RIYADH: Life begins at 40… thus goes the old adage. And today Arab News has reached that “age of maturity.”
What with newer challenges such as the technological and electronic revolution, four decades of not only survival, but successful survival is no small achievement in itself.
Nevertheless, the newspaper, as a policy matter, will not get smug. There is no room for complacency in the world of journalism. Hence, we have resolved to serve our readers and patrons, who are behind our success, in the best way possible and look forward to their continued support.
Arab News, the premier English-language daily of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East with hundreds of thousands of readers around the world, has every reason to celebrate its 40th anniversary, which it is doing today. The newspaper known for its objectivity, credibility and professional approach has come a long way from a modest beginning four decades ago to become one the most reliable sources of information for people in Saudi Arabia, Middle East and the entire world. Thanks to its digital platforms, Arab News is now read by people from across the world with over 10 million page views.
At least 40 diplomats including ambassadors representing various countries are expected to take part in the ceremony to be held at InterContinental Riyadh.
A number of new elements added recently to Arab News columns have elicited very good response from our readers, especially diplomats, businessmen and top bureaucrats. Diplomat’s Corner has become very popular among diplomats who see Arab News as a very reliable source of information.
“Packed with information, a window to the world, indispensable, exciting, top quality,” these were some of the comments of the diplomatic community as well as of common citizens in the Kingdom about Arab News.
Kim Jin-soo, ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Riyadh, said: “I read it every morning. For 40 years, Arab News has proved its reputation as one of the leading newspapers in the Gulf for quality information on current as well as other issues. Being a window to society and beyond, the newspaper really binds us with the people of the Kingdom,” he said
“Not a single day goes by without me reading the newspaper. It has proven itself to be indispensable to the diplomatic community in Saudi Arabia,” said Kim.
Echoing his sentiments, Pekka Voutilainen, Finland ambassador, said, “I really find it very exciting to start the day with Arab News. It is very informative on what is happening in and around the Kingdom and outside, be it business, sports or politics.” He, however, suggested that the digital or online version available for mobile apps should come with early updates.
Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, ambassador of Sweden, applauded the key role played by Arab News in the Saudi media landscape.
“I would like to congratulate Arab News, the first English daily in the Kingdom, for completing four decades of extraordinary services,” he said.
Hemant Kotalwar, charge d'affaires at the Indian Embassy, said: “Starting the day with Arab News is a very refreshing experience. It is the newspaper I read every morning.”
Khayyam Akbar, deputy head of mission at the Pakistan Embassy, said he is deeply attached to the newspaper. “I have been reading it for more than two decades. I saw it first when one of my friends sent me a copy when I was posted in Tunisia. During its long journey of 40 years, the newspaper has proven to be indispensable, especially for the diplomatic community.” He took this opportunity to thank the editorial team for giving due coverage to community issues.
Ahrul Tsani Fathurrahman, Indonesian diplomat in Riyadh, congratulated Arab News for four decades of “extraordinary services” and expressed his “sincerest best wishes” for further success to the first English daily of the Kingdom.
Citizens and expatriates also hailed the newspaper as “very informative on the happenings in the Kingdom and around the world.”
According to Abdullah Inayat, a public relations and event management professional, the newspaper is a must read for knowing what is happening around the world.
Waddah Omran, a Syrian national working in Riyadh, said: “Arab News is packed with information you will never get from other media.”
Abdullah Ahmad, a Sudanese national in Riyadh, said: “To start the day without reading a good newspaper is a foolish act. A wise citizen should read a good newspaper like Arab News daily.”
Arab News Editor in Chief Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi said, “Arab News aims not only to retain its prime position among the newspapers in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East but to reach new heights.”
Al-Harthi stressed his vision to make Arab News the most reliable newspaper in the Middle East. “Our aim is to put Arab News on a pedestal that reinforces its authenticity and objectivity, giving undisputed credibility to its reports, analyses and comments,” the editor in chief said.
He said Arab News wanted to widen its readership, bringing into the fold highly educated professionals, engineers, doctors, industrialists, high-profile bureaucrats and government officials. “We want to make this newspaper a reliable source of information for the government, experts and corporates.”
Al-Harthi described Arab News as a window on Saudi Arabia for the outside world. "It's the most quoted English language daily in the Middle East." He spoke about the newspaper’s digital revolution with wide use of platforms such as iPad, iPhone, Facebook, Twitter and Android to reach out to readers active on social media networks.
Hisham and Mohammed Ali Hafiz established Arab News in 1975 at the start of Saudi Arabia’s first economic boom following the discovery of oil. Such a daily was essential to meet the needs of news-hungry foreign workers who came to participate in the Kingdom’s development projects.
Published by Saudi Research & Publishing Company, an affiliate of the Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG), Arab News has been widely read by intellectuals, decision-makers, diplomats and business executives as well as people from the middle and high-income class.
Eleven sponsors including SABIC, LG Electronics Saudi Arabia, Banque Saudi Fransi, Centrepoint and Abdullah Qandeel (all platinum sponsors) will be honored during the ceremony. Other sponsors to be honored are: Wipro, Huawei (gold sponsors), Lulu, Riyad Bank, Maaden and Saudi Steel (silver sponsors).
The celebration ceremony will begin with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an at 20:30. The other features of the program are as follows: Speech by Editor in Chief Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi at 20:35; documentary on Arab News at 20:40; Prince Turki Al-Faisal's keynote address to be delivered at 20:45; honoring the sponsors at 21:20; honoring the main clients and subscribers at 21:25; entertainment break at 21:35; cutting the 40th anniversary cake at 21:40 and dinner followed by a raffle draw at 21:45.
