RIYADH: Sherif Ismail, the Egyptian prime minister, has announced that Egypt received a deposit of $2 billion from Saudi Arabia in September. Earlier this month, Egypt’s central bank announced that the country’s foreign exchange reserves rose from $16.564 billion in late August to $19.582 billion by the end of September, after receiving the deposit from the Kingdom.
Economists said that the role played by the Kingdom helped Egypt and its economy to stand on its feet again after the deteriorating situation that hit the Egyptian economy in recent years. They pointed out that this deposit confirms that the Kingdom will not abandon Egypt and will support it in all eventuality.
Adel Hanafi, vice president of the Egyptian Union in Saudi Arabia, said that the depth of the relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia throughout history is no secret, pointing out that there is a vigorous attempt to hit at this cooperation, especially since these two are the most important countries in the Arab world. He stressed the importance of unity and warned against listening to rumors.
Ahmed Kojak, vice minister of finance for financial policies, said that the step taken by the Kingdom to support the Egyptian economy is priceless as there was also significant progress in supporting the Egyptian economy by G-7 countries and other friendly nations such as the UAE and China. This economic assistance helped in achieving significant progress to secure Egypt’s economy by $6 billion to bridge the financial gap during the year 2016-2017.
Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, secretary-general of the Union of Arab Investors, said that the deposit from Saudi Arabia reveals the truth about Saudi-Egyptian ties, and the continued support of the Kingdom, and it is necessary to refute the various rumors about bilateral relations between the two countries. Bayoumi pointed out that media rumor mongering will not succeed in dislodging Egyptian-Saudi Arabian relations, particularly on the economic side. Relations between the two countries are based on the foundations of a solid understanding.
Mahmoud Al-Aptanoni, an economist at Future Academy, said that the Saudi deposit of $2 billion had a deep impact on the rise in foreign reserves to approach $20 billion. He said he is convinced that the recent political events will not affect the well-established relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
$2 billion deposit confirms strong Saudi-Egyptian ties
$2 billion deposit confirms strong Saudi-Egyptian ties
Winter treasures: Truffle hunting in Northern Borders desert
- The truffle season coincides with the rainy period from late winter to early spring
- Truffles are celebrated for their unique flavor enhancing the taste of dishes
RAFHA: Truffle hunting in the Northern Borders region is a vibrant annual activity that combines the thrill of discovery with the beauty of heritage, drawing nature and heritage enthusiasts who embark on exciting sunrise journeys in search of these prized delicacies.
The Saudi Press Agency accompanied a diverse group of enthusiasts on a truffle hunting expedition in Al-Sahin area, where they gathered in a tranquil desert setting, enjoying the scent of rain mingling with the earth and flora. This experience highlights the deep connection between natural heritage and local culture.
Enthusiasts draw upon traditional knowledge to interpret soil and plant indicators, identifying potential truffle sites. Using simple tools that reflect humanity's connection to the environment, they employ long sticks to shift the soil and uncover hidden treasures.
Others use their hands to gently remove the surface layer without damaging the truffles, while bags and baskets are prepared for collection.
Types of Truffles in KSA
• Zubaidi stands out for its round shape
• Khalasi is the smallest with an irregular shape
• Jabbi is small and round
• Hooper is the tiniest and most irregular in shape.
The truffle season coincides with the rainy period from late winter to early spring, usually beginning in January and lasting until the end of March. During the Wasm rainy season in Saudi Arabia, the rainfall enriches the soil and activates truffle seeds, with growth rates varying. Some truffles require 50 to 70 days of rain, while others take less time.
Truffles are wild fungi that grow beneath the surface at different depths, depending on the complex interaction of soil, moisture, and surrounding plants. They thrive in well-ventilated sandy or clay soil, exhibiting signs such as slight cracks or small lumps when ripe.
Among the various types, the Zubaidi stands out for its round shape, while the Khalasi is the smallest with an irregular shape. The Jabbi is small and round, and the Hooper is the tiniest and most irregular in shape.
Truffles are celebrated for their unique flavor enhancing the taste of dishes. The truffle hunting season is not just a quest for food; It is a celebration of nature and heritage, fostering social bonds and revitalizing an age-old tradition passed down through generations.
As interest in this heritage activity grows, there is an increasing recognition of the need to educate future generations on preserving the environment and the desert landscapes, which are integral to this land’s cultural heritage. The truffle season stands as a testament to the splendor of nature and the importance of heritage.
Rare Vatican artifacts on show at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
- More than 500 historic items, contemporary artworks on display
- 1685 Nile map’s journey to Jeddah a ‘cultural milestone’
JEDDAH: A six-meter map of the Nile believed to be more than 300 years old has left its home in the Vatican archives for the first time to become the centerpiece of the second Islamic Arts Biennale launched in Jeddah on Saturday.
Visitors to Jeddah’s Western Hajj Terminal, the biennale venue, can see the map along with 10 other artifacts from the Vatican Library.
The historic chart, drawn with watercolor ink on Venetian paper and depicting historic sites along the Nile, has been dated to around 1685.
Its inclusion in the biennale marks a cultural milestone, showcasing the Vatican’s commitment to interreligious and intercultural dialogue, according to Vatican archivist and librarian Angelo Vincenzo Zani.
The map underwent restoration by the Vatican before making the journey to Jeddah. It is displayed alongside a sister map of the Arabian Gulf from the National Library of Qatar.
Both maps are believed to have been acquired in the 1700s in Constantinople by Giuseppe Alemanni, a Lebanese librarian who later became the Vatican Library’s prefect.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the exhibition in Jeddah explores faith by juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures.
• More than 30 cultural institutions have provided objects from their collections, as well as 29 newly commissioned works of art.
Zani attended the biennale’s opening ceremony and later told Arab News that the artifacts highlight a rich history of cultural exchange and shared knowledge.
“I think this Islamic Arts Biennale is very important. The concept of art is very important — to expand knowledge and creativity. Art is an emotion that we can all understand. It can cross over in a dialogue that is ‘in between’.”
The 2025 biennale’s theme, “And all that is in between,” draws from the Qur’anic verse “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.”
The Vatican Library is also showcasing several works from its collections in “The Art of Numbers” display at Al-Madar section of the biennale.
Al-Madar, or “The Orbit” section, features items from 20 institutions with significant Islamic art collections worldwide.
The section examines the role of numbers in collective history, exploring their origins in natural calculations and applications across Islamic culture, mathematics, architecture, music, design, celestial and terrestrial mapping, ocean navigation, trade and geometric patterns in Qur’anic decoration.
Heather Ecker, Al-Madar’s curator, said the Vatican Library, which was established in the Middle Ages, is the oldest taking part in Al-Madar.
“The Vatican has Arabic manuscripts on virtually any subject, and has a large collection of early Qur’ans. It has early translations of the Qur’an, of which we are exhibiting several,” she said.
Ecker said the Nile map appears to have been linked to a travel log and is a visual record of a journey.
“The maps were created from the written text and from memory, apparently,” she said.
“It’s not a map as we conceive it, because it is image with text, with annotations that correspond to observations made during the voyage and notes taken. It collapses geography in a certain way, so it scrunches up the land between the Nile and the Red Sea, for example, in order to include more sites such as Jeddah.”
The map has been in the Vatican since the late 18th century, but had never been restored and was first shown in 2021, Ecker said. The Diriyah Biennale Foundation helped fund its restoration and conservation.
“It’s much brighter now,” Ecker said. “The paper is much more supple now, so it’s really vastly improved, and it’s much easier to exhibit and for people to appreciate. That was a big undertaking, and important in the field of conservation preservation.”
Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Jeddah exhibition explores faith by juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures.
The event has built on the success of the first biennale, and is bigger in scale and ambition, Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the foundation, told Arab News.
This year, more than 30 cultural institutions have provided objects from their collections, as well as 29 newly commissioned works of art.
“The biennale is rooted in Saudi Arabia and has become a clear landmark on the international stage as well. We are excited to share this exhibition with audiences from near and far,” Al-Bakree added.
Display space is divided into several sections, each blending Islamic cultural heritage with contemporary interpretations.
The inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale in 2023 attracted more than 600,000 visitors. The 2025 edition will feature more than 500 historical artifacts and contemporary artworks, including treasures from Makkah, Madinah, and around the world.
The 2025 curatorial team is led by Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, with Saudi artist Muhannad Shono as curator of contemporary art.
The Islamic Arts Biennale will run until May 25.
Saudi minister emphasizes Islamic unity at Khair Ummah conference in Bangkok
- Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh calls on scholars, preachers to ‘reinforce core principles of Islamic faith’
- Kingdom committed to fostering a culture of coexistence, cooperation among Muslims, forum told
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh inaugurated the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Bangkok on Saturday.
The event was attended by Thai National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, along with several ministers, muftis, and leaders of Islamic universities, centers, and associations.
Al-Asheikh emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and adherence to the truth, promoting solidarity that upholds Islamic identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He said that scholars bear a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security changes facing the world.
“This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith,” Al-Asheikh said.
He added that the responsibility of scholars and preachers is growing due to global calls for intellectual and ideological deviation, requiring careful reflection to realign efforts, uphold Shariah, safeguard the Prophet’s Sunnah, promote Islamic values, and combat extremism.
Al-Asheikh reaffirmed that under its leadership, the Kingdom has diligently fulfilled its responsibility toward the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to serving pilgrims, visitors, and Umrah performers by implementing substantial projects that enhance their experience and facilitate their rituals. The Kingdom is also dedicated to printing and distributing the Holy Qur’an in multiple languages worldwide,” he said.
Several participants delivered speeches thanking Saudi Arabia for its service to Islam and Muslims, emphasizing the importance of promoting tolerance, combating violence and extremism, and fostering cooperation among Muslims.
Meanwhile, the Central Islamic Council of Thailand awarded Al-Asheikh the First-Class Medal for Influential Global Islamic Personality of 2024. The medal was presented by Bangkok Islamic Affairs Committee President Arun Boonchom.
The award recognized Al-Asheikh’s distinguished contributions to serving Islam, promoting moderation and tolerance, and combating hate speech and extremism, SPA reported.
Al-Asheikh expressed his gratitude to the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand for his efforts in spreading noble Islamic values and fostering a culture of coexistence.
Saudi ambassador meets Sweden’s International Development Cooperation Agency chairman
- “The two kingdoms, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, are major players on the humanitarian assistance field, with vast opportunities for shared experiences and best practices in the field
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Sweden and Iceland Enass Al-Shahwan recently met chairman of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and former minister for international development cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson.
“The two kingdoms, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, are major players on the humanitarian assistance field, with vast opportunities for shared experiences and best practices in the field, the Saudi ambassador wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh met Thailand’s National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, in Bangkok on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Matha expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s leading role in serving Islam and Muslims, and for its support of interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni begins official visit to Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Meloni arrived in Jeddah where she was met at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz among other officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Her visit comes after Saudi Arabia and Italy signed an agreement earlier this month to boost energy cooperation.
The deal includes a possible supply to Europe of green hydrogen made in the Kingdom.
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Italy’s Minister of Energy and Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratinon on Jan. 14 to sign the memorandum of understanding.
