RIYADH: This year’s Hajj season was declared a success with the Kingdom’s airports serving over 1.5 million pilgrims and transporting 3.2 million passengers through 102 airlines during the pilgrimage period.
The number of passengers during this year’s Hajj season increased over 86 percent compared with 2022, a statement from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) noted.
Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, the GACA president, emphasized the success of the operational plan and its remarkable achievements.
Al-Duailej expressed his appreciation to all sectors that played a pivotal role in efficiently managing the flow of pilgrims at the airports during this year’s Hajj season.
Flight statistics during the Hajj season showed Indonesia as the top country for incoming and outgoing pilgrims. India ranks second, followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, GACA figures show.
The “Bag-Free Hajj” initiative aimed at improving services for departing pilgrims via airports also proved to be a success as over 680,000 pilgrims, encompassing 2,200 flights, handled more than 1.148 million bags.
Saudi Arabia aims to be a leading player in the Middle East’s aviation sector through its strategy to expand air connectivity to 250 destinations via the Kingdom’s airports by 2030, as encompassed by Saudi Vision 2030.
Hajj season success with Saudi airports serving 3.2 million passengers
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Hajj season success with Saudi airports serving 3.2 million passengers
- The number of passengers during this year’s Hajj season increased over 86 percent compared with 2022
‘Pinocchio’ springs to life on Ithra stage in Dhahran
- Touch of Arabia applied in reimagining by La Baldufa theater
- 3 creators, actors create works focusing on social awareness
The most famous little wooden boy in the world sprang to life at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, on Thursday night.
The story of Pinocchio, reimagined by the acclaimed La Baldufa theater company from Spain, breathed fresh energy from Saudi Arabia into the tale of the adventurous wooden toy who dreams of becoming a real boy.
While the tale is widely known thanks to the Oscar-winning 1940 Disney film, “Pinocchio” was originally a book by Italian author Carlo Collodi, first published in 1883.
The story explores themes of poverty, education, fatherhood, and the search for truth.
A day before the premiere at Ithra, the three creators and performers behind La Baldufa — Enric Blasi, Carlos Pijuan and Emiliano Pardo —hosted a masterclass on the stage, offering attendees a look into their creative process.
The cast discussed their use of what they described as clowning and gestural theater to create works built around social awareness.
Founded in Lleida, Spain, in 1996, La Baldufa has spent nearly three decades creating and crafting innovative performing arts productions for live audiences.
Materials used on stage are intentionally simple: wood, paper and humans — aligning with their artistic vision.
They said they customize each performance. In China, they would have text read aloud by a Chinese audience member on stage and use some of that language.
And, as promised, they used Arabic in their Ithra production the following day.
Audience participation plays a central role as a random member of the public is invited to read a passage on stage, adding to the sense of spontaneity and inclusivity.
Part of the stage was constructed on-site. It is designed for easy transport assembly, using shadow spotlights, paper elements, and audio from the country where they perform, to ensure the production resonates with local audiences.
The company has toured more than 40 countries, captivating children of all ages.
Each performance is tied to its location. The show incorporates live voices from the audience. Dimmed lights, shifting silhouettes, and dynamic staging help shape the mood.
Though music is typically performed live and acoustically, travel constraints required the use of pre-recorded audio featuring both upbeat and slower tempos.
Sprinklings of Arabic delighted the crowd, especially when audience members were invited to participate.
Two shy girls, initially hesitant, eventually found their voices once on stage — an emotional moment for those watching.
Your experience may vary, but the message is clear: this is a show you could try to replicate at home — simple, but not simplistic.
Eight-year-old Anwyn Frith told Arab News: “I was excited about watching ‘Pinocchio’ tonight; my favorite part was when the man was building Pinocchio,” she said.
But she offered a few suggestions: “They were speaking everything in Arabic and I couldn’t understand it.
“Maybe next time they can speak English a little bit more. And maybe add more of the ‘Pinocchio’ movie into it, like when he keeps lying and his nose grows and goes out.”
La Baldufa’s interpretation honors the spirit of Collodi’s original while inviting contemporary audiences, especially younger ones, into a world of wonder and imagination.
After the show, the trio was happy to meet and greet an audience equally eager to connect.
Running nightly until May 4, tickets start at SR40 ($10) and are available on the Ithra website.
KSrelief signs initiative to support orphans in Mali
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has signed an agreement with an organization that supports orphans in Mali, the Saudi Press Agency reported late on Thursday.
Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, assistant supervisor general for operations and programs, inked the pact to sponsor 1,350 orphans, including covering their tuition fees.
In addition, the sponsorship would assist 430 orphans who are breadwinners for their families, the SPA reported.
Warning of heavy rain, flooding across Saudi Arabia
- Makkah and Riyadh to have moderate to heavy rain, Civil Defense forecasts
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense has warned of possible heavy rainfall and flooding in several regions of the country until Tuesday.
In an advisory carried by the Saudi Press Agency late Thursday, the directorate said Makkah is likely to have moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by hail and strong wind.
Moderate to heavy rain is also expected in Riyadh, while Najran in the southwest may experience lighter rainfall.
Rainfall is also likely in the western regions of Madinah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan, central Qassim, Hail and Northern Borders, and the Eastern Province.
“Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, avoid flood-prone areas, and adhere to safety guidelines shared via various media channels,” the Civil Defense advisory stated.
Civil defense warns of heavy rains, potential flooding across Saudi Arabia
- Makkah and Riyadh regions forecast to have moderate to heavy rain
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has warned against heavy rainfall and potential flooding in multiple regions across the Kingdom until Tuesday.
In an advisory carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the directorate said Makkah region is expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by hail and strong winds.
Moderate to heavy rain are also expected in Riyadh region, while Najran in the southwest may experience lighter rainfall.
Also expected to experience rainfall are the western regions of Madinah, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan; the central region of Qassim; Hail and Northern Borders in the north; and the Eastern Province region.
“Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, avoid flood-prone areas, and adhere to safety guidelines shared via various media channels,” the Civil Defense advisory said.
How Saudi schools are using AI to personalize learning and streamline administration
- AI tools help students with disabilities through speech-to-text, adaptive interfaces, and screen-reading technologies
- Educators’ roles are evolving as AI handles tasks like grading and performance tracking, freeing teachers to focus on mentoring
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its Vision 2030 initiative, artificial intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of its education reform.
Across the Kingdom, AI technologies are reshaping classrooms — personalizing learning, streamlining administration and helping students of all abilities engage with their studies in new ways.
“AI technology has significantly changed the way many students, including myself, approach studying and managing coursework,” Abdullah Mohammed, a law student at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, told Arab News.
“Tools like AI tutoring systems and study apps have made learning more efficient, personalized and accessible.”
While Mohammed said AI tools have enhanced his learning experience, he also acknowledged the need for caution.
“Some AI tools provide quick solutions without much depth, so if I’m not careful, I might miss the critical thinking part of the learning process,” he said.
Ultimately, however, Mohammed said he is confident AI has better prepared him for the job market.
The strategic alignment between AI and Vision 2030 is clear, according to Abdulrahman Al-Motrif, professor of information technology and educational computing at King Saud University.
“AI supports the goals of Vision 2030 by enabling personalized learning, optimizing resource management and facilitating access to quality education regardless of geographic location,” he told Arab News.
“AI systems can analyze student performance in real-time, allowing educators to tailor instruction to individual learning needs, thereby enhancing student outcomes and supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to cultivate a future-ready workforce.”
Al-Motrif also highlighted AI’s role in promoting inclusive education.
“AI reinforces Vision 2030’s emphasis on equity, accessibility, and lifelong learning by reaching remote communities and students with special needs,” he said.
This demonstrates AI’s impact not just as a technological innovation, but also as a powerful force for social transformation.
Leading platforms like Alef Education and Classera are already putting this vision into practice. Using real-time analytics, they adapt content to each student’s learning style, proficiency and pace.
A study by Alef Education found that students using AI-enhanced platforms achieved a 25 percent improvement in academic performance over just one semester — strong evidence of AI’s ability to boost outcomes through personalized learning.
Crucially, AI is helping make education more accessible. In Saudi Arabia’s diverse learning landscape, tools such as speech-to-text software, adaptive interfaces and real-time assessments are opening doors for students with disabilities.
At King Saud University, collaborations with AI developers have produced tools for visually impaired students, converting written content into audio and using advanced screen-reading technology.
“AI has transformed the learning environment into a more interactive and engaging space,” said Al-Motrif. “Gamified learning platforms and intelligent tutoring systems provide immediate feedback and customized challenges.”
These innovations not only enhance academic performance, but also spark motivation and sustained engagement among learners.
AI is also streamlining back-end operations. Platforms like Madrasati now use AI to monitor attendance, track engagement and assess academic progress, freeing educators to focus more on teaching and mentoring.
Yet AI is not replacing teachers — it is redefining their roles.
“In AI-supported classrooms, educators serve as facilitators, mentors and human connectors in an increasingly digital ecosystem, using AI-generated insights to identify learning gaps,” said Al-Motrif.
Still, challenges remain. One significant obstacle is the shortage of Arabic-language content online — making up only 1.2 percent of global digital resources — which limits the effectiveness of AI systems trained on data-rich environments.
To fully realize AI’s benefits, Saudi Arabia must invest in digitizing traditional materials, promoting Arabic content creation and partnering with AI firms to develop language-specific algorithms.
Some institutions are already leading the way. Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University and King Abdulaziz University have adopted AI-powered systems to personalize instruction and track student performance, leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates.
These successes show that AI is not merely a technological upgrade — it is a catalyst for reimagining education.
By leveraging AI thoughtfully, Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity to deliver high-quality, personalized and inclusive education while advancing its Vision 2030 goals.
But achieving this future will require more than just technology. It will demand investment, collaboration and a commitment to ensuring that innovation, pedagogy and policy move forward together.
With sustained effort, AI could become the foundation of a dynamic, future-ready education system — one that prepares all learners for the opportunities of the digital age.
