Saudi Falcons Club spokesman says auction sales reached $172,000

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Saudi Falcons Club spokesman Walid Al-Taweel said that the club has so far sold six falcons for SR645,000 ($172,000). (Supplied) 
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Updated 11 October 2022
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Saudi Falcons Club spokesman says auction sales reached $172,000

  • The auction began with falconer Sami Al-Balawi’s peregrine Qirnas (over 1 year old) falcon being sold for SR40,000
  • The SFC aims to develop falcon auctioning in the Kingdom by preserving its cultural and economic value

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcons Club auction witnessed many successes over five nights, according to the club’s official spokesman Walid Al-Taweel, who said it has so far sold six falcons for SR645,000 ($172,000). 

The third edition of the SFC auction is being held at the club’s headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will conclude on Nov. 15. 

Al-Taweel told Arab News that the club seeks to encourage the participation of experienced falconers in the auction through prizes. He added that the SFC’s calendar is full of surprises, with the launch of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival upcoming this December, an event that is highly anticipated by falconers all over the world.

The auction began with falconer Sami Al-Balawi’s peregrine Qirnas (over 1 year old) falcon being sold for SR40,000 to Ali Al-Otaibi. 

Then came the competition for the second falcon, a young peregrine, who was sold for SR76,000 to Bandar Al-Enizi. 

The young falcon belonged to falconers Yasser Al-Majed, Saddam Al-Banaqi and Habis Al-Hazimi. 

In the Arabian Peninsula, falcons are revered as an inheritance and legacy that represents a large part of the region’s culture, and the peregrine is regarded as the most predatory bird of all falcon subspecies.

Sultan bin Towais Al-Qahtani, businessman and expert in the field of falconry, told Arab News: “The price of falcons is determined by their weight, color and characteristics, such as shoulders and legs.

“Qirnas refers to falcons over the age of 1 year old. Unlike the Qirnas, young peregrines come with a bigger price tag, just as wild peregrines are more expensive than those that are trained,” Al-Qahtani added. 

The SFC aims to develop falcon auctioning in the Kingdom by preserving its cultural and economic value and welcoming falconry lovers and those interested in raising the animals from all around the world. 

The club offers many advantages to falconers through its teams across the Kingdom. It provides a way to regulate and organize the buying and selling falcons in Saudi Arabia. 

The club’s teams receive the owner of the falcon — also known as Al-Tarouh — in their respective region, and then provide housing and transportation for the Tarouhs to the auction house.

The falcon is then offered in a competitive, direct and fast auction that is broadcast live on television channels and SFC social media accounts without the buying and selling process being subject to any fees.

Once the sale is finalized, electronic anklets for the falcons are installed, and official documents are issued to complete the sale procedures. 

The Al-Melwah race was also launched, organized by the club on Fridays and Saturdays over six weeks in conjunction with the auction. 

Al-Taweel said that the Al-Melwah race aims to promote falconry, raise awareness of the importance of preserving falcons, train younger generations in the sport and enable falconers to practice their hobby.

The first day of the race, which was dedicated to the saker falcon chick category, witnessed great excitement. Six categories competed — the lanner falcon, saker falcon, peregrine falcon, gyr pure, gyr taba and gyr garmoosha — with prizes amounting to SR756,000.

Many falconers said that the Al-Melwah race encouraged them and enabled them to practice their hobby. Falconer Wadih Al-Saadi praised the club’s efforts, noting that the race has many advantages, as it breaks the stagnation period and puts falconers in the spirit of competition.

Falconer Abdullah Ghazi, who said this was his first time participating, said that Al-Melwah race is a good opportunity for falconers from all over the Kingdom to meet. He noted that the incentives offered by the club have contributed to the return of many falconers to this hobby.

Fahd Al-Hajri stressed the importance of the race at this time, saying that it helps falconers determine the readiness of their birds, especially chicks who still need to get used to racing.

Al-Hajri thanked the club for its efforts to serve falconers and preserve this ancient heritage.

The SFC allocated valuable prizes for each run of the Al-Melwah race, offered to the first five places in each run. 

The first-place holder receives SR25,000, the second-place holder receives SR15,000, the third-place holder receives SR10,000, the fourth-place holder receives SR8,000 and the fifth-place holder receives SR5,000.


Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues 

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Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir received China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed strengthening cooperation in climate action and environmental conservation, along with other topics of mutual interest.

Both officials also reviewed the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives and achievements in this field, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a separate meeting, Al-Jubeir received the deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, Olof Skoog, and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting reviewed international developments and the efforts being made to address them, in addition to discussing topics of mutual interest.


Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025

Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj. (@PRAGOVSA)
Updated 25 May 2025
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Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025

  • The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims
  • The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9

RIYADH: Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj, the Presidency of Religious Affairs announced on Sunday.

The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims. Muslims around the world who are not performing the pilgrimage mark the day by fasting and engaging in worship.

The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9.

Head of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the appointment.

The appointment underscores the Kingdom’s global religious leadership, reflects its continued support for religious institutions, and exemplifies the leadership’s care for the two holy mosques, the presidency said.


Saudi deputy FM receives EU official in Riyadh

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Saudi deputy FM receives EU official in Riyadh

  • A meeting was also held as part of the third round of political consultations between Saudi Arabia and the EEAS

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Olof Skoog, deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, and his accompanying delegation, in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the EU and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

A meeting was also held as part of the third round of political consultations between the Kingdom and the EEAS. Senior officials from both sides participated in the session, chaired by Raed bin Khalid Qarmli, director-general of the general directorate of policy planning at the Saudi Foreign Ministry, with Skoog representing the European side.

 


Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia meets with CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority

Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, meets with Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority.
Updated 25 May 2025
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Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia meets with CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority

  • The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture

RIYADH: Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Riyadh.

The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture, the Pakistani Embassy wrote in a post on X on Sunday.

The ambassador presented Inzerillo with a painting from his own Diriyah-themed series, created to celebrate the Kingdom’s history and heritage.

He also presented him with a made-in-Pakistan FIFA-standard football “symbolizing Pakistan’s craftsmanship and the mutual spirit of friendship.”


Saudi reserve engages pilgrims on biodiversity

Updated 25 May 2025
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Saudi reserve engages pilgrims on biodiversity

  • Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed

RIYADH: Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom by land were introduced to projects and initiatives of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.

The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, restore vegetation and breed endangered species to create a more sustainable natural environment.

The authority also distributed educational brochures to raise awareness about environmental preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed.

Visitors were informed about the reserve’s environmental heritage, biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable ecological stewardship, the SPA added.

The authority works to preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats and creating safe environments for wildlife and plants to thrive.

Its achievements include planting more than 2.4 million trees, scattering four tonnes of native seeds and rehabilitating 250,000 hectares of degraded land.

The reserve hosts more than 290 documented bird species — about 58 percent of those recorded in the Kingdom — and includes five internationally recognized important bird areas.

Covering 130,700 sq. kilometers, the King Salman Reserve is the largest natural terrestrial reserve in the Middle East, spanning four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.