Saudi Arabia to showcase sustainable hunting at Qatar expo

Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. (File/SPA)
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Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. (File/SPA)
Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. (File/SPA)
2 / 3
Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. (File/SPA)
Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. (File/SPA)
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Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. (File/SPA)
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Updated 08 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia to showcase sustainable hunting at Qatar expo

Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve.
  • The authority aims to promote sustainable hunting and showcase its expertise in the Shamal Reserve for Sustainable Hunting

RIYADH: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority will participate in the eighth Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition in Qatar from Sept. 10 to 14.

The authority aims to promote sustainable hunting and showcase its expertise in the Shamal Reserve for Sustainable Hunting.

It will highlight efforts to increase game populations, protect biodiversity, and preserve traditional hunting methods, all while adhering to environmental sustainability standards.

The Shamal Reserve, located within the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, covers 2,000 sq. km. It offers comprehensive services and a unique hunting experience, attracting enthusiasts from the Kingdom and Gulf states.

Spanning 91,500 sq. km, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal reserve, home to 138 wildlife species and 179 plant species. It is known for its rich ecology, stunning landscapes, and heritage sites.

Efforts over the past four years have significantly increased populations of endangered species like the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, houbara bustard, and red-necked ostrich, while also fostering a resurgence of reptiles and insects.


World Mental Health Day: Raising awareness of issues is key to reducing stigma, experts say

World Mental Health Day: Raising awareness of issues is key to reducing stigma, experts say
Updated 11 October 2024
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World Mental Health Day: Raising awareness of issues is key to reducing stigma, experts say

World Mental Health Day: Raising awareness of issues is key to reducing stigma, experts say
  • Malek Almoosa, CEO of Almoosa Health, says more people ‘are willing to seek help’ and ‘a lot of progress has been made in the Kingdom in recent years’
  • A 2022 McKinsey Health Institute study found 66 percent of people surveyed in the Gulf region had faced mental health challenges at some point

RIYADH: Increased awareness of mental health issues in Saudi Arabia has resulted in less stigma and more people seeking professional help, a health industry leader said on World Mental Health Day on Thursday.

This trend of more people receiving care to improve their mental health reflects positive changes taking place in society, added Malek Almoosa, the CEO of Almoosa Health.

“It is promising that more individuals are recognizing the need for support and are willing to seek help, which in turn leads to greater engagement with mental health services,” he said.

“This is a positive sign of increased awareness and acceptance of mental health issues in our society, and a lot of progress has been made in the Kingdom in recent years. In turn, this has led to decreased stigma around seeking help, although some cultural barriers remain.”

Scott Armstrong, founder of the mental health-awareness platform Mentl, which is based in the UAE, said that while poor mental health is a global concern, there are factors in the Arabian Gulf region that make efforts to address it even more challenging.

“There is a lot of stigma … it still takes a lot for people to come forward and have the courage to look in the mirror and have a difficult conversation,” he said.

One of the factors, he added, is the ambitious nature of professional life in the region.

“There are so many things that one can achieve, one can strive for, but at the same time it’s very, very easy to get swept up in that and then burn out,” he said.

Armstrong has his own experience of the struggles that can accompany mental illness; he decided to found Mentl after his father died following a battle with depression.

“I remember looking at his body in the open casket and just going: ‘Why can we not talk about this?’” he said.

Almoosa, whose company recently opened a mental health facility in Al-Hofuf, said it is particularly important that efforts to raise awareness of metal health issues continue.

“Continued advocacy and community engagement will be essential to ensure that acceptance and support for mental health services continue to grow,” he said.

In 2016, more than 4,000 people between the ages of 15 and 65 from all parts of the Kingdom were polled as part of the Saudi National Mental Health Survey. It found 80 percent of Saudis with severe mental health issues did not seek any kind of care or treatment, and that mental health conditions were more commonly reported by young people and those with higher levels of education.

The prevalence of mental disorders among Saudi youth was found to be 40 percent, which was lower than in the US (52.4 percent) but higher than Australia (26 percent) and the European average (13.7 percent).

Armstrong, whose company launched the “Tear Away the Silence” program on World Mental Health Day, said such surveys serve as important tools that can motivate more people to seek help.

“The cold, hard statistics show us that more people are struggling than are not,” he said, referencing a 2022 McKinsey Health Institute study that found 66 percent of people surveyed in the GCC had suffered from mental health challenges at some point in their lives.

“It’s just so important that people don’t feel isolated, lonely or that it’s just them and that there’s something wrong with them … It takes courage to open up but you will be surprised just what the response is.”


ISG Dammam hosts first TEDx, showcases students’ oratory skills 

ISG Dammam hosts first TEDx, showcases students’ oratory skills 
Updated 10 October 2024
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ISG Dammam hosts first TEDx, showcases students’ oratory skills 

ISG Dammam hosts first TEDx, showcases students’ oratory skills 
  • The event featured talks by students across grades 7-12 on a variety of topics, ranging from personal growth to global issues

DAMMAM: The International School Group Dammam celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday by hosting its first-ever TEDx event, marking a momentous occasion for the school as 11 students took to the stage to present their ideas and insights. 

The event, themed “Imagine the Impossible,” featured talks by students across grades 7-12 on a variety of topics, ranging from personal growth to global issues.

TEDx refers to independently organized events licensed by TED, a popular global platform known for its short, punchy and powerful talks. 

While TED itself stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, TEDx events are live talks that are community-driven and organized by local groups using the same format as TED conferences, made popular on YouTube. The “x” signals that the event was independently organized while adhering to the stringent TED guidelines and format.

English teacher Nadia Iqbal, who coached the students, shared her pride in their efforts. “The students have put endless hours of work — and the scripts are original. They have really worked from articulating that idea to growing that idea and thinking what we can offer TEDx that was not offered before,” she told Arab News.

Iqbal organized the event alongside the school librarian, Betsey Hawkins.

The TEDx stage was hosted by four students — Gen Grason Kitaoka-Aurelius, Safar Sultan Al-Qahtani, Ayesha Asher and Virginia Brookshire — who offered humorous commentary in between the various speakers. 

The event was attended by families and was also recorded for those unable to attend in person.

Senior Ahmed Faraz, who gave a talk on artificial intelligence in education, was the first speaker of the day. He felt it was a success — for him personally and for the entire school. “We’ve learned so much preparing over the course of a few months — I’m so proud of my school,” he told Arab News.

While nearing the end of his school journey, the 12th grader expressed admiration for the younger participants, noting that he could not have envisioned being able to do this TEDx talk earlier in his life. “Honestly, if I was their age, I would not step on that stage — I was not like them. My hat’s off to them,” Faraz added.

Seventh grader Yeon Elizabeth Kim, who initially joined the event to enhance her college application, spoke about her personal journey in Saudi Arabia from her native South Korea. “I felt really blessed to get the opportunity because I’m usually very quiet and introverted,” she shared with Arab News, adding that the event helped her build confidence.

Izabela Aquino Aniversario explained how overcoming challenges shaped her perspective. “Rejection is a universal experience and everyone should get to know the ‘good’ side of rejection,” she told Arab News, encouraging others to see failure as an opportunity for growth.

“When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade,” she said.

The event featured a wide variety of topics, with students offering unique insights and personal antidotes.

Other speakers included Haya Halaweh, who delved into the importance of valuing inner traits over physical appearance; Sarah Emad who addressed the impact of social media on relationships; Mohammed Hamza Jamsheed, who critiqued electric vehicles as a sustainable solution; and Maria Bassim reflected on the “art of procrastination.” 

Omar Majdi Hamdaan spoke about the concept of “grit” and its power in overcoming challenges, while Zarmeena Awan encouraged the audience to chase their dreams with confidence. 

Adam Elmorsy discussed the paradoxical nature of AI and Mohammed Mohid Alam Siddiqi’s talk was on how to prioritize mental health in the digital age.

Parents expressed pride in their children’s performances, with Faraz’s father saying: “The topic that he spoke about — I didn’t know about it ... it was great. It was a great journey.”

This TEDx event at ISG Dammam “reflects the school’s commitment to fostering creativity, leadership and critical thinking in its students,” the school said in a statement.

Students started prepping for their TEDx talk in May, putting in countless after-school hours to craft speeches that reflected their academic knowledge and personal experiences.

Principal Michael Schreider praised the students, telling Arab News that he could not wait for the next event.

“The kids worked very hard; it’s something that we just started last year for the first time, and everyone came together, worked very hard and made this happen,” he said.


Saudi doctor delivers moving speech on charitable healthcare at Riyadh forum

Saudi doctor delivers moving speech on charitable healthcare at Riyadh forum
Updated 10 October 2024
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Saudi doctor delivers moving speech on charitable healthcare at Riyadh forum

Saudi doctor delivers moving speech on charitable healthcare at Riyadh forum
  • Get out of your comfort zone, navigate, this is where success comes in with challenges, says Al-Hazzaa

RIYADH: A Saudi doctor shared the inspiring story of how she founded a startup that provides free AI-powered eye examinations to rural communities across the Kingdom.

Speaking on day two of the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh, Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO of SDM, said she set up the company with her son, now managing director, Naif Al-Obaidallah.

“I have yet to see a company out there where there is a mother and her son is the co-founder with her,” Al-Hazzaa said.

“If this tells you anything, it means that we believe in our children and our children believe in us.”

SDM, which partners with nonprofit organizations, uses AI technology to carry out mass detection of chronic diseases through the retina.

“I want to democratize healthcare. If you’re a VIP, if you are a janitor that sweeps, you should be able to have the same healthcare. This is what AI is doing. We are going to make it cheap, we are going to make it accessible,” Al-Hazzaa said.

“We have already done more than 25,000 free examinations. We don’t charge. We started with the Ministry of Health and went to the areas that are poor and highly populated and illiterate, and now I run 13 charity centers where they examine diabetics.”

Al-Hazzaa was formerly head of the ophthalmology department at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, where she worked for 35 years. The decision to set up her own business came after a tragic incident involving a person with diabetes who went blind because of a delay to their treatment caused by hospital bureaucracy.

“This was frustrating to me, I wanted to see the patients when they were still raw, when they were just diagnosed with diabetes,” she said.

“This just kept bothering me. Can you imagine out of frustration I was able to reach where I am today, running one of the largest health tech startups?”

Al-Hazzaa told the audience not to be afraid to take chances in life.

“I cannot believe the risks and the challenges that I took,” she said. “Get out of your comfort zone, navigate, this is where success comes in with challenges.”

Al-Hazzaa was the late King Fahd’s personal ophthalmologist and in 2013 was part of the first cohort of women to be appointed to the Shoura Council, the Kingdom’s official advisory body.

Patron of the Creative Women Forum Princess Noura bint Saud spoke about Al-Hazzaa’s vision and courage.

“From day one, Dr. Selwa has been an inspiration to me, her journey pioneering and being a leader in what she does, her passion and grit and wanting the better for her people, her community and her country and not accepting a solution that was not the best solution,” she told Arab News.

“Her courageousness for going out at the peak of her career and joining the startup world and doing that at her level and how society sees it, I think that is amazing and it inspires me for what I do for the culture and creative sector, to not accept anything less than the best.”

The princess highlighted the importance of bringing distinguished female leaders such as Al-Hazzaa to speak about their experiences and successes at the forum.

“It’s very important for us to see real-life examples globally and as well from Saudi women making it in their own way, in their own field. There is so much power in that and it keeps us moving forward.”

Monique Blokzyl, founder and CEO of HeartPowered Business, which helps startups to grow, said of Al-Hazzaa’s speech: “I’m really blown away. It’s been amazing. This woman is such a legend already, making it a mission herself to democratize medical solutions and healing to everyone through the power of AI is absolutely amazing.”


Border Guards hold awareness exhibition in Al-Jouf

Border Guards hold awareness exhibition in Al-Jouf
Updated 10 October 2024
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Border Guards hold awareness exhibition in Al-Jouf

Border Guards hold awareness exhibition in Al-Jouf

SAKAKA: The Saudi General Directorate of Border Guards in the Al-Jouf region has organized an awareness exhibition, called “A Nation Without Violators,” at the Cities Mall in Sakaka.

The event, which is being held until Oct. 13, is to help raise awareness about the importance of adhering to border security and residency laws, as well as reporting those violating the rules.

The exhibition is part of the Ministry of the Interior’s media and communication efforts and aims to inform the public about border security regulations and the penalties for those who facilitate the entry of border security law violators into the Kingdom, transport them within the country, provide shelter, or offer any form of assistance.

Separately, land patrols in Al-Raboah, Asir, have foiled an attempt to smuggle 85 kg of qat. Preliminary procedures have been completed and the seized narcotics handed to the authorities.

In addition, authorities in Al-Daer, Jazan, have arrested three Ethiopian border security violators for attempting to smuggle 240 kg of qat. Legal procedures have been initiated against them, and the seized items handed over to the authorities.
 


Madinah Dates Season empowers families in cottage industry

Madinah Dates Season empowers families in cottage industry
Updated 10 October 2024
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Madinah Dates Season empowers families in cottage industry

Madinah Dates Season empowers families in cottage industry

MADINAH: The Madinah Dates Season continues to empower families working in the cottage industry with workshops and seminars presented by industry experts.

These sessions aim to enhance skills in manufacturing and handicrafts related to the dates industry, providing valuable knowledge for participants to develop their projects.

Around 35 families have benefited from this training, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The Madinah Dates Season will be held until the end of this year, featuring an exhibition, events, and competitions designed to elevate the industry through innovative and creative solutions.