https://arab.news/6us9j
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They discussed resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, in addition to efforts to halt attacks and protect civilians.
Macron commended the Kingdom's role in the US-Russian dialogue and the talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
The pair also tackled issues of mutual interest.
RIYADH: As he prepared to say a fond farewell to Saudi Arabia, Jorge Sierra, Spain’s ambassador to the Kingdom, reflected on some of his most cherished memories and shared his perspective on Saudi-Spanish relations.
“It’s been a wonderful experience to know such a beautiful country with such a strong personality, at a moment of social and economic changes that is fascinating to see. There are so many things going on here,” he said.
Sierra was appointed ambassador on Oct. 21, 2021, and arrived in the Kingdom the following month. In an interview with Arab News, he said was already somewhat familiar with Saudi Arabia thanks to conversations with his predecessors and a visit to the country in 2002, and shared some of his fondest memories of working there.
“My most memorable experience, without any doubt, was going to the Empty Quarter; it was amazing,” he said.
“We were a group of 12 and we went with a group of professionals that specialize in that particular kind of tourism. We went for three days and it was great. It was fascinating. I am so happy that I did it.”
Another of his highlights was the ancient city of AlUla, which he said he visited several times.
On the day-to-day business of diplomacy, Sierra said bilateral relations are “excellent” and both countries are “satisfied on a political level.”
Thanks to exchange visits and ministerial efforts on both sides “trade is in a good position” and “cultural ties are also strong,” he added, but work continues to enhance the relationship even further: “We always think that we can do more. We want more.”
As for what the future might hold for cooperation between the countries, he said: “The future is bright in our bilateral relations. We are working on creating a structure that allows us to upgrade our relations to a strategic level.”
In his role as ambassador over the past three-and-a-half years, Sierra played a significant part in the development of relations between the countries in various fields. But are there any moments he looks back on with particular fondness?
“There is one that I will never forget,” he said. “In the cultural field we organized, in October 2023, a concert with a very famous Spanish musician.”
The musician was Jose Hevia, a renowned Spanish bagpiper, and the concert was a collaboration between the Spanish Embassy, the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Music Commission, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
“He played with a Saudi musician who played traditional instruments. It was at the Cultural Palace,” he said, adding that there was not a single empty seat in the 600-capacity venue. “I will always remember (it).”
Sierra also noted the political changes that have been taking place in the Kingdom and said: “Saudi Arabia is becoming sort of a world hub of diplomacy.”
His time as ambassador will officially end on March 25, when he will return to Madrid to embark on a new challenge in international law department of Spain’s Foreign Ministry. He said he was looking forward to this new role, which will have a particular focus on humanitarian law, because private and public international law was his favorite subject at university and now he has the chance to work in that field.
“I am so happy because I will pay a debt that I have with myself; I will have the chance to be and work in a field I am really interested in,” he said.
As the Saudi chapter of his career comes to an end, Sierra thanked his team at the embassy, including his counselors in economics and cultural affairs and other topics, for their help spearheading programs designed to advance Saudi-Spanish ties.
His successor as ambassador to Saudi Arabia will be Javier Carbajosa Sanchez, who previously served as Spain’s envoy to Qatar.
RIYADH: Ramadan, a time of gathering and reflection, has long featured games that build community and create a vibrant atmosphere.
From strategic board games to fast-paced team sports, these traditional activities were once a staple of Ramadan nights, promoting a sense of camaraderie and competition.
“In the past, Ramadan was different in terms of social gatherings,” said Hitham Abdu Sheany, an Arabic teacher at an elementary school in Jazan who grew up playing these traditional games.
“There were more family get-togethers, even for those who lived far away. We always spent Ramadan with our families, and because there were so many children around, we played a lot of games,” he said.
These games were central to Ramadan’s social life, connecting generations and preserving cultural traditions.
After Taraweeh prayers, children and adults alike would take part in a variety of games. One of the most popular was farfirah, known commonly as foosball, which saw players compete in fast-paced matches, using rods to control miniature figures and score goals.
“We played farfirah until a team won,” Sheany recalled. “Then, we would all have dinner before heading to the recreation center, where Ramadan tournaments were held. In the past, everyone attended these tournaments, from children to the elderly.”
Another favorite was carrom, a game of precision and strategy played on a wooden board. Using finger flicks to send colored discs into the corner pockets, players needed skill and patience to outmaneuver their opponents.
Games such as dominos and baloot, a trick-taking card game, were also popular pastimes that encouraged strategic thinking and friendly competition.
Outdoor sports played a significant role in Ramadan traditions as well. Volleyball was particularly beloved, with neighborhood tournaments taking place after Fajr prayers.
“Every neighborhood had a volleyball game going on,” Sheany said.
“Even in some homes, people would set up nets and play together,” he added.
These games not only provided entertainment but also reinforced bonds between neighbors and friends.
According to Sheany, traditional games held a special societal value. “These games strengthened connections within neighborhoods,” he said. “We played honestly and with true competition, making friends in the process.”
He said that while modern entertainment, including electronic games and social media, has changed how people interact, there were still those who appreciated the charm of these traditional activities.
Recognizing the cultural significance of these games, the Ministry of Culture has taken steps to revive them through its Ramadan Season events.
Over the past two years, initiatives have been launched to bring back the communal spirit of Ramadan, featuring traditional games such as carrom, dominos and farfirah, alongside sporting competitions such as the Ramadan marathon and the padel championship.
These efforts aim to preserve the essence of Ramadan gatherings and introduce younger generations to the joy of traditional play.
Although times have changed, the spirit of traditional games lives on in family homes, neighborhood gatherings and organized events, continuing to be a reminder of the values of teamwork, friendly rivalry and shared joy.
MAKKAH: A new volunteer assistance service has been introduced at Saudi Arabia’s two holy mosques to aid pilgrims, particularly the elderly and disabled.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced the program as part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Speaking to Arab News, the initiative’s director, Bassem Wahbo, explained that guides are identifiable through prominent signage and floor markers that pinpoint their locations.
“This system creates effective connections between locations and nearby services, representing a critical advancement in our visitor assistance capabilities, supporting the initiative’s goals of providing effective and direct assistance to (visitors),” Wahbo said.
“We provide precise guidance to ensure all visitors enjoy a comfortable and smooth experience, with special focus on elderly and disabled pilgrims by directing them to dedicated pathways and services that facilitate easy access to their destinations,” he added.
The initiative serves multiple purposes, mainly facilitating movement throughout the mosque complex, providing assistance to worshippers navigating to prayer areas and services, supporting vulnerable visitors to ensure their comfort during religious rituals, and directing people to optimal routes and available amenities.
The authority emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting elderly and disabled visitors through specialized guidance services to help them reach their destinations with ease.
Hajj and Umrah specialist Saad Al-Sharif praised the initiative as “exceptional,” noting its comprehensive approach to visitor assistance.
“The guides provide crucial field direction to circumambulation areas, Sa’i, prayer halls, entrances, exits, and service locations. They reunite lost individuals — particularly children and elderly pilgrims — with their proper destinations and offer multilingual assistance to international visitors,” Al-Sharif explained.
Umrah performer Abdulrahman Faisal highlighted the teams’ importance in emergency response situations.
“They provide immediate assistance to visitors experiencing difficulties such as heat stress or exhaustion and coordinate with relevant authorities when necessary,” he said.
He explained that it is particularly important to guide Umrah performers and tourists toward correct behaviors inside the mosque to preserve the sanctity of the place and maintain orderly movement, which the authorities are working hard to achieve.
Faisal noted that guides operate within a mobile system, patrolling the mosque complex with identification badges and communication devices.
They are strategically positioned at key locations including entrances, the Tawaf area, the Sa’i walkway, and main gates.
“Their use of smart applications and digital mapping technology to deliver accurate, instant information is particularly impressive,” he added.
The service has already reportedly reduced instances of disorientation among visitors while improving the ritual experience and enhancing overall organization.
ADEN: Medical volunteers from the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief successfully performed 25 free open-heart surgeries in Yemen’s Aden governorate recently, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The members of the mission, which took place from March 11 to 18, also performed 65 cardiac catheterization procedures and six transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures.
Twelve volunteers participated in the mission, a joint project of KSrelief and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.
This was a part of KSrelief’s free medical program that is being implemented worldwide, the SPA report stated.
RIYADH: As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its influence in Saudi Arabia and globally extends far beyond personalizing music experiences. It is reshaping how music is created, consumed, and taught, revolutionizing the industry.
Musicians across the Kingdom are embracing new technology, with major local initiatives such as MDLBEAST Records leading the charge.
“MDLBEAST Records believes AI is a powerful tool for sparking initial creative inspiration in music production — whether generating a first beat, a musical bar, or a legitimate sample,” Matthew Dicks, executive director of music and talent at MDLBEAST Records, told Arab News.
“We encourage our artists to explore these possibilities within a framework of creative freedom.”
Launched in 2020, MDLBEAST Records is a Saudi Arabia label that promotes and develops talent from the Middle East and North Africa region.
Part of MDLBEAST entertainment, its roster includes local stars Cosmicat and Dish Dash, among others, along with international names including Salvatore Ganacci.
While embracing AI’s creative potential, he emphasized the importance of ethics. “We also recognize the ethical complexities surrounding AI in music,” said Dicks. “It is paramount that the rights of original songwriters and rights holders are always respected.
“Copying, ripping, replicating, or infringing on intellectual property is strictly unacceptable. We are committed to navigating the evolving landscape of AI in music responsibly, ensuring its use enhances human creativity while upholding the integrity of artistic ownership.”
Beyond MDLBEAST Records, Saudi Arabia is making strides in preserving its musical heritage while fostering innovation. In late 2024, the Saudi Music Commission launched MusiqAI, an initiative integrating AI-driven interactive learning to teach both Arab and Western instruments.
Unlike global platforms such as Suno, AIVA and Soundful, MusiqAI prioritizes Saudi sounds and Arab musical heritage, offering lessons on traditional instruments including the oud and qanun alongside the piano and guitar.
In line with Vision 2030, the platform nurtures musical talent through AI-powered real-time feedback, personalized lesson plans, and accredited certifications.
By blending cultural preservation with advanced technology, it aims to set a new standard for digital music education both regionally and globally.
• The global market for AI in music is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2023 to $38.7 billion by 2033.
• AI tools such as AIVA, Mubert, and Suno are already used for backing tracks, jingles, and even entire songs.
• Platforms like Spotify use AI to analyze user preferences and suggest music based on listening habits.
AI has also been used to enhance music discovery by adapting to individual preferences in real time, striking a balance between familiarity and exploration.
“AI and personalization help you listen to more of what you like,” Akshat Harbola, managing director of Spotify MENA, told Arab News. “And then what we try to do is introduce you to something you haven’t been exposed to in the past, but you might like it.”
As generative AI advances, the cost of developing innovative listening experiences is falling — a shift that Harbola believes is transformative for the industry.
“If we were to try to do something like this maybe five years back, it would be impossible because the cost would be so high,” he said. “You would have had to hire transcribers, producers, and you just wouldn’t be able to do it.
“But now we are able to deliver these personalized sessions to millions of users.”
Despite AI’s growing influence, Harbola said human expertise will remain essential. “The role of humans in AI, and when it comes to personalization, is actually going to increase over time — especially in music,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of cultural nuances in AI-driven recommendations, noting that even shared musical tastes can differ by location.
“Even if you have the same music taste, what makes sense for somebody in Jeddah may not make sense for somebody in Sao Paulo,” he said. “So it’s very important that human and cultural expertise is built into what the machines are recommending and the products we’re rolling out.”
Nevertheless, as AI continues to reshape the music industry, ethical concerns surrounding copyright and artistic integrity remain a significant topic of debate among musicians and creators.
Addressing these concerns, Harbola emphasized the platform’s strict stance on copyright compliance. “We are very clear that any content that infringes copyright cannot be on Spotify,” he said.
Siddiq “Sidney” Malik, a filmmaker and user of AI in music, echoed this sentiment. “We’re at the intersection of creativity and technology,” he told Arab News. “We’re sort of working to adapt the future of entertainment while we’re actively shaping it.”
Malik views AI as an empowering tool that is cost-effective, innovative, and cutting-edge, particularly in breaking linguistic barriers. “This allows for a new era of accessibility and artistic expression,” he said. “It’s more than just a basic tool.”
Malik said it is not just about typing a prompt into a platform like ChatGPT — it is about creating an entire ecosystem.
“We’re deeply invested in the transformative power of AI music, but the key thing is that we believe it’s not about replacing human creativity — it’s about amplifying it,” he said.
However, he warned that musicians who resist AI adoption could later face competition from advanced tools. “It’s a critical moment for creators whereby if they do not embrace and collaborate with AI, they run the risk of competing with AI — which will be impossible.”
Drawing parallels to shifts in the film industry, Malik noted how creatives have adapted before and must do so again to embrace AI’s possibilities.
“I think we have had these shifts — analog to digital to virtual and now artificial,” he said. “AI gives artists the power to be the masters of their own destiny, which is very important in the music industry.”
Riyadh-based musician Lun encapsulates the cautious yet curious approach many artists are taking toward the rapidly evolving music landscape shaped by AI.
“I have not used AI before in my own music because I never thought I needed to. But as a tool, it can be of help,” he told Arab News.
While intrigued by AI’s potential, Lun highlighted ethical concerns that remain central to discussions across the industry.
“If an artist uses it to help with something they’re stuck on — to compile ideas so they can come up with an original part on their own — then I don’t see any harm in it,” he said.
“But if they use the tool to write the entire thing from A to Z, then I think we have a problem because it is no longer the artist who composed it, regardless of how they spin it.”
