Jeddah exhibition Bisat Al-Reeh displays culture-inspired products from around the world   

Jeddah exhibition Bisat Al-Reeh displays culture-inspired products from around the world   
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The 22nd edition of the Bizat Al-Reeh exhibition kicked off in the presence of Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and under the patronage of Princess Adila bint Abdullah. (AN/Ali Khamaj)
Jeddah exhibition Bisat Al-Reeh displays culture-inspired products from around the world   
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The 22nd edition of the Bizat Al-Reeh exhibition kicked off in the presence of Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and under the patronage of Princess Adila bint Abdullah. (AN/Ali Khamaj)
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Updated 29 March 2023

Jeddah exhibition Bisat Al-Reeh displays culture-inspired products from around the world   

Jeddah exhibition Bisat Al-Reeh displays culture-inspired products from around the world   
  • Charity official hails queen’s attendance in highlighting event, emphasizing its global reach
  • Jordanian royal also performed Umrah in Makkah, held iftar banquet for women

JEDDAH: More than 170 exhibitors from around the globe are participating in one of the biggest exhibitions in the Islamic world, dedicated to women at Jeddah Superdome for six days as part of the Kingdom’s Ramadan Season under the slogan “Jeddah’s Everlasting Goodness.”

The 22nd edition of the Bisat Al-Reeh exhibition kicked off on Monday in the presence of Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and under the patronage of Princess Adila bint Abdullah.

Organized by the National Charity Foundation for Home Health Care, also known as We Care, the exhibition will be open for families for two days, and four days will be dedicated exclusively to women to promote their creativity in fashion, jewelry, furniture design and nurturing young talent. It is an annual exhibition that has been organized by We Care in Jeddah since 2000, with its proceeds supporting We Care charitable programs and activities in home healthcare and hospitals.

After touring the exhibit with Princess Adila, Queen Rania wrote a message on her official Twitter account: “Happy to be in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the blessed month of Ramadan. Thank you, Princess Adila bint Abdullah Al-Saud, for the invitation and generous hosting.”

Princess Adila told Arab News that every edition of the exhibition has a different target and this year the aim was to bring more countries from around the world to participate. “In this Bisat Al-Reeh 22, we aim to upgrade our standards to have more participants from outside the Kingdom. This year, we have more than 15 countries, and we targeted the Ramadan Season so that it has a special spiritual atmosphere.”

She also said that the exhibition has helped many local brands expand their horizon throughout the years. “We have a lot of entrepreneurs … we have a lot of businesses that are done from home. They started small, and during the years of participation, we found that they developed and they became bigger businesses, more advanced, and more capable. And this gives us great pleasure.”

Among the participating countries are Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Turkiye, Egypt, UK, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

Chaired by Queen Rania, Jordan River Foundation, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization established in 1995, is also part of the exhibition displaying an array of home decorations with crafted designs inspired by elements of Jordanian cultural with a modern twist.

Sara Yaghmour, the foundation’s marketing specialist, said: “With a special focus on child safety and community empowerment, the crafts that you see today are part of the social enterprise's program, under the name of Jordan River designs. All these products are handmade by the local community, women, and refugees in Jordan. These pieces help empower women refugees and provide them with income.”

Participating for the first time at the exhibition is Uzbekistan. Mohayo Aliyeva, the founder of BiBi Hanum brand, a socially responsible enterprise offers garments and accessories created using handwoven textiles by Uzbek women, said: “I designed the fabrics and textiles and also the styles. I happened to meet Read Khaled, a Saudi designer online, we both work within the same spectrum and she invited me to take part in this exhibition. I am very pleased.

“Our work involves a lot of women who do the weaving and the embroideries of these textiles,” she added.

“Wearable Art” also offered garments featuring a mix of modern and traditional styles. The garment features Ikat, which has a distinctive colorful wavey pattern on the fabric made of silk and cotton and represents the authentic heritage of the country. “It is tied and dyed before it's being woven, and it has approximately 32 steps from the very beginning to the end,” Aliyeva said.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees also took part in the exhibition to spread awareness and introduce one of its refugees-focused initiatives.

Speaking to Arab News, Rowa Ftihi from the UNHCRSaudi Arabia private sector and philanthropy department, said: “‘Made 51’ is a brand crafted by refugees to bring beautiful refugee-made products to the global market and its outcome goes for refugees.” It operates in different camps including in Jordan, Afghanistan, and Africa among others.

Abeer Kabbani, head of the Bisat Al-Reeh exhibition and vice president of We Care, said that Queen Rania’s presence gives a “great indication of the exhibition's significance and its steady steps towards the international spread.”

Nasiba Hafiz, a well-known Saudi fashion designer and a visitor, said: “I am so pleased to see brands from outside Jeddah from all over the world, and I love the idea of giving the chance to other brands to shine.”


KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 

KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 
Updated 01 June 2023

KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 

KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 
  • The two will boost cooperation in the public health sector

RIYADH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) signed a memorandum of understanding with PATH, a nonprofit global health organization, to develop healthcare services in Saudi Arabia.

The MoU aims to boost cooperation between the two institutions in the public health sector by utilizing digital services and sharing expertise

Under the agreement,  PATH will provide expertise to assist KAUST in manufacturing vaccines, developing digital health systems and running a research center at the university. 

 

 
 


Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement

Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement
Updated 01 June 2023

Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement

Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement
  • The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in boosting Islamic moderation

JEDDAH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Abdullatif Al-Asheikh signed an agreement on Thursday in the field of Islamic affairs with Mubariz Gurbanli, Azerbaijan’s head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations.

The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries in boosting Islamic moderation, and tolerance and confronting extremist ideology and terrorism.

According to the agreement, the two countries will exchange information and expertise in Islamic affairs within the regulations and systems in force.
 


Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired

Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired
Updated 01 June 2023

Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired

Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired
  • Over 500 trainees took part in a week-long series of courses

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent, in cooperation with the Malaysian Red Crescent, organized an “Ambassador of Life” course for visually impaired beneficiaries and a training course for teachers at the Saudi Schools in Kuala Lumpur. 

Over 500 trainees took part in a week-long series of courses. 

The Saudi Red Crescent has recently implemented a number of local and international programs aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s worldwide humanitarian standing and promoting human dignity.
 


Eleventh Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan

Eleventh Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan
Updated 02 June 2023

Eleventh Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan

Eleventh Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan

PORT SUDAN: An 11th Saudi relief plane on Thursday landed at Port Sudan New International Airport carrying 30 tons of food baskets and medical supplies.

The latest aid flight is part of the Kingdom’s air bridge initiative, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to help the people of Sudan.

Khartoum and other parts of Sudan have been gripped by warfare between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Meanwhile, the UN said on Thursday more than 100,000 Sudanese refugees had fled to neighboring Chad since the conflict in Sudan broke out over six weeks ago, bringing the tally to more than half a million.

“The number of new refugees has passed the 100,000 mark” since fighting broke out on April 15, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said, as it appealed for emergency support.

Up to 200,000 others could be forced to flee to Chad in the next three months, the agency’s representative in Chad, Laura Lo Castro, said in a statement.

With the rainy season approaching, UNHCR said it needed “massive logistical support” to move refugees from border areas for their safety.


Saudi foreign minister participates in BRICS Friends meeting 

Saudi foreign minister participates in BRICS Friends meeting 
Updated 01 June 2023

Saudi foreign minister participates in BRICS Friends meeting 

Saudi foreign minister participates in BRICS Friends meeting 

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is participating in the ministerial meeting of BRICS Friends, which is called “Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.”

The meeting, which is being attended by foreign ministers of several countries, is taking place on June 1-2, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Prince Faisal will highlight key issues and latest developments in the international arena, and aim to boost multilateral action to achieve global prosperity, in addition to holding a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts.