The feeling of safety and security overwhelms not only the visitors to Makkah, but seems also to percolate to the pigeons that fly around the Grand Mosque.
They confidently walk in the courtyards of the mosque in a scene that competes with the most famous pigeon squares around the world.
Once the pilgrim approaches the Grand Mosque, he faces flocks of pigeons flying and wandering around the mosque and its minarets. As the pilgrims step into the mosque, pigeons seem to welcome them.
The spectacle of the pigeons roaming around the Kaaba and worshippers without fear soothes the eyes. The pigeons have become one of Makkah’s famous sights.
Pictures of the mosque’s pigeons taken by pilgrims circulate through social media sites and frequently figure in exhibitions and photography competitions.
Pigeons of Al-Hema, as they are called by the residents of Makkah, have created many stories and good memories shared by visitors. These lovely birds have lived along the sidewalks, streets and the roofs of buildings waiting for the pilgrims’ pouches full of feed. Pilgrims feed the pigeons asking for reward from Allah. They have become part of every pilgrim’s story that he shares in his country and thus circulating around the world.
The pigeons roam the sky of Makkah and land confidently among pilgrims who feed them as part of the tradition of people of Makkah.
Abdul Razzak Muhammad, a Makkah native, said: “Pigeons and pilgrims have shared food and love. We have stories with pigeons in which they have consumed our food and water. After every dawn prayer, I go to the roof of the house to give them food and water. I love to look at them, meditate and listen to their sounds. I became familiar with them.”
Muhammad added: “We have never feared pigeons since our childhood. We have got used to them through our parents who encouraged us to love pigeons by serving food and water outside our house, the sidewalks or the square.”
The 80-year-old man said that he noticed how the pilgrims are surprised by the pigeons’ lifestyle and the way they coexist with the people of Makkah.
The Grand Mosque’s pigeons, gray-colored with shades of green, are protected by a law that prohibits their killing, Anyone who kills a pigeon is fined.
They have become the highlight of the pilgrimage experience that is engraved in the memory of the pilgrims during these blessed days of the year. Flocks of pigeons land and walk in confidence among the people performing their prayers. This does not happen with other types of birds that live outside Makkah.
Visitors of to the Grand Mosque make sure they scatter bird feed in the Haram’s courtyard where the pigeons come to pick it up. Usually, the pigeons build their nests in holes of the old Rawasheen. The pigeons have become a familiar sight of Makkah in which the pilgrims witness their flocks circle the Holy Kaaba, and the squares and minarets of the Grand Mosque.
Haram’s pigeons enjoy a breathtaking beauty and a safety that they are envied for. There are tales aplenty about the pigeons. There are various tales about the origin and the source of these pigeons. Some believe them to be the descendants of two white doves that lived at the entrance of Thor cave during the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with his companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to Madinah. Others have speculated that they originally came from Europe.
Pigeons of Grand Mosque spreading peace
Pigeons of Grand Mosque spreading peace
Student-led team develops AI device to detect emergency lane offenders
- Project was carried out by a student-led team under the supervision of Department of Geomatics faculty members
- Project employs the YOLO algorithm. YOLO, which stands for You Only Look Once, is a real-time object detection algorithm
JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz University has completed an innovative research project that uses artificial intelligence to monitor violations of emergency lanes on highways in real time.
The project was carried out by a student-led team under the supervision of Department of Geomatics faculty members Kamel Faisal, Abdullah Al-Attas, Muhannad Abu-Hashem and Mahmud Al-Koffash, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The project employs the YOLO algorithm. YOLO, which stands for You Only Look Once, is a real-time object detection algorithm known for its speed and efficiency.
The algorithm works detecting objects directly from an input image, as opposed to older methods which required multiple passes. This approach significantly speeds up the detection process.
The system uses the Raspberry Pi device, a cost-effective mini computer that employs advanced vision techniques.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the project is highly efficient, making it well-suited for smart city applications, traffic authorities and government agencies.
It has the potential to contribute to improving emergency response times and saving lives by ensuring emergency lanes remain unobstructed.
The model was trained using custom image datasets, with specific video Regions of Interest defined to identify any violations by vehicles.
Geomatics, the academic field behind the project, focuses on the science and technology of digital geographic data.
This includes urban surveying, spatial information systems, and is also referred to as “geospatial data science” or “digital surveying engineering.”
It encompasses the collection, processing, analysis, visualization, and mapping of all types of geographic information, as well as the measurement and management of geospatial data.
Saudi Arabia currently utilizes a number of AI technologies to manage the country’s road traffic and improve safety.
The Sawaher system is a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos from public roads and provide real-time insights.
Another system, the Smart C platform, uses data to help decision-making in infrastructure projects.
Reem Al-Bliwi honored to be working in Saudi media industry
- Rising star is latest guest on Arab News’ The Mayman Show
- Saudi-Mexican presenter brings 2 rich cultures to her work
RIYADH: Reem Al-Bliwi, one of Saudi Arabia’s youngest and most recognizable TV presenters, recently spoke on The Mayman Show about the honor of working in the Kingdom’s media industry.
Al-Bliwi burst onto the scene with Studio SBC, a TV show that is a part of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority network.
“Well, I think I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to be doing something I wanted to do, but did not expect to be doing (it) at such an early age,” she said.
Al-Bliwi quickly earned her spot in the national spotlight with her poise and presence.
With a background in modeling and an identity shaped by her Mexican mother and Saudi father, Al-Bliwi brings a unique blend of confidence, curiosity, and cross-cultural understanding to her work.
Al-Bliwi began pursuing a television media career while she was at university.
“So, I took the opportunity, and at first, I’m not going to lie, I was afraid, because it felt like I had zero experience at the time. I was still doing my bachelor’s degree in public relations — I had just been accepted.”
Al-Bliwi recalled that she was hesitant due to the difficulty of finding a balance between studying and working.
“So, it felt like I’m either going to succeed or I’m going to ruin it for myself ... like maybe forever who knows. So I took the opportunity, and I said, OK, why not. I’ll do the casting, and I got accepted. I was rehearsing for like maybe a couple of months.”
After her training Al-Bliwi was offered a fashion and beauty segment on SBC’s morning show.
“For me, it was OK, because, I didn’t have much experience at the time. I had just started building my career. I had just been accepted in public relations, so it was fun ... it was a good start.”
Al-Bliwi dazzled SBC’s morning show editor-in-chief who then told her that she was chosen to be a main presenter of the program.
“I was nervous, but maybe that’s the moment where I felt, ‘OK, this is what I’m supposed to be doing ... this is where I belong.’”
Al-Bliwi recalled how her first outing in the media spotlight was modeling. “I was actually very young. I started doing it very casually, then I found myself actually committed to it.”
She added that the landscape of the fashion and beauty industry was different five years ago.
“I’m proud of what we have accomplished in those past five years. I mean, we see now the Fashion Commission, everything they are doing — even for the modeling career — and all the programs they have been doing. I’m really proud of that.”
Al-Bliwi said that her mixed background has shaped her views of how to communicate with the world.
“Saudi is very rich in culture, and also Mexico is very rich in culture. So, I think, having those two parts, I get to appreciate that. And I get to learn more about culture, heritage, history and everything.”
Saudi transport chief elected MENA president of global body
- Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih was selected in a vote during the International Association of Public Transport’s summit in Hamburg
- Al-Rumaih was selected for his expertise in developing modern transport systems, leading national projects and representing Saudi Arabia in international forums
RIYADH: The acting president of Saudi Arabia’s Public Transport Authority has been elected president of the International Association of Public Transport for the MENA region.
Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih was selected in a vote during the association’s summit in Hamburg, Germany, this week. He will occupy the role until 2028.
Al-Rumaih was selected for his expertise in developing modern transport systems, leading national projects and representing Saudi Arabia in international forums, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Having previously served as CEO of the Saudi Railway Company and president of the Transport General Authority, Al-Rumaih has a track record of working to improve the sustainability and quality of transport in urban settings.
“I am delighted to be with you today, and to start this new phase of work with a distinguished team that brings together a number of leaders and professionals,” he said during the conference.
“I believe that public transport is not just about infrastructure, but about experience, justice, accessibility, and sustainability.
Al-Rumaih highlighted the success of the Riyadh Metro system, which became fully operational earlier this year.
He said that the metro is witnessing high rates of usage and is changing commuter behavior in the capital.
“When we provide appropriate transportation services that are clean, safe, accessible, and reliable, people respond to and adapt to them,” he said.
Al-Rumaih also spoke about how building sustainable and people-centered transport systems requires collaboration between governments, operators, the private sector, and civil society.
“The International Association of Public Transport has always been a driver of this collaboration and will grow in importance in the years to come.”
Al-Rumaih also highlighted the findings of the MENA Transport Report 2025, which assessed trends in the industry in 40 cities across 14 countries in the region.
Saudi Arabia displays cultural depth at Seoul, Beijing book fairs
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, led by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, is taking part in the Seoul International Book Fair and the Beijing International Book Fair, both being held from June 18 to 22.
The Kingdom inaugurated its pavilion at the Seoul International Book Fair 2025 on Wednesday at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in the South Korean capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Commission CEO Abdullatif Abdulaziz Al-Wasel said Saudi Arabia’s participation reflects its growing presence in global cultural events.
He said the initiative underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering partnerships with international publishing houses and building cultural bridges.
The Saudi delegation includes representatives from the King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahd National Library, the Publishing Association, and local publishing houses, as well as the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, and Nashir publishing and distribution company.
KSGAAL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi said the fair provides a platform for engaging with those interested in the Arabic language and culture. It also offers an opportunity to underscore Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the Arabic language and promote its use in academic and technical fields.
The academy is presenting a selection of its latest publications and introducing visitors to its digital platforms and initiatives for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, compiling dictionaries, and developing linguistic resources to support Arabic digital content.
The Saudi pavilion is also at the Beijing International Book Fair 2025, which kicked off at the China National Convention and Exhibition Center on Wednesday.
The book fair is part of 2025 being celebrated as Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, reflecting the strength of bilateral relations built on decades of friendship and cooperation and embodying both countries’ aspirations to enhance cultural and intellectual exchanges between their peoples.
During the five-day book fair, the Saudi pavilion presents a diverse literary and cultural program that reflects the growing momentum of the Saudi cultural scene, displaying the Kingdom’s evolving creative and intellectual landscape.
The pavilion reflects a spirit of cultural dialogue and openness, making the exhibition a key international platform to present Saudi initiatives in the book sector while deepening literary and cultural relations with intellectual figures and global publishing houses.
Saudi fashion showcased in Selfridges
- London store to host designs by Kingdom’s rising stars
RIYADH: The Saudi Fashion Commission has teamed up with the Cultural Development Fund and British high-end department store Selfridges to showcase some of the Kingdom’s leading stylists.
Selected labels from the Saudi 100 Brands program and CDF beneficiaries, all of which blend modern Saudi aesthetics with innovative design techniques, will be on display at the store in London for the next two months, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The commission’s CEO Burak Cakmak said: “This is more than retail, it marks a new era for Saudi fashion, from Riyadh to London.”
The Saudi 100 Brands program supported designers in refining their craft and building global business opportunities, he said.
The partnership with Selfridges represents a significant milestone for the Saudi fashion industry, reflecting its rising momentum and evolving talent base. It also coincides with the Kingdom’s Year of Handicrafts 2025.
CDF CEO Majed Al-Hogail said the event highlighted the sector’s growing role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s cultural economy.
“Saudi talents are redefining our creative identity, rooted in heritage, expressed globally,” he said.
