Reconnect with ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘The Batman’ and more at Jeddah’s new entertainment destination

The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16, featuring interactive, family-friendly attractions and live entertainment. (Instagram/jed.calendar)
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Updated 01 July 2024
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Reconnect with ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘The Batman’ and more at Jeddah’s new entertainment destination

  • Comic book displays, virtual and augmented reality games
  • Several visitors hail venue as ideal for both adults, children

JEDDAH: Warner Bros. Discovery’s new indoor entertainment destination in Jeddah is showcasing six concept zones inspired by some of cinema’s most iconic stories.

The venue includes “Batman,” “Tom and Jerry” and “Harry Potter” zones, alongside areas for shoppers.

Enthusiasts will be able to delve into Batman’s storied history and evolution with comic book displays, as well as interactive virtual and augmented reality games.




The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16, featuring interactive, family-friendly attractions and live entertainment. (Instagram/jed.calendar)

The zone featuring Harry Potter’s Magical World zone resembles Hogwarts from the movies. It includes interactive games inspired by the films, including a broomstick ball-throwing contest, and a store replicating the experience of Harry Potter buying his first wand.

Walid Jabbour, managing director of EventBox, said: “The ‘Warner Brothers Discovery Celebration’ is a unique event that brings together the best of Warner Bros. — from 100 years of history encompassing animation studios, ‘Harry Potter,’ movies, and superheroes — all in one place here in Jeddah.”

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The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment destination includes ‘Batman,’ ‘Tom and Jerry’ and ‘Harry Potter’ zones, alongside areas for shoppers.

He added: “What makes it truly special is that it’s the first time such a comprehensive gathering of Warner’s iconic properties is taking place in Jeddah.

“Bringing this grand spectacle to our audience underscores our commitment, and the enthusiastic response from visitors affirms that having ‘Batman,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ and more all in one location is truly extraordinary.”




Harry Potter’s Magical World includes interactive games inspired by the fictional wizarding world. (AN photos)

Young visitors will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite heroes and characters from Warner Bros. Discovery, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash from the “Justice League,” as well as Tom, Jerry, and the Scooby-Doo gang.

Julene Muller, event art director, told Arab News: “The energy and excitement from the crowd have been phenomenal, making this event a vibrant celebration for all ages.”

She added: “There’s always something new to discover, with various experiences, walkthroughs, and plenty of photo opportunities available. And of course, the Batmobile remains a favorite among visitors.”

Aleksandar Radulovic, a crew member of the Tom and Jerry Mini Orchestra, explained: “We are aiming to bring the music of the classic cartoons to life. These are the cartoons we grew up with, and now we want to share them with the younger generation.”

Their ensemble consists of a drummer, trombonist, pianist, bassist, and percussionist who plays the xylophone and produces other effects.

“Everything is meticulously organized, and we’re thrilled to be here. We originally collaborated on these ‘Tom and Jerry’ projects with Warner Bros., starting two years ago in Riyadh,” he added.

Fahad Nazer, a father of three, said: “The fully air-conditioned indoor entertainment area is a lifesaver this summer. My kids explored all the concept zones and had a fantastic time.

“The staff was extremely helpful and supportive, especially with the games, so I didn’t have to worry about my children getting lost.”

He said the crowd control was “impressive with five different time slots for booking tickets, which manages the flow very well and ensures kids can enjoy interactive games with shorter lines.”

Another visitor, Mohammed Harbi, said: “My son was thrilled to train with Superman and Batman. It’s amazing that Jeddah now has such a unique entertainment venue; having Warner Bros. here was a pleasant surprise.

“Experiencing it not only brought joy to our children but also allowed us to reminisce about our own childhood days with the ‘Tom and Jerry’ show. I never imagined we’d have such attractions in the city, and the tickets are affordable.

“However, it was challenging for me with a 9-month-old baby since they don’t allow strollers.”

The entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16.

Highlights and attractions

The “Celebrate Every Story” event features four shows across three stages. On the main stage, there is “Looney Tunes: Get in the Game,” an interactive sports-themed show where Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck compete to become the new team captain of Team Looney Tunes.

The “Tom and Jerry Mini Orchestra Performance” displays classic animations of the iconic cat and mouse duo on a large screen with a live orchestra playing their memorable tunes and sound effects.

The “Justice League Training Show,” allows guests to train alongside Justice League members and assist in saving the day during a live stage event. At the “Scooby-Doo: Mystery at the Mall” show visitors can help Scooby and the gang solve a mysterious case.

At the “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Experience” zone visitors can explore the iconic Batmobile from the movie “Batman Returns,” the Keaton Mobile and impressive life-sized figures of Batman, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman.

The Animation Zone is a must-visit for cartoon lovers. It brings to life the worlds of “Looney Tunes" and “Scooby-Doo,” with interactive games and mystery-solving adventures.

The Celebration Zone allows visitors to take photographs and relive pivotal moments from the history of Warner Bros.

 


Saudi leaders congratulate Iran’s new president

Updated 34 min 59 sec ago
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Saudi leaders congratulate Iran’s new president

  • King Salman conveyed his wishes of further progress and prosperity for the Iranian people
  • The crown prince affirmed keenness to deepen relations with the Islamic Republic

RIYADH: Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his election as Iran’s president, state news agency SPA reported.

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election Saturday, besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic.

Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and longtime lawmaker, received 16.3 million votes compared to Jalili’s 13.5 million in Friday’s election.

“We look forward to deepening the relations between our countries and peoples, and to cooperating to enhance regional and international security and peace,” said King Salman in the SPA statement.

The king conveyed his wishes of further progress and prosperity for the Iranian people.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman said, “I affirm my keenness on developing and deepening the relations that unite our countries and peoples and serve our mutual interests.”
Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark China-brokered deal to re-establish relations in March 2023.

Since then, officials from both sides continued talks to bolster ties.

The UAE also sent a cable of congratulations to the new president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Pezeshkian on his victory and said he was counting on stronger ties with the Islamic Republic.

“I hope that your tenure as president will contribute to a reinforcement of constructive bilateral cooperation between our friendly peoples,” Putin said in a message to Pezeshkian.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Pezeshkian for his win in the presidential runoff election.
“I am willing to work with the President to lead the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership towards deeper advancement,” state news agency Xinhua reported Xi as saying.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pezeshkian for his win.

“Looking forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our warm and long-standing bilateral relationship for the benefit of our peoples and the region,” Modi wrote on social media platform X.


Saudi border guards seize 340kg of Qat

Updated 06 July 2024
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Saudi border guards seize 340kg of Qat

RIYADH: Saudi Border Guards thwarted the smuggling of 340 kilograms of Qat in the Jazan region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Land patrols in Al-Ardah sector confiscated the items and regulatory procedures were promptly carried out. The seized items were transferred to the relevant authorities.

Saudi authorities urged citizens and residents to report any information pertaining to drug smuggling or related activities. Reports can be made by contacting emergency numbers (911) in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern regions or (999) in other regions of the Kingdom.


KSrelief launches food program in earthquake-hit areas of Syria, Turkiye

Updated 06 July 2024
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KSrelief launches food program in earthquake-hit areas of Syria, Turkiye

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief launched a volunteer program to distribute food parcels to earthquake-hit areas in Syria and Turkiye, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The program initially aims to secure food baskets for 2,000 people in the Turkish cities of Reyhanli and Gaziantep.

KSrelief chief Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah inaugurated the program on Friday.

It is part of KSrelief’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Syrian and Turkish people affected by the 2023 earthquakes, a statement said.


Abu Arish Castle: An attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts

Updated 06 July 2024
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Abu Arish Castle: An attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts

  • Located 33 km from the city of Jazan, the historic castle dates back hundreds of years

ABU ARISH: Jazan province is home to a number of historic castles spanning ages and representing significant civilizational and tourist landmarks in the region.

The sites showcase identity, values and traditions, which are reflected in architectural details dating back centuries. They contain rocks, columns, pottery, writings, inscriptions and special decorations, serving as regional tourist attractions for heritage enthusiasts.

The historic castle in Abu Arish, located 33 km from the city of Jazan, dates back hundreds of years. It is a prominent example of the region’s rich historical and civilizational heritage.

The castle is square-shaped with a side length of 40 meters. It is supported by circular towers found at each of its corners. The upper part of its outer wall contains openings once used for observation.

The castle, some parts of which are still standing tall to this day, was built using burnt-clay bricks. (SPA)

Local building materials were used by skilled workers from the region to use burnt-clay bricks in building the castle’s walls, openings, towers and arches — the most common style in the region’s ancient cities.

Columns used in the construction of the circular towers — used in guard operations and garrisons — were reinforced with rocks, a common style in castles found along the Red Sea coast.

Additionally, stems of Doum Palm trees were used in the construction of the castle’s roofs. These trees are common in the region, especially in the area surrounding Jazan Valley in the south.

 


Saudi scouts showcase passion for STEM at international jamboree in US

Updated 06 July 2024
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Saudi scouts showcase passion for STEM at international jamboree in US

  • Leader of US National Islamic Committee on Scouting commends Saudi scouts for their role in serving Hajj pilgrims
  • Saudi delegation is led by SASA Vice President Abdurrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaires

RIYADH: Saudi scouts taking part in the Third International Muslim Scouts Jamboree in the US have stood out in science, technology, engineering and mathematics proficiency, a Saudi Press Agency report said on Friday.

A delegation from the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association is attending the week-long summer camp being held at Camp Strake in Houston, Texas, which runs from June 30-July 6. The jamboree is organized by the National Islamic Committee on Scouting under the supervision of the Boy Scouts of America.

Camp Strake in Houston, where scouting summer camps are held, has 20 campsites with pavilions, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) center, a 28-acre lake, and first class facilities for scouts. (Boy Scouts of America photo)

On Thursday, activities included a competition in the basics of electrical and electronic engineering and designing robots using specialized software and hardware, including automatically and logically controlling a robot’s movements.

Aside from showing their skills in STEM activities, the Saudi scouts also displayed their research and innovation skills, the report said.

Scouts taking in the jamboree also received training on the best way to safely drive motorcycles. They will compete in scouting leadership and ways to build gates, flagpoles, fences and bridges using wood, along with the correct use of knots, ties and loops, as well as building cooking ovens and safely lighting fires.

Other activities listed in the summer camp include visiting NASA in Houston, workshops, and canoeing, swimming and climbing. Leaders of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association said that the group is taking part in the global camp “to highlight the Kingdom’s role in the Islamic world, promote values of love and peace, showcase the Kingdom and its progress, and facilitate cultural exchange and learning about civilizations.”

Saudi scouts taking part in the jamboree get a briefing from their leader at Camp Strake in Houston. (SPA)

On Tuesday, scout leader Syed Ehtesham Naqvi, president of the US National Islamic Committee on Scouting, commended the services provided by the Saudi government to serve Muslim pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

He made the remarks during a meeting with the Saudi scouting delegation, led by SASA Vice President Abdurrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaires, on the third day of the jamboree at Camp Strake, the SPA said in a separate report.

Naqvi also commended the Saudi scouts for their role in serving pilgrims.

While scouting was officially founded in Saudi Arabia in 1961, scouting activities in the Kingdom started as early as 1943, according to literature on the international movement.