Lebanese beauty queens in Riyadh speak about unique nature of Arab beauty

Lebanese beauty queens Maya Aboul Hosn and Yasmina Zaytoun are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shulhub)
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Lebanese beauty queens Maya Aboul Hosn and Yasmina Zaytoun are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shulhub)
The Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, and the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo)
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The Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, and the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shulhub)
The Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, speaks at the “Arabian Roots and Routes” launch event at the Lebanese Embassy in Riyadh. (AN photo)
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The Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, speaks at the “Arabian Roots and Routes” launch event at the Lebanese Embassy in Riyadh. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shulhub)
Lebanese beauty queens Maya Aboul Hosn and Yasmina Zaytoun are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo)
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Lebanese beauty queens Maya Aboul Hosn and Yasmina Zaytoun are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shulhub)
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Updated 28 September 2023
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Lebanese beauty queens in Riyadh speak about unique nature of Arab beauty

Lebanese beauty queens Maya Aboul Hosn and Yasmina Zaytoun are pictured in Riyadh. (AN photo)
  • Aboul Hosn will represent Lebanon at Miss Universe in El Salvador in November, competing with over 130 countries for the prestigious pageant title
  • “Because Arab women are the mix of everything: of being strong, being independent, being beautiful, being smart”: Zaytoun

RIYADH: Lebanese beauty queens Maya Aboul Hosn and Yasmina Zaytoun made a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as guests at the “Arabian Roots and Routes” event hosted by the Lebanese Embassy in Riyadh.

Aboul Hosn shared with Arab News her first impressions while visiting Riyadh, this year’s host for World Tourism Day, for the first time.

She said: “I love this place. The thing I most love here are the people. They’re very welcoming and very helpful.”

Zaytoun returned only months after she attended the Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit in May, chaired by Princess Noura bint Faisal Al-Saud.

Zaytoun said: “In the past year I’ve visited so many cities and I fell in love with so many places, but it’s rare to find a city where there is a view of the future and culture at the same time.

“And Riyadh has the culture, the history, the future all at the same time.”

The women were spotted during Tuesday’s event, and Lebanese pride was in their eyes as they heard diplomats and ministers give speeches that focused on Lebanon’s natural, cultural, and historical treasures.

Zaytoun and Aboul Hosn became symbols of Lebanese beauty in the 2022 Miss Lebanon beauty pageant — the first to take place since 2018.

The crown of Miss Lebanon 2022 was given to Zaytoun with Aboul Hosn the first runner-up.

Aboul Hosn will represent Lebanon at Miss Universe in El Salvador in November, competing with over 130 countries for the prestigious pageant title.

Zaytoun took part in the 2022 edition of Miss Universe and will go on to compete in India, this time at Miss World, in December.

“Arab beauty, I can say, (is) fierce, strong and very ambitious,” Aboul Hosn said.

Zaytoun added: “What I would do is raise my voice more and more to show them who we really are, how strong we are, how ambitious we are.

“Because Arab women are the mix of everything: of being strong, being independent, being beautiful, being smart. And I really want to show this to the world.”

In the world of beauty pageants, Miss Universe and Miss World are the most iconic.

Aboul Hosn said: “I would advise them (models) to dream big. Embrace your uniqueness. And the most important thing is to break barriers and to create a world where there’s equality and everyone can achieve their dreams.

“I need to tell all the women in the world or the teenagers in the world that they are beautiful just the way they are.

“Just the way you look, with your imperfections in your face, in your body. Just love yourself just the way you are. And don’t let anyone change you.”

The beauty queens are from small towns and the odds were stacked against them rising to the top of their profession.

Aboul Hosn, 25, hails from the small village of Btekhnay in Mount Lebanon while Zaytoun, 21, comes from Kfarchouba in the southern region of the country.

Zaytoun is currently studying journalism while Aboul Hosn is a host of LBCI’s daily show “Morning Talk.”

Optimism in creating a bright future is synonymous with being Lebanese, the women said.

“Lebanon is a place where people are struggling, but they still find hope. They are fighting, but they’re still smiling and being happy,” said Zaytoun.

“The word resilience is the definition of being Lebanese.”

Aboul Hosn said: “Since I was a child I’ve had a very supportive family who always helped me to reach my goals, reach my dreams, and never prevented me from achieving my dreams.”

From Beirut to Riyadh, Aboul Hosn and Zaytoun are joining hands with Saudi women to showcase to the world a new Middle East — a region bursting with ambition, inspiration, and creativity.


Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza

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Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza

Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia sent on Tuesday its 22nd plane carrying aid destined for Gaza, which departed from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt.

Operated by KSrelief, the aircraft is preparing to transport essential aid to those affected by the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Onboard the relief plane are 39 tons of aid supplies, including food, shelter, and medical provisions. This initiative is part of an ongoing campaign dedicated to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.


Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit
Updated 47 min 2 sec ago
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Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit
  • The two countries enjoy a robust trade partnership

RIYADH: Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for an official visit to the Kingdom.

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, welcome the Brazilian leader and his accompanying delegation upon their arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The two countries enjoy a robust trade partnership, with Brazilian exports to Saudi Arabia during the first seven months of the year reaching $1.87 billion, the highest amongst all Arab countries.

Brazilian imports from the Kingdom were also the highest among Arab countries, standing at $1.98 billion.


‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO

‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO
Updated 9 min 20 sec ago
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‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO

‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO
  • Media Oasis gathers Saudi delegation for 3-day event ahead of BIE Expo 2030 announcement
  • For Diriyah, chief executive says 140m sq m must be finished by 2030 to welcome people from around world

PARIS: Media Oasis is a three-day event organized by the Saudi Ministry of Media, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic, development, and culture transformation.

The fifth edition, being held at the Pavillon Vendome in Paris ahead of the Bureau International des Expositions announcement of the Expo 2030 host country, gathers a delegation of Saudi ministers, the mayor of Riyadh, and the leadership of Saudi megaproject companies, to talk about their latest and upcoming projects under Vision 2030, what the Kingdom will look like by 2030, and why Riyadh is the place to be and host the next world expo following Osaka in 2025.

The Media Oasis comprises nine sections from hospitality to culture and sport with Riyadh Expo 2030, Diriyah, NEOM, the Ministry of Sport, Visit Saudi and more present to showcase the “city of tomorrow,” Saudi heritage, and the country’s cultural gems.

The Ministry of Sport is working on 33 new events for 2024 in addition to hosting Asia 2027, Trojena winter games, with sustainability factored into the Kingdom’s transformation efforts, sustainable sports events, and activities.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Group, told Arab News how Diriyah was at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation journey for 2030 and beyond.

Diriyah is a model for urban development and cultural renaissance, and an ambitious project aiming to become one of the leading culture centers, tourism hubs, and entertainment destinations on a global scale.

“We’re very blessed at this point in time to have two great visionary leaders of one time, King Salman, and the dynamic Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their vision of the Kingdom to give happiness and well-being to all its people is 2030.

“The reason why this Expo is more important to Saudi than anybody is because we feel that it will allow us to welcome people from all over the world to see the accomplishments of the Kingdom by 2030.

“The crown prince said we will not only show our commitment, but we will also physically be there to show how much this means to us and I think it was a very thoughtful and brilliant strategy,” Inzerillo said.

Moving forward and beyond the announcement, the megaprojects are in progress to achieve the targets of Vision 2030, alongside a continued conversation between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world to meet the Kingdom’s economic, culture, and hospitality objectives.

With 50 years of experience in the tourism industry, Inzerillo highlighted authenticity and passion as a driving force behind the Diriyah projects, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the birthplace of the Kingdom.

“Winning the bid is when the work begins, because we have a giant task to do to get everything completed by 2030. In the case of Diriyah, 140 million square meters must be finished by 2030 and we will be ready to welcome everybody from all over the world,” he added.

In the six years leading up to 2030 the biggest challenge was expected to be manpower.

Inzerillo said: “We’re lucky because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a very young population, highly educated.

“What Singapore did in 60 years, what the Emiratis did just in tourism in 30 years, the crown prince wants to accomplish that in 15 years.

“Diriyah will be very famous by 2030. Now we have to get NEOM going, Red Sea going, the city of Riyadh will be unrecognizable, one of the great G20 cities of the world, as the crown prince continues his global leadership as a G20 head of government,” he added.


Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque

Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque
Updated 28 November 2023
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Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque

Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque
  • A fatwa is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law

RIYADH: The head of religious affairs at the two holy mosques Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais announced that royal approval had been issued to hold a symposium on fatwas at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

A fatwa is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law, and the symposium will focus on rulings at the two holy mosques and their impacts on facilitating visitors to the religious sites.

Al-Sudais said the symposium is an extension of the efforts of the Saudi government to serve the two holy mosques and conveying their message to the world in accordance with the Kingdom’s moderate approach based on the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.

He explained that the approval to hold this symposium supports the shift in methods of issuing fatwas and their digitalization in a way that suits and meets the religious needs of the visitors of the mosques, while helping them perform their rituals.

Al-Sudais added that the approval of King Salman to hold the symposium reflected the Kingdom’s concern for fatwas, given their direct impact on the pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques.


Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict

Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict
Updated 28 November 2023
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Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict

Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict
  • Crown prince affirmed the Kingdom's commitment and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving crisis

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman received a phone call on Monday from the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the crown prince affirmed the Kingdom's commitment and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis.

President Zelensky, in turn, acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom in this regard.

The conversation also included a review of the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as a discussion on various issues of mutual interest.