Deaf artist breaks barriers with solo debut in Jeddah

Elham Abu Talib, left, showcased more than 40 paintings at Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts. (AN photo)
Elham Abu Talib, left, showcased more than 40 paintings at Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts. (AN photo)
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Updated 16 June 2025
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Deaf artist breaks barriers with solo debut in Jeddah

Elham Abu Talib, left, showcased more than 40 paintings at Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts. (AN photo)
  • Elham Abu Talib shares vision through her expressive works

JEDDAH: “It’s never too late to follow your dream,” says Elham Abu Talib, who has held her first solo exhibition in Jeddah after 38 years.

The Saudi artist is no stranger to the local art scene, having taken part in exhibitions across the Kingdom and overcome the barriers accompanying being severely deaf.




Titled “Inspiration,” the exhibition marked a milestone, presenting her work to the public while highlighting her artistic journey amid years of persistence. (AN photo)

And at the Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts in Jeddah on Sunday, Abu Talib showcased more than 40 paintings to leading artists and lovers of the genre.

Titled “Inspiration,” the exhibition marked a milestone, presenting her work to the public while highlighting her artistic journey amid years of persistence.

HIGHLIGHT

Abu Talib hopes to represent the Kingdom in international competitions. She also hopes the arts society will continue supporting disabled and female artists by providing platforms for their creativity.

Her passion began in childhood, when natural talent blossomed into fine art shaped by a beautiful dream. She lost her hearing as a child and faced speech difficulties, but met her challenges with patience, courage, and ambition.

Determined to express herself, she used a brush and colors as her voice — turning her childhood dreams into vivid reality.




Titled “Inspiration,” the exhibition marked a milestone, presenting her work to the public while highlighting her artistic journey amid years of persistence. (AN photo)

She shared that hearing loss kept her from entering university, but her late father convinced her it did not mean giving up her ambitions.

Inspired by his words, she began participating in exhibitions while raising her children and fulfilling her duties as a mother.

She believes her disability has sharpened her visual perception — a gift she channels into her art.

“I’m so happy that, after 38 years, my dream has come true with this solo exhibition,” she said. “I thank the Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts in Jeddah for giving me this opportunity.”

Abu Talib hopes to represent the Kingdom in international competitions. She also hopes the arts society will continue supporting disabled and female artists by providing platforms for their creativity.

Maha Abdulhalim Radwi, secretary-general of the Radwi Art Prize, said the artist had finally achieved a major milestone, adding: “This event allowed her to showcase her unique perspective and creative talent to a wider audience, proving that art transcends communication barriers.”

Mohammed Al-Subaih, the director general of the SASCA, said Abu Talib had dreamed of a solo exhibition for nearly four decades — and was now finally living that dream.

He added: “She’s participated with us in many workshops and group exhibitions; now it’s time to celebrate her first solo show.

“She deserves all the support and encouragement.”

 


Head of Iran’s Hajj organization commends Saudi Arabia for quality services

Head of Iran’s Hajj organization commends Saudi Arabia for quality services
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Head of Iran’s Hajj organization commends Saudi Arabia for quality services

Head of Iran’s Hajj organization commends Saudi Arabia for quality services
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RIYADH: The head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Alireza Bayat, has commended Saudi Arabia for its organization and the facilities provided to pilgrims during the Hajj season 2025.

He said Iranian pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the quality of services upon completing the Hajj rituals and complimented the efficiency of the Saudi authorities in operating air transport, crowd management at the holy sites and healthcare services.

Bayat added the Kingdom had become a role model when serving Muslim worshippers and pilgrims at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.


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Saudi students’ experiments launched to International Space Station

Saudi students’ experiments launched to International Space Station
  • Ten experiments designed by students from Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world were included in the launch
  • Space Madak competition was set up to support and encourage those who are fascinated by space science and technology

RIYADH: Saudi students’ winning entries from the “Space Madak” competition were launched to the International Space Station on Wednesday morning, the Saudi Space Agency announced.

The launch was part of an international mission that lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States.

Ten experiments designed by students from Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world were included in the launch — a landmark event that reflects the Kingdom’s push to advance scientific innovation and empower young talents in the space industry.

The “Space Madak” competition was set up to support and encourage those who are fascinated by space science and technology and are eager to learn how to turn their ideas into practical scientific applications in the microgravity environment aboard the ISS.

The competition, an initiative by the agency in partnership with the Misk Foundation and the Ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center, consisted of three categories: “Art: Bezel of Inspiration,” open to ages 6-11; “Agriculture: Bezel of Growth,” open to ages 12-14; and “Engineering: Bezel of Innovation,” open to ages 15-18.

More than 80,000 students participated from across the Arab world.

At the launch of the competition in February last year, Rayyanah Barnawi, the first female Saudi astronaut and supervisor of the competition, said that it was bound to expand the horizons of ambitious young minds and fuel their creativity.

The competition presented a “unique opportunity for students in the Arab world to participate in a journey of discovery and innovation,” she said.

Barnawi was selected by the agency to join Axiom Mission 2 in May 2023, and with fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al-Qarni, conducted 14 experiments on the ISS — 11 on research in a microgravity environment focused on human health, cell sciences, and cloud seeding, and three interactive educational experiments with students in the Kingdom.

The achievement by the students is a reflection of the Saudi Space Agency’s efforts to fortify the Kingdom’s presence in international space programs and to promote an environment that supports a knowledge-based economy, in accordance with Vision 2030 goals of preparing a generation capable of becoming active contributors in the future of the space sector.


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New climate study to shield the Two Holy Mosques from extreme weather

New climate study to shield the Two Holy Mosques from extreme weather
  • Study seeks sustainable solutions for extreme weather phenomena while supporting quality-of-life improvements
  • Includes analyzing climate effects on urban infrastructure and studying extreme weather patterns

RIYADH: The Regional Centre for Climate Change has launched an advanced scientific study to analyze the effects of climate change on urban environments in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The study seeks sustainable solutions for extreme weather phenomena while supporting quality-of-life improvements in these religiously significant regions with unique urban planning requirements.

These include analyzing climate effects on urban infrastructure and studying extreme weather patterns through modern climate modeling techniques. The initiative also uses data to optimize urban planning and propose resilience solutions to ensure visitor safety and comfort at the Two Holy Mosques.

Ayman Salem Ghulam, the CEO of the Saudi National Center for Meteorology and general supervisor of the RCCC, said that this research is a fundamental pillar supporting adaptation strategies to climate variables for the Two Holy Mosques.

He said that the centers are committed to providing scientific solutions to enhance future projects’ efficiency at both holy cities.

Mazen Assiri, executive director of RCCC detailed the methodology, saying that the integrated scientific approach analyzes weather phenomena affecting urban environments, incorporating international best practices to deliver outputs that align with national development requirements.

He said that to ensure comprehensive solutions, the center held workshops with government and research entities, performed field studies in central Makkah and Madinah, and analyzed practical implementation pathways.

This initiative aligns with the RCCC’s mission to advance specialized climate knowledge and data-driven decision-making. It directly supports environmental sustainability in major developmental projects throughout the Kingdom, particularly those accommodating millions of pilgrims annually.

The study reinforces national efforts to address climate challenges in strategically vital regions while enhancing institutional cooperation in climate resilience planning.


Literary agent training program launched

Literary agent training program launched
Updated 25 June 2025
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Literary agent training program launched

Literary agent training program launched
  • Five-day course aims to help more Saudis become literary agents as well as enhance existing qualifications and skills
  • Initiative is part of the commission’s efforts to support literary agents and agencies in the Kingdom through intensive, high-quality training

RIYADH: An international training program for literary agents has been launched in the UK by Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.

The five-day course, which aims to help more Saudis become literary agents as well as enhance existing qualifications and skills, includes theoretical sessions on current industry strategies, one-on-one consultations with global publishing experts and visits to some of the UK’s leading literary agencies.

The initiative, which offers participants opportunities to improve their knowledge by learning directly from international experts, is part of the commission’s efforts to support literary agents and agencies in the Kingdom through intensive, high-quality training.

It includes workshops, advisory and mentoring sessions with international specialists, and visits to top literary agencies abroad.


Eastern Province governor honors culinary graduates

Eastern Province governor honors culinary graduates
Updated 25 June 2025
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Eastern Province governor honors culinary graduates

Eastern Province governor honors culinary graduates

RIYADH: Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef recently attended the graduation ceremony of 99 students of the ZADK Saudi Culinary Arts Academy’s diploma programs at the Dammam Chamber of Commerce.

All the graduates signed employment contracts as chefs. Their training supports Vision 2030’s goals for youth empowerment in hospitality and tourism.

Rania Moualla, founder and chairwoman of the ZADK, thanked the governor for his support as the academy’s honorary president, highlighting his role in advancing youth training for the job market. 

She also acknowledged the academy’s public and private sector partners for contributing to its educational and social goals. 

Moualla said that all graduates this year secured job offers. Their culinary training prepared them with practical skills needed for the industry. 

Graduates have joined international hotels and restaurants and may pursue further studies or start their own businesses. Some will become teaching assistants at the academy. 

The ZADK is a nonprofit institution focused on preserving and promoting Saudi cuisine while training students to meet global culinary standards.