Harvey Nichols Riyadh launches Ramadan fashion caravan

Harvey Nichols kick started Ramadan Caravan which displays more than 50 brands. (AN)
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Updated 18 February 2023
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Harvey Nichols Riyadh launches Ramadan fashion caravan

  • The caravan offers a range of fashion options, including dresses, abayas, kaftans, accessories as well as trays and chests

Riyadh luxury department store Harvey Nichols launched the eighth edition of its Ramadan Caravan fashion event on Feb. 15 ahead of the holy month.

Offering fashion and accessories from top regional and local designers, the opening event took place in Mode Mall Al-Faisaliah.

VIP customers, designers and Saudi Arabia’s most prominent social figures and influencers, as well as media, attended the launch.

The caravan offers a range of fashion options, including dresses, abayas, kaftans, accessories as well as trays and chests.

Mona Al-Fryan, owner of the Jilbab brand, said that she has taken part in the caravan for seven years, with her brand having a close relationship with the luxury department store.

“This year’s collection is different from previous years because we liked to add change as our eyes got used to plain styles. That is why I designed a striped style collection ... a new style that we are not used to, and the whole collection is in black and white,” Al-Fryan told Arab News.

At the opening ceremony, guests enjoyed a range of interactive experiences. A build-your-basket corner was showcased by Kuwaiti-based brand Nagwa while The Scent Experience presented by Accents featured handmade perfume Tolah bottles created by local artisan Ashwag. Luxury chocolate bars by Q Chocolates were offered to guests. DJ Alaa Jazaeri performed to boost the atmosphere while guests took photos at the 360 photobooth.

Hala Fattani, designer of L by Hala, said that she created her collection of Ramadan evening dresses exclusively for the event.

“This is my first participation in Harvey Nichols Ramadan Caravan, and my collection is made out of French lace and Italian linen, so it’s very feminine and the colors are all pastel, and it moves naturally when you move.”

Ramadan Caravan began in 2015 and has taken place every year since. It has expanded from a few local brands fashion to include major Saudi and regional labels, as well as food, decorative and homeware items.

More than 35 brands showcased their collection at Harvey Nichols including Haifa Al-Megren, Johanna Ortiz, Aseel Collection, Fabie, Al-Maha Designs, Samuda, Glidah, Masheal Al-Torath and more.

Aseel Al-Zamel, a designer, showcased a collection suitable for evening events like iftar and gatherings.

“We designed the Ramadan collection using silk and crystal, and many of our designs are influenced by our heritage, such as the Najdi thobe. My sister Suha and I founded the brand.”

Ramadan Caravan is open until April 25 at the Harvey Nichols department store in Riyadh.


Islamic military coalition hosts training in Mali to counter terrorist financing

Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition concluded a specialized training program on combating terrorist financing in Bamako
Updated 7 sec ago
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Islamic military coalition hosts training in Mali to counter terrorist financing

  • Program aimed to strengthen national capacities to counter terrorist financing and money laundering
  • Initiative is part of a broader series of strategic activities by the coalition to support its member states

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition concluded a specialized training program on combating terrorist financing in Bamako, Mali, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Conducted in cooperation with Mali’s Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the program aimed to strengthen national capacities to counter terrorist financing and money laundering.

The initiative is part of a broader series of strategic activities by the coalition to support its member states, the SPA added.

The launch event was attended by Lt. Gen. Sadio Camara, Mali’s minister of defense and veterans affairs; Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghed, secretary-general of the coalition; senior diplomatic and military officials; and representatives from national and international organizations.

The program featured a scientific lecture, “Financial Investigations into Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Crimes,” attended by more than 200 participants, including security, oversight, and judicial personnel.

The session covered methodologies for financial tracking, analysis of illicit networks, and shared relevant international experiences.

Additionally, a closed workshop, “Methods of Countering the Financing of Terrorist Organizations in the Sahel Region,” brought together specialists from key national and regional entities.

Discussions focused on shared challenges, successful models, ongoing initiatives, and mechanisms for enhanced cooperation.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of sustained collaboration between the coalition and its member states.

Participants emphasized the need to expand training and capacity-building efforts to enhance institutional readiness and strengthen collective responses to security threats across the Sahel region.


Strict security in Makkah targets Hajj violations

Security patrols in Makkah arrested 2 Indonesian residents after they posted deceptive social media ads for fake Hajj campaigns.
Updated 51 min 50 sec ago
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Strict security in Makkah targets Hajj violations

  • Ministry of Interior reminded the public that entering Makkah without a Hajj permit from April 29 to June 10 is prohibited. (@makkahregion)

MAKKAH: Security patrols in Makkah arrested two Indonesian residents for fraud after they posted deceptive social media ads for fake Hajj campaigns, falsely promising accommodation and transportation within the holy sites.

In a separate case, Makkah police arrested two Kyrgyz residents for posting fraudulent ads targeting visit visa holders, misleading them into believing they could perform Hajj without a permit.

The suspects transported 87 visa holders and housed them in two rented locations in Makkah for a fee, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Legal action has been taken against them, and they have been referred to the Public Prosecution. The visa violators were also referred to the relevant authorities for legal penalties.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged all citizens and residents to follow Hajj regulations and report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances also arrested seven residents and eight citizens for transporting 61 individuals without Hajj permits, according to the SPA.

The Ministry of Interior issued administrative decisions against the transporters, accomplices, and those transported.

Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), public naming, deportation of residents, and a 10-year re-entry ban after sentencing.

The ministry also called for the confiscation of vehicles used in unauthorized transport and fines of up to SR20,000 for those attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

It urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety and reminded the public that entering Makkah without a Hajj permit from April 29 to June 10 is prohibited.


Food and drug checks intensify ahead of Hajj

Updated 54 min 44 sec ago
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Food and drug checks intensify ahead of Hajj

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is continuing its proactive inspection campaigns as part of preparations for the Hajj season.

The authority has conducted more than 1,329 field visits to food, medicine and medical device warehouses in Makkah and Madinah so far.

These ongoing inspections and awareness efforts have led to a notable increase in compliance among facilities storing food and medicine for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the visits, inspection teams identified several warehouses that breached approved technical requirements and took the necessary legal actions.

As a result, 44 warehouses were closed, and 349 violations were recorded, according to the SPA.

To raise awareness, the authority launched a multilingual campaign that includes brochures outlining key product-handling requirements. It aims to improve safety and compliance at all facilities serving pilgrims.

The authority intensifies efforts each Hajj season to ensure food, medicine, and medical products meet safety standards, helping minimize health risks and protect pilgrims’ well-being.


KSrelief sends vaccine to Syrian pilgrims for Hajj

Updated 25 May 2025
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KSrelief sends vaccine to Syrian pilgrims for Hajj

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has provided 25,000 doses of the meningitis vaccine to Syrian pilgrims at the request of the Syrian Ministry of Health.

The vaccines are being administered in preparation for the pilgrims’ upcoming Hajj journey to the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministry of the Syrian Arab Republic expressed its appreciation for the prompt response, describing the support as characteristic of Saudi Arabia and its leadership.

Through KSrelief, the Kingdom has consistently provided vital aid to the Syrian people while addressing their most urgent needs, the SPA added.

This support highlights Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to assisting nations and communities worldwide with critical medical supplies.

KSrelief recently concluded seven medical projects in Damascus as part of the Saudi Amal Volunteer Program.

The week-long initiatives included cardiac surgery and catheterization, orthopedics and joint surgery, prosthetics and rehabilitation, pediatric surgery, pediatric urology, and treatment for blindness and related conditions.


AlUla’s rawi historians tell tales as old as time

Updated 25 May 2025
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AlUla’s rawi historians tell tales as old as time

  • Storytellers keep oral tradition alive by guiding tourists in ancient city
  • Reciters of poetry tell the stories of historic sites 

JEDDAH: In the timeless landscape of AlUla, stories are not only carved or marked into rock — they are carried in the hearts and voices of its people.

Among those preserving and sharing memories is Aljawharah Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a rawi — or oral storyteller — in the heritage, culture and events department at the Royal Commission for AlUla.

She told Arab News: “Several years ago I took a number of tour guiding courses and decided to pursue a career in this field. I was born and raised in AlUla, so I grew up hearing stories and learning about AlUla Old Town from my parents and relatives who lived there, which allowed me to better understand the history of the site.”

Storytelling for Abdulkarim is not just a job, but a mission. As a native of AlUla, she offers a rare blend of authenticity and academic insight, which she weaves into the tours she leads.

She added: “Since I’ve lived in AlUla my entire life, I’ve witnessed its amazing transformation over the years. Through my work as a rawi I’ve also seen firsthand the exciting future that lies ahead for this unique place. All of these experiences have helped enrich my personal story of AlUla.”

The rawi has historically played an important role in Arab culture, serving as a reciter of poetry and stories.

A trilingual speaker — fluent in her native Arabic, as well as in English and French — Abdulkarim represents the next generation of rawis that will show, and tell, the tales of their ancestors.

She said: “I first started learning English in AlUla. Later, I had the opportunity to travel to France on an RCU scholarship created especially for AlUla students. While there I learned French and obtained my master’s degree in international hospitality management.”

Her ability to connect with international visitors became a key asset, and she added: “The fact that I am a trilingual rawi helps me to better understand the different tourists that come to AlUla, offer more personalized responses to their questions, and share with them the special story of AlUla.

“I’ve also had the chance to represent AlUla and my colleagues across several conferences and campaigns in the Kingdom and globally, connecting me with an even broader audience.”

While much research has been devoted to ancient sites like Dadan and Hegra, Abdulkarim is passionate about shedding light on AlUla — especially the human stories of AlUla’s Old Town.

She said: “There is a lot of available historical information and research for different ancient civilizations, especially for sites in Dadan and Hegra. However, when it comes to places like AlUla Old Town, it is quite different as we are talking about contemporary history.”

What sets her storytelling apart is her commitment to blending historical accuracy with personal memory — without conflating the two.

She said: “The people who once lived there are still with us today, and they’re able to share their stories in their own words.

“During my tours I usually start by sharing historical facts, and then I include memories from my father and family. I make sure to keep the two separate, so the history and personal stories are both respected and clearly understood.”

Beyond those narratives, Abdulkarim regularly invites other community members to lend their voices to the tours.

She added: “During our tours we also invite members of the local community to participate by sharing their stories and knowledge, helping us to tell the broader history of AlUla, through the voices of those who have lived it.”

These efforts are especially resonant during themed tours in which the history is deeply personal.

She added: “For example, during one of our special tours in Ramadan, called Ramadan Memories, my father contributed by sharing how the people of Old Town used to spend the holy month, recounting their daily routines, the food they prepared, their work, and their cherished traditions. In doing so, we offer our valued guests a truly unique and personal experience.”

Preserving and presenting heritage in such moments is more than recounting stories — it is about keeping the very culture and voice alive for future generations.

She said: “Sharing our heritage with people is crucial to prevent it from being lost, especially as elements of heritage can also be intangible.

“AlUla is a jewel to us, and persevering the heritage of the city not only helps to protect our past but also safeguards our present and shapes our future.”

That future is being actively protected, and she added: “Today, for example, we have the first Saudi Heritage Ranger team that are working hard to protect our tangible heritage in our historical and archaeological sites for the coming generations.”

In AlUla, the past is not forgotten: It is spoken, heard and passed down with pride. Through voices like Abdulkarim’s, these stories — some as old as time — are finding new ears.