Falcon breeding brings ancient hobby back to its old glory

The Kingdom has a rich historical heritage and tradition of falconry. A common companion of a Bedouin traveler across the Arabian deserts, hunting with falcons was an integral part of the land for thousands of years. (Supplied)
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Updated 05 August 2021
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Falcon breeding brings ancient hobby back to its old glory

  • International Auction for Falcon Breeding Farms in Saudi Arabia aims to present top-tier falcons and breeding farms from around the world

JEDDAH: Over the past few decades, falconers in Saudi Arabia have emerged as pioneers in breeding and preservation as the wider falconry industry has grown exponentially since its humble Bedouin beginnings.

The Kingdom has a rich historical heritage and tradition of falconry. A common companion of a Bedouin traveler across the Arabian deserts, hunting with falcons was an integral part of the land for thousands of years as they helped provide nourishment for the weary traveler by catching prey. 

In 1920, renowned American ornithologist and expert on birds, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, published an article in the National Geographic Magazine entitled “Falconry, the Sport of Kings” and described it as a “beautiful and romantic sport.” 

“A hawk must be at once kind and fierce; it must be to stand the changes of climate of the owner’s country; it must be strong enough and swift enough to overtake and strike down its quarry, and intelligent enough to be able to unlearn much of its native knowledge,” Fuertes wrote in the article. 

Today, falconry is one of the most interesting and lucrative sports for Saudis and many others in the region.

But it is falcon breeding that has played a key role in bringing the ancient hobby back to its old glory. Historically, wild falcons were caught at a young age, preferably less than a year old, as it could take months to train them properly as breeding became a rising interest amongst falconers and conservationists in the 1960-70s. 

It became a lucrative hobby as only the fastest, most powerful, beautiful, and intelligent falcons were selected based on their distinct characteristics and bred through reputable breeders. But the selection process was not easy. Breeders will spend thousands of Saudi riyals just for training but selecting the best is an integral part of the breeding process. 

Understanding the history of the bird was paramount, according to vet and wildlife conservation expert, Albara Al-Othman, who has specialized in endangered species for the past 16 years.

“It is no easy feat,” Al-Othman told Arab News. “The falcon breed is selected depending on the purpose or use, either they will be used for hunting or for contests and each one has its own categories, rules, and requirements. In beauty contests, only purebreds are allowed whereas you can find the hybrids included in the racing category. 

“Falconry racing is one of the most exclusive sports and only the top birds can join. Breeding provides that for falconers.”

According to Al-Othman, it takes two years for the birds of prey to reach adulthood in order to start the breeding process and produce chicks as the mothers also play an important role.

HIGHLIGHT

In 1920, renowned American ornithologist and expert on birds, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, published an article in the National Geographic Magazine entitled ‘Falconry, the Sport of Kings’ and described it as a ‘beautiful and romantic sport.’

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural International Auction for Falcon Breeding Farms at the Saudi Falcon Club (SFC) headquarters in Malham, north of the Kingdom’s capital Riyadh. The auction aims to present top-tier falcons from across the region along with some of the top breeding farms from around the world.

The auction will review the evolution of genetic biology and the process of falcon breeding that takes place on specialized farms. 

Protecting falcon species in the wild is more than just a lucrative business. They are often bred in captivity, which spearheaded a larger movement to protect some of the most vulnerable birds that are on the verge of being added to the endangered list. 

Al-Othman said that breeding plays a key role in preserving the numbers and the demand is high. 

“One potentially negative impact of the process would be the loss of the hybrid in the wild,” he said. “They can be quite aggressive if lost. The likelihood of that happening is rare but it is a risk.”

Last December, the SFC launched the first phase of their “Hadad” program, which aims to return falcons to their natural habitats. The program will be carried out in coordination with the Special Forces for Environmental Security, the National Center for Wildlife Development, and others. 

According to SFC, the birds will be monitored and their behavior studied.

“To ensure that falconers get the best out of a breed, the history of the selected bird is the most important factor as the stats count and are fundamental for the selection process,” Abdullah Shamrookh, a falconer with more than two decades of experience, said.

“The UAE, UK, Spain, and Holland are some of the top countries with breeding programs and the most famous would be crossbreeding between the Shaheen and purebred gyrfalcon. Known as Falco Peregrinus, they were selected for their speed and were very successful. It is one of the most amazing breeds found in any contest.”

Last year, a young wild Shaheen falcon, weighing 1.1 kilograms captured in Hafr Al-Batin, in the northeast of the Kingdom, was sold for more than $170,000. It was the most expensive sale of the breed, according to the SFC.

Shamrookh, who has vast experience in falconry, has started to compete in contests. As a falconer whose hobby is now turning professional, he has favored the Mountain Falco Peregrinus, known amongst falconers in the region as Al-Barbary (or the Barbary), even though it has not gained as much fame as its kin, the “Marine Falco Peregrinus.”

According to Shamrookh, falconers prefer bred falcons over wild ones as they are the ones that will likely win in contests and races. 

“The upcoming auction has been the talk of the town lately and is one of the biggest that will ever be,” he said.


Saudi minister of Islamic affairs inspects new projects at holy sites ahead of Hajj

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Saudi minister of Islamic affairs inspects new projects at holy sites ahead of Hajj

  • Misting fans, air quality monitors among upgrades as worship sites prepare to receive pilgrims
  • Eight development projects worth over $9m inaugurated during minister’s inspection tour

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs inspected holy sites on Thursday to ensure preparations were complete to receive pilgrims for the Hajj season.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh inaugurated eight development projects worth more than $9 million (SR33.7 million) as part of the tour.

The development projects include upgrades at Namira Mosque in Arafat.

These feature the installation of 19 structural umbrellas, similar to those at the Prophet’s Mosque, and heat-reflective coatings applied to floor surfaces in the mosque’s courtyard, reducing temperatures by up to 10 C in shaded areas.

The tour also marked the second phase of the courtyard cooling project, including the installation of 98 misting fans in and around Namira Mosque.

In Mina, 57 misting fans were installed as part of improvements at Al-Khaif Mosque and public restrooms.

A total of 70 cold water production units, each with a capacity of 1,000 liters, were installed to supply as many as 140,000 pilgrims per hour.

Other upgrades include the installation of an integrated audio, surveillance and lighting control system managed via a centralized electronic unit.

Carbon dioxide monitoring devices have also been installed for the first time to ensure indoor air quality for worshippers.

Additional upgrades included the modernization of air conditioning and ventilation systems at Namira and Al-Khaif mosques; restoration of Namira Mosque, including improved insulation and operational efficiency; and the renovation of Hajjaj Al-Barr Mosque in Mina. The total value of these projects exceeds $9 million.

Following the tour and projects inauguration, Al-Sheikh praised the generous support of the country’s leadership for pilgrims attending Hajj.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring that pilgrims can perform their rituals in comfort and tranquility.

The minister said that continuous support has empowered the ministry to fulfill its responsibilities in preparing the sites of worship, developing infrastructure and delivering services.


Saudi National Defense University holds graduation ceremony

Updated 39 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi National Defense University holds graduation ceremony

RIYADH: A graduation ceremony for the graduates of the defense ministry’s National Defense University was held in Riyadh under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.

Upon his arrival, the Saudi Press Agency reported, the defense minister was received by Vice Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf; Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili; adviser to the minister of defense for intelligence affairs Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Seif; and director of the National Defense University, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Ruwaili.

Prince Khalid watched a visual presentation about the university’s programs to train and qualify military and civilian leaders studying at the university. He also reviewed developmental activities and events reflecting the university’s institutional development plans.


King Abdulaziz University highlights academic programs, global partnerships at NAFSA 2025

Updated 45 min 46 sec ago
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King Abdulaziz University highlights academic programs, global partnerships at NAFSA 2025

  • San Diego event gathers more than 8,000 education professionals from over 100 countries

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz University is taking part in NAFSA 2025 in San Diego: The Association of International Educators’ Annual Conference and Expo.

It forms part of a Saudi Ministry of Education delegation featuring 12 universities.

Running until Friday, the event has gathered more than 8,000 education professionals from over 100 countries.

KAU is showcasing its academic programs, research achievements, and global collaboration initiatives, with a focus on innovation, talent attraction, and joint academic ventures.

The university is also promoting the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a top destination for international students.

Tareef Al-Aama, the president of KAU, said the Kingdom’s higher education sector was undergoing a transformative phase under Vision 2030, supported by strong leadership and strategic planning.

He also emphasized KAU’s commitment to global engagement, academic excellence, and expanding international partnerships.


How Saudi Arabia is leveraging AI to strengthen cybersecurity and combat cybercriminals

Updated 29 May 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is leveraging AI to strengthen cybersecurity and combat cybercriminals

  • Generative AI enables hyper-realistic phishing, voice cloning, and deepfakes, making scams harder to detect
  • Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority offers a toolkit to help bolster digital protection across sectors

RIYADH: As generative artificial intelligence reshapes industries and transforms daily life, it is also fueling a new generation of cybercrime — smarter, faster, and harder to detect. Across the Gulf region, governments and tech leaders are working hard to stay one step ahead. 

At the heart of this regional defense is Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority and its Cybersecurity Toolkit, which offers a template to shield critical infrastructure and public services from digital threats.

“The Cybersecurity Toolkit offers public and private sector organizations a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance cyber readiness and reduce cyber risks,” Zainab Alamin, vice president of national digital transformation at Microsoft Arabia, told Arab News.

Available in Arabic and English, the toolkit is part of the NCA’s mission to embed cyber resilience across the Kingdom.

But the NCA’s efforts go beyond templates. Its national cybersecurity portal, HASEEN, helps manage and develop cyber services, while the CyberIC Program cultivates homegrown expertise to defend Saudi systems from evolving threats.

“Recognizing the importance of public awareness, the authority also launched the National Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, which aims to raise cybersecurity awareness among all segments of society,” said Alamin.

And the investment is substantial. “Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its investment in cybersecurity, with spending reaching SR13.3 billion ($3.5 billion) in 2023, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to safeguarding its digital infrastructure,” she added.

But while Saudi Arabia is stepping up, so are cybercriminals. Generative AI has made it drastically easier to forge realistic emails, clone voices, and generate deepfake videos, giving fraudsters a dangerous new edge.

“As AI models improve, the output becomes more authentic, contextually accurate, and emotionally manipulative — making it increasingly difficult for traditional detection systems and even well-informed users to distinguish real from fake,” said Alamin.

Gone are the clumsy phishing emails littered with typos. Today’s scams are polished and personalized. “AI is transforming impersonation scams by making them more convincing, more scalable, and harder to detect,” said Alamin.

Microsoft Arabia’s latest Cyber Signals report revealed the extent to which criminals are exploiting generative AI.

“In this new wave of fraud, AI is being used to produce everything from hyper-realistic images and fake videos to cloned voices, personalized phishing messages, and even entire fraudulent websites,” said Alamin.

The threat is not theoretical. “Imagine receiving a voicemail that sounds exactly like your manager asking you to urgently transfer funds, or an email that looks and reads just like one from your bank, complete with branding and a personalized message,” said Alamin.

“These are no longer far-fetched scenarios; they are happening right now.”

Deepfakes can hijack video calls. Voice clones mimic family members or executives. Even phishing links now use language models to tailor tone and content.

“Thousands of phishing emails can now be tailored with just a few prompts, mimicking tone, language, and even regional nuances,” said Alamin.

In response, Microsoft is deploying its own AI-powered defenses. From April 2024 to April 2025, its systems blocked $4 billion in fraud attempts and prevented over 49,000 fraudulent partnership enrolments.

“We also work closely with law enforcement and industry partners to share threat intelligence and combat criminal misuse of AI,” said Alamin. “Scammers are evolving fast, but so are we.”

Microsoft’s platforms, such as Defender for Cloud and Entra, use AI to detect and neutralize cyber threats across email, chat, and cloud infrastructure.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Generative AI enables hyper-realistic phishing, voice cloning, and deepfakes, making scams harder to detect.

• Gulf nations are aligning cybersecurity strategies with global standards amid rising risks and shared digital ambitions.

• Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority offers a toolkit to help bolster digital protection across sectors.

Edge, the company’s browser, now offers typo and domain impersonation protection, as well as a “Scareware Blocker” to shut down alarming pop-up scams.

“In addition, our identity and access management tools, like Microsoft Entra, help organizations enforce Zero Trust principles, ensuring that no one is trusted by default, whether human or AI-generated,” said Alamin.

Yet the battle is not just technical — it’s also behavioral. “In the age of AI-assisted scams, both individuals and organizations need to adopt a more proactive, layered approach to cybersecurity. This means combining technology, awareness, and policy to build digital resilience.”

Education remains key. “Scammers often try to short-circuit your judgment with fear or pressure. A perfect example of this is ‘limited-time’ deals and countdown timers when online shopping,” said Alamin.

Other signs of AI-generated deception include overly formal language, generic greetings, or unusual phrasing. “If something ‘feels’ off, trust your instincts and immediately stop engaging,” she added.

For deepfakes and voice clones, look for unnatural lip-sync, poor lighting, or glitchy visuals. Subtle typos in domain names or email addresses can also be giveaways. And always verify communications that involve sensitive information — especially money.

“If you receive a call, video, or email that seems unusual — even from someone you know — double-check it via another trusted channel,” said Alamin. “Also, avoid direct bank transfers or cryptocurrency payments, which lack fraud protections.”

Saudi Arabia is not alone in its response. Gulf nations, from the UAE to Oman, are advancing cybersecurity frameworks aligned with global standards. The UAE recently launched its Green Bond and Sukuk Framework, with cybersecurity embedded in its digital finance architecture. 

Microsoft’s regional partnerships reflect this shared urgency to modernize defenses without stifling innovation.

“Tools that generate text, synthesize voice, or create hyper-realistic imagery can empower innovation in education, accessibility, and customer service,” said Alamin. “However, in the wrong hands, they can be weaponized for scams, misinformation, and manipulation.”

That dual-use challenge is at the heart of the cybersecurity conundrum. “A key challenge is intent. AI doesn’t have ethics, but its users do.”

 


Saudi Arabia unveils robotic surgery and PET-CT scanner to boost Hajj healthcare services

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel visits King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (Supplied)
Updated 29 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia unveils robotic surgery and PET-CT scanner to boost Hajj healthcare services

  • Developments are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes innovation and excellence in healthcare, ministry said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced robotic surgery at King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health said on Thursday.

The new robotic system marks a major advancement in healthcare services provided to Hajj pilgrims and will support procedures in thoracic surgery, urology, and oncology, enabling greater surgical precision and faster recovery for patients.

The initiative is part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to leverage technology to improve the quality and efficiency of care delivered during the annual pilgrimage.

The hospital has also launched the first-ever PET-CT scanner within the ministry’s hospitals in the western region.

The diagnostic tool allows for early detection of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities.

These developments are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes innovation and excellence in healthcare, the ministry said.

The expansion of high-tech medical services during Hajj reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to ensuring the health and safety of pilgrims from around the world.