JEDDAH: Saudi travelers planning summer vacations have been urged to show caution in their choice of destination, with many opting for new locations following recent travel bans.
As Muslims across the globe will celebrate the Eid Al-Adha holiday on July 20, many residents of the Kingdom made plans to vacation in Dubai as well as other cities in the UAE and nearby areas.
However, on Saturday, the Ministry of Interior issued a travel ban to and from three countries, including the UAE, forcing many to cancel bookings.
Although people are searching for new vacation destinations, travel agents are advising against all but essential international travel.
“We recommend people avoid travel unless it’s absolutely necessary,” said Yousef A. from One World Travel Agency said. “People should especially avoid countries with more severe variants of COVID-19, such as the UAE.”
He encouraged Saudis and residents to enjoy their holidays locally.
“A lot of what people are chasing in Dubai, for example, is provided here in the Kingdom. There are many different activities, including 24-hour cinemas, hiking and camping events, cruises, boat trips, concerts and safaris,” he said. “It’s also safer to stay in Saudi.”
Yousef said that clients already vacationing in the UAE, as well as those traveling for business, “are now stuck because of the ban.”
Mohammed Khaled, from the Luxuria travel agency, sympathizes with those who want to vacation outside the Kingdom.
“I have too many clients telling me that they’re beginning to feel confined and a bit suffocated,” he said.
“I can understand the need for a break from your environment and a change in routine. However, people should still travel smart by being cautious and avoiding countries with high numbers of coronavirus cases.”
Among those traveling for the Hajj holiday is Jeddah resident Basma Hassoubah, 23, who is heading to Portugal — a destination her family frequently visits.
“Portugal has become like a second home to us — we go there whenever we can,” she said. “We haven’t been there since 2019 due to the pandemic. I’ve really missed it.”
Hassoubah said that she needed a break from work and her surroundings.
“Living out of Saudi for over four years, then being under lockdown for more than a year was overwhelming. On top of that, work has been hectic, so that has further fueled my urge to have a vacation and recharge.”
Hassoubah said that she is excited, but also apprehensive, at the prospect of holidaying in Portugal.
“It’s very scary. Portugal doesn’t have a good handle on cases like Saudi does, so I am nervous. I will be avoiding Lisbon and any other hotspots and, of course, I will have to be extra careful, more so than I am here.”
Yara Mohammed, 27, from Jeddah, is planning a trip to Italy. “Although it will be really nice to go with my family and have a break from everything, I’m still terrified of being stuck in Italy the same way people in the UAE are stuck,” she said.
“My family travels to Italy often, and we like discovering new islands or places — Sardinia was on our list this time.”
However, Mohammed said that if flights to Italy or other parts of Europe are suspended, she will not feel disappointed.
“I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and the ban could be a blessing in disguise. Besides, I would rather be safe than sorry, and these travel bans are meant to prevent the spread of the stronger variants.”
Saudis urged to ‘travel smart’ during Eid Al-Adha vacation
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Saudis urged to ‘travel smart’ during Eid Al-Adha vacation
- Residents seek new horizons after UAE ban leaves holiday plans up in the air
Golden Pen Diwaniyah highlights Saudi popular theatre successes
- Participants praised the Golden Pen Diwaniyah’s impactful role in bringing together creative generations from all cultural backgrounds in daily meetings
RIYADH: This week’s Golden Pen Diwaniyah meeting on Thursday, titled “The Successes of Popular Theatre,” focused on the key milestones and evolution of Saudi popular theatre.
Those attending discussed the efforts made to support theatre and praised the role played by the General Entertainment Authority during Riyadh Season and on similar occasions. They agreed this support would contribute to building a new generation of competent theatre actors.
Participants highlighted the success of popular theater during Riyadh Season, which has an effective marketing strategy and attracts renowned artists from Saudi Arabia and beyond, resulting in a unique experience for visitors.
They also praised the Golden Pen Diwaniyah’s impactful role in bringing together creative generations from all cultural backgrounds in daily meetings.
Those present felt the Diwaniyah had won the hearts of authors and intellectuals in a short time by providing an opportunity for professional dialogue and helping to forge relationships between artists, authors, producers, publishers and media personalities.
The event concluded with a call for more family attendance at the theater. Participants agreed this was important as it helped spread theater culture and encouraged performances that positively reflected national and social values.
Chair of Sudan’s transitional council hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince in Makkah
- Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is also head of the Sudanese army, visits Saudi Arabia a day after his forces say they have driven rival militia fighters out of Khartoum
- Crown Prince and the general review efforts to achieve “security and stability” in Sudan, which has been locked in civil war for 2 years
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with the chair of Sudan’s ruling transitional council on Friday, a day after the Sudanese Armed Forces declared they had regained full control of the war-torn country’s capital, Khartoum.
Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is also the head of the SAF, met the crown prince at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah. They “reviewed the latest developments in the situation in Sudan” and the efforts made “toward achieving security and stability,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. They also discussed opportunities for cooperation between their countries and agreed to establish a coordination council to strengthen ties.
Al-Burhan visited the recaptured presidential palace in Khartoum on Wednesday after his forces recaptured it from rival paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces, and said the capital was now free of the militia’s fighters. His army confirmed on Thursday that it had cleared Khartoum of the last remaining RSF pockets.
Sudan descended into a civil war between the army and the RSF in April 2023. The RSF initially seized control of the capital and other parts of the country but the SAF regrouped and launched an offensive last year to regain Khartoum.
Saudi Arabia previously brokered several rounds of peace talks in an attempt to end the fighting in Sudan, during which tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than 12 million displaced.
Capitalizing on business opportunities during Ramadan
- Traditional clothing, food, outfits see increased sales
- Customer turnout increases in final 10 days of holy month
RIYADH: The Ramadan season presents a particular opportunity for businesses to thrive, as many consumers turn to products that enhance their experience during the holy month.
Items such as lanterns, dates and traditional fabrics see a significant uptick in sales, reflecting cultural practices and traditions.
Recently, Arab News visited the Al-Magliah market in Riyadh to explore what sells best during Ramadan. The findings highlighted the diverse range of products that cater to the needs of the community during this time.
One of the standout shops was dedicated to undergarments typically worn beneath thobes, along with traditional Saudi outfits such as the bisht and meshlah.
Hamza Sulaiman, a sales representative at the Al-Jaja store, said: “All year round we have bisht sales, but what really rises in Ramadan is the undergarments for thobes.
“Sales of the bisht peak in the last ten days of Ramadan as men prepare for Eid festivities. The yellow bisht is particularly popular, symbolizing celebration, while the white bisht is worn for Eid prayers along with accessories like the agal (the black headband).”
At Fakhamat Al-Irtiqaa, a shop specializing in thobe fabrics, sales representative Ali Saeed noted a remarkable increase in demand.
“During Ramadan, we see over a 90 percent boost in sales compared to other months. Customers prefer Japanese fabric because it is thick and resists wrinkling.
“A bolt of this fabric typically costs between SR550 to SR900 (about $146 to $240). Ramadan is our peak season, attracting both young and older men who are looking to tailor their outfits for Eid.”
Inside a local center, Fahad Jalabiyat showcased traditional Arabian dresses. Sales representative Saffiyah Eissa highlighted the growing popularity of jalabiyat during Ramadan.
“There’s a significant 70 percent increase in demand for jalabiyat as women seek comfortable yet modest attire.
“Our most expensive piece is priced at SR300 (about $80). The makahweer style, originally Emirati, is also trending here in Saudi Arabia, known for its vibrant colors and feminine cuts. As we approach the last ten days of Ramadan, customer turnout increases significantly, boosting our sales.”
The Ramadan season is a lucrative period for businesses in Al-Magliah, driven by cultural traditions and consumer preferences.
From traditional clothing to modern interpretations, the market adapts to meet the demands of its community, ensuring a truly festive atmosphere as families prepare for Eid celebrations.
KSrelief distributes 2,500 food baskets in Pakistan
- Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million)
ISLAMABAD: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center recently distributed 2,500 food baskets to families affected by floods in Pakistan’s Khairpur, Neelum Valley, Layyah and Lasbela districts. The food baskets benefited 17,500 individuals as part of this year’s “Etaam” food basket distribution project in the country.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
This comes as part of the Kingdom’s relief efforts to enhance food security in Pakistan as a result of the humanitarian crisis.
Elsewhere, the Saudi agency distributed 2,280 cartons of dates in Al-Mukalla district in Hadramout governorate, Yemen, benefiting 13,680 individuals, including vulnerable and displaced people, along with individuals with special needs. This comes as part of a project to distribute date aid in Yemen this year.
The aid comes within the framework of KSrelief’s various projects to support the Yemeni people across all governorates without discrimination.
MESH Core Riyadh 2025 conference to unlock healthcare innovation
- Healthcare innovation conference to be held under the patronage of education minister
RIYADH: MESH Core Riyadh 2025, a specialized conference and training program in healthcare innovation, will be held on April 14–15 at the InterContinental in Riyadh under the patronage of Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan.
The event will bring together leading minds from the Kingdom and around the world to develop innovation skills in the healthcare sector.
It features a training program and a conference presented by the U.S.-based Mass General Brigham group, aimed at empowering practitioners and enthusiasts to come up with innovative and effective solutions for the future of healthcare.
Over the course of two days, participants will engage in hands-on training, expert-led discussions, and exclusive networking opportunities. MESH Core provides participants with essential knowledge across key innovation domains, along with real-world insights from global and regional healthcare pioneers. The event is expected to inspire groundbreaking advancements in the healthcare industry.
The MESH innovation incubator was established in 2016 as an internal entrepreneurship accelerator within Mass General Brigham in collaboration with Harvard Medical School.
It is the first incubator of its kind integrated within a hospital system, with a physical space dedicated to fostering innovation.
Since its inception, MESH has supported more than 2,500 physicians and researchers through development projects, patents, startup creation, and specialized innovation education programs.
The conference is organized in partnership with NEOM, the King Saud University, and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.
KFSHRC’s partnership in hosting the event reinforces its dedication to advancing healthcare research, innovation, and global collaboration. With Saudi Arabia positioning itself as a leader in medical and technological advancements, this event will serve as a key platform for industry experts and visionaries to exchange ideas, foster new partnerships, and accelerate the region’s healthcare evolution.
KFSHRC has invited researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, students, and healthcare enthusiasts to participate in the event. Those wishing to attend can register early via the link: https://meshcoreriyadh2025.eventy.sa/.
Attendees can participate in interactive workshops, startup pitch sessions, and strategic discussions on the future of healthcare investment and technological transformation.
MESH Core Riyadh 2025 is designed for physicians, researchers, investors, startups, executives, and students, offering participants unprecedented access to the latest advancements in digital health, artificial intelligence in medicine, biotechnology, and healthcare entrepreneurship.
