RIYADH: Caring for plants at home reduces stress and increases satisfaction. Gardening allows people to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of their home garden.
However, it is important to use sustainable methods to ensure that plants are healthy, and the environment is protected from damage. Soil preservation and care are therefore very important for sustainable gardening.
The foundation of a successful garden is soil health. It is critical to take care of the soil before planting seeds by creating organic elements in the soil rather than relying on chemical or synthetic fertilizers.
Compost food scraps, garden waste and other organic products to improve soil fertility will provide nutrients to plants, increasing microbial activity and boosting the health of the soil.
“Synthetic fertilizers aren’t used in the Kingdom. It is rare. Most people use organic products such as animal waste mixed with food waste,” said Haitham Sharbaji, an agricultural technician who works in Riyadh.
Sharbaji, who operates his own nursery, explained how different plants require specific techniques.
When asked about examples of plants that are grown in hot, dry weather like in Saudi Arabia, he mentioned trees including poinciana, racosperma and oleander. According to Sharbaji, these species are especially suitable for the weather in Riyadh.
He highlighted the importance of planting trees in healthy soil.
“Firstly, the soil must be healthy and suitable for the type of plant you want to grow. For example, there are kinds of soil for indoor plants and others for outdoor plants,” Sharbaji said.
“Lighting is also important, as each plant differs in terms of its need for lighting.”
Another method gardeners can use to prevent soil depletion is controlling the rotation of plants. Rotating plants grown in different areas of a garden helps reduce diseases and pests, and prevents nutrient deficiencies.
In addition to changing the position of the plant, covering it with a layer of organic mulch like wood chips or leaves helps maintain soil health. This technique captures moisture as well as moderates the temperature of the soil, which in turn improves the structure of the soil. Over time, it enriches the soil with beneficial organisms.
Chemical pesticides are another tool to avoid or reduce, as they can harm beneficial insects, damage organisms in the soil and disrupt the garden’s ecosystem. Natural pest control methods like introducing insects such as ladybugs and lacewings are a useful alternative.
Water in Saudi Arabia is a precious resource for growing any plant, and using it efficiently is vital. An optimal way to regulate watering plants is to install drip irrigation systems to control the amount of water that is used and deliver it directly to the roots.
People should be mindful of the hot climate in the Kingdom, which may speed up the evaporation of water. Therefore, watering the garden late in the afternoon or evening hours reduces water loss because of low temperatures.
“Water is the biggest enemy for indoor plant soil. The soil that is prepared for indoor plants doesn’t need too much water because it can create toxic fungi,” said Sharbaji.
He recommends watering indoor plants according to room temperatures. Generally speaking, a person can water an indoor plant every 15 to 20 days, he added.
Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers can lead to nutrient imbalance and environmental pollution. It is best to test soil regularly to detect any signs of nutrient deficiencies such as decolorization of leaves or irregular shapes.
Synthetic fertilizers can be useful but only when necessary, and they must be used wisely. This ensures the plant receives the nutrients it needs while minimizing the risk of biomagnification — the increase in concentration of a substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.
By practicing sustainable gardening practices, people can grow and protect their gardens while maintaining soil health. Healthy soil preparation, mulching and natural pest control methods are some examples of healthy gardening, keeping in mind that a thriving garden starts with the soil.
Thriving gardens: Growing and nurturing plants without destroying soil
https://arab.news/54sav
Thriving gardens: Growing and nurturing plants without destroying soil
- The foundation of a successful garden is soil health
- It is critical to take care of the soil before planting seeds by creating organic elements in the soil rather than relying on chemical or synthetic fertilizers
King Salman orders hosting of 1,300 pilgrims from 100 nations for Hajj this year
- The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance
RIYADH: King Salman has issued a royal directive to host 1,300 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries to perform Hajj this year under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation.
The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, who is general supervisor of the program, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and praised the directive as a testament to the leadership’s dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of the Kingdom’s position in the Islamic world.
Al-Alsheikh said that following the royal directive, the ministry mobilized all of its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to guests.
A comprehensive implementation plan has been prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural and educational programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims’ spiritual and intellectual experience.
Al-Alsheikh said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation was designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy.
Since its inception in 1996, the program has hosted about 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries.
The ministry has provided these guests with a range of logistical, religious, health and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj rituals.
Al-Alsheikh said that this hosting initiative showed the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims.
The program aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and enhance its positive presence on the global stage, contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030’s Islamic and humanitarian goals.
‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
- 50 artists from 1930s to 2000s at Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel
- Curator Aisha Stoby highlights leadership role of artists
JEDDAH: Art Jameel launched the “Gulf Art Movements” exhibition on Thursday to trace the evolution of modern creatives in the Arabian Gulf from the 1930s to the early 2000s.
The exhibition at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, titled “Redrawing the Boundaries: Art Movements and Collectives of the 20th Century Khaleej” opened on May 22 and runs until Oct. 15.
It features works by more than 50 artists, drawn from 20 state and private collections, and traces the evolution of modern art movements in the Arabian Gulf from the 1930s to the early 2000s.
The “Redrawing the Boundaries” show explores the emergence and development of key art movements across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
It examines how artists responded to dramatic shifts in their urban environments and societies while engaging with themes including changing landscapes, public and private spheres, and the rise of formal art institutions.
The exhibition includes works from the Art Jameel Collection alongside loans from notable public and private collections, including Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Barjeel Art Foundation, the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth Collection, and the Sharjah Art Foundation.
Featuring over 80 works, the exhibition highlights a variety of influences —from local folklore and traditions to Western modernist movements, as well as Egyptian and South Asian visual cultures.
From the calligraphic abstraction of Hurufiyya, an artistic movement exploring the potential of Arabic script, to the experimental ethos of collectives such as The Five, The Circle, and the Shatta Collective, the exhibition captures the innovative spirit that defined a generation of artists.
These artists not only shaped national art movements but also worked collaboratively, founded institutions, and envisioned new futures for art in the Gulf.
The show builds on an earlier exhibition curated by Aisha Stoby titled “Khaleej Modern: Pioneers and Collectives from the Arabian Peninsula,” which was held at New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery in 2022.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Stoby elaborated on her curatorial approach.
“They were artists who were not just foundational figures within their practices, who are without question leaders of the art movements within their own countries, but were influential through all these criteria.”
“They were establishing institutions, mentoring, and building movements. So it was above and beyond the artwork.”
The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections: “The Landscape and Public Sphere,” “Identity and Private Space,” “Abstraction and Ephemerality,” and “The Conceptual New Wave.”
Stoby said: “For me what became very pronounced is if you look at the material thematically, with it comes chronologies and with it comes geographies.”
“It seemed eventually that the most natural way that these conversations could come out themselves was by putting it into a thematic structure,” she added.
The exhibition opens with a pairing of paintings in the first section, dedicated to landscape and public space. The two works, by Abdulkarim Al-Orrayed and Abdulhalim Radwi, set the tone for a dialogue between cities, histories, and artistic legacies.
Al-Orrayed, a seminal figure in Bahraini modern art and a founding force behind numerous art institutions and ateliers, presents a large painting capturing the development of Manama — its houses, buildings, and evolving urban identity.
In contrast, Radwi’s piece captures the vibrancy of Jeddah’s historic district, Al-Balad. His depiction of movement and bustle evokes the city’s rich cultural rhythm.
Displayed side by side, these works create one of Stoby’s favorite moments in the exhibition, “A conversation between two city centers,” reflecting shared regional experiences through local lenses.
The second section, features deeply emotional and historical pieces, including two evocative works by Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsami.
Created during the Gulf War, one of them is “Note to the Invasion” and “The Parting” of two people who are in love and being separated. It explores themes of separation, loss, migration and resilience.
“One piece reflects the devastation of conflict, while the other speaks to the aching tenderness of lovers pulled apart by war. These artworks do more than document — they humanize a collective trauma experienced across the Gulf,” said Stoby.
In the third section, themed around abstraction and ephemerality, another wall greets visitors with three interconnected works. Among them is a piece by Abdulhalim Radwi portraying the Hajj, sourced from the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.
“It is an act of symbolic homecoming as the artwork returns to Jeddah, the city it represents. Beside it hangs ‘Worshippers Leaving the Mosque’ by Abdulrahman Al-Soliman.
“Together, these paintings resonate as a spiritual dialogue between two pioneering artists: one rooted in Jeddah, the other in Riyadh.
“The wall extends further with contributions from Khalifa Al-Qattan and Ali Al-Mahmeed, artists who reflect on the multifaceted ways religion is experienced in daily life across the region,” said Stoby.
Finally, on the upper floor — where conceptual and new media works take center stage — a deeply symbolic film by Omani artist Anwar Sonya stands out.
Known for his landscapes and cross-border artistic relationships, Sonya here turns his lens toward memory and myth. The work began as a documentary about a prominent woman who led an art institution in Kuwait.
During filming, a coffee cup reading foretold she would live a long and dynamic life, only for her to pass away shortly thereafter.
“The project transformed into an elegiac reflection on mortality, folklore, and the unseen threads that bind lives and legacies. It became an artwork looking at her memory,” said Stoby.
It portrays “our relationship to myth, what is real, and what meaning we can hold onto,” Stoby added.
Nora Razian, Art Jameel’s deputy director and head of exhibitions and programs, said that “Redrawing the Boundaries” offers “a compelling rethink of modernism.”
Razian added that it adds “significantly to the study and understanding of a distinct aesthetic that developed across the Khaleej with a focus on the 1930s through to the early 2000s, a time of state formation, nation building and social transformation.”
She added that the exhibition “foregrounds the critical and foundational roles artists played in shaping institutions and cultivating creative communities during times of transformation.”
Kingdom’s ambassador welcomes US counterpart to Saudi Pavilion at Osaka Expo
- Ghazi Faisal Binzagr holds talks with George Glass
- Pavilion boosts US-Kingdom ties, says Saudi envoy
OSAKA: The Kingdom’s Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr welcomed his US counterpart George Glass to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on Friday.
Binzagr said it was a pleasure to host Glass and his delegation from the US at the VIP reception.
“Saudi Arabia’s pavilion is not only an important cultural asset where we share our story with the world but also serves as a meeting place where global leaders can come together to deepen understanding of each other, while addressing some of our greatest challenges,” Binzagr said.
The visit between the representatives of Saudi Arabia and the US in Japan comes 10 days after US President Donald Trump’s historic state visit to Riyadh.
The visit reinforces the strategic long-term relationship between the Kingdom and the US and is important for potential future partnerships aimed at mutual growth.
Binzagr and Glass toured the pavilion which showcases Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural history, its transformation as a nation, and global influence on sustainability and innovation.
The US delegation enjoyed the Kingdom’s hospitality over a discussion on shared goals for the expo and the future before exchanging gifts in the Saudi Majlis.
Binzagr, the commissioner general of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, said it was a productive and collaborative first meeting between the two ambassadors based in Japan.
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion hosts VIP delegations and business events that focus on the Kingdom’s impact on the world.
In addition to hosting over 700 events across the expo program which includes business and investment forums, visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion will see daily dance and fashion shows.
In addition, they can explore seven immersive rooms and galleries, featuring evolving cities, sustainable seas, the potential of human capital and innovation.
Saudi Arabia seeing ‘significant changes’ in women’s advancement, says Tokyo governor
RIYADH: There have been “significant changes” in women’s advancement in Saudi Arabia compared to her previous visits to the Kingdom, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on Friday.
Speaking at Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Koike said: “Whatever the gender is, the Saudi Vision 2030 transformed the country and made it comfortable for everyone, including males, females, children and the handicapped.”
The governor has visited Riyadh three times previously but expressed her appreciation that women “can drive and travel alone now.”
Koike is the first elected Tokyo governor and has been appointed three times so far. She told the Fortune panel that her priority was to make “women’s dreams come true.”
She added that free childcare, including tuition and provision of school lunches, was also high on her agenda.
Despite her focus on Tokyo, Koike said the agenda for women’s advancement should be the same in all communities, from small villages to large cities.
“It’s a common agenda we have to face whether for education, industry and for vitalizing the economy,” she said.
After her election, Koike began organizing a network for female mayors and governors.
“When I first started the network with my colleague, we only had 39 female mayors and governors elected,” she said, adding that women should “not wait” until they were elected or appointed to join: “If you don’t a buy lottery ticket, you will not win.”
“The world is so turbulent,” Koike said, adding that women should take on its challenges and achieve whatever they want.
The theme of this year’s conference is “A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity.” Other speakers included Nigeria’s former minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, along with Prof. Hanan Abdulraheem Alahmadi, assistant speaker of The Shura Council of Saudi Arabia, and Farah Ismail, deputy minister of sectoral and regional development of the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning.
How Saudi Arabia is embracing AI to drive healthier lifestyles in line with Vision 2030
- From smart hospitals to intelligent PE planning, the Kingdom is harnessing tech to improve public health outcomes
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital uses AI to streamline patient care and educate families on managing long-term health conditions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is leveraging artificial intelligence to build a healthier, more active population — a central objective of Vision 2030, which commits to raising the quality of life for all citizens through physical wellbeing.
AI is playing a pivotal role in this national transformation, with its applications extending across the healthcare sector, educational institutions and even mobile fitness apps that support healthier daily habits.
One leader in this field is the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, which uses AI to streamline patient care, support post-treatment recovery and empower families through personalized health education.
“Today, we live in a golden digital innovation ecosystem in the Kingdom,” Dr. Ahmad AbuSalah, director of the Center for Healthcare Intelligence at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, told Arab News.
“It is a golden time for entrepreneurs, for innovators, for organizations and for researchers. In the hospital, we have a digital transformation journey that we take really seriously.”
Driven by the healthcare transformation program of Vision 2030, the hospital’s strategy focuses on lowering costs, expanding access to care and delivering outstanding services — all supported by AI.
However, Dr. AbuSalah said that adoption of these new technologies must be strategic and sustainable if they are to have the desired effect on patient outcomes and medical practice.
“Some organizations build AI models, keep it for a couple of years, and then shut it down. Why? Because it wasn’t bringing value,” he said.
One of the most impactful uses of AI at King Faisal Specialist Hospital is operation intelligence, which helps to guide the patient journey from admission to discharge. The system uses predictive analytics to inform patients about their health and encourage targeted lifestyle changes.
“We built a system that will proactively predict a patient’s experience three days before their appointment for the cancer treatment unit,” Dr. AbuSalah said.
This helps doctors anticipate outcomes, manage expectations and intervene early where needed.
The hospital’s AI tools also alleviate administrative burden on medical staff — a major cause of burnout. “If we remove the noise around the doctor, the care quality will be enhanced by itself,” Dr. AbuSalah said.
“You always hear the term ‘physician burnout’ because they are spending a lot of time on non-clinical tasks, on documentation, submitting orders here and there, generating reports. How can they focus on patients?”
By automating those tasks, AI frees up time for direct patient care, improving both staff wellbeing and service quality.
Outside the hospital setting, the same technology is helping Saudis to make better everyday health choices. AI-enabled apps now track sleep, diet and exercise, offering personalized insights to encourage small, achievable steps — such as walking or cycling.
In fact, walking and cycling are now the most popular forms of physical activity among Saudi adults, according to a 2024 General Authority for Statistics report.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Predictive AI can forecast patient experiences before appointments, enabling more personalized treatment.
• AI-powered apps help users to track their sleep, diet and activity for smarter, healthier daily habits.
• Schools are using AI to plan tailored PE lessons, making physical activity more engaging for students.
However, the report also noted a gender gap, with 23.2 percent of men being physically active compared to just 14 percent of women.
AI could help to close that gap, offering flexible, accessible ways for women to engage in exercise from home or within their communities.
Meanwhile, in schools across the Kingdom, AI is transforming physical education by helping teachers to tailor activities to individual students’ needs. This has made PE more engaging and inclusive — and part of a broader campaign to instill lifelong habits of fitness.
In a landmark move last year, the Ministry of Education introduced rugby as an elective sport — an initiative that underscores the growing importance of physical activity in the national curriculum.
But technology alone is not enough. To ensure lasting impact, experts say that the Kingdom must continue investing in infrastructure, educator training and custom tools that align with Saudi culture and goals.
Through such initiatives, Saudi Arabia is turning AI into more than just a technological leap — it is becoming a public health revolution, helping the nation move, live and feel better every day.
