Who’s Who: Mohammed Al-Qahtani, EVP at KSA’s Local Content and Government Procurement Authority
Updated 05 September 2021
Arab News
Mohammed Al-Qahtani is the executive vice president of operations at the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority.
In his current role Al-Qahtani plays a pivotal role in modernizing government procurement, developing government procurement sector strategy and overseeing the implementation of strategy through identification of categories.
He also works on the development of sourcing plans, execution approaches and sustained partnerships with government entities, suppliers and services, provided to ensure that the government procurement sector achieves its strategic goals and objectives.
Al-Qahtani completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from King Saud University, Riyadh.
He has held many managerial roles including vice president and supply chain manager at ABB MENA, Riyadh, between August 2019 and August 2020, vice president and country supply chain manager from July 2014 to August 2019, and sales manager from April 2012 to July 2014.
At Trading Agencies Co., Al-Qahtani worked as a division manager in the construction division between October 2009 and April 2012, where he contributed to the re-engineering of processes and structure, relating to people, tools, IT, operations, organization and governance.
He also implemented strategies to maximize revenue by developing and executing agile management best practices and procurement as key drivers of growth for delivery across real estate, mixed-use buildings, industrial, and oil and gas industries, among other duties.
Al-Qahtani is a member of the Saudi Council of Engineers, with expertise in strategic business planning and development, project management lifecycle, and turnaround and high-growth strategies.
Young Saudi authors reshape Kingdom’s literary landscape
Writers point to a ‘golden age’ in publishing, but call for legal protections, clearer regulations to support emerging talent
Updated 27 July 2025
Hajjar Al-Qusayer
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia undergoes a cultural transformation under Vision 2030, a new generation of writers is reshaping the country’s literary scene.
One of the most notable developments has been the rise of Saudi authors under the age of 35, many of whom are finding new pathways. These writers are contributing to a literary landscape that increasingly embraces genres such as science, fiction, and fantasy.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, Linah Alshaalan, a Saudi author, said the Kingdom’s literary scene today offers a ripe environment full of opportunities for emerging voices.
HIGHLIGHTS
• One of the most notable developments has been the rise of Saudi authors under the age of 35, many of whom are finding new pathways.
• Raad Aleid, founder of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, underscored the need for stronger structural support, particularly when it comes to international recognition, translation efforts, and adapting to emerging technologies such as AI.
“This is a golden age for authors and creatives to come about and to try to find their way and find their path in this field, because it’s full of opportunities for newcomers and also older people,” she told Arab News.
Alshaalan published her first novel in 2024 through a Ministry of Culture initiative focused on supporting literary genres, such as science fiction.
Her book was later nominated for cinematic adaptation. She described this moment as encouraging for new writers seeking to establish themselves in a rapidly evolving scene.
Linah Alshaalan, Saudi author
Alshaalan said the broader transformation underway in the Kingdom is changing how Saudi literature is perceived and consumed.
“Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. So we’re saying we don’t only exist in the past, next to a camel and a palm tree. No, our camel and our palm tree exist in the future as well. And we are thriving in that future,” she said.
Alshaalan also pointed to Gen Z as a key force shaping literary trends in Saudi Arabia, particularly through their rejection of elitism, and embrace of direct, honest storytelling.
Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. So we’re saying we don’t only exist in the past, next to a camel and a palm tree. No, our camel and our palm tree exist in the future as well. And we are thriving in that future.
Linah Alshaalan, Saudi author
“One thing that I really appreciate about Gen Z is that they are kind of undermining this idea that a literary critic or a literary person is somebody who lives in an ivory tower, very high up,” she said.
Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. (Supplied)
She noted that younger readers have become powerful tastemakers in the digital age. “They have a very strong online presence, which means that they have a very loud voice and very strong influence,” she added.
“Gen Zers resonate the most with authentic voices,” Alshaalan said. “People who are speaking from the heart, people who are not trying to hide behind or whatever it is. They are trying to be authentic, and I think authenticity is the number one tool for authors.”
Despite the progress, Alshaalan said there is a need for legal protections and clearer regulations in the publishing industry to support new authors and protect their rights.
Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)
“I think maybe regulating the industry a little bit more to make and implement some rules and some regulation to protect the individual … because (for) an individual writer, an individual author, the biggest challenge is not having legal literacy when it comes to the contracts that you sign with a publisher or whoever,” she said.
“We need to outline the responsibility of the publisher that justifies their percentage of the book,” she added.
Artificial intelligence is another factor shaping the creative landscape. Alshaalan, whose novel centers on a rogue AI, said the technology can be helpful, but not in replacing the human core of storytelling.
Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)
“Now, to write anything, if you just have a concept or an idea, you can just feed it into the AI and see it more fleshed out. It helps people. But a good author that cares about their own integrity would probably not rely on it too much,” she said. “I don’t think it’s ready yet to offer something with meaningful substance.”
Raad Aleid, founder of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, underscored the need for stronger structural support, particularly when it comes to international recognition, translation efforts, and adapting to emerging technologies such as AI.
“I believe promoting Saudi Arabia’s presence through writing still requires significant effort. There is still a need for more empowerment,” Aleid told Arab News.
He said translation initiatives are a positive step, but more needs to be done. “The Literature Commission is currently working through the translation initiative to translate Saudi works into other languages, but I think there are additional options, such as encouraging foreign authors to write about Saudi Arabia and publishing new Saudi books in other languages, not just translating older titles,” he added.
Aleid also called for greater representation of young Saudi writers at global forums and highlighted the need for legislation to regulate AI in creative fields.
Kawir Palace provides architectural insights into Makkah’s heritage
The palace provides valuable architectural lessons, particularly in the integration of form and function
Updated 27 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The city of Makkah features numerous historical landmarks that reflect its urban development and architectural uniqueness. Among these is Kawir Palace, also known as Biban Palace, one of the oldest and most notable historical palaces.
It embodies authentic architectural elements and symbolizes the social and cultural diversity of the early 20th century, serving as a model of local architecture connected to social changes in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Indian teak wood was used for some doors and windows, while the facades featured carved wooden windows (roshan) and geometric motifs. (SPA)
Owned by a local merchant nicknamed Kawir because of his trade in limestone quarrying, a prevalent building material, the palace’s architecture and strategic location in Makkah’s prominent Biban area highlight its significance.
The palace was built between 1910 and 1920 and is on a hill overlooking the historic Biban area, offering panoramic views, the SPA added.
FASTFACT
After restoration, the palace could serve as a museum of traditional Makkah architecture, a community cultural center, or a luxury heritage guesthouse for experiential tourism.
The construction used local materials and techniques, including local stone for the foundation, limestone for wall insulation, and clay, wood, and gypsum for interiors.
The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation. (SPA)
Indian teak wood was used for some doors and windows, while the facades featured carved wooden windows (roshan) and geometric motifs. The ceilings feature handmade gypsum decorations, reflecting local craftsmanship.
The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation, according to the report.
The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation. (SPA)
The palace provides valuable architectural lessons, particularly in the integration of form and function. Traditional methods offer solutions for ventilation, privacy, and thermal insulation, emphasizing local identity over imported styles.
After restoration, the palace could serve as a museum of traditional Makkah architecture, a community cultural center, or a luxury heritage guesthouse for experiential tourism.
MWL chief meets Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
During their meeting at the league’s Riyadh office, Al-Issa, who is also the chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, and the envoy discussed topics of mutual interest
Updated 27 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa met with Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
During their meeting at the league’s Riyadh office, Al-Issa, who is also the chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, and the envoy discussed topics of mutual interest.
In a separate meeting, Al-Issa received Euronews chairman Pedro Vargas David. They discussed the media sector and its expected positive impact, highlighting Euronews’s role as a leading multilingual broadcaster in Europe and globally.
Saudi surgeons separate Syrian conjoined twins in 8-hour operation
Celine and Eline, who are 17 months old, were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen
The operation was the 66th procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program
Updated 27 July 2025
Hajar AlQusayer
RIYADH: Saudi surgeons on Sunday separated Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eline in an eight-hour operation at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital.
“It’s an indescribable feeling. Truly, it’s a feeling beyond words,” said Abdulnaeim Al-Shubli the twins’ father.
“Thanks to Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and the specialized medical team. I am deeply thankful. From now on, we will move from better to even better," he added.
"Saudi Arabia is our second home. It’s like we came to be with our own family and daughters.”
Celine and Eline, who are 17 months old, were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen.
They were born in Februaty 2024 at Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut as part of a triplet birth. Their brother, Sanad, was born healthy and unjoined.
The family fled Aleppo in 2013 after their home was destroyed during the war and have lived in Lebanon since.
The twins were medically evacuated to Riyadh in December 2024 to receive specialized care. Al-Shubli said they underwent four months of preparation before surgery.
“They were under 24-hour supervision by a consulting medical team. The girls received complete care throughout that period, and after that they told me the surgery would proceed.”
The operation was the 66th procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.
It is also the fourth separation of Syrian conjoined twins to be performed as part of the initiative, which has treated cases from 27 countries since its launch in 1990.
Hussein Abdulaziz, charge d’affaires at the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh, said the procedure was part of the Kingdom’s broader humanitarian efforts to assist Syrian families in need of medical care.
He said: “Cases like these are medically complex and difficult, and they require thorough study. From a humanitarian angle, such surgeries come with very high financial costs, but the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian and charitable work, lifts this burden entirely off the shoulders of the children’s families.”
Abdulaziz also highlighted the work of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in Syria.
“It’s well known that KSrelief has been working in Syria for the past 14 years. After the liberation, the center expanded its operations to cover all Syrian provinces, most recently providing support to families affected by the wildfires in Latakia province on the Syrian coast,” he said.
He added that Saudi Arabia’s volunteer medical program has carried out nearly 1,300 surgeries in Syria in recent years, alongside the wide-ranging provision of food and medical aid.
More than 95,000 visitors explore rich traditions, Thamudic art, handmade treasures, folk performances at Aja Park
Updated 27 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has concluded after attracting more than 95,000 visitors from across the Kingdom, Gulf region, and other international destinations.
The 30-day Beit Hail Festival at Aja Park offered a mix of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, running daily from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The event celebrated cultural heritage through handicrafts, traditional dishes, and Thamudic inscriptions, the SPA added.
It featured an art pavilion showcasing notable artists, a resin art exhibit, folk theater, heritage-inspired residential models, and performances reflecting the culture of Asir province.
Exhibits gave younger generations insight into how ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, highlighting the ingenuity of Saudi heritage.
More than 40 activities allowed visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and Najdi and Hail-style door making.
Other highlights included traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making. The festival also served as a platform for local artisans to present their work directly to the public.
Several government leaders visited the event, praising its efforts to revive memories of traditional life and showcase historical methods of meeting daily needs.
Mauritanian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mokhtar Ould Dahi also toured the festival, exploring stands and pavilions featuring local craftsmanship.
He expressed admiration for the crafts on display, including wickerwork, sadu weaving, hand-woven textiles, and fiber arts, and commended the cultural performances for reflecting Saudi heritage.
Separately, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud visited the festival, praising the displays of palm frond weaving, sadu weaving, handmade textiles, traditional wooden doors, resin art, crochet, Thamudic embroidery, woodcraft, and leatherwork.
Both ambassadors attended traditional folk performances, including the Saudi Ardah (sword dance), the Hail Samri (drum-accompanied poetry), and various artistic presentations from Asir region.