Makkah deputy governor honors winners on final day of 6th Crown Prince Camel Festival
107 elite camels competed on Wednesday in the final 4 races of the month-long event in Taif
The festival had a total prize pool of more than SR57 million
Updated 12 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The deputy governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, honored the winners of the sixth Crown Prince Camel Festival on the final day of the event in Taif on Wednesday.
The competitive action on the closing day featured four 6-kilometer races contested by 107 elite camels from several countries in the Gulf region.
In the first race, in the general Zamoul category, a camel called Madhaal claimed victory in a time of 9 minutes, 13.419 seconds, earning a cash prize of SR1 million ($267,000) for Saudi owner Hafeez Saeed Al-Marri.
The second race, in the open Zamoul category, ended with Barzan, belonging to Al-Shahaniya Camels from Qatar, taking the SR1 million prize in a time of 9:22.023.
Al-Dheeb, a Camel belonging to to Al-Siliya camels in Qatar, triumphed in the general Heil category in a time of 9:09.218 to secure the SR1.5 million prize.
And in the final race, in the open Heil category, Rahiya, another Al-Shahaniya camel, was the winner in a time of 9:06.368, also earning a SR1.5 million prize.
The total prize pool for the festival totaled more than SR57 million, which was shared by the local and international owners of winners in the various race categories.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki, the Saudi minister of sport and president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his generous patronage of the festival.
He said this support reflected the unwavering commitment of the crown prince to the development and advancement of sport in the Kingdom, and in particular his dedication to the preservation of camel racing as a cherished tradition and integral part of Saudi heritage.
The festival began on Aug. 10 with preliminary rounds featuring 350 races. This was followed by an 11-day finals phase that featured 239 races in various categories, beginning with a marathon consisting of five stages.
The sixth staging of the festival coincided with the designation of 2024 as the “Year of the Camel” in Saudi Arabia, a celebration that recognizes the deep cultural significance of the animal in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF considers larger stake in Nintendo
Updated 05 October 2024
Arab News Japan
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said on Saturday it was considering raising its stake in Japan’s Nintendo and other Japanese gaming companies, according to reports.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, vice chair of the PIF’s gaming unit, disclosed the plan in an interview with Kyodo News.
He said that the PIF was “not in a rush to increase its stakes” and that the investments would be made in a “friendly way.”
The PIF currently owns 8.58 percent of Nintendo and has stakes in video game companies Capcom, Nexon, and Koei Tecmo.
National heritage will be ‘biggest driver’ of Saudi economy
Riyadh book fair is a testament to Kingdom’s focus on culture and heritage, says Prince Sultan
Updated 05 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: National heritage will be the biggest driver of the economy under Saudi Vision 2030, said Prince Sultan bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and founder and chairman of the nonprofit Al-Turath (Heritage) Foundation.
He was speaking at the foundation’s annual meeting held under the theme “Confident Steps Toward the Future” at the Riyadh International Book Fair, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A documentary film about the foundation’s journey, highlighting its key initiatives and most important milestones, was screened.
HIGHLIGHT
Prince Sultan bin Salman also spoke about the Al- Turath Foundation-produced documentary film “Okath Al-Badr,” which covers stories from the life of Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz.
Another film showed the launch, at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, of the book “King Salman,” an Al-Turath Foundation initiative sponsored by Saudi Aramco to coincide with the 94th National Day.
Prince Sultan said that the book fair is a testament to the attention the Kingdom gives to culture and national heritage, which will become the biggest drivers of the economy.
The book, which Prince Sultan described as a gift to the nation, covers different stages in the life of King Salman alongside the Kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz and other Saudi rulers.
Prince Sultan said that the Al-Turath Foundation has experienced continuous development since its establishment 28 years ago, printing books, conducting research, archiving historical photos, and documenting the nation’s history over the course of more than a quarter of a century.
Prince Sultan also spoke about the Al-Turath Foundation-produced documentary film “Okath Al-Badr,” which covers stories from the life of Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz.
The meeting was attended by Prince Turki Al-Faisal, founder and trustee of the King Faisal Foundation and chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies; Prince Faisal bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and chairman of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives; Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority; and several princes, officials, and ambassadors to the Kingdom.
The Riyadh International Book Fair, themed “Riyadh Reads” and featuring over 800 pavilions, is organized yearly by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.
It began on Sept. 26 and runs until Oct. 5, with over 2,000 publishing houses from 30 countries participating. The schedule includes seminars, panel discussions, poetry recitals, stage performances, and workshops.
Saudi academy to launch Arabic Language Month in France
The program includes visits to French universities and educational centers to “meet staff and enrich the learning experience”
Updated 05 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language will launch its Arabic Language Month in France program on Oct. 7.
The initiative aims to “develop Arabic-language teaching curricula, enhance teacher performance, promote the language, and showcase Saudi Arabia’s initiatives,” according to a Saudi Press Agency report published on Saturday.
The program includes visits to French universities and educational centers to “meet staff and enrich the learning experience,” the report continued.
Previous editions of the Arabic Language Month program have been implemented in Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and China.
The academy will also host its third international conference — “Arabic Language Computing and Enriching Linguistic Data” — on Oct. 6 and 7 in Riyadh, at which experts will discuss “innovations in Arabic language computing and improving artificial intelligence models,” and “address the need for enhanced academic practices in the Arab world.”
A deliciously artistic trend sweeps Saudi Arabia’s X breakfast community
Arab News looks at the evolution of an online community taking breakfast to new levels
The evolution of a vibrant online group
Updated 05 October 2024
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: In the age of social media, where trends are born in an instant and entire communities form around shared passions, one unique and wholesome movement has emerged on X to celebrate the most important meal of the day: breakfast.
What began as a simple space for users in Saudi Arabia to share their daily meals has quickly evolved into a vibrant online community where creativity, health, and aesthetic presentation come together.
Photo by Shoroog Al-Ghamdi
People from all over the Kingdom contribute their carefully crafted breakfast plates with artistic flair, making breakfast a celebrated moment every day.
Khaled Saud, the creator of the community, has reflected on how far it has come, saying: “Watching the community grow from fun and lighthearted posts to a space where people take pride in their breakfast creations has been incredibly rewarding.
HIGHLIGHTS
• For some participants the online community has sparked a new motivation to take breakfast more seriously.
• In addition to creativity, health is also a significant focus within the community.
“I’m happy to see how much participation has increased and how creative the presentations have become.”
For some participants the community has sparked a new motivation to take breakfast more seriously.
Photo by Mashael Omar
Wafa Al-Qahtani shared how the group helped her stay consistent with her meals, saying: “The reason I love this community is the interaction from the people. Honestly, it has motivated me to maintain a daily breakfast routine, and I try to get creative so I can post it in the community.”
This sentiment is echoed by Ameera Al-Dossari, who has embraced the idea of breakfast as a shared experience and said: “This is such a beautiful concept; it motivates me to wake up early and participate.
Seeing everyone’s posts encourages me to be more thoughtful with my breakfast choices. Honestly, I’ve started taking more care of my meals.
Ameera Al-Dossari, Community member
“Seeing everyone’s posts encourages me to be more thoughtful with my breakfast choices. Honestly, I’ve started taking more care of my meals.”
The community, for many, is not only about the food but about the relationships and connections formed through a shared love for breakfast.
Photo by Khansa Al-Omari
It has also had an unexpected effect on some members’ sleep schedules. One user joked that they had been trying and failing to wake up at 7 a.m. for two months but after joining the community were happy to wake up at 5:30 a.m.
“For me, breakfast is one of the best moments of the day. I don’t just see it as a meal; it’s more like a ritual where we begin a new day,” said Rahaf Tareq, for whom breakfast has become a cherished time.
That sentiment captures the essence of why so many in Saudi Arabia are drawn to the movement — it provides a moment of mindfulness and self-care at the start of each day.
Photo by Khansa Al-Omari
In addition to creativity, health is also a significant focus within the community.
Ram Wael highlighted the importance of breakfast as a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle, saying: “The reason I participate is that breakfast is an essential and necessary meal that needs to be healthy.
Photo by Ram Wael
“However, many people have neglected its importance, and I love how this community has sparked a sense of competition and enthusiasm for creating and sharing breakfast.”
Wael’s participation is driven by a desire to bring attention to the value of a nutritious breakfast, encouraging others in the Kingdom to see it as more than just a quick meal.
Photo by Rahaf Tareq
Sahar Khojah, who believes the breakfast community has ignited a love for cooking and sharing with others, said: “I’ve always loved cooking and I constantly take pictures of my breakfast.
“I was really happy when I found this breakfast community because now I can share my meals, not just for myself but for people who appreciate them and can see my work.”
This sense of shared appreciation has turned a solitary activity into one that brings joy to others, showcasing how food can be a powerful tool for connection.
Khansa Al-Omari shared her excitement over the group’s influence on her creativity, saying: “It’s really nice when someone gets excited, prepares breakfast, and gets creative.
“Even though I don’t post often, when I see the shared posts I get inspired to make myself a neat breakfast. The community encourages even those who don’t often participate to step up their game and bring a sense of artistry into their everyday routines.”
Shoroog Al-Ghamdi, a software engineer, uses an analogy from her field to describe how breakfast fits into her life. She said: “In software we have something called eager loading, which loads all the data we need in advance.
“Breakfast is my way of loading my energy and booting up my brain cells!”
For Al-Ghamdi, breakfast is not just fuel for the body but also a mental preparation for the day ahead, tying it to productivity and well-being.
Layan Sultan reflected on how breakfast helps her start her day. She said: “The reason I show my breakfast specifically is that it’s one of the reasons I wake up excited every morning.
“There’s something good in every day, even if it’s just a meal. This meal makes my body, mind, and soul awake and ready to face every single thing that day brings.”
This collective enthusiasm across Saudi Arabia ensures that the community continues to grow, inspiring others to prioritize breakfast and add a personal, artistic touch to their meals.
Mashael Omar summed it all up, saying: “Breakfast gives energy for the rest of the day, improves the mood, and is part of practicing the hobby of cooking.”
Saudi art’s ‘global presence’ highlighted at Riyadh book fair
The session titled “History of Saudi Art” explored how the arts scene in the Kingdom has developed to new heights in recent years
Updated 05 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The dynamic evolution and global presence of Saudi art was discussed during a panel at the 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair on Saturday.
The session titled “History of Saudi Art” explored how the arts scene in the Kingdom has developed to new heights in recent years.
Participants emphasized that the Saudi orchestra today represented the collective voices of artists who have shaped the country's vibrant artistic landscape.
The session was organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission and featured distinguished speakers, including academic Nauman Kadowa and Saudi researcher Manal Al-Harbi, with moderation by visual artist and researcher Hanan Al-Hazza.
Kadowa highlighted the multiple transformations Saudi art has undergone, particularly with the establishment of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission and the Music Commission.
These institutions, he noted, have played a pivotal role in reinforcing national identity while serving as bridges for Saudi art to connect with the global community, adding: “Saudi art reflects both our rich past and our promising future.”
Kadowa also underscored the need for a centralized informational hub to consolidate resources and references on Saudi art, calling for collaboration between cultural, artistic bodies, and municipal entities.
Al-Harbi focused on the reciprocal relationship between art and society, describing how Saudi art reflects the customs and traditions of the Kingdom, with roots dating back to prehistoric times.
She lauded the work of late artist Safeya Binzagr, whose paintings vividly captured Saudi traditions. Al-Harbi also noted that many Saudi artists, through their international studies and scholarships, have continued to uphold this cultural responsibility on the global stage.
Al-Harbi addressed a critical challenge in researching Saudi art history: the scarcity of references.
This limitation, she suggested, could be alleviated through collaboration with municipal authorities, whose preserved documents may offer valuable insight into the Kingdom's artistic heritage.
As Saudi art continues to grow and evolve, this session at the Riyadh International Book Fair illuminated the Kingdom's commitment to nurturing and promoting its cultural legacy on a global scale.
