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
Madinah deputy governor receives Indian minister
During the meeting, the two sides discussed arrangements for Indian Hajj pilgrims during their stay in Madinah, India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs said in an official statement.
Rijiju also visited the Hajj Terminals at the Jeddah and Madinah airports, and reviewed the facilities available for the arrival and departure of pilgrims as well as baggage handling.
International conference celebrates the camel as a pillar of Arab culture
- Scholars highlight the camel’s role in Arab history and the Arabic language
- Experts from Saudi Arabia and abroad gather in Riyadh
RIYADH: Scholars at a Riyadh conference this week underscored the fundamental role the camel has played in shaping Arab heritage, emphasizing the profound link between camels and the Arabic language.
King Saud University, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, is hosting the Fifth International Conference, titled “Camels in Arab Culture,” which ends on Thursday.
Prominent scholars and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad are participating in the conference, which is exploring key topics related to camels, including heritage, history and geography, and archaeological findings.
Hajed Al-Harbi, conference chairman, said: “Honoring camels is a tribute to our deep-rooted values and rich heritage, reflecting our pride in our origins and historical legacy.”
Ibrahim Al-Furaih, conference secretary, told Arab News how the conference underscores the central role camels have played in shaping Arabic literature and intellectual thought throughout history.
“Camels are a fundamental element of our national identity and Arab culture, with a significant presence in our heritage.
“Whether through literature, poetry, inscriptions, or the daily life of early Arabs, they have left an indelible mark. Their influence endures, continuing to shape the lives of Arabs to this day,” Al-Furaih said.
Bedoor Al-Fassam, chair of the public relations committee for the conference, said organizers spent months preparing for the event.
Dr. Al-Fassam, who is also an assistant professor of literature and criticism in the Arabic language department at the university, confirmed that conference participation requests exceeded 300, from which 40 research papers were selected. The submitted papers covered a wide range of fields, including literary, linguistic, historical, and social studies, in addition to anthropology research.
Alongside participants from Saudi universities, the conference features academics from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Canada.
The attendees discussed the definition of camels in language and lexicography, as well as their effect on cultural and national identity.
Additionally, they explored the role of camels in Arabic poetry, narrative storytelling and biographies, highlighting their significance in other literatures and cultures.
The conference further delved into the role of camels in the national economy, addressing sectors such as investment, tourism, and entertainment, in addition to camel festivals, sports and racing events.
Saudi ministry records 7,521 tourism violations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism revealed the results of its third-quarter 2024 inspections, involving 9,655 checks on hospitality facilities and tourism activities across the Kingdom.
During the period, 7,521 violations were identified and 11,494 complaints were addressed, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Common violations included operating without a license, poor cleanliness, failure to meet licensing conditions and non-compliance by facility representatives.
Makkah had the highest number of inspections with more than 3,600, followed by Riyadh with more than 1,350, Madinah with over 1,100 and the Eastern Province with more than 1,070. The remaining regions accounted for more than 2,500 inspections.
These efforts aim to enhance the tourism sector’s sustainability, ensure compliance with regulations, improve service quality and boost visitor experiences.
Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire agreement in Gaza
- Kingdom stresses need for adherence to the deal, end to aggression against Gaza, and withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the occupied territories
RIYADH: Saudi authorities welcomed the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement on Wednesday and expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the efforts of mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the US.
The Kingdom stressed the need for adherence to the deal, an end to Israel’s aggression against Gaza, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory and all other occupied Palestinian and Arab lands.
It also highlighted the importance of building on the agreement by addressing the underlying reasons for the conflict and enabling the Palestinian people to secure their rights, the foremost of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabia expressed hope that the ceasefire deal would mark a permanent end to a brutal Israeli war that claimed the lives of more than 45,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 100,000.
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.
