Saudi women compete in Princess Noura camel race

Saudi women take photos of camels at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival which kicked off in early December. (Supplied/Camel Club)
Saudi women take photos of camels at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival which kicked off in early December. (Supplied/Camel Club)
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Updated 06 January 2023
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Saudi women compete in Princess Noura camel race

Saudi women take photos of camels at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival which kicked off in early December. (Supplied/Camel Club)
  • The festival has been consistently seeing a growing interest and has been introducing people around the world to the cultural heritage associated with camels in the region

RIYADH: As part of the seventh edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held under the slogan “Himt Tuwaiq” 130 km north of Riyadh, 30 women participated in the Princess Nourah race.

The participants will appear in front of the final committee of judges and the audience on Saturday, Jan. 7, and then the winners will be announced.

Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, chairman of the board of directors of the Camel Club, approved naming the women’s race at this edition after Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman, sister of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz.




Women riding camels as they enter the field to compete for the Women's Inning Award held Friday (January 6, 2023). (Supplied/Camel Club)

According to a statement issued by the club, the empowerment of women was a key aim behind their participation in the festival.

Munirah Al-Meshkhas, a former contestant, expressed her pride in being the only media specialist to participate in the first women’s race at the festival last year.

“Camels are part of the religious, national and popular heritage (of the Kingdom)…and we view them in Saudi Arabia as a symbol that we are proud of,” she told Arab News.

The festival has been consistently seeing a growing interest and has been introducing people around the world to the cultural heritage associated with camels in the region.




Many families visit the southern Sayahid area (east of Riyadh 130 km) to enjoy attending many events organized by the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. (Supplied/Camel Club)

Al-Meshkhas called on the festival’s organizers to increase the number of women’s races in the next edition. She expects a robust competition for this race and has promised to participate next year as soon as she finds “a strong financial supporter.”

Nada Al-Busaily, one of the contesters, is participating in this year’s race with a camel named Shaqha.

“My goal is to introduce my daughter to this experience, as the camel is a symbol of Saudi heritage, and we aspire through our participation to foster this legacy among our children,” she said.

“Camels are a promising investment, and I encourage my daughters to enter the business, as it is a promising field in light of the current government support for women,” she added.

The women’s race was approved for the first time in the festival’s sixth edition when the individual women’s race was held for Maghatir camels of all colors.

Each woman participated with only one camel. Upon the initial sorting, 10 participants who were presented to the committee of judges qualified. Five participants went on to win, with Haya Askar winning first place, Rasma Al-Dosari second, Malaz O’un third, Lamia Al-Rashidi fourth and Dalal Al-O’taibi fifth.

 


Video shows lightning strike Makkah clock tower

Video shows lightning strike Makkah clock tower
Updated 6 sec ago
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Video shows lightning strike Makkah clock tower

Video shows lightning strike Makkah clock tower

A photographer has captured the moment lightning presented a stunning backdrop to Makkah’s famous clock tower as Muslims around the world marked the Prophet’s birthday.

 

 

The remarkable images have been shared across social media, including a video that showed lightning spread into the purple sky, creating an image like a tree – the clock tower providing the trunk to this remarkable electrical show.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Muslim (@muslim)

 

And there’s a chance for more stunning images.

Saudi Arabia’s authorities have warned that more wet and windy weather is expected in the Kingdom, bringing with it, dust storms and more thunder and lightning.  


Najran Municipality prepares gardens and parks to receive visitors

Najran Municipality prepares gardens and parks to receive visitors
Updated 48 min 47 sec ago
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Najran Municipality prepares gardens and parks to receive visitors

Najran Municipality prepares gardens and parks to receive visitors

NARJAN: The Najran Region Municipality has prepared a number of its parks to receive walkers and visitors during the cooler months of the year.

The municipality has worked with the Services Agency for Parks and Environmental Architecture, planting 65,000 flowers and pruning 2,100 trees.

The surrounding area has also been cleaned up, with litter and graffiti removed and walls and street furniture repainted.

The municipality is preparing the gardens to become a destination for visitors from all over the Kingdom during the weekends and public and national events.


Saudi Arabia to become ‘global yachting destination’

Saudi Arabia to become ‘global yachting destination’
Updated 29 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia to become ‘global yachting destination’

Saudi Arabia to become ‘global yachting destination’

RIYADH: Red Sea Global, the megaproject developer, announced on Thursday a new partnership that will bring expertise from Monaco to establish the Kingdom as a major yachting destination.

The new partnership with Monaco Marina Management, or M3, will help Red Sea Global’s Amaala Yacht Club meet the criteria and standards to obtain the La Belle Classe Destinations certification.

Jose Marco Casellini, CEO of M3, said: “Red Sea Global’s vision for regenerative tourism closely mirrors our mission to promote sustainable yachting. We’re excited to help bring these ambitions to life and work together to put the Amaala Yacht Club and Saudi Arabia on the global yachting destination.”

The La Belle Classe Destinations certificate is owned and operated by the Yacht Club de Monaco and is awarded to yachting destinations demonstrating a deep understanding of maritime ethics, etiquette, and environmental protection.

The agreement with M3 also includes creating a sailing academy, supporting training and recruitment, and providing seasonal, reciprocal opportunities for members, cadets and youth.

“What excites me most about this partnership is the opportunity for training and knowledge transfer,” said John Pagano, group CEO of Red Sea Global. “Empowering Saudi nationals has always been at the center of our regenerative approach, and with our marina employees receiving best-in-class training both in Monaco and at Amaala, we are confident that we are fulfilling our promise to create destinations by the people and for the people of Saudi Arabia.”

Phase One of Amaala, to be open in 2025, consists of eight resorts offering 1,200 hotels. Once complete, Amaala will be home to more than 3,900 hotel rooms across 29 hotels and approximately 1,200 luxury residential villas, apartments, and estate homes, supporting high-end retail, fine dining, wellness, equestrian and recreational facilities.


Makkah robots helping pilgrims and visitors

Makkah robots helping pilgrims and visitors
The robots serve different purposes to enhance visitors' experiences. (SPA)
Updated 29 September 2023
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Makkah robots helping pilgrims and visitors

Makkah robots helping pilgrims and visitors

MAKKAH: The Grand Mosque’s authorities have introduced robots to help pilgrims and visitors, which includes the dispensing of Zamzam water bottles and assisting with cleaning up various areas.

The devices are also able to help Umrah pilgrims perform their rituals with information in several languages.


Saudi Arabia, China sign transport agreement

Saudi Arabia, China sign transport agreement
Updated 29 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia, China sign transport agreement

Saudi Arabia, China sign transport agreement

 

RIYADH: The transport ministers of Saudi Arabia and China — Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and Li Xiaopeng — signed an agreement on Wednesday to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement aims to see an exchange of expertise in modern transport methods, including the use of high-tech methods to enhance roads, build autonomous vehicles, and improve shipping and the running of ports.

During his visit to China, Al-Jasser attended the World Forum on Sustainable Transport in Beijing, and met with senior government officials, as well as leaders of transport and logistics companies.

Al-Jasser highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation and investments, saying Saudi Arabia had ambitious plans for the industry as part of a national strategy for transport and logistics.