Saudi deputy minister for International Multilateral Affairs receives Dominican envoy

Saudi deputy minister for International Multilateral Affairs receives Dominican envoy
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Updated 10 July 2024
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Saudi deputy minister for International Multilateral Affairs receives Dominican envoy

Saudi deputy minister for International Multilateral Affairs receives Dominican envoy

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Saudi Arabia Andy Rodriguez Duran in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, the Foreign Ministry said on X.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Ali Al-Yousef received Ambassador of France to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille during the end of the envoy’s term in Saudi Arabia. Al-Yousef praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening Saudi-French relations.


KSrelief signs $5.15m deal to aid Ukrainians

KSrelief signs $5.15m deal to aid Ukrainians
Updated 57 min 4 sec ago
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KSrelief signs $5.15m deal to aid Ukrainians

KSrelief signs $5.15m deal to aid Ukrainians

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has signed a $5.15 million cooperation agreement with the UN Population Fund to provide emergency protection for vulnerable groups in Ukraine.

The deal will benefit 49,360 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

It was signed by KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz and the fund’s deputy executive director, Andrew Saberton, in Riyadh.

The agreement will deliver essential services related to gender-based violence in affected areas of Ukraine.

It focuses on supporting mobile psychosocial teams, and establishing safe spaces for women and girls with economic empowerment opportunities, dignity kits and community psychological support.

Additionally, it aims to strengthen the capabilities of community psychological support service providers.

Al-Baiz also signed a cooperation agreement with the Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief in Riyadh to promote sustainable agriculture and empower the agricultural and fishery sectors of Yemeni governorates.

The deal will enhance the resilience of farmers and fishermen, and contribute to local food production by supplying agricultural inputs such as seeds, equipment, safety tools, fishing boats, veterinary kits and greenhouses.

It also involves training on agricultural and fishery practices, and improving irrigation by pumping water from wells, and establishing drip irrigation and canal networks.


Jeddah’s Homegrown Festival highlights diverse local talent

Jeddah’s Homegrown Festival highlights diverse local talent
Updated 56 min 13 sec ago
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Jeddah’s Homegrown Festival highlights diverse local talent

Jeddah’s Homegrown Festival highlights diverse local talent

Jeddah: The Homegrown Festival, recently held at Hayy Jameel, celebrated the 11th anniversary of the Homegrown Market, a platform supporting creative talent in Jeddah.

The three-day event highlighted Arab creativity and culture, featuring emerging brands in fashion, jewelry and beauty.

In addition to the marketplace, the festival included wellness and fitness activities by Lululemon, live DJ performances by MDLBEAST Radio, and a selection of local food and beverages.

Tamara Abu Khadra, CEO and founder of Homegrown Market, told Arab News: “We wanted to create an event that showcases local talent and brings the community together.”

Homegrown Market has supported Middle Eastern talent for more than a decade, growing from 15 brands to more than 250 across three branches and an online presence.

Abu Khadra said: “Homegrown is a space for creatives, from fashion designers to beauty brands. Our goal is to help those who started on platforms like Instagram connect with a broader audience.”

The festival also reflected Homegrown’s growing inclusivity, with Abu Khadra adding: “We have always supported women, but now we are expanding into menswear and male designers.”

The event attracted a diverse crowd, offering a range of abayas, dresses, artworks and gifts, providing an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to connect with new customers. It also featured activities like a fitness session focused on health.

Abeer Sinder, founder of SNDR Hair Care, said: “I want kids to love their natural hair. The Homegrown Market has always been one of my favorite concepts, and I am excited to be part of it.”

She added: “My advice to entrepreneurs is to stay focused on your goals — you can achieve anything. I started with nothing, and now we have a thriving team. If I can do it, so can you.”

Traveling from Jordan to attend the festival, Basma Abdul Hadi, creative director and co-founder of Basma Collection, said: “We use recycled materials that are hand-woven on wooden looms. It is our first time in Jeddah, and we are excited to be here. This festival provides a great platform, and we look forward to connecting with new customers.”

Saudi designer Nasiba Hafiz said: “With this collection, I wanted to create versatile pieces suitable for Ramadan and beyond. We pride ourselves on being a sustainable brand, and I enjoy designing items that can be worn more than once.

“Our pieces are made to be worn year-round and mixed and matched to create various outfits. The Homegrown Festival is vibrant and full of new brands. The most important thing is to support each other and local businesses. It is wonderful to see everyone come together.”

Joana Hakki, a Saudi-Syrian designer, shared her connection to both her heritage and the festival: “My designs are influenced by both Jeddah and Syria. For example, I use saya fabric, typical of Syria, and shemagh fabric, a traditional Saudi material. I blend both heritages to create contemporary designs. I also work with high-end fabrics like brocade, finishing my pieces with feathers and embroidery.

“These kaftans are not just for everyday wear, but perfect for weddings and ceremonies. They are timeless pieces, built to last for generations. I carefully select fabrics of the highest quality, ensuring they are pieces you will cherish forever.”

Anoud Mirdan, founder of Bare and Buff, a body care brand, shared the story behind her venture: “We are based in Riyadh, and it is a mom-and-daughter duo — my mom and I. We both have a passion for fragrances and body care. We wanted to create an affordable, accessible product that’s perfect for everyday use. Our scents are powdery and versatile, so they can be layered with anything. We are part of the Homegrown Festival because we love the vibe here and feel our brand connects well with this audience.”

Sakina Rehman, founder of Serene Art, known for her hand-painted floral and Islamic art, shared her creative passion: “I have always loved art, especially combining flowers and calligraphy. I work with watercolors and acrylics to create unique frames and Qur’ans, with laminated designs and matching bookmarks. Since it is Ramadan, people are looking for special gifts, and I specialize in creating customized, meaningful items tailored to individual preferences. It is a beautiful way to blend art with spirituality, and I am happy to bring this to the festival.”

The festival highlighted the rich variety of local craftsmanship, creating an atmosphere of support for the community and showcasing the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Kingdom.

Ahmed Khaberi, founder of Khaberi Leather Goods, spoke about the craftsmanship behind his products: “All of our items are handmade by me using saddle stitching, a technique that can’t be replicated by machines, ensuring durability. We import the finest leathers from Italy, France and the US, using full-grain leather, the highest quality available. It doesn’t peel because it’s not coated with paint.

“We also use vegetable-tanned leather, which takes up to six months to process, ensuring excellent quality for years to come. This is our first bazaar participation, and we are a young brand, having started just four months ago. We are excited to be here and introduce our products to the market.”


French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture

French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture
Updated 01 March 2025
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French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture

French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture

Jeddah: Pierre Caye, head of the French Institute of Islamology, recently gave a lecture titled “Ornament at the Service of Cultural Dialogue” at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.

The lecture was organized by the Alliance Francaise Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Consulate General of France and the French Research Centre of the Arabian Peninsula in Jeddah.

In his talk, Caye explored the role of ornamental art — from both Eastern and Western traditions — in bridging cultures and societies.

“Through ornamental art, which circulates quickly, fluidly, and in a very present manner, we witness a natural revival, one in which modern art connects with the past,” Caye told Arab News. “It is an incredibly stimulating and exciting process.

“Ornamentation is a universal form of art. From ancient times to today, it has been present across all cultures, both East and West. Ornament is found everywhere —whether in music, architecture, calligraphy, rhetoric, or decorative arts, even in religious and sacred arts,” he continued. “In fact, no artistic activity is exempt from ornamentation. It is a privileged means of dialogue between cultures.”

Caye also shared his admiration for Jeddah’s historical charm. “I was amazed by the restoration in Al-Balad. It was a perfect introduction to my lecture, an entry point that allowed me to explore my journey with wooden ornaments and the intricate wooden craftsmanship seen in Roshan windows,” he said.

Caye is also the director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, and has devoted much of his career to exploring the sources of European artistic and moral culture.

He has directed international research groups on topics including “Artistic knowledge and art treatises from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment,” and has published several books and articles on the subject.

His current role at the French Institute of Islamology allows him to continue exploring the intersection of art and culture.

During the lecture, an interesting exchange arose regarding the religious significance of ornamental art. Caye reflected on this dialogue, saying, “In Europe, religious art was traditionally associated with painting and grand works of art. But for Islam, ornamental art holds great religious importance. I was told that these patterns carry high religious significance; they serve as a way to connect with divinity, with infinity.

“This theological approach presents challenges for me. The link between art and theology is a complex issue, one that’s difficult to interpret, as these connections vary across religions and societies.”

Caye’s lecture provided insights into how ornamental art serves not only as aesthetic expression but also as a cultural and spiritual bridge between civilizations. He highlighted the rich, multifaceted nature of art and its profound ability to connect people across time, space, and belief systems.

Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise in Jeddah, said: “Pierre Caye was able to engage our audience in Jeddah on the cultural significance of ornamental art across societies. We are proud to welcome such esteemed experts in their field to Saudi Arabia for the first time.”


Kingdom arrests 17,389 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 17,389 illegals in one week
Updated 01 March 2025
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Kingdom arrests 17,389 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 17,389 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 17,389 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 10,397 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,128 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,864 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,483 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 56 percent were Ethiopian, 41 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 104 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 15 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years and a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000).

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Islamic coalition training tackles terrorism financing

Islamic coalition training tackles terrorism financing
Updated 01 March 2025
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Islamic coalition training tackles terrorism financing

Islamic coalition training tackles terrorism financing

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition has launched a training program in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, titled “Countering Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering,” aimed at curbing terrorism financing operations.

Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization Ibrahim Kalil Konate and the coalition’s secretary-general, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, attended the event, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This strategic initiative, the first of its kind in Abidjan, seeks to enhance the capabilities of participants from relevant institutions in addressing terrorism financing and money-laundering challenges.

The program features intensive courses and workshops led by international experts, covering international laws on combating money laundering and terrorism financing, the SPA reported.

Earlier, Brig. Gen. Alah Kouame Joseph, commander of the International Academy for Counter-Terrorism, welcomed Al-Moghedi and his delegation in Abidjan.

Both sides discussed areas of mutual cooperation in counterterrorism, the SPA said.

Al-Moghedi was briefed on the academy’s training capabilities, educational resources and technical expertise in providing a high-level response to terrorist threats.