached their final destination, they were informed by KALAM’s World Record that they had officially set the record for the longest motorcycle expedition as a couple.

“It was a great news for us to be recognized by KALAM’s World Record which is an organization that celebrates achievements across various fields. We are extremely happy and I am dedicating this achievement for my wife. We are looking forward to receive this award on Sept. 16, 2025,” said Shakeel.

The couple have no intention of settling down and are already planning their next adventure.
 


Student-led team develops AI device to detect emergency lane offenders

Updated 19 June 2025
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Student-led team develops AI device to detect emergency lane offenders

  • Project was carried out by a student-led team under the supervision of Department of Geomatics faculty members
  • Project employs the YOLO algorithm. YOLO, which stands for You Only Look Once, is a real-time object detection algorithm

JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz University has completed an innovative research project that uses artificial intelligence to monitor violations of emergency lanes on highways in real time.

The project was carried out by a student-led team under the supervision of Department of Geomatics faculty members Kamel Faisal, Abdullah Al-Attas, Muhannad Abu-Hashem and Mahmud Al-Koffash, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The project employs the YOLO algorithm. YOLO, which stands for You Only Look Once, is a real-time object detection algorithm known for its speed and efficiency.

The algorithm works detecting objects directly from an input image, as opposed to older methods which required multiple passes. This approach significantly speeds up the detection process.

The system uses the Raspberry Pi device, a cost-effective mini computer that employs advanced vision techniques.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the project is highly efficient, making it well-suited for smart city applications, traffic authorities and government agencies.

It has the potential to contribute to improving emergency response times and saving lives by ensuring emergency lanes remain unobstructed.

The model was trained using custom image datasets, with specific video Regions of Interest defined to identify any violations by vehicles.

Geomatics, the academic field behind the project, focuses on the science and technology of digital geographic data.

This includes urban surveying, spatial information systems, and is also referred to as “geospatial data science” or “digital surveying engineering.”

It encompasses the collection, processing, analysis, visualization, and mapping of all types of geographic information, as well as the measurement and management of geospatial data.

Saudi Arabia currently utilizes a number of AI technologies to manage the country’s road traffic and improve safety.

The Sawaher system is a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos from public roads and provide real-time insights.

Another system, the Smart C platform, uses data to help decision-making in infrastructure projects.


Reem Al-Bliwi honored to be working in Saudi media industry

Updated 19 June 2025
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Reem Al-Bliwi honored to be working in Saudi media industry

  • Rising star is latest guest on Arab News’ The Mayman Show
  • Saudi-Mexican presenter brings 2 rich cultures to her work

RIYADH: Reem Al-Bliwi, one of Saudi Arabia’s youngest and most recognizable TV presenters, recently spoke on The Mayman Show about the honor of working in the Kingdom’s media industry.

Al-Bliwi burst onto the scene with Studio SBC, a TV show that is a part of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority network.

“Well, I think I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to be doing something I wanted to do, but did not expect to be doing (it) at such an early age,” she said.

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Al-Bliwi quickly earned her spot in the national spotlight with her poise and presence.

With a background in modeling and an identity shaped by her Mexican mother and Saudi father, Al-Bliwi brings a unique blend of confidence, curiosity, and cross-cultural understanding to her work.

Al-Bliwi began pursuing a television media career while she was at university.

“So, I took the opportunity, and at first, I’m not going to lie, I was afraid, because it felt like I had zero experience at the time. I was still doing my bachelor’s degree in public relations — I had just been accepted.”

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Al-Bliwi recalled that she was hesitant due to the difficulty of finding a balance between studying and working.

“So, it felt like I’m either going to succeed or I’m going to ruin it for myself ... like maybe forever who knows. So I took the opportunity, and I said, OK, why not. I’ll do the casting, and I got accepted. I was rehearsing for like maybe a couple of months.”

After her training Al-Bliwi was offered a fashion and beauty segment on SBC’s morning show.

“For me, it was OK, because, I didn’t have much experience at the time. I had just started building my career. I had just been accepted in public relations, so it was fun ... it was a good start.”

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Al-Bliwi dazzled SBC’s morning show editor-in-chief who then told her that she was chosen to be a main presenter of the program.

“I was nervous, but maybe that’s the moment where I felt, ‘OK, this is what I’m supposed to be doing ... this is where I belong.’”

Al-Bliwi recalled how her first outing in the media spotlight was modeling. “I was actually very young. I started doing it very casually, then I found myself actually committed to it.”

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She added that the landscape of the fashion and beauty industry was different five years ago.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished in those past five years. I mean, we see now the Fashion Commission, everything they are doing — even for the modeling career — and all the programs they have been doing. I’m really proud of that.”

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Al-Bliwi said that her mixed background has shaped her views of how to communicate with the world.

“Saudi is very rich in culture, and also Mexico is very rich in culture. So, I think, having those two parts, I get to appreciate that. And I get to learn more about culture, heritage, history and everything.”