King Salman academy’s Arabic test gains interest at Barcelona conference

The event featured several key research papers, including one by Dr. Ibtisam Abdel Haleem, director of the test development department. (@KSGAFAL)
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The event featured several key research papers, including one by Dr. Ibtisam Abdel Haleem, director of the test development department. (@KSGAFAL)
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Updated 20 October 2024
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King Salman academy’s Arabic test gains interest at Barcelona conference

The event featured several key research papers, including one by Dr. Ibtisam Abdel Haleem.
  • Held from Oct. 18-19 in Barcelona, the conference aimed to exchange experiences, explore language compatibility, and share lessons among framework users

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language participated in a conference on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, organized by Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University in Spain.

Held from Oct. 18-19 in Barcelona, the conference aimed to exchange experiences, explore language compatibility, and share lessons among framework users.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, highlighted the academy’s role in strengthening linguistic identity, preserving the purity of Arabic, and fulfilling its core mission.

The academy’s participation aligns with its strategic goals to collaborate with language institutions, showcase initiatives, and promote Arabic teaching and learning.

The event featured several key research papers, including one by Dr. Ibtisam Abdel Haleem, director of the test development department.

She explored using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages standards to design the Hamza Arabic Proficiency Test for non-native speakers in academic contexts.

Haleem discussed the challenges and solutions related to aligning the test with the unique characteristics of the Arabic language.

“The importance of this test stems from the growing global demand for learning Arabic among non-native speakers for educational, cultural, professional, and political reasons,” she noted, highlighting the need for a standardized global test to assess Arabic proficiency.

Presenting her research at this conference offers a key opportunity to elevate the global profile of the Hamza Arabic Language Test, aligning with the academy’s objectives, Haleem said.

"Several experts in language teaching and testing, including those in Arabic, have expressed interest in implementing the Hamza test in Spain soon," she added.

In an interview with Arab News, Haleem stressed that documenting the academy’s efforts in developing and applying the Hamza test through academic publications is vital for advancing Arabic, especially given the limited research on its assessment.

She anticipates the Hamza test will continue to evolve and gain international recognition, fostering collaboration with academic institutions worldwide.

The Hamza test is a computerized, standardized assessment measuring non-native speakers' proficiency in Arabic across four key skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

The 155-minute test consists of 75 questions developed according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, covering levels A2 to C1.

It targets Arabic language learners and educators at universities, language institutes, and centers, as well as potential employers.


Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit

Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit
Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit

Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit
  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Marco Rubio held a phone call on Wednesday
  • Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji spoke with his American counterpart Christopher Landau

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan reviewed ties and strategic partnership with the US during a phone call with Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, on Wednesday.

The officials discussed the latest regional and international developments, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a separate phone call, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji discussed issues of common interest with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Saudi Arabia is set to receive President Donald Trump on his trip to the Middle East next week.


Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal

Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal
Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal

Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal
  • The Kingdom reiterated its support for all efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia welcomed the statement from the Sultanate of Oman announcing a ceasefire agreement in Yemen aimed at safeguarding international navigation and trade.

The Kingdom reiterated its support for all efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis that ensures security and stability for Yemen and the wider region.

The US and the Houthis agreed a ceasefire, mediators announced, saying the deal would ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea where the Houthis have attacked shipping for months.
The agreement comes after President Donald Trump announced that the US would end attacks against the Houthis after they agreed to stop harassing ships, though he made no direct mention of recent attacks on ally Israel.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Tuesday said that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides".


Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives
The library houses a vast collection of religious texts, rare manuscripts, and resources in multiple languages across various fi
Updated 07 May 2025
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Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched initiatives to enhance the pilgrim experience during Hajj at the Grand Mosque Library, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

The library, one of the most significant in the Islamic world, houses a vast collection of religious texts, rare manuscripts, and resources in multiple languages across various fields of knowledge. 

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, highlighted that the library was a cultural and educational platform for spreading religious knowledge, promoting Islamic culture, and fostering moderate thought globally. 

It remains a valuable resource for both students of knowledge and visitors to the two holy mosques, Al-Sudais said.

“The presidency is committed to advancing the library’s scientific and intellectual mission during Hajj and sharing it worldwide,” he added. 

The presidency has begun expanding the library’s role in scientific, intellectual and cultural areas during Hajj, with specialized programs and initiatives designed to serve visitors and researchers.


New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts

New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts
Updated 07 May 2025
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New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts

New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts
  • National Center for Vegetation Cover publishes official Land Restoration Guide for Non-Agricultural Areas
  • It supports goal of planting 10 billion trees, the equivalent of rehabilitating 40m hectares of degraded land

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has taken another step toward its ambitious afforestation goals with the publication of the official Land Restoration Guide for Non-Agricultural Areas.

The guide is a comprehensive manual that will serve as a unified reference to direct environmental restoration projects across the Kingdom.

It aims to ensure sustainable land management practices and support the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, one of which is to plant 10 billion trees — the equivalent of rehabilitating 40 million hectares of degraded land.

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced its publication on Wednesday with an event titled “The Road to Restoring 40 Million Hectares.”

Organized under the national afforestation program, the event brought together a range of experts to align on best practices and scientific approaches to land rehabilitation.

Sameer Maleakah, director of the center’s afforestation department, highlighted the Kingdom’s ambitious environmental restoration goals.

“So far, we’ve restored over 313,000 hectares across various regions of the Kingdom,” Maleakah told Arab News. “But it’s not just about planting. Restoration begins with protecting the degraded areas — those affected by overgrazing, illegal logging, or desertification caused by human activities.

“We return these areas to their natural state, and once restored, they foster biodiversity, richer vegetation and denser tree cover. These sites then serve as natural parks or forests — whether mountainous or valley-based,” he added.

Maleakah also highlighted the importance of inclusive action. “It’s crucial to involve local communities, civil society organizations and take full advantage of existing legislation, rainfall and cloud-seeding technologies to ensure success.”

The center’s CEO, Dr. Khalid Al-Abdulkader, echoed the importance of the program in his opening remarks, saying that land restoration is not only vital for environmental sustainability, but also plays a major role in food security, combating climate change and supporting rural livelihoods.

With more than 141 million trees planted to date and restoration efforts underway using rainfall and treated water, the center continues to position the afforestation program as a long-term investment in Saudi Arabia’s ecological and developmental future.


Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration
Saudi Arabia's culture. (File/AFP)
Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

RIYADH: The Saudi Museums Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of Germany have taken a step forward in their cultural partnership by activating an executive program focused on long-term collaboration in the museum sector.

Central to this initiative is the development of a loan index, outlining a selection of artworks and artefacts from the foundation’s various Berlin-based museums to be shared with the Museums Commission over a five-year period.

This loan program forms part of the broader executive program signed by both parties.

The agreement outlines key areas of cooperation, including joint exhibitions in art and archaeology, long-term loans, strategic cultural projects, and capacity-building through training and residencies.

Two dedicated training programs have been agreed upon as part of this collaboration, said the Ministry of Culture in a press release.

One of the flagship initiatives, Museums in Motion, will bring together up to 80 cultural and museum professionals from both countries over five years through four interdisciplinary training sessions. 

Participants will engage in joint learning activities in both countries, fostering sustained dialogue, professional exchange, deeper cross-cultural understanding, and long-term institutional partnerships.

In a parallel initiative with the Hamburger Bahnhof — Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart (National Gallery of Contemporary Art) in Berlin, a professional program will support talent development in the museum field. 

Over the next five years, experts from Hamburger Bahnhof will contribute to training and mentorship, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices in museum management and curation.

This executive program reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening international cultural dialogue and advancing professional exchange in the global museum community.