RIYADH: Two Saudi Arabia artists have produced compelling paintings and are offering workshops that provide insights into the verse of legendary pre-Islamic poet Imru Al-Qais, who was born in the Najd region in 501 A.D. and died in Turkiye in 544 A.D.
Wijdan Al-Jahwri and Meznah Jiffry are also running workshops at the Imru Al-Qais Festival launched by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture as part of Arab Poetry Year 2023.
“My paintings showcased in this workshop are based on one of the most famous poems by Imru Al-Qais, where he wrote about the beauty of his lover in great detail,” said Jiffry, in reference to “Stop, friends! Let’s stay and weep at the thought of my love,” which is the first of the world-famous seven “Al-Mu’allaqat,” or “The Suspended Odes.”
“I tried to embody the beauty of the woman he described through my painting. I firmly believe that visual art and poetry are two sides of the same coin,” she said of Al-Qais’ description of what is believed to be his cousin Unaizah.
Using a variety of materials in her paintings, including saffron, Al-Jahwri said she attempted to depict the internal struggles of the famous poet.
Pointing at one of her paintings, she said: “I wanted to paint the suffering experienced by Imru Al-Qais in a square form. When we are faced with problems, we tend to shut down and metaphorically close ourselves in a square form box, we do not go outside of the box to solve our problem, but bravely Al-Qais always solved and overcame every problem he faced.”
She added: “I wanted to express this part of his life with a piece of cloth that I took out of the frame to show how (he) overcame every struggle and problem he had.”
Al-Jahwri said she used different colors to depict various periods of Al-Qais’ life.
“I used sandy color to convey the early part of his life, his childhood and upbringing,” said Al-Jahwri.
Several of the two artists’ paintings were produced during a workshop, in the presence of the participants, who were encouraged to do the same with various types of paints and brushes.
There are also other cultural activities and events at the festival that embody the life of the poet, including musical performances and a play.
There is also a virtual reality display of rare historical artifacts found in an archaeological site in Al-Faw, the home of Al-Qais.
In addition, the festival is hosting calligraphy, sculpture, handicrafts and poetry-writing workshops.
“I am very happy to know about the different sites of Saudi Arabia, including the cultural aspects. And it was interesting for me to watch all these programs and activities in this festival,” said Yujin, a South Korean student from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, who is attending a program at King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic language.
She added: “I was impressed by the play that I saw about Imru Al-Qais. I didn’t know much about the poetry during the Jahiliya (pre-Islamic) period, but through this festival, I was able to know that.”
Saudi Arabia artists pay homage to legendary poet Imru Al-Qais
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Saudi Arabia artists pay homage to legendary poet Imru Al-Qais
- Wijdan Al-Jahwri and Meznah Jiffry displaying art and offering workshops on the iconic verse of the pre-Islamic warrior-poet
- Festival on the writer showcased as part of Arab Poetry Year 2023, organized by Kingdom’s Culture Ministry
Abu Shamikh’s journey from street vendor to Saudi tourism icon
- Food truck owner overcame dire personal struggles to achieve viral stardom
- Farhan Al-Anzi entertains tourists with English renditions of ancient traditions
MAKKAH: Through the window of his food truck in Tabuk, northern Saudi Arabia, Farhan Al-Anzi, known affectionately as Abu Shamikh, greets visitors with a warmth that embodies the essence of traditional Arabian hospitality.
His infectious cheer resonates with domestic and international tourists, and he has gained global recognition through a viral video on TikTok.
For Al-Anzi, tourism is a calling, a chance to showcase Saudi Arabia’s generosity in its most authentic form.
He performs Al-Hajini and Al-Mashoub traditional poetry originating from the ancient Nabataean kingdom, which is now northern Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
The performances are in English, which creates novel moments of cross-cultural connection.
Tourists find themselves joining in, matching his rhythm and enthusiasm, proving that music and art are universal languages that bridge cultures.
Al-Anzi’s transformation from a sidewalk merchant in Tabuk to an ambassador of Saudi hospitality speaks to a universal truth: that triumph often emerges from life’s greatest challenges.
A simple man with spontaneous humor, his story carries inspiring details about struggle, patience and giving.
“I started with just a tea cart on the sidewalks of Tabuk,” Al-Anzi told Arab News, reminiscing about his modest beginnings. “As more tourists started coming — locals, Gulf visitors and Europeans — we expanded to a food truck.”
However, his path to success was far from smooth. A series of severe health challenges, including multiple strokes and heart complications, left him bedridden for years.
During this period, his wife battled kidney failure, placing tremendous pressure on the family. “It was the darkest time of my life,” Al-Anzi recalled. “My children had to juggle between caring for both parents while keeping our business alive.”
The family’s resilience during this period proved crucial. After recovering, Al-Anzi returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose.
He introduced an innovative initiative: every Friday, his truck, aptly named “Our Sweet Days,” provides free services to those in need, including people with special needs, cancer patients, and the elderly.
His food truck began attracting a wide range of customers, from which he picked up invaluable and unexpected skills.
“I used to interact with university students from the tourism college, who taught me the basics of promotion and dealing with foreign visitors. I learned simple English words and started using them while providing services, and the results were amazing,” he said.
His breakthrough moment came unexpectedly. A video of him entertaining an American tourist at AlUla’s Elephant Rock, wearing traditional attire and singing, went viral on TikTok.
This exposure transformed his food truck into a must-visit destination, earning a spot on international tourism maps.
For Abu Shamikh, success is a mission to serve the nation. “What I do is part of our ancient Saudi culture.
“We aim to present a bright image of our traditions through generosity and hospitality, and this is part of our beloved Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to make Saudi Arabia a global tourist destination.”
With Saudi Arabia preparing to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, he hopes to play an even larger role in showcasing Saudi culture to the world.
Manga Productions, Koei Tecmo unveil new Dynasty Warriors game in Riyadh
- AAA-rated game will be published across MENA on Jan. 17
- Arabic version follows later this year, says Essam Bukhary
RIYADH: Manga Productions celebrated the launch of Dynasty Warriors: Origins at an event here recently.
The AAA-rated game, developed by Koei Tecmo Games, will be published by Manga Productions across the Middle East and North Africa on Jan. 17. An Arabic-language version is expected in the second quarter of the year.
The event marks the first visit to Saudi Arabia of series producer Oba Masatomo and the development team behind Dynasty Warriors: Origins.
The event attracted content creators and key figures from the entertainment industry. And attendees were able to experience game demos and participate in a panel discussion with the development team.
In an interview with Arab News, Masatomo said: “I heard from the staff at Manga Productions when we visited Diriyah yesterday that there were many comments from local Saudi people expressing their love and excitement for the franchise and the game Dynasty Warriors: Origins.
“It’s wonderful to hear that so many fans in Saudi Arabia, as well as across the Middle East and North Africa, are eagerly anticipating this game. We are grateful to Manga Productions for their wholehearted support in localizing the game to provide a greater experience for players in Saudi Arabia.”
Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: “This partnership is a strategic step toward empowering Saudi youth in the gaming industry and fostering regional and global expansion.
“We aim to provide a unique experience to our partners in the Middle East and North Africa, contributing to the development of the creative content ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.”
Masatomo added: “Achieving success with globally recognized titles requires acceptance not just in Western markets but also in emerging regions like MENA.
“The Dynasty Warriors series is vital to our company, and it is significant that Dynasty Warriors: Origins represents our first event in Saudi Arabia and our initial localization into Arabic.
“We felt the enthusiasm from both media and fans, reinforcing the value of our efforts. We hope to use this title as a springboard to further elevate our initiatives with Manga Productions and continue creating compelling titles for everyone to enjoy.”
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with Manga Productions collaborating with Koei Tecmo Games to localize the game for Arabic-speaking audiences.
Saudi deputy foreign minister holds talks with Turkish officials in Ankara
- The Kingdom’s Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr attended the meetings
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji visited Ankara on Wednesday and met with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and his counterparts Burhanettin Duran and Nuh Yilmaz.
Al-Khuraiji addressed relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye during his meetings, attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr.
The Saudi deputy minister also held political consultations between the Saudi and Turkish foreign ministries in Ankara with Yilmaz, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi minister of Islamic affairs receives Malaysian counterpart in Jeddah
- Ministers address various topics, especially those concerning Islamic affairs
- Malaysian minister praises Saudi efforts to serve Muslims, holy sites in Makkah and Madinah
JEDDAH: Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Saudi minister of Islamic affairs, met with his Malaysian counterpart, Dato Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar, in his office in Jeddah on Wednesday.
The ministers addressed various topics during the meeting, especially those concerning Islamic affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They discussed the Kingdom’s role in promoting moderate Islam based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, SPA added.
Bin Mukhtar praised the Kingdom’s efforts to serve Muslims worldwide and the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
He added that the memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia significantly benefited the Malaysian Muslim community through Qur’anic programs and the visits of imams to the Two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom.
KSrelief’s 11th aid plane lands at Damascus airport
- KSrelief dispatched dozens of aid trucks and planes after collapse of Assad regime
RIYADH: The 11th Saudi relief plane landed at Damascus International Airport in Syria on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian airlift launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
After the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime early in December, KSrelief has sent dozens of trucks and planes loaded with food, shelter, and medical supplies to meet the urgent basic needs of Syrians.
