Sharpen your pencils, children, it is time to go back to school

Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies. (AN photo)
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Updated 14 August 2024
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Sharpen your pencils, children, it is time to go back to school

Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies.
  • Seeing eager faces ready to learn is invigorating, says Saudi schoolteacher 

JEDDAH: A new academic year is set to begin in Saudi Arabia.

Stationery and school supply stores across the Kingdom are bustling with activity as parents and students stock up on supplies in preparation for the start of classes.

For many students the promise of new beginnings brings the excitement of purchasing stationery goods designed after their favorite characters, or that match their personal style — and the market is loaded with options to suit every aesthetic, from glittering pinks to classy shades of black.

Back-to-school shoppers like Neama Al-Sabea have expressed satisfaction with the diverse options and competitive prices offered by stationery and office supply stores during the busy season.

A mother of five, Al-Sabea told Arab News: “We’re thankful for a smooth return to school — a return to routine, learning, studying, and getting back into the swing of things. There are plenty of stores that offer beautiful school supplies at various price points.

“Each store has its own pricing, but we lean towards Al-Hadaya Center for its reasonable prices and wide range of quality products. Of course, Jarir Bookstore is an excellent option too, though a bit on the pricey side.”

Al-Sabea said that this year older children were leaning toward simple, sporty backpacks from brands like Adidas and Nike, favoring darker colors, while her daughter in the third grade is opting for bright colors, butterflies, and “all things cute.”

Most parents are in agreement that back-to-school shopping requires planning and time as it is usually not something that can be tackled in a day.

Al-Sabea has a routine, and said: “Getting everything ready for school takes more than just a day because there’s quite a bit to buy.

“We usually break the plan down to stationery shops for pens, notebooks, backpacks. One day for uniform shops, sportswear, shoes, socks, and hair accessories, and then Abaya for the older girls, which might take one day to sort out.”

At the forefront of the back-to-school rush is Al-Hadaya Center, where Sufyan Raya, a senior digital marketing specialist, told Arab News that the store’s promotional campaign, launched a month ago, has seen a surge in demand.

Among the center’s crown jewels this year is an exclusive range of products from globally recognized brands such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, Disney, and Marvel. Centrepoint and Jarir Bookstore are the two other stores that are offering the products in the western region of the Kingdom.

“Products adorned with characters will be exclusively available with us instead of traditional stationery to protect brand rights,” Raya told Arab News.

The store has also sourced products from international suppliers and from its own factories in Turkiye, China, and Malaysia.

“We make sure to offer very competitive prices in the store, which is why the demand this year has been, and continues to be, much higher than in previous years,” Raya added. “Our preparations for selecting and receiving the goods began six months ago.”

Mariam Shafea, a stationery shop owner in Makkah, recently launched her own business to capitalize on the heightened demand for school supplies.

“We’ve seen a significant surge in sales, particularly in stationery items,” she said.

When asked about online shopping, Al-Sabea noted a clear preference for bricks-and-mortar shops as she believes that the excitement of preparing for school is palpable, with children and parents alike getting ready for a fresh academic year.

She said: “Shopping in stores allows me to see and feel the items, check their size, and assess their quality firsthand — something that’s just not possible when shopping online.

“It’s so much more than just buying things; it’s an experience with your children. It’s fun to take the whole family along and engage together in the shopping process, making it a shared event rather than a solitary task.”

However, Al-Sabea does recognize the convenience of online shopping for certain items, especially when it comes to essentials like skincare products.

She added: “It’s (also) convenient for stocking up on healthy snacks for my kids. These are items where I trust the quality and don’t need to see them in person.”

The back-to-school season in Saudi Arabia brings a wave of enthusiasm and preparation as students, parents, retailers, and educators gear up for the new academic year.

For Dania Al-Mousa, a Saudi teacher in Jeddah, the return to school after the summer break is a time of anticipation and excitement.

“Seeing the eager faces of students ready to learn is truly invigorating,” Al-Mousa said.

“The break allowed us to recharge, but it’s the return to the classroom where we truly feel the impact we can make on our students’ lives.

“Each new year brings fresh challenges and opportunities, and I’m excited to guide my students through another chapter of their educational journey.”


Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil
Updated 16 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil
  • This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

RIYADH: Saudi Space Agency Vice Chairman and CEO Mohammed Al-Tamimi led the Saudi delegation at the fifth G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, from Sept. 11 to 13.

This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Al-Tamimi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s advances in its space sector and the Kingdom’s commitment to using space technology for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

He engaged in discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship and climate change, showcasing the Saudi Space Agency’s efforts to improve infrastructure, attract investment and apply space technology for sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Space Agency to enhance peaceful space exploration collaboration.

Al-Tamimi also held meetings with his Brazilian and Indian counterparts to discuss space economy cooperation and explored investment opportunities with leaders of Brazilian space companies.


No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki
Updated 21 min 33 sec ago
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No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki
  • Ex-intelligence chief: Kingdom has led the way in trying to resolve conflict
  • West has not done enough to pressure Israel; ‘simply harsh talk’ has ‘gotten us nowhere’

LONDON: There will be no normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the former head of the Kingdom’s intelligence services, has warned. 

During a talk at London-based think tank Chatham House, the former Saudi ambassador to the US also discussed Washington’s role in the peace process as the Gaza war approaches its first anniversary, and how talks before the outbreak of hostilities had been broadly positive.

He said the US is keen on the resumption of talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia to strengthen regional security and to forge economic ties, but Riyadh’s position is that “if there’s a Palestinian state that Israel accepts to come (into) existence, then we can talk about normalization with Israel.”

The prince added: “Before Oct. 7 … talks not only progressed along those lines, but also the Kingdom invited a Palestinian delegation to come and talk directly to the Americans about what it is that might bring about a Palestinian state.

“I’m not privy to those talks so I don’t know what happened between the Palestinians and the Americans, but the Kingdom’s position has always been we won’t speak for the Palestinians. They have to do it for themselves. Unfortunately, of course, the Oct. 7 (Hamas attack against Israel) put an end to those talks.”

Prince Turki said the establishment of a Palestinian state is not only crucial for Israeli ties with Saudi Arabia but with the rest of the Muslim world as well.

“A Palestinian state is a primary condition for Saudi Arabia to have normalization with Israel, but … on the Israeli side, the whole government is saying no Palestinian state,” he added.

Prince Turki said for Saudi Arabia, an independent Palestine would encapsulate the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.

He added that the Kingdom has led the way in trying to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing the 1981 King Fahd Peace Plan and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative proposed by King Abdullah.

During the current Gaza war, “the Kingdom led the Muslim world, and not only summits with the Arabs but with the (rest of the) Muslim world, and also … the diplomatic missions that have been taking place to convince the world that there must be an end to the fighting, led by the Saudi foreign minister,” Prince Turki said.

“The Kingdom has been in the forefront of condemning the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians, not just in Gaza but equally in the West Bank.”

He criticized the US and other Western nations for not applying more pressure on Israel to end the war, citing how the UK had only recently begun to suspend certain arms export licenses to Israel following the election of a new government in July.

“I’d like to see more done by the UK,” he said. “I think, for example, the UK … should recognize the state of Palestine. It’s long overdue.”

Prince Turki said the US could apply direct pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the actions of his government and military, and should address funding and lobbying by groups and individuals sympathetic to Israel.

“I think the US has enormous tools to affect Israel which it isn’t using, not just simply … denial of supply of weapons and material to the Israelis,” the prince added.

“A lot of financial help goes to Israel from the US. If some of the privileges that (the) Israeli lobby, for example, in America, enjoys — of tax-free contributions to Israel — can be withdrawn from those Israeli lobbyists, that will (put) great pressure on Israel.”

In the US, “you have to register as a lobbyist for a specific country, or be prosecuted, if you want to talk for that country, but a lot of organizations in America do that for Israel and still enjoy a tax-free status because they’re considered not representing Israel per se, but simply as philanthropic or humanitarian groupings,” he said.

“There are many tools that are available to the US, not simply harsh talk, which seems to have gotten us nowhere. But is America ready to do that? As I said, I’m not too optimistic about that.”


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’
Updated 14 September 2024
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Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh: Jabir ibn Hayyan, a renowned Muslim scientist, is known as the “father of chemistry” for his pioneering contributions.

Born in 721, he discovered key chemical compounds still used today.

The 2024 STEAM Festival at King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh is highlighting the early scientist’s life and legacy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Running until Sept. 30 under the theme “Fun Chemistry,” the festival offers educational, informative, and entertaining experiences.

Ibn Hayyan’s innovations, such as distillation, greatly advanced chemistry in both the Islamic world and the West. His works, translated into Latin, spread knowledge widely.

Notable discoveries include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, gold water, and silver nitrate. He also explored practical uses, such as steel production, waterproofing, and creating artificial pearls.

Scholar Ibn Khaldun praised him as “the imam of chemistry writers,” and chemistry was sometimes called “the science of Jabir.”

The festival aims to instill pride in Saudi Arabia’s scientific heritage and align with future goals.

It features 100 workshops, panel discussions, live shows, and interactive exhibits across STEAM fields, exploring past, present, and future science and technology.

The event showcases local innovations, sustainable practices, and modern technologies, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to scientific progress.

With over 25 pavilions, the festival covers the history of chemistry, petrochemical innovations, environmental challenges, and sustainable solutions tied to Vision 2030.


COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals

COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals
Updated 14 September 2024
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COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals

COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals
  • ‘We still risk falling short,’ Mukhtar Babayev warns after Baku talks

Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29, has called for global unity as the world approaches a critical turning point in climate change negotiations.

Speaking during discussions in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, Babayev said that talks are now approaching a “more focused dialogue” on collective climate finance.

“The conclusion of the final meeting of the ad hoc work program marks the beginning of the end,” Babayev said, indicating a shift toward a framework that will guide discussions leading up to COP29. 

In addition, the president also expressed his belief that a comprehensive draft negotiating text could be developed as the foundation for the COP29 presidency’s final phase.

This preparation is crucial, as nations strive to achieve a new goal in climate finance that aligns with the urgent demands of the environmental crisis, he said. 

“We have full confidence in the co-chairs of the ad hoc work program as they now develop a substantive framework for a draft negotiating text. This substantive framework will serve as the basis for the COP29 presidency’s final period of intensive political and technical engagements as we prepare to nail down a deal on a new climate finance goal at COP29,” Babayev said.

However, the president also warned that the road ahead would be full of challenges that will require persistence and cooperation from all countries involved.

“We are on the right track and have come a long way, but we still risk falling short. Determination and leadership is needed from all parties to bridge the gaps that still divide us in this critical final phase. Everyone now needs to take ownership of finding an agreement.

“Sticking to set positions and failing to move toward each other will leave too much ground to be covered at COP29,” he said, adding that the stakes have never been higher.

Babayev said that billions of people worldwide are counting on leaders to deliver climate finance on a scale that is equal to the urgency of the climate change crisis.

“We will spare no effort to deliver a fair and ambitious new goal in Baku at COP29,” he said.

As the COP29 presidency prepares for the final negotiations in November, the world is watching as leaders discuss obligatory finance to combat climate change, and reduce its effects on vulnerable countries.

 


AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture

AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture
Updated 14 September 2024
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AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture

AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture
  • Workshops and training programs aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of AlUla dates in both local and global markets

Riyadh: The AlUla Dates Festival, organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla, began this week with a strong turnout from farmers and investors.

On its first day, the festival received 110 tonnes of dates, highlighting the region’s rich agricultural heritage and growth potential.

The event, a collaboration between the commission and various public and private entities, supports local farmers and promotes sustainable agriculture.

Workshops and training programs aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of AlUla dates in both local and global markets.

For investors, the festival offers an opportunity to acquire premium dates from a renowned region.

The festival runs through to Nov. 9, held every Friday and Saturday in AlUla.

Dates are economically and socially important in AlUla, with about three million palm trees producing 120,000 tonnes annually, making the region a key player in the agricultural sector.

The festival showcases the diversity and quality of AlUla’s date varieties.