Saudi skywatchers set for a rare planetary encounter
Saudi skywatchers set for a rare planetary encounter/node/2567265/saudi-arabia
Saudi skywatchers set for a rare planetary encounter
Jupiter and Mars will appear close together in the sky on Thursday as the two planets converge in a pre-dawn alignment, according to the Jeddah Astronomy Society. (Supplied)
Saudi skywatchers set for a rare planetary encounter
Special celestial show set to feature in the night sky
Updated 13 August 2024
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Astronomers in Saudi Arabia are in for a special celestial show this week as an event is set to feature in the night sky.
Jupiter and Mars will appear close together in the sky on Thursday as the two planets converge in a rare pre-dawn alignment, according to the Jeddah Astronomy Society.
Enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up for the event, and Saudi skywatchers will be joining them to try and see this rare astronomical event.
Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, said: “This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity.
“Observers will be able to see Jupiter’s brilliant white light paired with Mars’ distinctive reddish glow. It will look as if they are almost touching.”
Abu Zahra added that the two planets will be separated by just 0.3 degrees, a feat not to be repeated until December 2033.
While this proximity may appear astonishing, it is purely an optical illusion: Mars and Jupiter remain millions of miles apart.
Owners of telescopes are in for an even greater treat as Jupiter’s four largest moons will also be visible alongside the two planets, said the Jeddah Astronomy Society.
“This is a dream come true for astrophotographers,” said Abu Zahra.
“Capturing both planets and their moons in a single frame will create stunning images.”
Waleed Jameel, an astronomer working in Riyadh, is excited at the prospect of the event, and told Arab News: “I am eagerly awaiting to see this rare celestial experience with my friends as two planets in our Solar System are expected to have a rare planetary encounter. It’s a special opportunity to see it.”
NASA’s official website has highlighted the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn as its most recent significant event, in 2020. The planets were less than 0.1 degrees apart at that time.
Riyadh: On the International Day of Human Space Flight, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the benefits of outer space, recognizing its vital role in advancing humanity.
This includes developing and implementing national space policies, promoting research and industry, building local expertise, and enhancing cooperation with domestic and international partners, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Celebrated annually on April 12, this day marks the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 and Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight in 1961, which ushered in the space age.
The Saudi Space Agency supports Vision 2030 by striving to position the Kingdom as a global hub in the space sector, driving scientific and economic progress through innovation.
The agency’s priorities include strengthening global partnerships, building national capabilities, fostering innovation, and supporting investment in space sciences, the SPA reported.
It promotes growth through innovation, represents the Kingdom in international forums, and boosts research and development to inspire future generations and elevate Saudi Arabia’s role in global space exploration.
The agency is dedicated to advancing the civil space sector and promoting the peaceful use of space, aiming to establish the Kingdom as a leading regional and global force in space science and technology.
Interior Ministry announces Hajj season procedures to ensure safety
Umrah permits suspended from April 29 to June 10 for local, regional pilgrims
Updated 15 min 10 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: In preparation for this year’s Hajj season, the Ministry of Interior announced arrangements and procedures aimed at preserving pilgrims’ safety and enabling them to perform the Hajj rituals with ease and peace of mind.
From April 23, residents within the Kingdom wishing to enter Makkah must obtain permits from the relevant authorities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Residents without proper permits will be barred from entering Makkah and will be returned to their original destinations, the ministry said.
The ministry added that exemptions apply to residents with a work permit for the holy sites issued by the relevant authority, those with a resident ID issued by Makkah, or those with valid Hajj permits.
Entry permits for residents working during the Hajj season are issued electronically via the Absher Individuals and Muqeem portal, the SPA reported.
Authorities also suspended the issuance of Umrah permits through the Nusuk platform for citizens of the Kingdom, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, residents within the Kingdom, and holders of other visas from April 29 until June 10.
No one holding any type of visa will be permitted to enter or remain in Makkah — except those with Hajj visas — starting April 29, the ministry said.
Earlier, the ministry announced that the last date for Umrah visa holders to enter the Kingdom is April 13, and the last date to leave is April 29, the SPA reported.
Companies and establishments serving pilgrims and Umrah performers that fail to report any delays to the relevant authorities could face fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), with legal action being taken against those responsible.
Fines will be multiplied depending on how many individuals are in breach of the departure deadlines, according to the SPA.
The Ministry of Interior is urging compliance with Hajj regulations and cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure pilgrims’ safety.
Saudi Arabia condemns attacks on displacement camps in western Sudan
The attacks resulted in numerous deaths and injuries in a clear breach of international law and international humanitarian law,
Updated 13 April 2025
Arab News
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has condemned and strongly denounced the recent attacks on displacement camps near the city of El Fasher — specifically the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps — in western Sudan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
The attacks resulted in numerous deaths and injuries in a clear breach of international law and international humanitarian law, the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its rejection of such violations and emphasized the urgent need to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian and relief workers. The Kingdom also stressed the importance of adhering to the commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration, which aims to safeguard civilians in Sudan.
The ministry extended its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery for those injured.
Saudi energy minister meets US counterpart at KAPSARC
Meeting underscored growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the US in energy, sustainability, and research fields
Updated 12 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and his accompanying delegation on Saturday at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The visit came as part of the US official’s visit to the Kingdom.
The meeting underscored the growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the US in the fields of energy, sustainability, and research.
During the visit, Secretary Wright was briefed on KAPSARC’s key roles in energy policy research and transformation, climate change mitigation, sustainable transportation, and strategic advisory services.
Discussions also explored collaborative opportunities in energy research, the exchange of expertise, and enhancing joint research initiatives.
KAPSARC’s ongoing work in developing advanced analytical models and tools was recognized as a crucial contributor to shaping forward-looking energy policies and practical solutions to today’s pressing issues, SPA added.
Azka Farmer’s Market returns with a monthly celebration of Saudi produce
As Saudi Arabia, we can reach ethical foods and self-sufficiency, says initiative founder
Updated 12 April 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Starting this month, the two-day Azka Farmer’s Market will take place every month at Hayy Jameel.
The market is not just a shopping destination for fresh produce, but also a platform for cultivating awareness around healthy food choices, sustainability and Saudi Arabia’s rich agricultural heritage.
Visitors can explore the best of locally grown seasonal fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as bread and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom.
At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)
Organized as part of Art Jameel’s community programming under the Hayy Markets initiative, the market creates an ideal atmosphere for families and food lovers. It also features a chef’s corner, Azka’s specialty coffee pop-up, free public programming and engaging activities for children at Hayy Explorers, including drawing stations and reading areas.
Zaki Kamel, Azka Foods founder, told Arab News: “We are trying to reach an ethical food system and self-sufficiency based on the ethics of food production, which I understood from the Qur’an over the last eight years of contemplation.”
He said that organisers were working with more than 74 food vendors from around the Kingdom in categories ranging from honey and dairy to vegetables, fruits and meat.
At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)
“As Saudi Arabia, we can reach ethical foods and self-sufficiency. This monthly farmer’s market at Hayy Jameel is a step toward that. It offers an alternative to the modern supermarket model of sourcing food, where the consumer is directly connected with the producer and farmer,” he said.
“We can hopefully export this philosophy of ethics to the rest of the world.”
Each month, 16 booths from producers and farms across the region will be featured.
At Azka Farmer’s Market visitors can explore locally grown produce and other specialty items sourced from farms and producers from across the Kingdom. (Supplied)
“For the farmers who cannot have a booth, we have the ‘Azka Selection’ section where we take the responsibility of selling their produce for them,” Kamel said.
One of the core elements of the Azka Farmer’s Market is interaction and education. Visitors can meet producers face-to-face, ask questions during Q&A sessions, and attend panel discussions with key figures in the local agricultural community.
On April 11, the first day of the market’s new season, a panel hosted Jassim Almughrabi, the first organic honey producer in Saudi Arabia and owner of Mugribi Apiaries Est.
He shared insights into the differences between organic and conventional beekeeping, drawing from his expertise as a former honeybee specialist at the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
“We discussed which honey is better organic or regular — and explored the lives of bees that stay in one place all year versus those moved seasonally,” Almughrabi said.
“Many people attended, asked questions, and left with new knowledge. They were very happy about the material, and I hope we meet again for another discussion in the future.”
Panel discussions were also held the following day with producers from Baha, who cultivate ancient strains of wheat and grains, and food historians from Lebanon and Canada, who explored Saudi Arabia’s culinary history and its global connections.
Nagwat Al-Nanaa Farms, an award-winning organic farm based in Madinah, is among the local food producers at the market.
Fahad Al-Raddadi, CEO of the farm, said: “Our farm was proudly recognized as the best farm in Madinah in 2021 and 2022, a reflection of our commitment to quality and sustainability.
After five years in the market, Nagwat Al-Nanaa earned its organic production certification with the support of Azka Foods.
“Ahmad Kamel played a crucial role in guiding us through the certification process, helping us formalize and validate the organic practices we had already embraced. The farmers market always proves to be a major success and opened the door to a broader network within the local agricultural community,” he said.
“Our journey has also taken us beyond Saudi borders. We were honored to be one of 22 companies selected to represent Saudi Arabia internationally, participating in events across Italy, the UK, Australia, Japan, and more in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Culinary Arts Commission.”
Alongside the stalls and panels, the Hayy Cinema screens related films such as “Flow” and “Thank You For Banking With Us,” weaving culture and conversation into the market experience.
The next Azka Farmer's Market event will be held on May 9 and 10.
