Local crops, culture in spotlight at Qatif market

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The market at Qatif showcases 60 outlets offering fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, dates, dairy products, and other items such as date syrup and organic tomato sauces infused with herbs. (SPA)
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The farmers’ market at Qatif boasts artisan spaces that showcase a diverse array of industries and hobbies. (SPA)
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The farmers’ market at Qatif boasts artisan spaces that showcase a diverse array of industries and hobbies. (SPA)
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The farmers’ market at Qatif boasts artisan spaces that showcase a diverse array of industries and hobbies. (SPA)
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The farmers’ market at Qatif boasts artisan spaces that showcase a diverse array of industries and hobbies. (SPA)
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The farmers’ market at Qatif boasts artisan spaces that showcase a diverse array of industries and hobbies. (SPA)
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Updated 28 January 2025
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Local crops, culture in spotlight at Qatif market

  • Aims to spotlight and support distinctive local crops, empower farmers, and showcase Qatif's agricultural wealth
  • Market offers visitors a unique experience that combines the richness of local agricultural products with the charm of heritage events

RIYADH: The farmers’ market at Qatif is experiencing a strong turnout of shoppers, farmers, traders, and agricultural companies, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

As a vibrant center of economic and agricultural activity, the event also features a variety of cultural and entertainment programs.

It aims to spotlight and support distinctive local crops, empower farmers, and showcase Qatif's agricultural wealth, the SPA added.

The market offers visitors a unique experience that combines the richness of local agricultural products with the charm of heritage events.

It includes 60 outlets offering fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, dates, dairy products, and other items such as date syrup and organic tomato sauces infused with herbs.

Beekeepers and traditional food producers present local dishes, while farms display 100 percent organic fruits and vegetables, promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

The market also boasts artisan spaces that showcase a diverse array of industries and hobbies.

Artist and craftsman Hussein Al-Dahim is among the participants, demonstrating his unique talent for blending Arabic calligraphy with beads and crystals.

With more than 45 years of experience, Al-Dahim has contributed to numerous local festivals across the Kingdom, the SPA reported.

Fahd Al-Hamzi, director general of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s branch in the Eastern Province, emphasized that the farmers’ market serves as a marketing model for local agricultural products.

He added that it strengthens the local agricultural sector and enhances national production, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.


Saudi crown prince, European council president discuss cooperation

Updated 30 January 2025
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Saudi crown prince, European council president discuss cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from European Council President Antonio Costa, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.

The pair discussed enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom and European Union countries.

They also tackled a number of regional and international issues and the efforts made to achieve security and stability.


Interpol to establish regional office in Saudi Arabia

Updated 30 January 2025
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Interpol to establish regional office in Saudi Arabia

  • The Kingdom and the international police organization sign host country agreement

RIYADH: Interpol is to establish an office in Saudi Arabia that will serve the Middle East and North Africa region.

Hisham Al-Faleh, undersecretary at the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior, and Jurgen Stock, secretary-general of the international police organization, signed a host country agreement on Wednesday.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, the Saudi Minister of Interior, and Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, the president of Interpol, also attended the signing ceremony, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In addition, they discussed Interpol’s activities during a meeting that also included Nasser Al-Dawood, the deputy minister of interior; Brig. Gen. Abdulmalik Al-Saqeeh, the director general of Saudi Interpol; and other senior officials.


Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Japan’s newly appointed envoy

Updated 29 January 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Japan’s newly appointed envoy

Saudi Shoura Council Speaker Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Asheikh received Japan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Morino Yasunari in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The Japanese ambassador praised the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, affirming his country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed ways to bolster parliamentary collaboration between the Shoura Council and the Japanese Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.


Qassim governor praises green initiative’s success

Updated 29 January 2025
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Qassim governor praises green initiative’s success

  • The Green Qassim Land Initiative has completed planting 5 million trees as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative

RIYADH: Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal commended the success of the Green Qassim Land Initiative in planting 5 million trees as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative.

In a meeting on Wednesday, he praised government and private sector efforts, particularly the contributions of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

The governor also lauded the ministry’s and center’s innovative approach to repurposing materials confiscated from environmental regulation violators for sustainable reforestation, notably in Qassim National Park.

Prince Faisal reaffirmed the region’s commitment to expanding vegetation cover and strengthening environmental protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministry’s Qassim branch director general, Salman Al-Suwainea, said that the initiative has progressed through various stages of collaboration with governmental and nonprofit organizations, playing a key role in advancing the Saudi Green Initiative’s objectives.


King Faisal Prize announces winners for Service to Islam

Updated 29 January 2025
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King Faisal Prize announces winners for Service to Islam

  • The prize was awarded jointly to the Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf, and Sami Abdullah Almaghlouth, consultant at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information

RIYADH: The 2025 King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam has been awarded jointly to the Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf, and Sami Abdullah Almaghlouth, consultant at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf is a Saudi initiative by the Liajlehum Association, which serves people with disabilities.

Prince Turki Al-Faisal announced the laureates for the Service to Islam category at a ceremony in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf has been awarded the prize for its provision of a complete Qur’anic interpretation in sign language, and for providing an interactive Qur’an for those with hearing disabilities.

It offers an innovative approach to Qur’anic interpretation, using techniques that enable the deaf to reflect on and understand the meaning of the Holy Qur’an.

Sami Abdullah Almaghlouth has been awarded the prize for his outstanding efforts in documenting Islamic history, his achievements in the field of historical and geographical atlases, and his accomplishments in both the diversity and comprehensiveness of the topics covered, which include most aspects of Islamic history, its figures, monuments and stages.

The Saudi national’s work includes atlases on the life of Prophet Muhammad, the history of the prophets and messengers, the Rashidun caliphs, atlases on religions, places in the Holy Qur’an, Islamic sects and schools of thought, Hadith scholars, and Holy Qur’an interpreters.

His work has been translated into several languages.

Earlier, on Jan. 8, the KFP, awarded in five categories, was announced, except for the Service to Islam prize. Announcing the winners then, Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail, KFP secretary-general, said: “The selection committees, after meticulous deliberations, have reached decisions for ... Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine, and science. ”

The coveted prize for Islamic studies for 2025 was awarded jointly to Professor Saad Abdulaziz Alrashid and Professor Said Faiz Alsaid. Both are Saudi nationals and professors at King Saud University.

The prize for Arabic language and literature was withheld due to the nominated works not reaching the set criteria.

The prize for medicine was awarded to Michel Sadelain (Canada), and the prize for science awarded in physics to Sumio Iijima, a professor at Meijo University, Japan. 

The KFP was established in 1977, and given for the first time in 1979 in three categories — Service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature. Two additional categories were introduced in 1981 — medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later.

Each prize laureate is endowed with $200,000, a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a certificate inscribed with the laureate’s name and a summary of the work that qualified them for the prize.