Conversations under the tree: Saudi community space encourages discussions on environment

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Updated 26 April 2025
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Conversations under the tree: Saudi community space encourages discussions on environment

  • Riyadh venture part of wider network with sites around world  

RIYADH: A Saudi nonprofit organization has created a “tree library” in Riyadh, which aims to educate the public while providing a community space for environmental discussions.

AEON Collective’s initiative is raising awareness of environmental topics through organized discussions and offering opportunities for knowledge exchange.

Princess Mashael Al-Shalan, co-founder of AEON Collective, told Arab News: “We have a firm belief that if we are trying to tackle a lot of these issues we’re talking about in our day-to-day operations — climate change, energy security, biodiversity loss, land degradation — as we heard in Saudi last year, you need to have a way of talking truly about the complexity of these issues.”

The tree library was developed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when in-person meetings were restricted.

Princess Al-Shalan added: “We needed to find some way to make it a bit safer for people to congregate again in person, to have some of these difficult conversations and do them in a way that was consistent, of delivering on actionable dialogs, not necessarily just conversation for its (own) sake.”

The tree library is not only an area for dialogue, but also a garden where people can enjoy conversation while surrounded by nature.

Co-founder Princess Noura bint Turki compared it to a majlis, or traditional gathering.

She added: “They’re just respectful interactions and exchanges of ideas which then, even if you have a problem, you end up solving this problem or finding solutions. That is a win-win for everyone.”

The tree library is now growing and has become a haven for all types of environmental health and well-being activities.

Princess Noura explained that health and wellness were essential to creating a healthy community.

She said: “We provide them with the space, they have these conversations together, they work out or they do some healing practices and exercises, but at the same time they reflect on the space where they feel connected to nature and they start thinking about sustainability issues.

“They can have conversations around sustainability, around challenges that we’re facing, and come up with solutions. That way you get people from various backgrounds, various interests, to talk about subjects, to speak to them at the individual level. That’s how you create a community.”

AEON Collective has created a number of tree libraries around the world, including in Italy, Kuwait, Jamaica, Liberia, and the US.

Princess Al-Shalan described how these interconnected libraries were a representation of the underground mycelium networks that trees use to communicate.

She said: “(This) romantic paradigm is something that we’re trying to replicate in the physical and digital realm with these locations of the tree library, so that the notion of a system coming to the aid of its weakest constituents in a specific way is how we’re trying to address it.”

Although interconnected, each tree library is designed to serve its own local community.

Princess Al-Shalan said: “The priorities of each of those different jurisdictions are most definitely different from those in Riyadh.

“So while, for example, Failaka Island used to be the food basket of Kuwait prior to the First Gulf War, after it a lot of the land there was no longer productive.

“The return of those lands to something that’s a bit more productive as a vehicle for food security for Kuwait is immensely important.”

The co-founders of AEON Collective speak of how collaborative discussions often lead to stronger advocacy efforts and policy changes, with open communication empowering people to take action and promote a sustainable future for the planet.

Princess Noura said: “The whole idea is you want to inspire a new generation of support, and the way you inspire a new generation is by showing them through action.

“If we can work with people from our generation or our younger generation to showcase the positive impacts that can happen through an individual and at a community level, when it comes to environmental conservation, human well-being, then you are charting a way for the new generations and the upcoming generations to really have urgency moving forward.

“We hope that everyone feels that this is a space for them, where they can come and learn and contribute and also educate others, because that’s how we learn from each other and create stronger communities.”


Saudi FM receives phone call from UK foreign secretary

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and British Secretary of State David Lammy. (File/AFP)
Updated 06 July 2025
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Saudi FM receives phone call from UK foreign secretary

  • The UK foreign secretary is on a visit to the region and he met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday
  • On Sunday, Lammy met separately with Kuwait’s prime minister and crown prince during a visit to Kuwait

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs David Lammy on Sunday.

During the call, they reviewed Saudi-British relations and discussed developments in the region and efforts being made with regard to them, the Saudi foreign ministry said.

The UK foreign secretary is on a visit to the region and he met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday. The meeting marked the restoration of British-Syrian relations after 14 years of tensions during Syria’s conflict and Assad family rule.

On Sunday, Lammy met separately with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah during a visit to Kuwait.


Saudi author brings stories closer to home

Updated 06 July 2025
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Saudi author brings stories closer to home

  • Kendah Jambi has turned to local folklore and southern Saudi Arabia for her next novel

RIYADH: When Saudi writer Kendah Jambi released “The Epic of Frost” in 2024, she wrapped up a fantasy trilogy that had been nearly a decade in the making.

Spanning three titles published by Adab Book — “The Voyagers” (2021), “The Historian” (2023), and “The Epic of Frost” (2024) — the trilogy reflects a growing interest in Arabic speculative fiction and highlights her steady rise within the Kingdom’s evolving literary scene.

With the series complete, the 25-year-old has turned the page with a new project: “Khalil,” a standalone novel rooted in Saudi heritage and slated for release this year.

Author Kendah Jambi sees the current moment in Saudi Arabia as particularly significant for writers, with growing cultural initiatives under Vision 2030. (Supplied/AN photo)

Reflecting on her journey, she told Arab News: “In comparison to when I first started, it has definitely become a lot easier to write and complete a novel in shorter amount of time.”

Her works have resonated with readers across Saudi Arabia who seek her out at the region’s various book fairs. Jambi said that she is touched by the kindness they express and their connection to her works. “I have young authors flooding my socials daily talking about how my work inspired them to write and stay persistent.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kendah Jambi’s ‘The Voyager’ fantasy trilogy gained momentum through its Manga Arabia adaptation.

• The writer’s next project ‘Khalil’ is a stand-alone novel rooted in Saudi heritage and slated for release this year.

• Her works have resonated with readers across Saudi Arabia who seek her out at the region’s various book fairs.

She added that her goal has always been “to make the world fall in love with the Arabic language.”

Jambi’s trilogy was published in Manga Arabia magazine’s print and digital versions. (AN Photo Basheer Saleh)

Her trilogy also gained momentum through its Manga Arabia adaptation, which Jambi said brought new attention to the original novels.

This, she said, brings the story full circle as “The Voyagers” was written originally to be a manga series and ended up becoming a novel.

Her advice to aspiring writers is grounded in experience: “Always chase what you believe in, no matter how long it takes. It took me seven years to write my first book, and I never regret taking my time,” she said.

Jambi’s trilogy gained momentum through its Manga Arabia adaptation, which Jambi said brought new attention to the original novels. (Supplied/AN photo)

While her earlier work leaned heavily into fantasy, her upcoming novel “Khalil” represents a shift in setting and tone.

“‘Khalil’ takes place in our modern-day Saudi Arabia across different regions. It reflects our heritage and traditions while being completely inspired by Arabian mythology,” she explained.

One such reimagining involves the folklore figure “Um Al-Saaf wa Al-Leef,” whom she described as “a witch who sits atop palm trees and eats children.”

Jambi participated in numerous book fairs in the MENA region, including the Riyadh International Book Fair. (AN Photo Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

In Jambi’s version, the character is still a deranged witch, but she does not eat children — instead, she has children named Al-Saaf and Al-Leef.

Jambi emphasized the importance of cultural accuracy in portraying southern Saudi characters, noting that her work “stays true to the people … I definitely made sure of that with help from friends native to that region.

“The characters are people whom Saudi readers can relate to as they hold similar values and have a familiar upbringing,” she added.

Explaining the shift from fantasy to a narrative more grounded in reality, Jambi said: “My pen is free and can go wherever it wants.”

She sees the current moment in Saudi Arabia as particularly significant for writers, with growing cultural initiatives under Vision 2030.

Maram Al-Samman, who read Jambi’s trilogy, told Arab News: “I see in Kendah Jambi a new and promising voice in Arabic fantasy literature … There are some moments that might lack narrative coherence, but her boldness in introducing new ideas and her creation of complex characters distinguish her work.”

Reflecting on her overall impression, Al-Samman added: “Personally, I believe her writing is worth reading, especially for those who enjoy novels that expand the imagination and open the door to deep thought.”

With the trilogy and her upcoming standalone novel sharing the same narrative universe, Jambi has created an expansive literary ecosystem where the fantastical and the familiar coexist.

 


Eastern region governor receives Thailand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz (R) holds talsk with Dam Bontam in Dammam. (Supplied)
Updated 06 July 2025
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Eastern region governor receives Thailand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

  • The officials discussed topics of common interest

DAMMAM: Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Eastern Region, received Thailand’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Dam Bontam, in Dammam on Sunday.

During the meeting, the officials discussed topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Separately, Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahyah Al-Qahtani presented his credentials to the country’s president, Mohamed Muizzu, at his office.

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the historic Saudi-Maldives partnership,” the Saudi Embassy wrote in a post on X on Sunday.

 


Saudi Arabia enhances pilgrimage journey with record growth, satisfaction

Pilgrim Experience Program issued its 2024 annual report, showing a 101 percent increase in arrivals compared with 2022.
Updated 06 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia enhances pilgrimage journey with record growth, satisfaction

  • New report reveals 101% increase in arrivals, improved services, and seamless pilgrim experiences

RIYADH: The Pilgrim Experience Program, a key initiative under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, issued its 2024 annual report, showing a 101 percent increase in arrivals compared with 2022 — an achievement attributed to cross-sector integration and streamlined procedures facilitating pilgrimages.

The report highlighted the program’s and its affiliated entities’ achievements in enhancing services for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, showing the Kingdom’s efforts to provide a rich, seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience from planning to safe return.

According to the report, in 2024 more than 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, exceeding the year’s targets.

It noted that 89 initiatives, implemented with more than 40 government entities, achieved a 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives cover all stages of the pilgrim journey, including transport, rituals, and visits to historical and religious sites.

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah and chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program committee, said that the Saudi leadership has prioritized serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a key goal of Vision 2030.

Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah hosted more than 13 million visitors in 2024, up from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction rose from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting improved service quality and experience.

Volunteer engagement grew significantly, with more than 153,000 volunteers serving pilgrims in 2024, up from 15,000 in 2022 — showing a stronger culture of social participation.

Internationally, the program led 33 overseas visits with public and private partners, addressing logistical challenges, opening new routes, increasing seat capacity and easing travel for pilgrims.

The Hajj and Umrah minister emphasized that these achievements result from the efforts of more than 40 partner organisations, each working with a sense of religious and national duty.

Globally, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah climbed to seventh in the global tourism performance index, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading spiritual and cultural destination.

The report also highlighted advances in digital services, notably the Nusuk platform, which now offers more than 100 services to streamline travel, booking, and pilgrimage arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Makkah Route initiative, designed to expedite travel procedures for pilgrims in their home countries, has benefited more than 940,000 travelers since its inception.

The report concluded by emphasizing that these milestones reflect the support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the efforts of various government agencies.

It reaffirmed that serving pilgrims remains a top national priority, with continued innovation and integration to enhance their religious and cultural journey in line with Vision 2030 aspirations.


Baha’s farms cultivate more than crops as tourism grows

Baha’s rural farms are drawing travelers looking for a slower pace of life. (SPA)
Updated 06 July 2025
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Baha’s farms cultivate more than crops as tourism grows

  • Region is home to 23 licensed rural farms
  • More are expected as part of broader effort by Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to license up to 50 farms across Baha

RIYADH: Tucked into Saudi Arabia’s mountainous southwest, Baha’s rural farms are drawing travelers looking for a slower pace of life.

Fruit picking, farming and rustic charm meet Saudi hospitality in the growing tourism trend.

The region is home to 23 licensed rural farms, with more expected as part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to license up to 50 farms across Baha, the Saudi Press Agency said in a report.

The growth is part of a national initiative to promote agritourism and rural development, with farms contributing to the local economy by combining agriculture with heritage-based tourism.

The ministry has supported this development by distributing 15,000 seedlings of crops suited to the region, including blackberries, pistachios, saffron, roses and strawberries.

Seven demonstration fields have been set up as models for successful farming, and small farms have been developed to host agritourism activities, including fruit picking, livestock care and tree planting.

Five agritourism workshops and several entrepreneurial training sessions have been held for farm owners. The ministry has also conducted 25 workshops on licensing procedures and 114 field visits to facilitate agricultural licensing processes.

The licensed farms span various governorates and offer a range of experiences that combine traditional hospitality with the region’s agriculture and cultural identity.

Visitors can sample local cuisine, take part in agricultural activities, and explore handicrafts and social traditions.

During the summer, the farms produce a variety of fresh fruits, including grapes, figs, apricots, pomegranates, blackberries, prickly pears and peaches.