Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches Ramadan gift programs in Jakarta

A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
1 / 3
A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches Ramadan gift programs in Jakarta
2 / 3
A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches Ramadan gift programs in Jakarta
3 / 3
A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 25 March 2023

Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches Ramadan gift programs in Jakarta

A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
  • Al-Hazmi explained that, thanks to the King Salman Iftar Program, thousands of meals had been distributed to people across Indonesia

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, represented by the religious attache at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Indonesia, inaugurated today the King Salman Gift Program to distribute copies of the Holy Qur’an and boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program for those fasting.

The event took place at the headquarters of the attache in Jakarta, in the presence of the Saudi ambassador to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amoudi, the Kingdom’s religious attache, Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Hazmi, and several senior Islamic figures in Indonesia.

Ambassador Al-Amoudi stressed that these efforts are an extension of the Kingdom’s role in serving Islam and Muslims all over the world, especially Indonesia, the largest Islamic country by population.

He noted that these gifts from King Salman come in the context of promoting the humanitarian and Islamic work of the Kingdom. Al-Amoudi added that the Indonesian government and people appreciate and respect Saudi Arabia, its leadership and the Saudi people.

Al-Hazmi explained that, thanks to the King Salman Iftar Program, thousands of meals had been distributed to people across Indonesia.

He noted that the number of beneficiaries from the dates program had reached 55,000 people, encompassing 80 tons of dates. Those benefiting from the Iftar Program amount to 150,000, and 88,500 copies of the Holy Qur’an will be distributed.

Al-Hazmi stressed that Muslims all over the world anticipate these programs annually with passion, love, and appreciation.

These programs are an implementation of King Salman’s directives to distribute one million copies of the Holy Qur’an and numerous tons of dates to people during Ramadan in 2023, as a culmination of the efforts made by the Kingdom in caring for Muslims around the world.

 

 


Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time

Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time
Updated 27 May 2023

Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time

Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time
  • She told Arab News: “Seeing how Saudis love anime and manga, I wanted to show them that we have more art forms to offer, such as calligraphy”
  • Fans of Japanese culture get the chance to learn traditional art forms at City Walk

JEDDAH: Japanese calligrapher Yoshimi Fujii is conducting workshops at the Anime Village in City Walk Jeddah, offering participants the chance to learn more about different Japanese art forms.

Fujii, who has achieved the highest level in the Japanese form of calligraphy known as suihou, is based in Dubai and is making her second trip to the Kingdom.

“I’m thrilled to receive an invitation to come here (Saudi Arabia) and teach people of Jeddah the Japanese calligraphy and art of manga (Japanese comic),” she said.

Japanese calligraphy artist Yoshimi Fujii, who has achieved the highest level in the Japanese form of calligraphy known as suihou, is hosting workshops at City Walk. (Instagram/animevillage_sa)

Fujii conducted similar calligraphy workshops and a live show during the Riyadh Season on her first trip.

With a warm smile on her face, she explained to participants how to write in Japanese using traditional calligraphy brushes and special Japanese ink.

“Each line is made with one stroke only,” she said, adding: “Don’t redo it or try to fill the gaps.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Yoshimi Fujii, a Japanese calligrapher, is conducting workshops at the Anime Village in City Walk.

• Fujii’s calligraphy workshop is conducted three times a day to allow a large number of visitors to take part.

• This week, Fujii will conduct another workshop about traditional Japanese origami, the art of making different shapes out of paper.

She told Arab News: “Seeing how Saudis love anime and manga, I wanted to show them that we have more art forms to offer, such as calligraphy.”

Fujii said she is enjoying the reactions of the participants, even when they get confused about which direction to start writing in Japanese, which is from top to bottom, unlike Arabic, which is written from right to left.

The workshop is conducted three times a day to allow a large number of visitors to take part.

Japanese calligraphy artist Yoshimi Fujii, who has achieved the highest level in the Japanese form of calligraphy known as suihou, is hosting workshops at City Walk. (Instagram/animevillage_sa)

Rana Alnemari, 21, said that she loved Japanese culture and wanted to learn to write her name in Japanese characters.

“The new characters of the Japanese alphabet really caught my interest and I really had fun learning something new today,” she said. “I might even take professional courses for Japanese calligraphy in the future.”

Wejdan Alomari, 22, said that she joined the calligraphy workshop because she was intrigued by the Japanese writing style.

Seeing how Saudis love anime and manga, I wanted to show them that we have more art forms to offer, such as calligraphy.

Yoshimi Fujii, Japanese calligrapher

“It feels more like a drawing than simple writing,” she said.

Rana Alsaimi, 22, told Arab News that these types of workshops give her an opportunity to try new things like “using traditional Japanese brush to write instead of a calligraphy pen.”

Next week, Fujii will conduct another workshop about traditional Japanese origami, the art of making different shapes out of paper.

A Pokemon origami workshop will be held at City Walk in Jeddah. (Supplied)

Participants will learn how to make Pokemon shapes using origami techniques.

 

 


Who’s Who: Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation

Aya Al-Bakree
Aya Al-Bakree
Updated 27 May 2023

Who’s Who: Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation

Aya Al-Bakree

Aya Al-Bakree is the CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, a nonprofit cultural organization chaired by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.

The foundation is mandated to stage two world-class biennales in Saudi Arabia, alternating between contemporary and Islamic arts.

At the heart of the foundation’s strategy is a mission to foster artistic cross-fertilization by connecting Saudi Arabian and international cultural discourse. It aims to elevate artistic practices and provide educational public programs for participants of all ages and backgrounds.

As a passionate advocate for the arts and the adaptive reuse of public spaces into cultural venues, Al-Bakree has overseen the launch of inaugural biennale editions in two cities: the JAX district in Diriyah and the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah. These editions showcased the works of diverse local and international artists.

The Contemporary Art Biennale in 2021 was recognized as the first dedicated biennale in Saudi Arabia, while the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah was the first of its kind in world history, showcasing contemporary and ancient works of unprecedented breadth and scale.

Prior to her appointment as CEO at the organization, Al-Bakree earned her global communications degree at the American University of Paris in 2011, where she also completed a year-long exchange program at Parsons.

After graduating, she began her career at a world-renowned French art gallery, where she immersed herself in the world of international contemporary art and learned about the commercial and business sides.

When she returned to Saudi Arabia, she gained further professional experience in the art sector with a cultural organization working across the Middle East, collaborating with locally acclaimed institutions and galleries in the Kingdom.

Bringing over a decade of experience in the arts, she continues to forge opportunities to promote local artistic expression on international platforms and collaborate with local artists, galleries, and collectors across the country.

 

 


Saudi talents taking the stage at PNU for ‘An Akoun’ dance show

Maha Abanumay and her young sister Shehana Abanumay. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Maha Abanumay and her young sister Shehana Abanumay. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Updated 27 May 2023

Saudi talents taking the stage at PNU for ‘An Akoun’ dance show

Maha Abanumay and her young sister Shehana Abanumay. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
  • Aya Albakoush, a managing partner at Kinetico Dance Company, said: “I started dancing when I was about 11 years old. I have done it for almost 10 years until I started to become (involved) behind the scenes”

RIYADH: Around 400 Saudis took to the stage at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh on Friday for “An Akoun” dance performance.

Kinetico Dance Company organized its annual recital with a variety of routines, leaving the audience captivated and entertained for two hours.  

The show included ballet, musical theater, contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics, which were all choreographed and performed by talented Saudi dancers aged 4 to 26.

An Akoun Banner for the show. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Haifa Alrashid, one of the young stars in Kinetico, who performed on Friday, talked about her experience since joining the dancing academy.

“I joined Kinetico when I was five, or six years old. Now, I am 10. My experience was good. I learned to dance better, and I mostly do hip-hop because it is my favorite.”

Kinetico Dance Company was established in 2009 — the first, and the, biggest dance company in Saudi Arabia.

FASTFACTS

• The ‘An Akoun’ show included ballet, musical theater, contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics, which were all choreographed and performed by talented Saudi dancers aged four to 26.

• Kinetico Dance Company was established in 2009 and it is the first and biggest dance company in Saudi Arabia.

Aya Albakoush, a managing partner at Kinetico Dance Company, said: “I started dancing when I was about 11 years old. I have done it for almost 10 years until I started to become (involved) behind the scenes.”

She explained how the company usually hosts a full season of dance lessons, which includes everything from choreography to technique. Finally, they develop an art piece through an annual show at the end of each year.

“This show follows a theme we are trying to portray, and this year was about finding your inner feminine essence, slowing down, and coming back to yourself as a woman,” explained Albakoush.

“Through what we do, and promoting artistic expression is a big part of Vision 2030, trying to really hone-in on our arts and culture in the country, and showcasing our Saudi talents … hopefully, one day, exporting it to the world to understand that Saudi Arabia has a lot to offer.”

The company has done other shows in the past such as “The Outcome,” which was themed around the dancers’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 


Saudi artist strikes out into making rugs in latest venture

Artist Bassam Alkhulifi’s playful rugs began as a pandemic hobby. (SPA)
Artist Bassam Alkhulifi’s playful rugs began as a pandemic hobby. (SPA)
Updated 27 May 2023

Saudi artist strikes out into making rugs in latest venture

Artist Bassam Alkhulifi’s playful rugs began as a pandemic hobby. (SPA)
  • Alkhulifi said: “While redecorating my room, I searched for carpets but couldn’t find one that stood out in terms of design and colors

RIYADH: Saudi artist Bassam Alkhulifi made the most of lockdown by transforming a hobby into an artistic endeavor that has helped him carve out a name for himself.

Alkhulifi creates visually striking rugs that look like paintings, while not conforming to the conventional form of a carpet. His technique involves using wool and a tufting gun.

He began his artistic journey by sketching with charcoal and later delved into acrylic colors, digital art, and textile art. With time, his skills have distinguished him as one of the most significant young visual artists in the Kingdom.

Artist Bassam Alkhulifi’s playful rugs began as a pandemic hobby. (SPA)

Alkhulifi said: “While redecorating my room, I searched for carpets but couldn’t find one that stood out in terms of design and colors.

“It was then that I realized I could create my own carpet. I got the necessary tools and equipment and ventured into this field.”

Each art medium is a gateway that helps him explore aspects of his creativity.

He added: “I particularly enjoy experimenting with novel techniques and materials to produce artistic and innovative works.”

Artist Bassam Alkhulifi’s playful rugs began as a pandemic hobby. (SPA)

Alkhulifi has organized two art exhibitions, namely “Color as a Scene” and “Life as a Puzzle,” and is presently preparing for his third.

His work was shown at the Islamic Arts Biennale and the Saudi Design Festival, and has been featured in prestigious international magazines such as Vogue Arabia, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar.

His artwork is showcased on social media, and with hundreds of thousands of followers across various platforms, Alkhulifi effectively shares his works and vision with the world.

Successful artistic ventures align with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for talented individuals.

 


The humanitarian at the helm of Philippine migrant workers’ affairs

The humanitarian at the helm of Philippine migrant workers’ affairs
Updated 27 May 2023

The humanitarian at the helm of Philippine migrant workers’ affairs

The humanitarian at the helm of Philippine migrant workers’ affairs
  • Susan V. Ople, secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, recently visited Arab News office
  • Concern for her overseas compatriots consumed her when she was writing a column even back in 2013

JEDDAH: Last week, Susan V. Ople, secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines, visited Arab News headquarters in Riyadh.

Commenting on her visit, she tweeted: “Once upon a time, I was (a) columnist of @arabnews. Visiting its office in Riyadh was (a) homecoming of sorts.”

Yes, you read it correctly. Ople was once an important part of Arab News. Her visit to Arab News brought back so many memories of the time I dealt with her as an editor.

Appointed to head the Department of Migrant Workers by President Bonging Marcos in 2022, Ople previously served as chief of staff of the Office of her father, Senator Blas Ople, and later as chief of staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs when Senator Ople became its secretary. 

She was appointed as undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment by President Gloria Arroyo in 2004.

Writers and editors generally share a love-hate relationship, but it was difficult to hate a humanitarian of Ople’s stature.

During my dealings with her, I noticed thoughts of her overseas compatriots’ welfare always consumed her, as was evident from her articles published in Arab News.

Opinion

This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)

She is the founder and current president of the Blas Ople Policy Center (BOPC), which assists distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in various parts of the world. 

Yet, no matter how good she was as a columnist, social worker, or politician, she never failed in giving me nightmares or panic attacks by delaying her submissions.

I vividly remember every time I used to vow that I would not accept any excuses from her but her emails exuded so much honesty that I had to accept her submissions.

I would like to share one of her emails with the readers: “My New Year’s resolution is to reduce your stress over my column.”

Though sometimes behind schedule, her write-ups always got her point across, and like a loving mother, she always made efforts to protect the rights of her fellow countrymen working around the world.

Today, she remains actively involved in the media. She is a co-anchor at a popular daily radio show, “Bantay OFW,” at DZXL’s Tatak RMN network and has a Saturday radio program on DWIZ 882 AM called “Global Pinoy.” 

With her latest role in government, I am sure Ople can do a much better job translating her ideas into actions for the well-being of her people. It is not every day that we see a humanitarian at the helm.

We, at Arab News, wish her the best of luck.