Saudi GEA chief named most influential personality of last decade at MENA Effie Awards

The head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority was named the most influential personality of the last decade at the MENA Effie Awards ceremony in Riyadh. (Effie Awards MENA)
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Updated 22 November 2024
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Saudi GEA chief named most influential personality of last decade at MENA Effie Awards

  • Turki Alalshikh’s contribution to Kingdom’s entertainment sector honored

RIYADH: The head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority was named the most influential personality of the last decade at the MENA Effie Awards ceremony in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event, which was held on Thursday as part of this year’s Riyadh Season calendar, honored Turki Alalshikh’s contribution to the Kingdom’s entertainment sector and its emergence as a global hub for world-class events, the SPA added.

Alalshikh thanked Saudi Arabia’s leadership for their support in his acceptance speech, attributing the achievement to the “collaborative efforts of the nation’s people.”

He added that the recognition was a nod to the Kingdom’s growing global stature in the entertainment sector.

The 15th year of the MENA Effie Awards, which were hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time, celebrated innovation and excellence in the marketing and advertising sectors across the Middle East and North Africa.

This latest accolade followed Alalshikh’s recent distinction as one of the 50 most influential figures in the world of boxing and mixed martial arts, awarded by the British online newspaper The Independent earlier this year.

Under Alalshikh’s leadership, the GEA has transformed the Kingdom’s entertainment sector, with Riyadh Season becoming a flagship event attracting millions of visitors each year.


Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness

Updated 3 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness

  • Theme for this year’s event is ‘Caring and Sharing,’ highlighting benevolence, empathy and trust
  • UN proclaimed the day in 2012

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part in global celebrations for the International Day of Happiness held annually on March 20.

The day was proclaimed by the UN in 2012.

The Kingdom launched the Quality of Life Program in 2018, a key element of Vision 2030, to promote balanced lifestyles and create supportive cultural, recreational and sporting environments that enhance the happiness of Saudi citizens.

The International Day of Happiness highlights the need for global cooperation to improve social, economic and environmental well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The theme for this year’s event is “Caring and Sharing,” highlighting the importance of benevolence, empathy, and trust as vital drivers of both individual and national happiness.

International and regional organizations, civil society and individuals can work through educational activities to promote a shift toward prioritizing human happiness, the SPA added.


New Arab-inspired food market lights up Ramadan nights in Pakistan’s twin cities

Updated 20 March 2025
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New Arab-inspired food market lights up Ramadan nights in Pakistan’s twin cities

  • Market set up under Chandni Chowk flyover on first day of Ramadan will operate after the holy month ends
  • Sellers and customers alike see it as a more spacious alternative to Rawalpindi’s historic Kartarpura Street 

RAWALPINDI: Usama Iqbal Khawaja RAWALPINDI: Visitors to the newly established New Kartarpura Food Street at Chandni Chowk are immediately drawn to an unusual sight — a group of men wearing long, ankle-length robes, typical of the Middle East and North Africa, their heads covered in ghutras, spinning lassi with wooden ladles in large metal pots. 

Food vendor Lahore 0 Kilometer is one of around 30 eateries to spring up on Rawalpindi’s new food street, which is seen as a more spacious, less crowded and family-friendly alternative to the city’s historic Kartarpura Street.

The old street, part of Rawalpindi’s Sikh district and the city’s main commercial area in the 19th century, has become a major food hub over the recent decades. It is famous for dishes such as nihari, a stew of tender beef or mutton meat with bone marrow, and siri paye, a traditional breakfast meal of cow or goat head and trotters.

Lassi, both salty and sweet, remains a key attraction, with many vendors coming from Lahore and Gujranwala to sell the yogurt–based beverage, a staple at iftar and sahoor meals — especially when Ramadan falls in the warmer months.

However, customers and vendors alike have long complained of traffic congestion and crowds.

This year, many stalls and sellers have been shifted to the New Kartarpura Food Street. Set up under the Chandni Chowk flyover on the first day of Ramadan, it will continue to operate once the holy month is over.

“Our main branch is in Kartarpura, but this venue has created a new trend, a proper space for families,” Abdul Latif Rashid, from the famed Kala Khan Nihari House, told Arab News. “Because of that, the [public] response here has been very good.”

Organizer Raja Usama said the idea for the new market was inspired by Ramadan food festivals in Dubai.

“Different kinds of food are available here,” he told Arab News. “Small new businesses and young people are also being promoted. Families are being given a good environment.”

At Lahore 0 Kilometer, Muhammad Hamza said people were coming from both Rawalpindi and Islamabad to try their lassi, available in seven flavors.

“We have great love for Arab countries. The attire I am wearing has been given a lot of respect by the [local] people, and I wish to wear the same attire when I visit Saudi Arabia,” Hamza told Arab News, as people stopped to take photos of him preparing lassi in his thobe and ghutra. 

For visitors like Mahnoor Kareem, a Chinese language instructor, the new food street provides much-needed respite to the old, overcrowded Kartarpura.

“Kartarpura in Rawalpindi is very famous, especially for sehri [sahoor], but we never went there because it’s always too crowded. Most people prefer to come here with their families,” she said. “We tried their paye and lassi, and we really liked it.”

Kanwal Zahra, who sells Pakistani cuisine, has also set up shop at the new market. She said: “We serve traditional dishes passed down from our grandmothers, roti made from pure wheat flour, special jaggery and sugar tea, palak paneer, and lassi.”

There are more innovative offerings available, too.

Dumpling vendor Meena Nabeel told Arab News: “Initially, people said they did not eat momos, especially boys. But once they try, they come back with their friends and say that it is good, they like the taste. The filling and dough get a lot of praise. Our sauces also receive a lot of compliments.”


Saudi crown prince, Pakistan PM discuss relations 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, Pakistan PM discuss relations 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The pair discussed bilateral relations, ways to boost cooperation in various fields, and the latest regional and international developments.

Saudi and Pakistani senior officials attended the meeting.

 

 


Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional developments 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional developments 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They discussed resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, in addition to efforts to halt attacks and protect civilians.

Macron commended the Kingdom's role in the US-Russian dialogue and the talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

The pair also tackled issues of mutual interest.


Saudi crown prince, UK PM discuss developments in Gaza, Ukraine during call

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, UK PM discuss developments in Gaza, Ukraine during call

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Saudi Press Agency said.

They discussed during the call developments in the Gaza Strip and their security and political repercussions. 

Starmer praised the Kingdom's pivotal role in hosting the US-Russia dialogue in Jeddah.

The pair reviewed efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

They also discussed ways of enhancing cooperation.