Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip

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In a memorable viral image, a man takes a selfie next to a group of children giving the retired aircraft a salute on its final journey. (Supplied/X)
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Updated 14 September 2024
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Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip

  • 850 km journey sparked social media campaign to capture the unusual sight

JEDDAH: Stunning images of three retired airplanes mounted atop trailer trucks being transported from Jeddah to Riyadh has created a buzz on social media.

From a man enjoying gahwa on a traditional carpet on the side of the road to a group of young children giving the aircraft a salute on its final journey, the images are capturing a new turn in the life of the aircraft.




People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)

The airplanes, which were retired from Saudia Airlines between 2016 and 2017, were transported under tight security, covering a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.

Large crowds of locals gathered to witness the unusual sight. During their former service with Saudia, the Boeing 777-200ER models carried 341 passengers in three-class cabins.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Saudi General Entertainment Authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, ‘Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,’ to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.

• They covered a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.

According to the General Entertainment Authority, five retired aircraft in total will be converted into shops and restaurants and used for staging interactive experiences for adults and children as part of the Boulevard Runway project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Saudia Airlines.

The authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, “Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,” to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.




People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)

The campaign encourages locals to share images of the aircraft throughout the road trip.

Alalshik also launched a competition, with a luxury car as the prize, for the best photograph of the planes.

Many people who learned about the final voyage gathered on the side of the highway to Riyadh.

“We have seen large airplanes transporting trucks and vehicles from one place to another, but here we have videos and photos where a truck is actually carrying airplanes. It is not something that we normally see on our roads,” said Ahmed Al-Shalaan from Riyadh on X.

The ferrying of the aircraft has led to some memorable moments caught on camera as people documented their encounters with the unusual motorcade. It also created traffic jams as motorists driving down the highways were awestruck at the sight of the planes.

Many slowed down and some stopped to take photographs and selfies with the aircraft in the background.

“This is quite a unique experience, which we rarely see in our lifetime. I think that is why people are crowding to see it,” said Abdulsalam Al-Ahmad from Madinah on X.

On Thursday, residents in Umm Aldome in Taif were treated to an unusual sight as the aircraft arrived in their small town and a special breakfast was organized for the drivers in celebration of their arrival.

Abdullah Al-Omair, a local, said on X: “It is a historical day here in Umm Aldome and we are so happy to see the giant aircraft passing by our town.”

Hajjaj Al-Zahrani, head of the transporting team, spoke to media in the town and said: “This journey has been amazing and what we have witnessed on the road was incredibly amazing.

“Residents of all cities we have been through have been very generous with us and they did everything to make the journey easy for us.”

 


Saudi crown prince, Greek PM discuss Iran-Israel tensions in phone call

Updated 15 June 2025
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Saudi crown prince, Greek PM discuss Iran-Israel tensions in phone call

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Sunday with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders reviewed the latest developments in the region, with particular focus on the repercussions of Israeli military operations targeting Iran.

They stressed the need for restraint and de-escalation, and underlined the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means, SPA added.

The phone call comes amid heightened tensions following a series of tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries.

The latest flare-up has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international leaders urging all parties to avoid further escalation.


Saudi foundation displays projects at Dutch ‘GreenTech’ exhibition

Updated 15 June 2025
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Saudi foundation displays projects at Dutch ‘GreenTech’ exhibition

  • Morooj highlighted its technical and operational capabilities, as well as its innovative environmental solutions based on best practices and global standards

RIYADH: The Vegetation Cover Development Foundation, known as Morooj, presented its flagship projects as part of the Saudi delegation at Greentech Amsterdam, an international exhibition for horticulture held from June 10-12 in the Dutch capital.

Morooj highlighted its technical and operational capabilities, as well as its innovative environmental solutions based on best practices and global standards.

The foundation also presented examples of its strategic partnerships with various government and private sectors, as well as with international organizations.

FASTFACT

The foundation’s CEO, Wael Bushah, said that its participation in GreenTech further demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to reinforce its leadership in the environmental sector on an international level.

The projects displayed included the planting of millions of mangrove trees, greening mosque areas, promoting community participation in environmental sanitation campaigns, and efforts to rehabilitate natural reserves in various regions of the Kingdom, all of which fall under the Saudi Green Initiative.

The foundation’s CEO, Wael Bushah, said that its participation in GreenTech further demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to reinforce its leadership in the environmental sector on an international level.

The exhibition, one of the world’s leading events focused on environmental innovations and sustainable agricultural technologies, is also an opportunity to build new partnerships and exchange expertise on the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration.

Ultimately, Murooj aims to become an interactive platform for knowledge transfer and application, creating meaningful environmental and social impact in the Kingdom.

The foundation’s role of strengthening its international presence and exchanging successful experiences with various global environmental entities and organizations has been crucial to achieving the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, founded under Saudi Vision 2030.

SGI, which celebrated its second anniversary earlier this year, has reinforced the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a key contributor to global efforts to combat climate change and enhance environmental sustainability by promoting renewable energy, protecting terrestrial and marine areas, and reaching net-zero domestically by 2060, among other initiatives.

 


Saudi Arabia displays biotech vision at US convention

Updated 15 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia displays biotech vision at US convention

  • The center will give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector’s role in Vision 2030

RIYADH: The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences will join the Saudi pavilion at the BIO International Convention in Boston, US, from June 16 to 19.

This will be the first joint national representation of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector at the event, aligning with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.

The King Abdullah center will display national initiatives and host meetings with global biotech companies to explore research and development partnerships.

The pavilion’s program features five sessions, among them a “super session” on innovation and opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector.

The center will also give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector’s role in Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Health will launch an accelerator program for biotech startups and host a reception for global investors and industry experts to discuss potential partnerships.

The participation underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support research and development through digital infrastructure, regulatory support, and institutional collaboration.

 


Jadal Library: A cultural oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

Ali Al-Herz (right) turned his home into a library of over 37,000 books. (Supplied)
Updated 15 June 2025
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Jadal Library: A cultural oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

  • Ali Al-Herz turned his home into a library of over 37,000 books, offering visitors space where memory, philosophy, culture come alive

DHAHRAN: In the quiet village of Umm Al-Hamam, located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a lifelong passion for books has been transformed into a cultural haven.

Ali Al-Herz, a bibliophile and literary archivist, has turned his home into Jadal Library, a treasure trove of over 37,000 books, more than 100,000 newspapers and magazines, and antiques, some dating back more than a century. 

Yet Jadal is not just a library; it is much more than that. It is a museum to explore, a philosophical space to reflect, and a stand against forgetting important cultural stories.

Al-Herz told Arab News: “Since I was born I have been surrounded by my mother’s books. I grew up immersed in this passion to the point where it completely took hold of me; I became a bookworm.”

The spark that ignited it all was when Al-Herz encountered the epic “Sirat Antar” at age 13. “From that epic and through it, I began to look into other worlds,” he said.  

This curiosity and fascination ultimately led Al-Herz to create one of Saudi Arabia's most unique initiatives.

The name “Jadal” means “debate” or “discussion” in Arabic, reflecting the library’s curious spirit. For Al-Herz, the goal is not just to preserve texts but also to preserve the idea of questioning and exploring ideas.

Al-Herz said: “I chose this name for the library because it is deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophical history and in our own Arab-Islamic cultural tradition, particularly in our religious heritage.”

The philosophical atmosphere fills three main halls — named after Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle — which welcome visitors into a curated world of reading and reflection.  

Rare manuscripts, ancient texts, newspapers, and antiques have been carefully archived. Each piece is a whisper from the past speaking into the future. 

Al-Herz explained: “Even my recent focus on buying books has mostly shifted toward rare editions and old prints, to create a harmony between heritage and modernity.”

But Jadal is not stuck in nostalgia, as every two weeks Al-Herz holds a literary gathering. The event brings back a tradition that was once important in the intellectual life of Arabs.

It is an environment where writers, scholars, and thinkers gather over Arabic coffee to exchange ideas in a vibrant atmosphere.

And in a time when people seek instant information online, Al-Herz still uses traditional methods. “There is an ongoing struggle between two generations,” he observed. “Victory will ultimately go to this latter generation once my generation becomes extinct. Paper libraries will then be transformed into museums.”

Perhaps he is right; but for now, in the heart of Qatif’s countryside, Jadal Library lives on, and it is a place where ink, memory, debate, and heritage continue to shape the cultural soul of the Kingdom.


Saudi envoy leads maritime safety talks in London

Updated 15 June 2025
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Saudi envoy leads maritime safety talks in London

  • Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization recently made history by chairing the 51st advisory committee meetings of the International Mobile Satellite Organization in London.

Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee, creating a milestone for both the Kingdom and the Arab world in maritime governance, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

His role also reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in international maritime organizations and commitment to advancing maritime communication and safety systems.

Al-Junaidi managed the sessions and acted as a neutral facilitator, helping member states reach consensus on key issues, including oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety standards and audit reviews for satellite communication providers.

He also led discussions on proposed maritime safety regulation amendments, monitored the organization’s strategic direction to ensure alignment with IMO standards and submitted the committee’s recommendations to the General Assembly.

The 51st session took place at the IMO headquarters in London, with representatives from 44 countries engaging in in-depth discussions on key maritime challenges.