JEDDAH: The low turnout of Saudis registering for the municipal elections is likely caused by the poor performance of previous councils, lack of a voting culture, inadequate understanding of the duties of councils, and the timing of the elections with the start of the academic year.
These are the reasons cited by several current and former members of the Shoura Council and municipal councils, according to a report in a local publication.
Saleh Al-Zahrani, adviser to the Minister of Interior and former Shoura Council member, said the main reason for the low turnout was the lack of confidence and satisfaction with the performance of previous councils, prompting many to lose trust and hope in their ability to solve important issues.
He said the councils are responsible for taking decisions and monitoring matters that affect citizens, but have proven to be ineffective in doing so. Many council members and leaders spend more time defending the council than meeting the demands and needs of citizens, said Al-Zahrani.
Other reasons include the timing of the elections because many people are returning to work, and complicated registration procedures, said Al-Zahrani. A successful election is determined by how much trust citizens have in the process and the ability of councils to address issues affecting them, he said.
Saad Al-Hareeqi, a member of the Shoura Council, said many people are not likely to participate because this is a new experience for them, and there is not a voting culture in the country.
In addition, he said councils have often taken certain decisions without taking into account the impact on citizens. These errors, albeit unintentional, have affected the image of councils and damaged citizens’ belief in them.
Foad Merdad, a former municipal council member and academic, said citizens lack a thorough understanding of the roles and duties of municipal councils, in turn negatively affecting the elections. Citizens are not convinced about the role of municipal councils due to their poor understanding.
He said the previous elections over the past 10 years have helped build a culture of voting in the country, “but the matter is dependent on trust. If there is trust and belief that the elected member will have a positive impact and help citizens, we might see a better turnout.”
Merdad said that the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs should do more to promote awareness among citizens about the new elections and council regulations.
Voter apathy blamed on poor performing councils
Voter apathy blamed on poor performing councils
Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 features first display of Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah outside Makkah
- Exhibition will highlight Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims
- Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts”
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will feature, from Jan. 25 to May 25, the first public display outside Makkah of the whole Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is hosting the unprecedented event at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, titled “And All That Is In Between.”
Visitors can admire the intricate weaving and embroidery of the Kiswah, the cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, featuring silk, gold and silver threads.
Since 1927, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa has been producing decorative embroidered clothes for the Holy Kaaba, which is replaced annually.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation said that the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba, with its distinctive inscriptions and ornamentations, is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts” and holds significance in the lives of Muslims worldwide.
The exhibition will highlight Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims over the decades and showcase the exceptional skills and craftsmanship of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba.
Alongside the Kiswah display, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will exhibit a collection of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks. The organizers aim to surpass the 600,000 visitors who attended the 2023 event.
The event also aims to enhance pilgrims’ religious and cultural experiences while preserving the Kingdom’s Islamic heritage as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Deal to enhance heritage conservation in AlUla, China
- Agreement unites expertise in cultural preservation and tourism growth
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla and Dunhuang Academy have signed a strategic partnership to enhance cultural, tourism and heritage collaborations between Saudi Arabia and China.
This partnership marks a key milestone in Saudi Arabia-China relations, combining the academy’s 80 years of expertise in heritage research and cultural conservation with the commission’s dedication to preserving AlUla’s cultural heritage.
The academy manages the Magao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 735 Buddhist caves in Gansu province, famous for their murals and sculptures that reflect Silk Road cultural influences.
The agreement unites the organizations as guardians of unique heritage, history and traditions, according to a recent press release.
The academy’s successful preservation of the Magao Grottoes has earned praise from UNESCO, the World Bank, and the Chinese government.
Both entities will collaborate on a conservation program for historic sites and artifacts in AlUla and western China. They will also organize academic exhibitions and exchange programs for staff and scholars.
Silvia Barbone, vice president of strategic partnerships at the commission, said that China and Saudi Arabia share a rich legacy that has connected people and places across vast distances and centuries.
“Today, our work in global heritage is strengthened by successful collaborations with leading institutions and destinations.”
Barbone added that the academy joins the commission in “our goal to establish northwest Arabia as a hub for research, exploration, and discovery in culture, heritage, tourism, and more, as we drive the regeneration of AlUla.”
The partnership follows the Saudi Travel Expo, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority, where AlUla was prominently featured. The event, held in Beijing’s Tian Tan Garden in October 2024, highlighted AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.
Su Bomin, director of Dunhuang Academy, said this collaboration was a significant step in “bridging our cultural histories and advancing heritage conservation efforts.
“By sharing our expertise and resources, we aim to foster cultural exchange, deepen mutual understanding, and create innovative programs that will benefit communities in both China and Saudi Arabia.”
In January 2024, the “AlUla, Wonder of Arabia” exhibition, featuring artifacts from the commission’s archaeological collection on public display for the first time, was hosted at Beijing’s Forbidden City UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Attracting over 220,000 visitors, the exhibition followed the signing of a partnership agreement between the commission and the Cultural Heritage Administration of China’s Henan province.
Saudi FM discusses Middle East issues with Spanish, British counterparts, UNRWA chief
- Prince Faisal meets Philippe Lazzarini in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received separate phone calls from Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday.
He discussed recent developments in the Middle East with his Spanish and British counterparts, and efforts to address them.
The Saudi foreign minister also met the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Philippe Lazzarini, in Riyadh. They discussed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to cooperate with UNRWA on projects benefiting the Palestinian people.
Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims
- A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences in separate messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the victims of the earthquake that hit Dingri County in the Xizang Region of southwest China.
The Saudi leadership extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the Chinese president and the families of those who died in the natural disaster, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
On Tuesday, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured.
Citrus festival shows agricultural diversity, economic potential in Najran
- The festival is a vibrant platform for displaying Najran’s agricultural potential
RIYADH: The 14th Najran National Citrus Festival highlights the region’s agricultural investment and marketing diversity, which offers economic returns for farmers and investors alike, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The festival at King Abdulaziz Park walkway in Najran is organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region.
Participants including farmers, agricultural experts and investors showed innovative solutions and highlighted the region’s robust citrus production.
Hamad Al-Dakman, the director of the agricultural prevention and guidance department at the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development, Estidamah, in an interview with SPA emphasized the center’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
By selecting optimal plant seeds and trees, the center aims to enhance citrus production efficiency while advancing water and energy conservation technologies, Al-Dakman said.
He noted the importance of knowledge transfer and partnerships in supporting the agricultural sector, aligning with the Kingdom’s food-security goals.
Similarly, Najran Association Green’s chairman, Raf’an Al-Amer underscored the association’s efforts to expand vegetation cover, having planted more than 60,000 trees in the past four years.
Plans are underway to plant an additional 500,000 trees by 2027 in collaboration with government and private entities, contributing to the Kingdom’s Green Vision, Al-Amer said.
Farmers and investors were enthusiastic about the festival.
Farmer Ibrahim Saleh Al-Sinan praised the event for addressing farmers’ needs, marketing their products, and allowing visitors to sample and purchase citrus fruits directly.
Agricultural investor Abdullah Fahd Al-Waili highlighted the region’s favorable conditions for citrus farming, including fertile soil, a suitable climate and water availability.
Al-Waili, whose farm in Khbash covers 4 million sq. meters with more than 50,000 citrus trees, noted the economic viability of agricultural investment in the region.
The festival is a vibrant platform for displaying Najran’s agricultural potential, supporting farmers, and driving sustainable agricultural development.
