Saudi universities join King Salman academy for Arabic language test

Mahmoud Abdulrahman, head of the language proofreading department at the Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabea. (Supplied)
Mahmoud Abdulrahman, head of the language proofreading department at the Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabea. (Supplied)
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Updated 17 September 2024
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Saudi universities join King Salman academy for Arabic language test

Mahmoud Abdulrahman, head of the language proofreading department at the Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabea. (Supplied)
  • The academy aims to enhance the global status of Arabic

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with several Saudi universities, conducted the Hamza Arabic language proficiency test for non-native speakers on Tuesday.

The academy aims to enhance the global status of Arabic, promote its use, and support the goals of the Human Capacity Development Program under Vision 2030.

The Hamza test, a computerized exam, assesses non-native speakers in four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

It lasts 155 minutes, consists of 75 questions, and follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, targeting learners and teachers of Arabic at universities and educational centers.

Participating universities include Umm Al-Qura University, Islamic University of Madinah, King Abdulaziz University, King Faisal University, Taif University, Qassim University, and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University.

By administering the Hamza test, the academy seeks to elevate Arabic’s scientific and global status, establish proficiency standards for non-native learners, and assist universities in assessing the language skills of students.

Mona Al-Shayqi, an Arabic language supervisor at the Madinah Education Department, said that learning another language is vital for students, as it opens doors to different cultures, and enhances critical and creative thinking by comparing language structures.

Language skills significantly boost job prospects, both locally and globally, with multilingual individuals excelling in scientific fields and understanding specialized terminology, she added.

Al-Shayqi, an applied linguistics expert, told Arab News that Arabic’s special status comes from its deep connection to Islam and the Qur’an.

Arabic allows learners to explore the rich heritage and intellectual legacy of a civilization that left behind vast knowledge in various arts and sciences, she said.

Mahmoud Abdulrahman, head of the language proofreading department at the Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabea, said Arabic stands out as one of the world’s richest languages, and is known for its adaptability across eras.

He highlighted the importance of learning different languages to express a range of emotions and engage in meaningful conversations with people from other cultures.

Bilingual individuals are better equipped for critical and creative thinking, he added.

Abdulrahman said that incorporating language learning into daily activities, like reading stories or watching movies, is an effective method to deepen understanding and maintain interest.

“Language is identity, language is homeland. As ancient philosophers said: ‘A person doesn’t live in a country; they live in a language. That is their true homeland.’”


Shear brilliance — former footballer shows cutting-edge skills as hairstylist

Shear brilliance — former footballer shows cutting-edge skills as hairstylist
Updated 8 sec ago
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Shear brilliance — former footballer shows cutting-edge skills as hairstylist

Shear brilliance — former footballer shows cutting-edge skills as hairstylist
  • Feras Al-Zahrani is proving no profession is off-limits under Vision 2030

JEDDAH: He used to show off his fancy footwork on the football field, but now he wields the tools that keep current Saudi players looking stylish on and off the pitch. Inspired by Saudi Vison 2030’s goal to expand horizons for all, Feras Al-Zahrani is challenging cultural perceptions around “suitable jobs for Saudis.”

Driven by a desire to learn, study and improve from a young age, he graduated from high school and worked in the private sector where low-income jobs included a spell as a security officer.

Now he is based at Relax Station Salon in Jeddah where, when Arab News arrived to interview him, he was still wearing the black surgical gloves from his last customer’s haircut.

During the few minutes he had to spare before his next appointment, he said he disagreed with the sentiment that Saudi men should not work certain jobs.

“The doors to livelihood are open in all fields, and people should not be ashamed of their profession, as long as they practice it, love it and it generates an income for them,” he told Arab News, discussing the stigma surrounding low-income jobs.

“Some ideas must change. We are going through the Vision 2030 era in which energies and competencies must be invested. Society does not only want engineers, doctors and pilots; society needs all its worker components.”

Al-Zahrani wears many hats. He was a footballer before he became a hairstylist, playing for Al-Wehda in Makkah and Al-Rabea. “Football was my passion and (I) was hoping one day to be a famous football player. Unfortunately, I suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which effectively stopped me playing football,” he explained.

Looking for other career options, he enrolled on a hairstyling course at Enayat Company.

“They had an ad asking for young Saudis interested in learning to become a hairstylist,” he said. “As a former football player, we were very concerned about our hairstyles. So that’s why I became obsessed with hair, and I told myself this is what I want to be. I understood this is the thing that I need to do. I thought it was an incredible plan to break the unthinkable of being a hairstylist in Saudi Arabia.”

Al-Zahrani said it took a year of training to learn how to cut and style hair, along with grooming techniques for shaving, facial treatments, and head massage.

“It is a really difficult profession, and it is not what people think,” he said, adding that he set up a salon in his room once he was skilled enough: “I practiced with my relatives and friends who took the risk to volunteer as clients … cutting their hair is how I began to work. Then, I began searching for a job.”

For the past six years, the 32-year-old has been growing his clientele. Then, at the start of this year, Al-Zahrani received a call from Saeed Al-Mubarki, owner of Relax Station Salon, who offered him a job.

Al-Mubarki said: “I heard about Al-Zahrani from my friends and when I saw his work, I was very impressed to see a Saudi with such skills. I got him an offer and, since he joined our team, he has proven himself. Now he has his own customers who come especially for him.”

Al-Mubarki added: “It is our duty to support young Saudis and if we see more talents, we will no doubt hire them.”

For Al-Zahrani, being a hairstylist is more than a job — it is an artform.

“Seeing people leave happy has become the part of my job I like the most. If they like the haircut and feel comfortable, I am happy,” he said.

One of his colleagues, Abdul Raheem Al-Bualali from Agadir in Morocco, praised his skills and said: “To be honest with you I had never see a Saudi working as a barber, but I was impressed with Al-Zahrani’s ability to handle the scissor and we are happy to share our experience with him.”

Al-Zahrani is known for his precise haircuts for football players and celebrities such as Salman Al-Dossary, Saudi Abdulhameed, Saleh Al-Shihri, and Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

He told Arab News: “I am so proud to be engaged with such big names in football. I got involved with them through word of mouth or through friends who recommended me to these stars. My work still continued with them and they became close to me after they have tried my hair cuts.”

His dream now is to open his own salon and his advice to Saudi youths is to be open to work in any profession.

“To survive in this world, they have to work as a barber or a mechanic or a baggage porter or anything else. There is nothing to be ashamed of as long as they preserve their dignity and make a living,” he said.


Saudi FM participates in G20 ministerial meeting in New York

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)
Updated 21 min 15 sec ago
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Saudi FM participates in G20 ministerial meeting in New York

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)
  • Kingdom’s foreign minister also took part in a ministerial meeting between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the US

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in a meeting of G20 foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

During a speech, the minister stressed the urgent need to adhere to successful models of collective action and the importance of seeking to develop and reform international institutions, Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The repercussions of wars and political conflicts undermine efforts to establish international peace and security, and cast their shadows on all aspects of multilateral action.

“When these institutions fail to carry out their basic duties towards these crises, this creates a gap in international action and a crisis of confidence that undermines their legitimacy, and this is what we are witnessing today in the way some international institutions deal with the humanitarian disaster in Palestine,” Prince Faisal said.

The minister stressed that prolonging and expanding the war in Gaza will deepen the suffering of the Palestinian people, threaten international peace and security, and undermine the chances of achieving comprehensive peace in the region.

“G20 countries must intensify their joint efforts to overcome the international failure to confront Israel’s serious violations of international laws and norms, and enable the achievement of a ceasefire and the adoption of a reliable and irreversible path to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” Prince Faisal said.

The foreign ministers of GCC countries and the US pose for a photo in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)

The Kingdom’s foreign minister also took part in a ministerial meeting between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the US on Wednesday.

Participants in the meeting discussed ways to enhance partnership and cooperation between the council and the US. Regional issues of common interest including the current situations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon were also discussed.


Saudi crown prince receives written message from Jordan’s king

Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
Updated 25 September 2024
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Saudi crown prince receives written message from Jordan’s king

Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
  • Al-Khuraiji and Abu Al-Foul reviewed Saudi-Jordanian relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from Jordan’s King Abdullah on Wednesday relating to relations between their countries.

The message was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to the Kingdom Haitham Abu Al-Foul in Riyadh.

Al-Khuraiji and Abu Al-Foul reviewed Saudi-Jordanian relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields. They also discussed topics of common interest.


Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October
Updated 25 September 2024
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Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October
  • AlUla Wellness Festival program features a series of immersive retreats, unique wellness activities, and celebrity-led workshops
  • Some of the highlights include the Five Senses Sanctuary, where visitors can engage in meditation, yoga, and mindfulness sessions led by world-class experts

JEDDAH: The AlUla Wellness Festival is returning from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2, inviting relaxation seekers, nature lovers, and free-spirited individuals to join a like-minded community for an expanded schedule of activities amid the stunning scenery of AlUla.

For centuries, AlUla has served as a haven for renewal, reflection, and personal development, benefiting both residents and travelers.

This year, the festival celebrates and revives this legacy, offering visitors the opportunity to indulge their senses in harmony with nature.

The AlUla Wellness Festival program features a series of immersive retreats, unique wellness activities, and celebrity-led workshops.

Some of the highlights include the Five Senses Sanctuary, where visitors can engage in meditation, yoga, and mindfulness sessions led by world-class experts.

The All Day I Dream music concert is an immersive experience that brings music, art, and community together through carefully curated melodic and soulful tunes.

The Hegra Sound Bath allows nature lovers to recharge under the bright moonlight with holistic sound therapy that combines yoga for all levels with soothing tunes.

Guests can explore a diverse array of healing experiences and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery through mindfulness practices, bodywork, art therapy, and more.

As the largest wellness festival of its kind in the Middle East, the AlUla Wellness Festival offers a stimulating yet blissful escape from urban life, immersing visitors in holistic living, life-changing practices, adventure activities, and a spirit of community.

Tickets will go on sale soon, with further news and updates to follow in due course. For more information, visit experiencealula.com.

The AlUla Wellness Festival is part of the AlUla Moments Calendar, which features five major festivals, each offering unique experiences in art, culture, music, nature, and wellness.

Other highlights include Winter at Tantora, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, the AlUla Skies Festival, the AlUla Arts Festival, AZIMUTH, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, and heritage events blending fashion, adventure, and sports.


Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts
Updated 25 September 2024
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Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts
  • Mansour Al-Mushaiti: Protecting the environment is a significant challenge in agricultural and food advancement, and sustainable development is crucial for economic growth
  • Experts discussed the crucial role of infrastructure management in smart city operations, emphasizing the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems

RIYADH: Investment in infrastructure is pivotal in fostering sustainable development and facilitating the evolution of smart cities, the deputy minister of environment, water and agriculture has said.

Mansour Al-Mushaiti was speaking during “Shaping the Future: Collaborative Infrastructure Initiatives for Saudi Arabia,” a panel discussion at the Saudi Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition.

Panelists discussed the importance of taking practical steps and working together with government entities, along with the importance of overcoming obstacles in infrastructure development. They also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to build trust with stakeholders.

“Protecting the environment is a significant challenge in agricultural and food advancement, and sustainable development is crucial for economic growth,” Al-Mushaiti said. 

The biggest challenge, he added, was the high cost of infrastructure and lengthy construction: “The environmental burden in the municipalities and waste management system amounts to about SR7 billion (USD1.8 billion), which can be converted into revenues by 2035 through sustainable management, reducing consumption, and rationalization.

“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 contributes to enhancing the sustainability of infrastructure through the implementation of a unified government framework to maximize assets in environmental, social, and economic domains.”

This includes technological innovations which contribute to providing job opportunities, improving the urban landscape and achieving spending efficiency.

“Applying sustainable resource management in the environment, water and agriculture system enabled us to benefit from the use of seawater, after which it is returned to nature,” added Al-Mushaiti.

The Saudi Infrastructure Summit is organized in collaboration with the Riyadh Infrastructure Project Center to improve project efficiency, increase spending effectiveness, and improve the overall quality of life in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, experts also discussed the crucial role of infrastructure management in smart city operations, emphasizing the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems and data analytics to optimize resource allocation and public safety.

Head of Smart Cities at the Eastern Province Municipality Mohammed Binhijna said infrastructure management would be essential for efficient operation. The integration of new technologies in transportation would enable cities to enhance traffic management, minimize congestion, and boost effectiveness.

He shared his insight during a session called “Smart City Operations: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices” at the Smart Cities Saudi Expo, held alongside the Saudi Infrastructure Expo and Global Water Expo.

“Furthermore, data analysis serves as a valuable tool for optimizing resource distribution and operational efficiency within urban areas,” Binhijna added. As an example, he explained that data analysis meant cities could pinpoint areas with higher crime rates and allocate resources accordingly, enhancing public safety.

“Citizen engagement is essential for successful Smart Cities, with online platforms for reporting issues and participating in decision-making processes,” said Binhijna.

Abdulrahman Al-Bati, smart city solutions manager at Misk City, highlighted the importance of key performance indicators in measuring a city’s sustainability, including energy management and air pollution reduction.

He explained that KPIs used by cities covered four main areas — health and safety, mobility, data availability, and governance.

Energy management was a significant KPI, he said, with smart street lighting reducing operational costs by 10 percent annually. Air pollution reduction was also a crucial global indicator for sustainable city development.

Fabian Sowieja, technical director of International IoT Communication Technologies at Arrowfinch Technologies, said public-private partnerships were essential for successful smart cities, with a focus on managing different stakeholders.

“Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in this context, with collaborative navigation representing a fundamental principle of smart city development,” he said, adding the key to a thriving smart city lay in efficient management across diverse stakeholders.