Discovering hidden gems: motorcycle adventures in Saudi Arabia

Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. (Supplied)
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Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. (Supplied)
Discovering hidden gems: motorcycle adventures in Saudi Arabia
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The Baha Riders motorcycle club offers tourists a unique perspective of Baha city by turning their passion into a profitable business. (Supplied)
Discovering hidden gems: motorcycle adventures in Saudi Arabia
3 / 3
The Baha Riders motorcycle club offers tourists a unique perspective of Baha city by turning their passion into a profitable business. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 April 2024
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Discovering hidden gems: motorcycle adventures in Saudi Arabia

Discovering hidden gems: motorcycle adventures in Saudi Arabia
  • Baha Riders are committed to presenting the beauty of Baha while in the saddle

RIYADH: The Baha Riders motorcycle club offers tourists a unique perspective of Baha city by turning their passion into a profitable business.  

A group of professional motorcyclists from the city, the Baha Riders are committed to presenting the beauty of Baha whilst in the saddle.




Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. (Supplied)

Baha is a raw and organic region, according to Shaiq bin Ali, a spokeswoman for the Baha Riders, “where most of the area has remained unchanged for decades, making it an excellent destination for travelers to witness the beauty of unspoiled nature.”

Situated in the Sarawat Mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia, Baha is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Kingdom, with a nice climate and bountiful woodlands all around it.

SPEEDREAD

• Baha is a raw and organic region, according to Shaiq bin Ali, a spokeswoman for the Baha Riders, ‘where most of the area has remained unchanged for decades, making it an excellent destination for travelers to witness the beauty of unspoiled nature.’

• Situated in the Sarawat Mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia, Baha is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Kingdom, with a nice climate and bountiful woodlands all around it. 

• Baha Riders made the decision to transition from being merely motorcycle enthusiasts to turning their pastime into a business by working with the Hyyak platform to market the opportunity for individuals to visit Baha while riding a motorbike.

Baha Riders made the decision to transition from being merely motorcycle enthusiasts to turning their pastime into a business by working with the Hyyak platform to market the opportunity for individuals to visit Baha while riding a motorbike.




Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. (Supplied)

“Many tourists purchase the experience of riding a motorcycle because it is a liberating and freeing experience,” Bin Ali told Arab News.

Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

“Many tourists purchase the experience of riding a motorcycle because it is a liberating and freeing experience”

Shaiq bin Ali, spokeswoman for the Baha Riders

The group has accomplished a great deal since its founding and taken part in a range of activities. For example, the team competes in official local events, national and local contests, religious festivals, regional and national competitions, and other official local events.  

Members include medical professionals, engineers, students, retirees, and a wide range of enthusiasts.  




Established in 2013 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the Baha Riders have 74 members and are approved by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. (Supplied)

They have also competed internationally; the most recent was in 2023, when the team went to India’s Himalayan region and reached the world’s highest mountain, Everest.

The last foreign trip was an 8,000 km rotation through Jordan, Saudi Arabia and several other Gulf countries.   

“In the last four years, the team has officially and annually organized an event in which it brings together riders from the Arab world in the Baha region. This gathering aims to highlight the Baha region in terms of its historical, archaeological and tourist attractions. This is a belief on the part of the team in its societal role in highlighting Baha and attracting tourists,” Bin Ali said.  

“(Motorcycling) has a great, unique feel because there is no roof over your head, no windows that obstruct the view, and you can enjoy a 180-degree surrounding.”

Bin Ali said that life is only meant to be experienced once and encouraged everyone to do so by taking precautions, donning protective gear, and riding the appropriate bike with the appropriate person. He also noted that although motorcycle culture is relatively new to the community and may still be perceived negatively, it is a unique, enjoyable, and lightweight mode of transportation.

He also stated that the goal of Vision 2030 included focusing on individual sports, observing what benefits young Saudis, and what channels their enthusiasm towards beneficial endeavors.

 

 


Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Italy PM

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. (File/SPA/AFP)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 16 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Italy PM

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. (File/SPA/AFP)
  • Efforts made to achieve security and stability were discussed during the phone call

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

During the call, they discussed the latest developments and exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues. Efforts made to achieve security and stability were also discussed. 


GCC chief praises steps to combat Islamophobia

GCC chief praises steps to combat Islamophobia
Updated 49 min 26 sec ago
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GCC chief praises steps to combat Islamophobia

GCC chief praises steps to combat Islamophobia
  • Jasem Albudaiwi calls for global efforts to reject hate, promote dialogue

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council states are taking important steps to combat Islamophobia, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said, highlighting that Islam promotes love, tolerance, peace, coexistence, and respect for cultural and religious diversity.

Albudaiwi made this statement on International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

All joint Gulf statements stress the importance of promoting dialogue, mutual respect, and rejecting hatred and extremism, he added.

These statements also urge international efforts to promote religious tolerance, dialogue, coexistence, and condemn offensive remarks against Islam, Muslims, and Islamic civilization. They call for countering all forms of hatred, intolerance, and misrepresentation of religions, Albudaiwi added.

He highlighted GCC efforts, including the proposal to establish a GCC Scientific Observatory to Combat Extremism through the Committee of Ministers of Islamic Affairs and Endowments in GCC countries.

This initiative aims to enhance Islam’s true image and counter hate campaigns, Albudaiwi added.

He reaffirmed the GCC’s firm stance against terrorism and extremism, rejecting all forms of these threats and any justifications behind them.

The GCC chief also emphasized the commitment to combating terrorist financing and supporting international counterterrorism efforts.

Albudaiwi said that terrorism is not linked to any religion, culture, nationality, or ethnicity, and that tolerance and coexistence are core values in GCC societies, as shown by their interactions with others.

He condemned all acts of terrorism, emphasizing the sanctity of human life and rejecting harm to civilians and civilian facilities such as schools, places of worship, and hospitals.

Albudaiwi urged continued international and regional cooperation to confront terrorist groups and sectarian militias that threaten security and stability.


KSrelief distributes thousands of food baskets worldwide

KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. (SPA)
KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. (SPA)
Updated 16 March 2025
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KSrelief distributes thousands of food baskets worldwide

KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. (SPA)
  • Etaam project aims to distribute 390,109 food parcels across 27 countries during Ramadan

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

In Nigeria, KSrelief distributed 334 food baskets to families in need in the Adamawa state as part of the Etaam Ramadan food basket distribution project.

In Mauritania, 220 food parcels benefited 1,320 people in the Tiaret district. Somalia received 1,390 baskets for families in the Sool and Sanaag regions, benefiting 8,340 people.

Bangladesh saw 300 parcels distributed in the Barguna district, benefiting 1,500 individuals.

In Romania, 150 baskets were provided to families in Bucharest and Constanţa, while in Montenegro, 250 parcels were given to families in Rozaje and Bijelo Polje.

In Niger, 700 baskets were distributed in the Tillaberi Region, benefiting 4,900 people. South Africa received 450 parcels for families in Johannesburg.

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute 390,109 food parcels across 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of over SR67 million ($17.8 million).


Paramedics resuscitate pilgrim in Grand Mosque within two minutes

Paramedics resuscitate pilgrim in Grand Mosque within two minutes
Updated 16 March 2025
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Paramedics resuscitate pilgrim in Grand Mosque within two minutes

Paramedics resuscitate pilgrim in Grand Mosque within two minutes
  • The patient was then transferred to a nearby medical facility to follow up on his condition and receive further care

RIYADH: Paramedics resuscitated a pilgrim within two minutes of a reported cardiac arrest at Makkah’s Grand Mosque on Saturday.

Authorities received a report at 4:06 p.m. of an Algerian pilgrim in his 60s who had fallen unconscious in the outer courtyards of the mosque.

Ambulance teams immediately attended the patient and used an electrical defibrillator and chest compression device to resuscitate him, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The patient was then transferred to a nearby medical facility to follow up on his condition and receive further care.

The quick response time was thanks to a plan that the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Makkah had put in place in preparation for Ramadan, according to the SPA.

The holy month tends to be an especially busy period with visitors performing the Umrah pilgrimage.

There have been 242 instances in which emergency cases were transported from the courtyards of the Prophet’s Mosque to medical centers during Ramadan.

The Madinah Cardiac Center has performed open-heart surgery and seven cardiac catheterizations on Umrah pilgrims from five countries during the first half of Ramadan.

The Madinah Health Cluster, which includes hospitals and clinics in the region, also provided medical and emergency services to 23,014 people from more than 70 countries during Ramadan.


Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 

Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 
Updated 16 March 2025
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Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 

Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 

RIYADH: A Saudi-led humanitarian initiative in Yemen has seen a milestone 484,949 land mines and unexploded ordnance cleared since the start of the project in 2018, according to a recent report.

These include 323,793 items of unexploded ordnance, 146,207 anti-tank mines, 8,200 improvised explosive devices, and 6,749 anti-personnel mines, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.

Project Masam, overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, continues to remove deadly devices laid in the war-torn country by the Houthis.

Last week, the project’s special teams destroyed 515 items of unexploded ordnance, 25 anti-tank mines, five anti-personnel mines, and three improvised explosive devices.

Explosives planted indiscriminately by the Houthis across Yemen pose a threat to civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.

Project Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help the Yemeni people, clearing routes for humanitarian aid to reach the country’s citizens.

Demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.

Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads, and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.