King Salman academy’s Arabic test gains interest at Barcelona conference

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The event featured several key research papers, including one by Dr. Ibtisam Abdel Haleem, director of the test development department. (@KSGAFAL)
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Updated 20 October 2024
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King Salman academy’s Arabic test gains interest at Barcelona conference

  • Held from Oct. 18-19 in Barcelona, the conference aimed to exchange experiences, explore language compatibility, and share lessons among framework users

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language participated in a conference on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, organized by Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University in Spain.

Held from Oct. 18-19 in Barcelona, the conference aimed to exchange experiences, explore language compatibility, and share lessons among framework users.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, highlighted the academy’s role in strengthening linguistic identity, preserving the purity of Arabic, and fulfilling its core mission.

The academy’s participation aligns with its strategic goals to collaborate with language institutions, showcase initiatives, and promote Arabic teaching and learning.

The event featured several key research papers, including one by Dr. Ibtisam Abdel Haleem, director of the test development department.

She explored using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages standards to design the Hamza Arabic Proficiency Test for non-native speakers in academic contexts.

Haleem discussed the challenges and solutions related to aligning the test with the unique characteristics of the Arabic language.

“The importance of this test stems from the growing global demand for learning Arabic among non-native speakers for educational, cultural, professional, and political reasons,” she noted, highlighting the need for a standardized global test to assess Arabic proficiency.

Presenting her research at this conference offers a key opportunity to elevate the global profile of the Hamza Arabic Language Test, aligning with the academy’s objectives, Haleem said.

"Several experts in language teaching and testing, including those in Arabic, have expressed interest in implementing the Hamza test in Spain soon," she added.

In an interview with Arab News, Haleem stressed that documenting the academy’s efforts in developing and applying the Hamza test through academic publications is vital for advancing Arabic, especially given the limited research on its assessment.

She anticipates the Hamza test will continue to evolve and gain international recognition, fostering collaboration with academic institutions worldwide.

The Hamza test is a computerized, standardized assessment measuring non-native speakers' proficiency in Arabic across four key skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

The 155-minute test consists of 75 questions developed according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, covering levels A2 to C1.

It targets Arabic language learners and educators at universities, language institutes, and centers, as well as potential employers.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Updated 8 sec ago
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Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.


Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Updated 4 min 5 sec ago
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Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 21,058 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 12,558 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,500 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,000 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 2072 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 52 percent were Ethiopian, 47 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 28 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 37 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Updated 12 min 48 sec ago
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Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

  • Shopping festival, water sports, live music light up coastal city for 90 days of fun

JEDDAH: As part of this year’s Jeddah Season, summer events under the theme “Jeddah is Different” launched on Friday night at Jeddah Art Promenade, coinciding with the opening of several new zones for the summer vacation.

The program offers entertainment, culture and tourism across several main destinations, including the city’s iconic landmarks and key facilities.

The opening night featured drone shows, roaming performances and interactive characters, creating an engaging experience for families and visitors.

Throughout the summer, the season includes cultural experiences, entertainment shows, water activities, live music, shopping and other attractions, providing residents and visitors with diverse activities over 90 days.

It supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by diversifying entertainment options and enhancing quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.

Among the main attractions is the Jeddah Shopping Festival, combining traditional and modern markets, along with promotions and discounts at malls, hotels, airlines, car rentals and restaurants. The festival will run until Aug. 31.

This year’s season also features the West Coast zone in Obhur, offering entertainment on Jeddah’s coast, women-only beaches, and both day- and night-time activities.

Visitors can enjoy water sports and games at public and private beaches, relax at retreats like Kashta Beach and attend musical performances by the sea.

The Perfume Exhibition showcases a wide range of local and international perfumes, specialized workshops and exclusive launches, with experts and celebrities taking part.

The enclosed, air-conditioned Forest Wonders area offers interactive experiences, including live animal encounters, theatrical and roaming performances, and jungle-themed restaurants until Aug. 30.

Art enthusiasts can attend concerts and art events featuring Arab and Gulf stars, adding a creative dimension to the season.

Events remain open past midnight to avoid the summer heat. More events are expected to be announced later this year, spanning the cultural, artistic and tourism fields.


Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

  • World faces ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies: Abdullah Al-Swaha 
  • Urgent action needed as next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides, he said at ITU event

GENEVA: Saudi Arabia’s minister of communications and IT has called for “decisive international collaboration” to address the inequality in computing infrastructure that could leave other nations behind in the era of artificial intelligence.

In a keynote address at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Abdullah Al-Swaha cited the “concentration of computing power in a few regions, the lack of AI infrastructure in many countries, and the limited participation of the Global South in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.”

“Today, the world faces an ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies,” the minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Alswaha said that the world could learn lessons from the past phases of technological transformation: The analog era, which took more than a century to connect 800 million people, and the digital era, which linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but still left 2.6 billion unconnected.

Minister Al-Swaha said Saudi Arabia under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had positioned the Kingdom as a global leader in the age of AI through a series of bold initiatives. (SPA)

In the AI era, he said, current gaps exist in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms that could slow the advances needed to support human progress.

Al-Swaha reiterated Saudi Arabia’s ”unwavering commitment” to support and lead international efforts to close the emerging technological divides.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to address these gaps, citing the digital empowerment of women in the Kingdom — who now have a participation rate of about 35 percent — and the Kingdom’s top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years.

He also noted that researchers at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology rank among the top one percent globally in scientific citations, offering hope for the future of AI.

Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha and his delegation. (SPA)

He likewise underlined the Kingdom’s progress in data protection regulations and the development of ”language models that promote inclusive access to technology for diverse communities.”

Al-Swaha further cited the HUMAIN project launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman “to provide the full spectrum of AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent, and to position the Kingdom as a global AI pioneer.”

“The Kingdom’s efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges,” he said.

Al-Swaha emphasized that the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides. He called for multination “partnerships under the umbrella of the ITU to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enhances human well-being.”


Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Updated 12 July 2025
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Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

  • Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment

RAFHA: The “shaddad” stands as one of the oldest artisanal innovations in the Arabian Peninsula, serving as an essential tool in Bedouin life, SPA reports.

Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment.

Crafted from curved wood and fixed to the front and rear of a camel’s back, the shaddad is supported by a cushion placed between the wooden arcs, ensuring balance and comfort during long journeys. It served as a vital companion during nomadic travel, trade expeditions and the transportation of passengers and goods over vast, rugged terrain.

Its design varies based on function, with one type designated for riding and another for carrying heavy loads — underscoring the bond between humans and camels, the indispensable icons of desert life.

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad endures as a unique heritage icon. (SPA)

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad remains a fixture in cultural and heritage displays, often featured as a decorative piece in guest areas and traditional markets. It serves as a symbol of authenticity and a tangible link to ancestral roots, SPA reports.

This artisanal innovation reflects the resourcefulness of ancient communities in using local materials to create practical tools that reflect sustainability, innovation and a cultural identity centered on the camel as a symbol of endurance, strength and adaptability.

Today, the shaddad endures as a distinctive heritage icon, carrying a powerful message about the importance of preserving folklore and honoring its symbols in cultural forums, reinforcing values of self-reliance and harmony with nature, SPA reports.