Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala

Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
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Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. (AN/File)
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Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala

Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
  • The Rawabi Holding Awards honor individuals who have fostered cultural exchange between the UK and Saudi Arabia
  • This year’s recipients include Dr. Idries Trevathan, Dr. Sarah Al-Saif, Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas

LONDON: The Saudi British Society honored four cultural bridge-builders at a gala ceremony in London on Tuesday.

The 2025 Rawabi Holding Awards were presented to Dr. Idries Trevathan, Dr. Sarah Al-Saif, Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in recognition of their efforts to promote friendship, understanding and positive relations between the two nations.

“It’s a very special occasion … that has now developed over nearly 30 years and has become an award of national standing,” said Sir Alan Munro, former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a founding member of the Saudi British Society.

In his opening remarks, Sir Alan, who is stepping down as vice chairman of the society, reflected on its growth from what he once described as a “society in the sand” to a flourishing platform for cultural and academic exchange. Most recently, the society has expanded its focus to recognize achievements in academia and scientific research, with two of this year’s awards going to individuals for outstanding contributions in these fields.

Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards, sponsored by Saudi energy and industrial conglomerate Rawabi Holding, celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. This year’s awards were presented by Rawabi Holding Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Turki in the presence of Simon Collis, former British ambassador to the Kingdom and current chairman of the Saudi British Society.

Dr. Idries Trevathan, a British-born Islamic art specialist and chief curator at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran, was recognized for his efforts in building collaborations between museums in the UK and Saudi Arabia.

A leading curator in Islamic art across Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Trevathan has worked to foster cultural exchange. His most recent project involved curating a retrospective on British photographer Peter Sanders, showcasing five decades of his work documenting the Muslim world.

“I’ve had the enormous benefit of being exposed to different faiths and cultures. And this exposure has ultimately allowed me a greater insight appreciation of different views and perspectives and cultures,” Trevathan said, describing his work as “building bridges of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect between the Muslim world and the West.”

Al-Saif and Al-Qahtani were recognized for their contribution to science and academia. Al-Saif’s research focuses on eco-friendly, biologically synthesized nanomaterials derived from marine sources to help address the World Health Organization’s call to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. Al-Qahtani specializes in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, with expertise in additive manufacturing, biomedical devices, bio-manufacturing, tissue engineering and stress analysis optimization.

Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas was also honored for his contribution to the media industry and cross-cultural dialogue. Having spent part of his professional career in the UK, Abbas recently published his book, “Anecdotes of an Arab Anglophile,” which he describes as “a tale of two Kingdoms,” reflecting on his experiences and the enduring relationship between Saudi Arabia and Britain.


Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen

Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen
Updated 5 sec ago
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Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen

Kingdom’s Masam project clears 1,058 bombs from Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project for Landmine Clearance, or Masam, removed 1,058 explosive devices from several parts of Yemen during the first week of March.

The project of the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief cleared 1,034 unexploded ordnances and 24 anti-tank mines, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Since its launch, the Masam project has removed 484,401 explosive devices across the country.


Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid

Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid
Updated 13 min 49 sec ago
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Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid

Thousands benefit from KSrelief food aid
  • The aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Etaam Ramadan food distribution project

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently distributed more than 1,900 food aid parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In Mauritania’s Tiaret district of Nouakchott, 3,390 people benefitted from 565 food parcels.

Also, 751 packages were handed out in the Karaan district of Somalia’s Banadir governorate, benefiting 4,506 people.

In addition, 590 parcels were distributed in the Romania cities of Bucharest and Constanta, benefiting 2,950 people.

The aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Etaam Ramadan food distribution project.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s move to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip in what the Kingdom described as a practice of “collective punishment” against Palestinians in Gaza.

The Kingdom stressed its categorical rejection of Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, a foreign ministry statement said.

It reiterated its call on the international community to take urgent measures to restore electricity and the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip immediately without conditions or restrictions.

The Kingdom “renewed its call to activate international accountability mechanisms for these serious violations,” the statement concluded.

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.

It also suspended last week supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war.


Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed an agreement between the interim Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that controls the country’s northeast.

The Kingdom praised the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to safeguard domestic peace in Syria and efforts made to complete the path of building state institutions, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said on Monday.

The deal includes a ceasefire and the merging of the main US-backed force there into the Syrian army.

The deal was signed by interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The deal to be implemented by the end of the year would bring all border crossings with Iraq and Turkiye, airports and oil fields in the northeast under the central government’s control. Prisons where about 9,000 suspected members of the Daesh group are also expected to come under government control.

— With input from AP


Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
  • Rubio in Kingdom ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending conflict with Russia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening. 

Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending three years of conflict with Russia.

They reviewed relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance and develop them in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, exchanged views on them, as well as efforts made toward achieving security and stability, SPA added.

The reception was attended by Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump’s national security advisor.

On the Saudi side, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Saudi ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, were also in attendance.

The top US diplomat is in Jeddah ahead of the talks with Ukrainian officials expected on Tuesday, leading a delegation that also includes Waltz.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in the Kingdom on Monday.