The traditional Bedouin coat is a Saudi’s best friend in the cold December nights

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Niclas Trouve, ambassador of Sweden to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen, tweeted recently: ‘Ready for a winter night in the desert of Al-Jouf with my new warm farwa.’ (Twitter photo)
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Updated 14 December 2020
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The traditional Bedouin coat is a Saudi’s best friend in the cold December nights

  • Farwas won’t give you the cold shoulder in winter

RIYADH: As the nation moves into the winter season, many Saudis have begun packing away the sundresses and shorts and reaching for their sweaters and thermals. But one of the most highly coveted articles of winter clothing is the traditional Bedouin farwa.

Farwas are believed to have originated from Syria and Levant where Bedouins would wear them during the cold winter months.
The long, sweeping, fur-lined overcoat has now established a firm foothold in countries all over the Gulf.
It is a staple in many Saudi households, particularly in the northern and central regions where the biting desert cold can reach surprisingly low temperatures.
Farwas range in material from cheaper offerings, lined with synthetic fur with a protective cloth overlay of linen, velvet, or cotton, to pricier options, such as those made with real fur or hand-dyed sheep’s wool, which can set you back more than $250.
Ahmad Alsharif, a resident of Turaif in the northern province, told Arab News that, living in a town where the average winter temperature can be as low as -5C, he considers a farwa an essential household item.
“During winter, people in the cities wear farwas both at home and when going out. For the Bedouins who live outside of the city, the farwa is even more of a necessity, given how cold it gets in the desert,” he said.
Alsharif said that a real fur farwa can be considered a luxury item or a statement piece among residents in the north. “They make very popular gifts for friends and loved ones,” he said. One of the most favored types, and the most expensive due to its soft touch and light weight, is the karakul, made from the fur of fetal lambs, commonly known as broadtail, or of new newborn lambs. Similar but cheaper is the “Persian” farwa, which is less dense.

FASTFACT

Farwa is a staple in many Saudi households, particularly in the northern and central regions where the biting desert cold can reach surprisingly low temperatures.

Other types include the Iraqi farwa or “Mosuliya Iraqia,” a native of northern Iraq and one of the more expensive types that could reach up to over $1,000. Similarly, the hand embroidered Syrian farwa could reach up to $400 and can take up to 2 weeks to be designed and made.
Faisal Althunayan, a college student from Riyadh, said that getting to show off his collection of farwas was his favorite part of the winter season.
“My friends and I are avid campers; in the winter, we go for a kashta (traditional Saudi camping trip) almost every weekend. Sitting around the fire, grilling burgers and kebabs on an open flame, and huddled up against the cold while bundled up in our furs is my idea of heaven on earth,” he said.




Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb

Althunayan says that due to the relative shortness of the winter season in Saudi Arabia, every second of cold is one that he appreciates.
“Our winters aren’t long, so we take advantage of them when we can. And despite what most people think, desert cold is actually some of the worst you can experience because the cold is very dry. Hits you right in the bone. A farwa is really helpful during those moments,” he said.
Though the farwa’s purpose remained the same, the styles have become more versatile as more city dwellers have taken to them and designers are adding their personal touch using leather, fabrics and ornaments for their designs.
The traditional-looking farwa, which is usually a nondescript black or brown with minimal decoration, is turned into stunning, modernized pieces for both men and women to flaunt.
Bright colors, delicate trims and decorations, and even shorter, jacket-like farwas have all found their way into mainstream culture.
Hana Abu Said, a Saudi abaya designer, said that farwas were one of her favorite things to design.
“There’s so much you can do with them. The challenge lies in making sure the article is functional as well as beautiful. It has to do what a farwa is supposed to do first and foremost — keep you warm. As long as the purpose is achieved, it can look however you want it to look,” she said.
“Some women choose to wear a farwa instead of an abaya during the winter. And sometimes, with the excess fur, I can trim winter abayas for those times when the weather is cool, but not yet cold enough for a full-on farwa.”


Bangladeshi leader sends letter to Saudi crown prince about bilateral relations

Updated 6 sec ago
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Bangladeshi leader sends letter to Saudi crown prince about bilateral relations

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a letter on Tuesday from the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus.

The Bangladeshi ambassador to the Kingdom, Delwar Hossain, presented the letter, which addressed relations between Riyadh and Dhaka, to Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.

During their meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, the envoy and the deputy minister discussed ways to strengthen ties between their countries in various sectors.


Saudi Arabia showcases heritage, digital innovation at Jusoor expo in Kosovo

Updated 06 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia showcases heritage, digital innovation at Jusoor expo in Kosovo

  • Exhibition’s introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality
  • Visitors received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah

RIYADH: The sixth Jusoor exhibition, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs at Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, Kosovo, is attracting a large number of visitors daily.

The exhibition’s introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality.

The technology pavilion at the 10-day event has attracted significant interest for its modern digital innovations highlighting the Kingdom’s technical progress, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It includes several ministry-developed applications, notably the Correct Citation app, which features a smart keyboard that accurately integrates Qur’anic verses and Prophetic hadiths, and allows them to be shared as text or images.

The 3D Hajj and Umrah app offers a virtual experience simulating pilgrimage rituals in multiple languages, while the Rushd app provides a comprehensive digital library with books and Islamic content in 51 languages.

Attendees praised the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and promoting moderation, the SPA reported.

Visitors also received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, and its role in serving pilgrims.

Additionally, VR technology allows visitors to explore rare photos of Makkah and historic mosques, offering an engaging interactive experience of the Kingdom’s history and holy sites.

The ministry recently concluded the fifth Jusoor exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, which welcomed more than 1.25 million visitors from diverse backgrounds.

The 10-day exhibition at Istiqlal Mosque was one of the largest cultural and advocacy events organized by the ministry outside the Kingdom.

Saudi officials also distributed more than 150,000 copies of Qur’an, printed and translated into Indonesian by the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.

Indonesian visitors praised the exhibition for its blend of spiritual and cultural themes, strong organization, and diverse, informative content.


Saudi cabinet reviews Hajj preparations, regional developments

Updated 06 May 2025
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Saudi cabinet reviews Hajj preparations, regional developments

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed authorities to ensure top-level Hajj preparations and pilgrim services
  • The cabinet highlighted record non-oil exports and praised Saudi Arabia’s global rise in digital governance and open data transparency

JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended on Tuesday the weekly cabinet meeting in Jeddah that reviewd Hajj preperations and regional developments, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The crown prince welcomed Muslim pilgrims who began flocking to the Kingdom from various countries to perform Hajj this year.

He also directed relevant authorities to work with the highest levels of efficiency and excellence in implementing security, preventive and organizational plans to serve the pilgrim guests.

The crown prince also observed the record performance reports of the kingdom’s non-oil exports in 2024 and their continued upward trajectory. The reports reflect the accelerating steps towards diversifying sources of income and investment in the Saudi economy in line with Vision 2030.  

Ministers also noted Saudi Arabia’s advancements in digital governance, including its top regional ranking for the third year in the UN’s e-government services index, and its leap of 92 places in the global Open Data Inventory.

On regional issues, the cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call for de-escalation across conflict zones, condemned Israeli strikes on Syria, urged an end to the war in Sudan through a local political solution, and reaffirmed support for the two-state solution as a path to lasting peace in Palestine.


New Saudi initiative focuses on water efficiency

Updated 06 May 2025
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New Saudi initiative focuses on water efficiency

  • Project will estimate water needs of native species like haloxylon persicum, ziziphus spina-christi, calligonum comosum, and vachellia gerrardii in Riyadh and Qassim
  • NCVC continues to implement initiatives to establish sustainable vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom

RIYADH: A new project launched in Riyadh aims to optimize water use and conserve resources, aligning with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, and Yazeed Al-Asheikh, vice president for graduate studies and scientific research at King Saud University, launched the project.

It will estimate water needs of native species like haloxylon persicum, ziziphus spina-christi, calligonum comosum, and vachellia gerrardii in Riyadh and Qassim.

The project will also evaluate the impact of biochar on water efficiency and sustainable growth, according to the SPA.

Additionally, it will assess carbon storage potential of native species in Riyadh and Qassim, as well as mangroves in Asir and Jazan, across various ecosystems.

At the launch, the team presented the project’s objectives, phases, and expected outcomes. Field visits have begun to identify key locations and plant communities.

The center continues to implement initiatives to establish sustainable vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, including conservation, ecosystem rehabilitation, biodiversity restoration, rangeland management, and the protection of natural resources.


Makkah’s security forces crack down on illegal Hajj pilgrims

Updated 06 May 2025
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Makkah’s security forces crack down on illegal Hajj pilgrims

  • Dozens arrested as Ministry of Interior warns against sheltering, transporting holders of visit visas

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Interior is continuing its actions to prevent individuals without Hajj permits from entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites, warning that violators and those facilitating unauthorized pilgrimages will be arrested and penalized.

Hajj Security Forces in Makkah’s Al-Hijrah district recently arrested 42 expatriates holding various types of visit visas after they violated Hajj regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Legal action has been initiated against the violators, and authorities are working to apprehend those who sheltered them.

In a separate incident, Hajj Security Forces arrested a Ghanaian resident for attempting to illegally transport four female expatriates to Makkah in violation of Hajj rules.

The man, who was driving a bus, had hidden the women in the luggage compartment in an attempt to smuggle them into the holy city without permits.

The driver and passengers were apprehended and referred to the competent committee for legal action, the SPA reported.

The ministry has announced a fine of up to SR100,000 ($26,600) for anyone transporting or attempting to transport visit visa holders to Makkah and the holy sites.

The same penalty applies to those who accommodate or shelter visit visa holders in any type of residence — including hotels, apartments, private homes, accommodation centers, or Hajj housing — within Makkah and the holy sites, or assist in their illegal stay.

Penalties increase based on the number of individuals transported, accommodated, or assisted, the SPA added.

Performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, or entering or remaining in Makkah and the holy sites without authorization, can result in a fine of up to SR20,000.

Residents and unauthorized pilgrims will be deported and banned from reentering the Kingdom for 10 years, the ministry said.

The ministry announced that the restriction period runs from April 29 to June 10.

It urges full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrims’ safety and the smooth performance of rituals.

Violations should be reported via 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere in the Kingdom.