US ambassador wishes Saudi astronauts well before space mission
The mission is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. (EDT time) on Sunday, according to NASA
Michael Ratney, the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has extended a message of support
Updated 21 May 2023
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Michael Ratney, the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has extended a message of support and well wishes to the two Saudi astronauts scheduled to take part in Axiom Mission 2 on Sunday.
Ratney said: “On behalf of the United States government, congratulations on the upcoming Axiom 2 launch that will take Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni, joined by Americans Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner, to the International Space Station.”
The mission is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. (EDT time) on Sunday, according to NASA, and will take female astronaut Barnawi and her colleague Al-Qarni to the International Space Station with astronaut Whitson and business pioneer and pilot Shoffner.
Ratney added: “The United States and Saudi Arabia have been partners in space exploration. Now, the first Saudi female astronaut will travel into space, the result of Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation under Vision 2030, and a reflection of our mutual commitment to scientific collaboration in the empowerment of the female workforce.”
The Kingdom signed up to the NASA-led Artemis Accords during President Joe Biden’s visit last July and Barnawi and Al-Qarni completed an intensive nine-month training program in the US to prepare for their mission, the two spending time at Johnson Space Center.
Ratney added: “Our collaboration, along with courage, perseverance, and a spirit of adventure, have made this upcoming launch possible.
“The entire world will be watching SpaceX make its historic journey to the International Space Station.”
In a video created by the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Ratney also shed light on Prince Sultan bin Salman’s mission on NASA’s space shuttle in 1985.
He said: “Many people in America probably don’t realize this, but His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman also recorded a flight on Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985.”
Ratney said that the four astronauts on Sunday’s mission were showing young Saudis and Americans that not only can they dream about the stars, but they can also reach them.
Music fans dance the night away at rooftop event featuring Italian DJ Lehar
Saudi music events company helps build loyal community
Updated 3 min 17 sec ago
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: At the weekend in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, a rooftop event featuring dancing and music with Italian DJ Lehar at the forefront attracted a packed house.
A handful of years ago, a scene like this was only a distant possibility in Saudi Arabia, but today MDLBeast and local creatives have left no stone unturned to make it a reality.
“It’s something beautiful when you have this impact … It was a dream, and now we see it on the rooftops,” Ayman Al-Zurayer told Arab News. He is the founder of the local music events company Desert Sound Entertainment, which brought the festivities to life.
Italian DJ Lehar headlined at Fowg during his third visit to Saudi Arabia. (Instagram/leharmusic)
Lehar, the well-known Italian DJ and producer who grew up in Venice and has performed at events like Tomorrowland, debuted some new tracks as well as ones from his labels. Having performed in Jeddah and Riyadh during his third visit to Saudi Arabia, Lehar said that even Europeans can learn from the booming music scene in the Kingdom.
“In just three years, I have to tell you I see things changing, especially the electronic music scene. It’s become one of the top capitals in the Middle East,” Lehar told Arab News. “The crowd understands everything; they can’t wait to dance. It’s a fantastic crowd.”
For the past few months, MDLBeast, the region’s music and entertainment platform, has made Thursdays a staple for weekly nights out at a unique location overlooking skyscrapers and eye-catching architecture through its first small venue activation Fowg, the Arabic word for “up” or “above.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Fowg music venue by MDLBeast is a unique location overlooking skyscrapers.
• For event updates check the Instagram @desertsound.co and @mdlbeast.
Rayan Al-Rasheed, senior artist booking and operations manager at MDLBeast, told Arab News: “We’re really trying to show that there’s a nightlife here in Riyadh … it’s been amazing. We collaborated with a lot of local brands to make this happen. We really wanted to integrate rather than compete with small businesses that are already on the ground and have communities.
“Desert Sound’s reputation (precedes them) — the amount of activations, the quality, the standard that they deliver. It just made sense to have them as the closing of this edition of Fowg.”
While MDLBeast has been pushing the envelope in the region to host international names, such as headlining its flagship annual music festival Soundstorm, this event sheds light on the locals, Al-Rasheed said.
Rayan Al-Rasheed, MDLBeast senior artist booking and operations manager
Desert Sound champions the same goal through smaller venues that host various artists within the EDM (electronic dance music) genre.
Unlucky partygoers were turned away at the gate of the sold-out show due to the enormous turnout, despite the event only being announced five days previously.
But it was not by accident that the house filled up. The majority of participants are ardent fans of Desert Sound, which distinguished itself by refusing to limit itself to a single-sound brand.
We really wanted to integrate rather than compete with small businesses that are already on the ground and have communities.
Rayan Al-Rasheed, MDLBeast senior artist booking and operations manager
Al-Zurayer added: “Since day one we’ve been trying to provide different experiences for people to trust the brand itself. No matter what we bring, where we go they will follow, and come because they know they’re going to have fun.”
Inaugural event Mars Escape headlined Dutch artist Satori and transported around 1,000 attendees to another dimension made distinct by live art, festival makeup and fire performances within a valley in Riyadh.
Reema Al-Saud, the brand’s co-founder, told Arab News: “We started small (with) whatever we could handle in order to make people safe, so we could control and see the community and make girls and guys feel safe. You can’t do that with a big number so we started there and slowly evolved until we reached 2,500 — and it’s not going to stop there.”
Al-Zurayer added: “Music is education. It connects people from different languages, different cultures, and here in Saudi Arabia developing our culture in this way … that’s such an amazing way to use music.”
Desert Sound’s next event will take place on Dec. 5 in yet another distinct location. The company champions bringing new names, whether local or international, to the stage through the platform it has created.
Al-Saud said: “We want to orchestrate every preference … Every day someone new comes up but they don’t get the chance because they’re not famous enough, or whatever. But when you give them the opportunity, they exceed in every way.”
Artist and DJ Joj was looking for a medium a year ago to focus on and she eventually found her calling to music. At Desert Sound’s milestone Fowg event, she opened up the night.
“I was going through a tough time and I needed this thing (music) to keep me going ... Tonight, I loved that there were a lot of women on the dance floor who gave me the push to go further,” she told Arab News.
Her set preceded musicians ANT. and Misha Saied, who played back to back before handing gears over to Lehar.
Desert Sound brings the underground scene to the public. It built its brand by hosting acclaimed international names, who are also part of the change to leverage the local scene.
Al-Zurayer said: “This is one of the keys to unlocking internationals to seeing Saudi Arabia as a country that has love and peace. We’ve been a secret country for many years, but now is the time to show them this love. Come and discover us.”
While Fowg has just concluded its gleaming nightlife series, Al-Rasheed said that other experiences will soon surface, including one to be held in the abandoned Irqah Hospital.
To keep up with updates and upcoming events, check the Instagram @desertsound.co.
Saudi Arabia’s Mawhiba, MoC commission launch youth creative writing scheme
The commission, operating under the ministry, plays a pivotal role in identifying and fostering talent, aligning its efforts with Saudi Vision 2030
Updated 4 min 2 sec ago
Arab News
JEDDAH: A new initiative to develop the creative writing skills of young Saudi students has been launched by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, represented by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.
The “Generation of Literature” initiative is targeting exceptionally talented middle school students, underscoring the significance of nurturing and harnessing their innate talents, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
With a focus on broadening knowledge of genres including science fiction, detective stories, children’s tales, short stories and essays, the initiative has enlisted more 150 students from regions across the Kingdom.
FASTFACTS
• The ‘Generation of Literature’ initiative has enlisted more 150 students from regions across the Kingdom.
• The nine-week program will be conducted both in person in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, and virtually.
• It will focus on broadening knowledge of genres including science fiction.
The nine-week program will be conducted both in person in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, and virtually, ensuring equal opportunities for students across Saudi Arabia.
The commission, operating under the ministry, plays a pivotal role in identifying and fostering talent, aligning its efforts with Saudi Vision 2030.
By empowering gifted students in the realm of creative writing, the authority aspires to create an inspiring environment that nurtures talent and creativity, and encourages literary expression among students.
Mawhiba delivers multiple enrichment programs for promising students, providing them with advanced scientific knowledge and experiences that both challenge and refine their abilities.
Mawhiba’s programs also promote efficiency and readiness, helping students take part in scientific and practical experiences rooted in international methodologies.
Students are prepared for programs sponsored by Mawhiba, both within and outside the Kingdom.
The “Generation of Literature” initiative is carefully tailored to align with the literary fields and genres suitable for the targeted age group.
Fifth annual forum for ‘Families of Persons with Disabilities’ is underway in Dammam
Updated 12 sec ago
Jasmine Bager
DAMMAM: To coincide with International Day of Disability, Dammam launched the fifth annual forum for “Families of Persons with Disabilities” on Saturday with the slogan “economic growth.”
Under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Nayef, emir of the Eastern Province, who was on hand to personally lend his unwavering support to the hosting association “Liajlehu,” the event, that kicked off on Dec. 2, will conclude on Dec. 4.
With 50 speakers on stage — experts and specialists from around the Kingdom and the region — and seven academic talks, as well as numerous opportunities for dialogue and knowledge exchange, the forum serves as a support for families to empower their loved ones with disabilities.
HIGHLIGHT
This year, the emphasis was on using the latest developments in creativity, innovation and technological advancements to help elevate the economic growth for these families and for the entirety of the community.
This year, the emphasis was on using the latest developments in creativity, innovation and technological advancements to help elevate the economic growth for these families and for the entirety of the community.
Up the vast flights of stairs leading up to the Eastern Province municipal building’s hall — or through a wheelchair accessible path to the side — booths were set up to guide visitors to the various ways in which they may solicit more information to offer support and services to aid families who include a disabled person in their household.
The forum included practical ways for families to uplift their loved ones with disabilities and to offer a greater quality of life for them.
Speakers included Lamya Abdulaziz AlOmair, the head of AI and bioinformation at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, who spoke about how we should not let “fear of failure” stop us from experimenting with AI and using available tools such as ChatGPT to help communicate complex medical advancements.
She reminded the audience that some disabilities are physical and some are invisible and we should be mindful of each when considering the best method to support families.
Day one focused on the economic growth potential for those with disabilities with experts presenting their findings and recommendations.
Day two focused on investments and included a workshop on how art could be used as a healing tool and as a profession for those with disabilities. In the exhibition space outside the auditorium, artists with disabilities created art live and happily chatted with spectators as they passed by.
Day three will focus on talks to help families secure a more economically-stable future for their families.
In an attempt to make the forum inclusive, it is free to attend and a live sign language interpreter is on stage to immediately translate spoken words.
The live stream also includes closed captioning and the building is wheelchair accessible.
Prince Faisal and Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of sustained coordination between the two countries
Updated 03 December 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister and Qatari Prime Minister and foreign affairs minister co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Doha on Sunday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani commended the cooperation and coordination demonstrated by the subcommittees and the working groups of the council's general secretariat in both countries.
Working groups of the council's general secretariat presented their progress on preparatory work and the outcomes achieved recently by the subcommittees and their respective working groups.
The outcomes encompassed targets, initiatives and memoranda of understanding that are to be signed during the forthcoming meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council, SPA added.
Prince Faisal and Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of sustained coordination to fulfill the aspirations of the leaderships and to advance the interests of the peoples of the two countries.
The Saudi ambassador to Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan and director-general of the Foreign Minister's Office Abdulrahman Al-Dawood also attended the meeting.
Saudi surgeon who gave Gaza’s conjoined twin new lease of life fearful about her fate
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, separated Haneen from twin sister in 2018 in marathon surgery
Whereabouts of the six-year-old unknown following destruction of her hometown, northern Gaza, in Israeli military action
Updated 03 December 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: Five years before Israeli forces bombarded the Gaza Strip in one of the most intense escalations of force the region has witnessed, one baby girl was given a new lease of life.
Baby Haneen, who was born on Oct. 21, 2017 as a conjoined twin with her sister Farah, underwent surgery at the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in Riyadh at less than two months old.
The complex surgery to separate her from her sister, who sadly did not have the necessary organs to live and was thus treated as a parasitic twin, would take up to 15 hours to complete and was led by pediatric surgeon Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who had already carried out 44 successful twin separation procedures.
As of 2023, as part of the Saudi Program for the Separation of Conjoined Twins for poor families, Dr. Al-Rabeeah has evaluated more than 134 sets of conjoined twins, and separated 59 sets of twins from 24 countries, with a success rate close to 100 percent.
“We brought a smile on the face of the parents of those twins, and we managed to take (Haneen) back to Gaza in 2018,” Dr. Al-Rabeeah, who is also the supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, said in the latest episode of the Arab News show “Frankly Speaking.”
The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund reported in May this year that Haneen, now six years old, was alive and thriving, despite health issues including the loss of a leg and kidney problems.
“Despite her challenges, Haneen has a positive outlook on life. She loves playing with other children, attending kindergarten, singing, and helping her mother with housework. She always greets people with a smile and brings positive energy to her family and those around her. Haneen dreams of becoming a doctor in the future and helping children,” the PCRF site read, adding that Haneen had joined their amputee program, which helps children with amputations living in the Gaza Strip.
However, with much of northern Gaza — Haneen’s home — destroyed by Israeli military action, Dr. Al-Rabeeah fears the worst.
“Now, I am not sure as of today whether Haneen is alive, whether her parents are alive, or all of this work that has been done by Saudi Arabia has been lost,” he said. “It’s painful for me until I secure that Haneen and her parents are alive.”
