Pupils in Saudi Arabia commemorate Founding Day with special school activities

Students were asked to make videos talking about Saudi Arabia’s history, the battles that took place, and the leadership throughout the history of KSA as part of the school activities. (AN photo by Saleh Ghanaim)
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Updated 23 February 2022
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Pupils in Saudi Arabia commemorate Founding Day with special school activities

  • "We celebrate this day, and we are all proud of the firm roots of the Saudi state, recalling its founding, and what it achieved"

RIYADH/JEDDAH: The Kingdom’s schools celebrated the country’s first Founding Day under the theme of “When We First Started,” which stressed the importance of young people knowing the history of the Saudi state.
Last month, it was announced that Feb. 22 would officially be known as Founding Day and it was designated as a new annual national holiday.
It was established to recognize the foundation of the first Saudi state in 1727 by Imam Mohammed ibn Saud. Celebrations started across the country on Tuesday and will last until Feb. 24.




Schools across Saudi Arabia are taking part in the Founding Day celebrations a day before or after the annual national holiday. (Supplied)

The festivities offer visitors different activities by showcasing traditional Saudi garments and costumes, art exhibitions, fireworks, and a parade.
Schools took part in the celebrations either a day before or a day after the national holiday.
“Being part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a huge source of pride, especially being part of its growth,” said Rana Kurdi, a second grade homeroom teacher at the girl’s section of King Faisal School. “When you look at the children explaining this important day — Founding Day — they are filled with excitement, especially that they will be part of it. Furthermore, their honest expressive feelings and thoughts toward our country is a source of hope, knowing that they are the future of our country. It is my honor to be an active part of this ever-developing nation.”

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• The festivities offered visitors different activities by showcasing traditional Saudi garments and costumes, art exhibitions, fireworks, and a parade.

• Parents were asked to assist with the preparations by gathering symbolic items that highlighted the culture of the Kingdom.

Parents were asked to assist with the preparations by gathering symbolic items that highlighted the culture of the Kingdom or small flags bearing the Founding Day logo, preparing a traditional dish for their children to distribute among fellow students, and putting together traditional costumes for children to wear to school.




Yousif Salman celebrating Saudi Founding day, a day before the big event on the 22nd. (Supplied)

“As a Saudi mother and a lover of my country, I was pleased about my child’s participation in Founding Day,” mother-of-two Maha Salama told Arab News. “He will learn about the history of his country and the beginning of its founding and the unification of our Kingdom through school activities. This will enhance his loyalty and belonging to his homeland.”
She said that her children’s school, Little Hands in Riyadh, had sent out the following message: “We celebrate this day, and we are all proud of the firm roots of the Saudi state, recalling its founding, and what it achieved of unity, security and stability, and its continuation in construction, unification, and development. Please make sure the children are wearing the Saudi traditional costume, with a child’s favorite dish to share with the kids as we invite you to join us in our activities.”
Jeddah mother-of-five Neama Hamed said her sons, aged seven and eight, would wear the traditional Saudi white thobe. Her daughters, aged five, 11, and 12, would wear a traditional Saudi costume of a green dress with gold embroidery.
In Jeddah, parents made a beeline for different stores to buy traditional garments for their kids to wear and items to take to school.
Hamed said there was a “great demand” in the shops and markets, and that stores were offering a variety of different items related to Founding Day. “I found everything I was looking for in good quantities, from a brooch, flags, and T-shirts. The shops offered beautiful and diverse merchandise and they were crowded with parents, teachers, and students.”
Students were asked to make videos talking about the Kingdom’s history, the battles that took place, and the leadership throughout the history of the Kingdom as part of the school activities.
Parents could also buy their traditional costumes from the Jahez food delivery app. Its special Founding Day campaign, with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, was aimed at ensuring that everyone could be well prepared for the festivities.


China grants visa-free entry to Saudi travelers

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Updated 28 May 2025
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China grants visa-free entry to Saudi travelers

RIYADH: China is allowing visa-free entry for 30 days for travelers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain in a one-year trial, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

The new policy begins on June 9, 2025, and will last until June 8, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing.

Passport holders from the four countries will be allowed to travel to China for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges and transit, Mao said.

China now grants visa-free access to all Gulf Cooperation Council countries, having implemented reciprocal policies with the UAE and Qatar since 2018.

“We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China,” Mao said.  

Previously, Saudi Arabia had held Approved Destination Status with the East Asian nation, which came into effect on July 1, 2024.

This bilateral agreement gave access to tourists visiting the respective countries in groups.

The announcement is the latest step in strengthening ties between the two nations.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to attract 5 million Chinese tourists annually by the end of the decade.

The two countries also share a strong trade relationship, and the Kingdom is China’s largest trading partner in the Gulf.


KSrelief expands aid across global crisis zones

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Updated 28 May 2025
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KSrelief expands aid across global crisis zones

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,220 food baskets to families affected by floods in camps across the Banadir region, benefiting 7,320 people.

The Saudi aid agency also distributed 900 food baskets to vulnerable displaced families in Sudan’s Blue Nile State, benefiting 4,050 individuals.

In Yemen, KSrelief launched a project to treat childhood cancer in Mukalla district, Hadramout governorate, involving five volunteers specializing in various medical fields.

So far, the KSrelief medical team has examined 23 children and reviewed their treatment plans. They also conducted training sessions for local health care workers, benefiting 10 individuals to date, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,435 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 317 organizations.


Study outlines forest fire prevention plan

Updated 28 May 2025
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Study outlines forest fire prevention plan

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has completed a study to enhance forest protection and reduce wildfire risks in support of environmental sustainability goals.

Titled “Forest Fire Prevention and Post-Fire Recovery in the Southern and Southwestern Regions of Saudi Arabia,” the study was conducted in collaboration with King Khalid University and Monash University in Australia.

It includes an assessment of forest conditions and risk factors, the development of a digital database, and a review of preventive measures and community practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The study proposes an integrated response plan involving relevant agencies, with defined roles and the use of modern tools such as early warning systems and drones.

It also offers field designs and sustainable alternatives for strategic firebreaks, a post-fire recovery guide, a performance evaluation tool, and a framework for joint operations.

To support this, the study outlines a mechanism for engaging local volunteer teams in forest areas through training, capacity-building, and coordination with authorities.

The study demonstrates institutional, technical, and community collaboration in forest protection. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to preserve natural resources and address climate-related challenges while balancing development with ecosystem conservation.

The national center continues to promote sustainable vegetation cover and has launched an initiative to plant 60 million trees — equivalent to restoring 300,000 hectares — by 2030.


New school for neurodiverse children to open in Riyadh

Updated 28 May 2025
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New school for neurodiverse children to open in Riyadh

  • Enrollment is now open for the 2025 academic year

RIYADH: A new school specializing in educating neurodiverse children aged 3 to 9 will open in Riyadh in September, it was announced on Tuesday evening.

Josour Schools held a seminar in Riyadh this week to make the announcement, highlighting its unique model, which combines education, therapy and family services.

The school, which will be located in Roshn’s Sedra 1 community, is the result of a partnership between the Josour Company and UK-based CareTech.

“CareTech is always rooted in the communities in which we operate our services,” Shokat Akbar, CEO of CareTech International, told Arab News. “For (Josour) to succeed, it must be rooted in the community and be … in partnership with the community.”

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, Josour Schools adopts a British curriculum adapted to local cultural values.

Its small-class model, led by neurodiversity specialists, focuses on individualized education plans and combines education with therapeutic interventions.

“This school serves a critical purpose: providing good quality access to special education needs services for children,” Akbar said. “Inclusivity comes in many ways.

“Students (will) participate in society through art and sport, making their contributions visible.”

The school will have access to resources from CareTech’s global network of 47 UK schools and 550 specialized services.

“Teachers will attend CareTech UK schools as part of their induction and training,” Akbar said, adding that Josour’s therapists would collaborate with experts across CareTech’s global network, including researchers and practitioners.

Enrollment is now open for the 2025 academic year.


Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches 24/7 toll-free helpline for pilgrims

Updated 28 May 2025
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Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches 24/7 toll-free helpline for pilgrims

  • Helpline will respond to pilgrims’ inquiries related to Hajj

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has launched a 24/7 toll-free helpline (800 2451000) to respond to pilgrims’ inquiries and provide religious rulings (fatwas) related to the Hajj.

The service provides religious guidance in 10 languages: Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Urdu, Indonesian, Bengali, Hausa, Amharic and Hindi.

The toll-free helpline is part of the ministry’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the performance of Hajj rituals in accordance with Islamic rules.

Through direct communication with a select group of qualified scholars and professional translators, the helpline ensures pilgrims receive reliable religious support.

The ministry has urged all pilgrims to make full use of this complimentary service, underscoring the Kingdom’s intent to deliver the highest standard of care during the pilgrimage.

The minister of Islamic affairs has assigned 300 scholars and advocates to provide fatwas and lectures for domestic Hajj campaigns for this year’s Hajj season, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the ministry continues its efforts to serve pilgrims during Hajj by providing awareness and guidance services at the Aisha Mosque, one of the main stations frequented by pilgrims in Makkah.

The services include broadcasting awareness messages in several languages via electronic screens to enhance religious awareness and facilitate the performance of rituals. 

In addition, around-the-clock field-monitoring tours are being conducted by male and female inspection teams to ensure the quality of services and address observations immediately. 

The ministry also ensured the availability of Qur’ans and translations in several languages and organized the movement of crowds in the mosque and its courtyards to ensure smooth flow and comfort for visitors.