Saudi environmentalist’s 500,000 bottle cap mural enters Guinness World Records
In 2021, Al-Fadli registered the “Making a Map of the World Using Plastic Covers” initiative as the biggest such map in the world, and which was launched with the Ministry of Sports as part of aims to preserve the environment in Jeddah
Updated 22 August 2023
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Saudi environmental activist Khulood Al-Fadli has officially entered the Guinness World Records for creating the world’s largest mural using plastic bottle caps, symbolizing a green Saudi Arabia.
The mural, which covers an area of 383 square meters, involved the use of 500,000 plastic bottle caps.
The Saudi teacher, who was supported by Green Leaves School students during the eight months it took to create the mural, aims to preserve the environment by reusing and reducing plastic.
Al-Fadli’s students helped created the mosaic mural and learned the importance of repurposing plastic in the process. (Supplied)
Al-Fadli submitted a raft of evidence including video footage, data and witness statements to Guinness World Records and spoke to Arab News of her delight after learning they had confirmed that her application had been successful.
“I’m just so, so pleased for this second record — it was a lot of work for everybody involved, especially the team who supported me,” she said. “It was a while waiting to hear whether it would be officially verified, so when I found out it had been approved it was a huge relief, not so much for myself but for all of those who gave up their time to help make it happen.”
In 2021, Al-Fadli registered the “Making a Map of the World Using Plastic Covers” initiative as the biggest such map in the world, and which was launched with the Ministry of Sports as part of aims to preserve the environment in Jeddah. The 250-square meter, record-breaking world map was made using 350,000 plastic bottle caps.
She added: “Praise be to Allah, always and forever, in the completion of the largest mural in the world … symbolizing the green Saudi Arabia between our past, our civilization and our bright future. The mural took eight months of perseverance and persistence. (It) aims to reuse and reduce plastic and preserve the environment. Thank you for everyone’s support for this initiative and thanks to my team (Keep It Green) and my family and husband who believed in me.”
The certificate for Al-Fadli’s achievement was handed over during a special ceremony at the Jeddah Corniche with the attendance of officials from Guinness World Records and Jeddah Municipality, and members of her family, school and community.
The plastic caps for the mural were collected as a community effort, with contributions from the school students, family, friends and a growing number of plastic bottle cap donors. The caps were cleaned, positioned, and finishing touches added.
Al-Fadli’s students helped created the mosaic mural and learned the importance of repurposing plastic in the process. The children also visited the mural with Al-Fadli, who is the school’s principal, after its completion.
The artist explained that the children participate in many environmental sustainability projects, including cleaning beaches and landscaping in public parks. They were also involved in the 2021 record-breaking world map.
Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting
Updated 5 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: The Kingdom, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, took part in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held on Thursday via video conferencing.
Nazaha President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous expressed his thanks to the association’s president and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, Danny Woo, for organizing the meeting and for the association’s efforts to promote international cooperation in combating corruption.
He added that the Kingdom, represented by Nazaha, has paid significant attention to strengthening international partnerships in the fields of combating corruption and protecting integrity, and these efforts have resulted in a number of tangible achievements.
Al-Kahmous said that the Kingdom believes in the pivotal role played by the association in solidifying the principles of transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge and experiences.
Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital
Updated 7 min 50 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
If you are looking for an authentic taste of Japanese curry in Riyadh, look no further than Kokoro.
Nestled in Al-Yasmeen district, this cozy restaurant has made its way from Alkhobar and quickly captured the hearts of curry enthusiasts.
On entering Kokoro, you are transported into a minimalist Japanese setting that feels like stepping into a traditional home. The ambiance is warm and inviting, enhanced by the friendly staff who make you feel at home.
Kokoro specializes in Japanese curry, offering a delightful departure from the more common Indian curry. The menu features a variety of options, including chicken, shrimp, and beef curry. You will love the Kokoro Special, designed for two at a reasonable price of SR51 (about $14).
The curry here is distinctively good, offering a distinctive flavor profile. The spice levels range from 0 to 5.
You might start with some appetizers. The gyoza dumplings are a standout. They are perfectly cooked and flavorful, while the sweet potatoes are decent but don’t quite impress. For the main course, you might indulge in the chicken Katsu curry, which is crispy and juicy, and never disappoints.
The service is impressively fast.
Kokoro can get quite busy, so downloading the Requeue app to manage your wait time is recommended. While the line can be long, the food is undoubtedly worth it. You also must try both the shrimp and chicken Katsu; each dish is flavorful and well-spiced.
The vibrant flavors and cozy atmosphere here make it a memorable dining experience. If you are in Riyadh and craving Japanese curry, Kokoro is a must-visit.
Royal Commission highlights new and improved services for Hajj pilgrims
Upgrades include enhanced bus network with 400 vehicles, plus 170,000 sq. m. pedestrian area with rubber flooring and 10,000 trees for shade
Healthcare provisions include a fully equipped hospital in the Mina valley with a capacity of 200 beds
Updated 18 min 53 sec ago
Arab News
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia stands ready to serve the pilgrims who have started to arrive in the country for this year’s Hajj, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites said on Thursday. It follows the development and enhancement of infrastructure in Makkah, Mina and Muzdalifah, including several transport and healthcare projects, it added.
Pedestrian sidewalks and shaded tracks in central of Makkah have been improved, and prayer yards have been expanded to accommodate Hajj crowds, the commission said.
Makkah’s bus network will operate with enhanced services during the period of the pilgrimage, with 400 buses serving 12 routes, 431 stops and four central bus stations.
A 170,000-square-meter pedestrian area in Muzdalifah, a key pilgrimage site southeast of Makkah, has been upgraded with rubber flooring and 10,000 trees to provide shade and reduce the effects of heat on pilgrims.
Healthcare provisions include a fully equipped hospital with a capacity of 200 beds in Mina, a remote valley, also southeast of Makkah, where pilgrims spend the night in tents before performing a Hajj ritual the next day.
The commission has also provided two-story tents to increase the accommodation for pilgrims spending the night in the valley, along with as multistory toilet facilities and electric-scooter services serving three routes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition, the commission has set up 71 emergency centers at various locations in Mina, as well as rest areas, shaded spots and 400 chilled water stations.
Hajj is expected to begin on June 4 and continue until June 9.
Taif rose farmers bid farewell to their most treasured harvest as season ends
Rose oil used in perfumes is exported to markets across Europe and the Gulf
Rain poses threat to rose harvest as prices surge to SR1,800 ($480) per bottle
Updated 24 min 37 sec ago
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
TAIF: As the Taif rose season comes to an end, the region’s farmers are reflecting on the challenges they have faced this year.
The season is one of the area’s most important agricultural and tourism events, marking the arrival of spring as rose farms across the highlands of Al-Hada, Al-Shafa and Taif’s terraced fields are transformed into breathtaking pink landscapes with intoxicating scents.
As it draws to a close, farmers work tirelessly to harvest the final blooms, while distillation plants extract the last precious drops of rose oil — each bottle of which is made from around 12,000 roses and can fetch prices up to SR1,800 ($480).
Despite weather-related challenges affecting yields, the Taif rose has preserved its renowned status.
Nestled among the towering mountains is the Taif Rose Terraces Farm, managed by Abdullah Al-Talhi. Speaking to Arab News, he discussed the current state of rose farming and its economic value, highlighting the impact of rainfall during the “dormant” period which negatively affected both the harvest and prices.
Rose season has a precise cycle which starts with pruning. If it rains during the following 40 days — a natural dormant period — the roses are at risk, as this phase requires dry weather for proper blooming.
Al-Talhi said the unexpected wet weather had provided this year’s biggest challenge, disrupting the plants’ natural rhythm, weakening the buds and causing them to bloom prematurely. This means a shorter flowering window and a faster decline in overall production.
“The rose season is like a gold harvest for farmers,” Al-Talhi said. “But when rain falls at the wrong time, the losses can be twofold.”
The lower yield significantly drove up the price of Taif rose oil, with a bottle reaching SR1,800 — an increase of SR600 on last year’s price.
Al-Talhi said any unplanned climate shift posed a serious threat to such delicate agriculture and stressed the importance of protecting this symbol of regional culture: “The Taif rose is a reflection of who we are,” he told Arab News.
Hamid Al-Sufyani, who owns one of Al-Shafa’s historic rose farms, highlighted the growing global prestige of Taif rose products, which are used in the creation of some of the world’s most luxurious perfumes and exported to markets across Europe and the Gulf.
“Demand for Taif rose oil increases year after year,” he said. “It’s regarded as one of the purest and most valuable essential oils in the world. Just one bottle requires nearly 12,000 roses, each hand-picked with care.”
Al-Sufyani said the Taif rose was used to represent the city at international exhibitions and agricultural fairs.
“I’ve personally participated in events abroad and witnessed firsthand how the name ‘Taif’ is immediately associated with roses by enthusiasts around the world,” he explained.
“That reputation wasn’t built overnight; it’s the result of years of dedication by farmers and the continued support of various organizations.”
He emphasized that sustaining this reputation required not only consistent quality but also the need to stay up to date with advancements in distillation, preservation and marketing, and urged government institutions to increase their support for farmers, given the Taif rose’s cultural and economic importance.
How a KAUST team is using AI to transform date harvesting in Saudi Arabia
How a KAUST team is using AI to transform date harvesting in Saudi Arabia
Scientists developing smart robotics to automate harvesting and maintenance, addressing labor challenges, boosting crop yields
Updated 22 min 41 sec ago
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is transforming its agriculture sector with advanced robotics aimed at boosting productivity and sustainability.
Artificial intelligence-powered machines are automating date-palm harvesting and managing irrigation, addressing labor shortages while optimizing water use in the Kingdom’s arid climate.
Backed by major investments and ongoing field trials, the country is also positioning itself as a leader in smart farming, with the goal of increasing crop yields and enhancing food security.
A key initiative in this push is a research project led by a team at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, which is developing an AI-driven robotic system to support local date farmers.
The project, headed by KAUST Assistant Prof. Shinkyu Park, focuses on automating critical tasks in date palm cultivation — including harvesting, pollination, and tree maintenance. By integrating robotics with AI, the team aims to improve efficiency and deliver higher yields of more nutritious dates.
The research was motivated by the pressing need to modernize and automate traditional practices in Saudi Arabia’s date palm industry, a sector that has long been central to the nation’s food security and economy, Park told Arab News.
The research was motivated by the pressing need to modernize and automate traditional practices in Saudi Arabia’s date palm industry. (SPA)
He said: “This research project seeks to reduce labor-intensive risks, enhance agricultural efficiency, and align with national priorities by positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in agricultural innovation.”
Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest date producer, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, with production topping 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, as per data from the General Authority for Statistics.
But date harvesting is physically demanding. It requires farmers to climb tall trees and rely on years of experience to judge fruit ripeness — a clear opportunity for AI-powered robotics to make a meaningful impact, Park says.
To this end, the KAUST team, with support from the National Center for Palms and Dates, focused on precise date assessment to enable accurate harvesting using robotic systems.
Their research began with a well-established AI model that leverages high-resolution visual sensor data to identify individual dates and, at a later stage of the project, to classify both their species and ripeness — one of the project’s key milestones, Park noted.
“These models are continuously refined as we collect additional experimental data and gain insights from ongoing trials,” he said.
Date harvesting is physically demanding work that requires farmers to climb tall trees and rely on years of experience to judge fruit ripeness. (SPA)
Park said AI will be integrated into every major stage of the process — from identifying ripe dates and guiding robotic arms around palm trees, to optimizing grasping and harvesting using advanced machine learning.
Building on that foundation, the system combines robotic arms with specialized tools and AI-driven software to handle essential tasks such as harvesting, pollination and palm tree maintenance.
“The system will be developed to autonomously identify dates, female flowers, and tree trunks to support these operations,” Park said. “The robotic arms are engineered for high-precision movement, enabling the selective harvesting of ripe dates without damaging surrounding fruit.”
In addition to harvesting, the robotic platform is designed to promote overall tree health. “Beyond harvesting, the system will also enhance palm tree health by enabling timely pesticide application to help prevent pest infestations and disease,” he said.
He pointed out that “the use of modern AI tools that leverage data is becoming essential in robotics, particularly when developing systems for deployment in complex, unstructured environments like date palm farms.”
“These AI-driven methods allow the system to adapt and improve over time,” he added. “AI will play a critical role in enhancing productivity by learning from operational data and continuously refining the robot’s performance across a range of agricultural tasks.”
To support this adaptability, the KAUST team’s robots are also fitted with vision-based systems and a range of sensors, including force/torque sensors at each joint. These components measure physical interactions during manipulation and provide real-time feedback to guide the robot’s actions.
Just as human farmers rely on fingertip pressure to sense whether they have successfully grasped a date, these sensors enable the robot to evaluate the quality of its grip on individual fruits.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest date producer, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.
• The Kingdom has more than 33 million palm trees — about 27 percent of the global total.
• It grows over 400 varieties of dates, though only about 40 have significant economic value.
Further improving the system’s learning capabilities, human input plays a key role. Demonstrations of date palm harvesting, pollination and tree maintenance serve as valuable feedback for refining the AI models.
By continuously integrating sensory data with human expertise, the system evolves over time — much like a human apprentice gaining skill through guided, hands-on experience.
Still, a key challenge is how to deploy these systems reliably in natural outdoor environments. Park said this is where the AI models and sensing technology must prove themselves.
“The camera systems we currently use have demonstrated strong performance in other complex domains — such as underwater robotics, as validated in other projects in our lab,” he said.
The date palm industry has long been central to the nation’s food security and economy. (Supplied by Khalid Al-Ramadan)
“However, to achieve the level of precision required for accurate date detection in outdoor agricultural settings, we are also exploring additional sensing modalities, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), to improve robustness under diverse environmental conditions.”
He noted that “these efforts are closely integrated with the iterative refinement of our AI models, particularly as we gather more data during upcoming field trials to ensure accurate and reliable classification of date varieties and maturity levels.”
As Saudi Arabia increasingly embraces AI across industries, concerns about automation replacing human labor have surfaced. Park emphasized, however, that this technology is intended to complement — not replace — human expertise.
“Experienced date palm farmers remain indispensable for advancing best practices and overseeing day-to-day operations,” he said. “The primary goal of the system is to reduce the physical demands of harvesting while making advanced technologies accessible, even to smallholder farmers.
“Beyond its technical objectives, the project also aims to cultivate local talent and attract global expertise, fostering sustainable development and promoting knowledge exchange within the field of agricultural robotics.”
Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest date producer. (SPA)
Looking ahead, the KAUST team is preparing for real-world validation. During the 2025 field trial, Park said the research team aims to validate the first-year robotic system design under real-world farming conditions and collect extensive data to further enhance their AI models.
“These trials are essential for evaluating system performance, strengthening robustness, and accelerating progress toward full-scale deployment over the planned three-year development period,” he said.
“We intend to conduct field trials during every date harvesting season. While most of the engineering work is carried out in the KAUST robotics lab, these trials are critical for testing and validating the robotic system in practical agricultural environments.”
