RIYADH: A fantasy novel by a Saudi author has been chosen for adaption into a manga, Japan’s famous style of graphic novel.
Sultan Ayaz finished writing the story of “Crossing Thoughts” in 2014, and says the adaptation deal with Manga Arabia is the result of a decade-long dream.
Manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan, conforming to a style developed in the late 19th century, though the form has antecedents in earlier Japanese art.
Ayaz’s novel, written in English, tells the story of humans defending their lands against the oppression of demons. It is about the eternal conflict between humans and demons, and a man who stands in between.
In the book, humans fight off demons by using elemental magic and swordplay.
The narrative begins with Drake, a little boy, who, along with his family, lives in tranquility in a tiny town. But the town is destroyed by a demonic attack, which Drake miraculously survives.
Three characters emerge — Aria, Ray and Amber — and study the nature of elements at the Grand College of Elements in the Kingdom of Iora. They learn how to use the elements as weapons against their demonic foes.
“Crossing Thoughts” is full of drama, action and a hint of terror.
Ayaz told Arab News: “I was always into writing in English since high school, and I was influenced by video games and anime, which strongly developed my imagination. Along with daydreaming and creating scenarios in my head, I always wanted to have my own story. So, I started to write short stories from time to time to fulfill this desire.”
The Saudi author said he was “ecstatic” to sign a deal with Manga Arabia and adapt his novel.
“‘Crossing Thoughts’ is the result of hard work and sincere dedication, and I am very proud of it. Since I finished writing the novel back in 2014, I always wanted to have it adapted into a manga or an anime, because I believe it is suitable for such adaptation,” he said.
“When I signed the contract with Manga Arabia, I felt overwhelming happiness, because, for 10 years, this is exactly what I was aiming for. I am very proud of this achievement and honored to be chosen among other talented Saudi authors to be part of this project.”
In 2020, Ayaz became one of the first Saudi novelists to have a fiction work published internationally when a British publishing house, Olympia Publishers, acquired the rights to publish “Crossing Thoughts.” The book was first released locally in 2017 and sold in Virgin Megastores.
“During this journey, I faced many obstacles and hardships that almost forced me to drop my novel and just focus on balancing my life. My father passed away. I had to drop college for a couple of years, and worked in several minimum wage jobs just to contribute to covering the living expenses of my family. But, eventually, I was inspired by my mother’s strength and decided to push myself to the limits and overcome all that, and I succeeded,” Ayaz said.
The writer used two monthly salaries just to cover the printing and publishing expenses of his work.
And though he faced some criticism because the novel was authored in English, “Crossing Thoughts” sold well in Saudi Arabia, attracting the attention of Olympia Publishers.
“I am rather pleased with ‘Crossing Thoughts.’ It is the first English-language fantasy book by a Saudi author to be published, and it helped me overcome my anxiety of failing by landing me live TV appearances and magazine features. It is the sole outcome of real commitment and persistent work,” Ayaz said.
His advice for young writers is to never aim for fame, set your goals straight and persuade audiences with continuous effort. Always remember that “the journey’s experience is priceless,” he said.
Last month, Manga Arabia chose five Saudi authors to have their novels turned into comic stories.
“Drawing Nothingness” by Ashraf Al-Faqih was already featured in the Manga Arabia Youth magazine.
“The Voyagers” by Kendah Jambi, Ayaz’s “Crossing Thoughts,” “The Awsaj” by Al-Jawhara Al-Rimal and Ghada Al-Marzouqi’s “I Live My Memories Upside Down” will also be published in Manga Arabia magazine’s print and digital editions.
The project is part of joint efforts between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and Manga Arabia to support businesses in the publishing sector.
The manga initiative has been hailed as a “cultural leap” in the presentation of Saudi literature worldwide, and an indicator of progress in the Kingdom’s burgeoning creative industries.
Saudi novelist Sultan Ayaz’s ‘Crossing Thoughts’ to be adapted into manga
https://arab.news/yw688
Saudi novelist Sultan Ayaz’s ‘Crossing Thoughts’ to be adapted into manga
- Ayaz’s novel, written in English, tells the story of humans defending their lands against the oppression of demons
- In the book, humans fight off demons by using elemental magic and swordplay
Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Saudi Arabia tells UN
- The Kingdom and France prepare to co-chair conference next month designed to hasten implementation of two-state solution
- Foreign ministry’s Manal Radwan tells preparatory meeting recognizing Palestine would mark beginning of peace in the Middle East
LONDON: Recognizing the state of Palestine is a “strategic necessity” that would mark the beginning of peace in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia told a UN meeting on Friday.
The comments come as the Kingdom and France prepare to co-chair a global conference next month designed to hasten the implementation of a two-state solution to end decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians.
The effort has gained further support this week as the devastating toll of Israel’s resumed assault on Gaza sparked further international anger.
Speaking at a UN General Assembly meeting in preparation for the conference, the co-chair Manal Radwan, counsellor at Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry, said a just solution to the Palestinian question is not only a moral and legal imperative, but “the cornerstone of a new regional order based on mutual recognition and coexistence.”
“Regional peace begins with recognizing the state of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a strategic necessity,” she said.
“It is the only way to eliminate the space exploited by non-state actors and replace despair with a political horizon, grounded in rights and sovereignty, ensuring, security, and dignity for all.”
Radwan described the meeting as a moment of “historic urgency” with Gaza “enduring unimaginable suffering” and civilians continue to pay the price of war “that must end immediately.”
She said Saudi Arabia was honored to stand with other nations committed to the diplomatic effort aiming to bring “real, irreversible, and transformative change, to ensure, once and for all, the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine.”
King Salman orders hosting of 1,300 pilgrims from 100 nations for Hajj this year
- The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance
RIYADH: King Salman has issued a royal directive to host 1,300 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries to perform Hajj this year under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation.
The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, who is general supervisor of the program, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and praised the directive as a testament to the leadership’s dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of the Kingdom’s position in the Islamic world.
Al-Alsheikh said that following the royal directive, the ministry mobilized all of its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to guests.
A comprehensive implementation plan has been prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural and educational programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims’ spiritual and intellectual experience.
Al-Alsheikh said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation was designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy.
Since its inception in 1996, the program has hosted about 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries.
The ministry has provided these guests with a range of logistical, religious, health and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj rituals.
Al-Alsheikh said that this hosting initiative showed the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims.
The program aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and enhance its positive presence on the global stage, contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030’s Islamic and humanitarian goals.
‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
- 50 artists from 1930s to 2000s at Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel
- Curator Aisha Stoby highlights leadership role of artists
JEDDAH: Art Jameel launched the “Gulf Art Movements” exhibition on Thursday to trace the evolution of modern creatives in the Arabian Gulf from the 1930s to the early 2000s.
The exhibition at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, titled “Redrawing the Boundaries: Art Movements and Collectives of the 20th Century Khaleej” opened on May 22 and runs until Oct. 15.
It features works by more than 50 artists, drawn from 20 state and private collections, and traces the evolution of modern art movements in the Arabian Gulf from the 1930s to the early 2000s.
The “Redrawing the Boundaries” show explores the emergence and development of key art movements across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
It examines how artists responded to dramatic shifts in their urban environments and societies while engaging with themes including changing landscapes, public and private spheres, and the rise of formal art institutions.
The exhibition includes works from the Art Jameel Collection alongside loans from notable public and private collections, including Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Barjeel Art Foundation, the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth Collection, and the Sharjah Art Foundation.
Featuring over 80 works, the exhibition highlights a variety of influences —from local folklore and traditions to Western modernist movements, as well as Egyptian and South Asian visual cultures.
From the calligraphic abstraction of Hurufiyya, an artistic movement exploring the potential of Arabic script, to the experimental ethos of collectives such as The Five, The Circle, and the Shatta Collective, the exhibition captures the innovative spirit that defined a generation of artists.
These artists not only shaped national art movements but also worked collaboratively, founded institutions, and envisioned new futures for art in the Gulf.
The show builds on an earlier exhibition curated by Aisha Stoby titled “Khaleej Modern: Pioneers and Collectives from the Arabian Peninsula,” which was held at New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery in 2022.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Stoby elaborated on her curatorial approach.
“They were artists who were not just foundational figures within their practices, who are without question leaders of the art movements within their own countries, but were influential through all these criteria.”
“They were establishing institutions, mentoring, and building movements. So it was above and beyond the artwork.”
The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections: “The Landscape and Public Sphere,” “Identity and Private Space,” “Abstraction and Ephemerality,” and “The Conceptual New Wave.”
Stoby said: “For me what became very pronounced is if you look at the material thematically, with it comes chronologies and with it comes geographies.”
“It seemed eventually that the most natural way that these conversations could come out themselves was by putting it into a thematic structure,” she added.
The exhibition opens with a pairing of paintings in the first section, dedicated to landscape and public space. The two works, by Abdulkarim Al-Orrayed and Abdulhalim Radwi, set the tone for a dialogue between cities, histories, and artistic legacies.
Al-Orrayed, a seminal figure in Bahraini modern art and a founding force behind numerous art institutions and ateliers, presents a large painting capturing the development of Manama — its houses, buildings, and evolving urban identity.
In contrast, Radwi’s piece captures the vibrancy of Jeddah’s historic district, Al-Balad. His depiction of movement and bustle evokes the city’s rich cultural rhythm.
Displayed side by side, these works create one of Stoby’s favorite moments in the exhibition, “A conversation between two city centers,” reflecting shared regional experiences through local lenses.
The second section, features deeply emotional and historical pieces, including two evocative works by Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsami.
Created during the Gulf War, one of them is “Note to the Invasion” and “The Parting” of two people who are in love and being separated. It explores themes of separation, loss, migration and resilience.
“One piece reflects the devastation of conflict, while the other speaks to the aching tenderness of lovers pulled apart by war. These artworks do more than document — they humanize a collective trauma experienced across the Gulf,” said Stoby.
In the third section, themed around abstraction and ephemerality, another wall greets visitors with three interconnected works. Among them is a piece by Abdulhalim Radwi portraying the Hajj, sourced from the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.
“It is an act of symbolic homecoming as the artwork returns to Jeddah, the city it represents. Beside it hangs ‘Worshippers Leaving the Mosque’ by Abdulrahman Al-Soliman.
“Together, these paintings resonate as a spiritual dialogue between two pioneering artists: one rooted in Jeddah, the other in Riyadh.
“The wall extends further with contributions from Khalifa Al-Qattan and Ali Al-Mahmeed, artists who reflect on the multifaceted ways religion is experienced in daily life across the region,” said Stoby.
Finally, on the upper floor — where conceptual and new media works take center stage — a deeply symbolic film by Omani artist Anwar Sonya stands out.
Known for his landscapes and cross-border artistic relationships, Sonya here turns his lens toward memory and myth. The work began as a documentary about a prominent woman who led an art institution in Kuwait.
During filming, a coffee cup reading foretold she would live a long and dynamic life, only for her to pass away shortly thereafter.
“The project transformed into an elegiac reflection on mortality, folklore, and the unseen threads that bind lives and legacies. It became an artwork looking at her memory,” said Stoby.
It portrays “our relationship to myth, what is real, and what meaning we can hold onto,” Stoby added.
Nora Razian, Art Jameel’s deputy director and head of exhibitions and programs, said that “Redrawing the Boundaries” offers “a compelling rethink of modernism.”
Razian added that it adds “significantly to the study and understanding of a distinct aesthetic that developed across the Khaleej with a focus on the 1930s through to the early 2000s, a time of state formation, nation building and social transformation.”
She added that the exhibition “foregrounds the critical and foundational roles artists played in shaping institutions and cultivating creative communities during times of transformation.”
Kingdom’s ambassador welcomes US counterpart to Saudi Pavilion at Osaka Expo
- Ghazi Faisal Binzagr holds talks with George Glass
- Pavilion boosts US-Kingdom ties, says Saudi envoy
OSAKA: The Kingdom’s Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr welcomed his US counterpart George Glass to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on Friday.
Binzagr said it was a pleasure to host Glass and his delegation from the US at the VIP reception.
“Saudi Arabia’s pavilion is not only an important cultural asset where we share our story with the world but also serves as a meeting place where global leaders can come together to deepen understanding of each other, while addressing some of our greatest challenges,” Binzagr said.
The visit between the representatives of Saudi Arabia and the US in Japan comes 10 days after US President Donald Trump’s historic state visit to Riyadh.
The visit reinforces the strategic long-term relationship between the Kingdom and the US and is important for potential future partnerships aimed at mutual growth.
Binzagr and Glass toured the pavilion which showcases Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural history, its transformation as a nation, and global influence on sustainability and innovation.
The US delegation enjoyed the Kingdom’s hospitality over a discussion on shared goals for the expo and the future before exchanging gifts in the Saudi Majlis.
Binzagr, the commissioner general of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, said it was a productive and collaborative first meeting between the two ambassadors based in Japan.
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion hosts VIP delegations and business events that focus on the Kingdom’s impact on the world.
In addition to hosting over 700 events across the expo program which includes business and investment forums, visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion will see daily dance and fashion shows.
In addition, they can explore seven immersive rooms and galleries, featuring evolving cities, sustainable seas, the potential of human capital and innovation.
Saudi Arabia seeing ‘significant changes’ in women’s advancement, says Tokyo governor
RIYADH: There have been “significant changes” in women’s advancement in Saudi Arabia compared to her previous visits to the Kingdom, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on Friday.
Speaking at Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Koike said: “Whatever the gender is, the Saudi Vision 2030 transformed the country and made it comfortable for everyone, including males, females, children and the handicapped.”
The governor has visited Riyadh three times previously but expressed her appreciation that women “can drive and travel alone now.”
Koike is the first elected Tokyo governor and has been appointed three times so far. She told the Fortune panel that her priority was to make “women’s dreams come true.”
She added that free childcare, including tuition and provision of school lunches, was also high on her agenda.
Despite her focus on Tokyo, Koike said the agenda for women’s advancement should be the same in all communities, from small villages to large cities.
“It’s a common agenda we have to face whether for education, industry and for vitalizing the economy,” she said.
After her election, Koike began organizing a network for female mayors and governors.
“When I first started the network with my colleague, we only had 39 female mayors and governors elected,” she said, adding that women should “not wait” until they were elected or appointed to join: “If you don’t a buy lottery ticket, you will not win.”
“The world is so turbulent,” Koike said, adding that women should take on its challenges and achieve whatever they want.
The theme of this year’s conference is “A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity.” Other speakers included Nigeria’s former minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, along with Prof. Hanan Abdulraheem Alahmadi, assistant speaker of The Shura Council of Saudi Arabia, and Farah Ismail, deputy minister of sectoral and regional development of the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning.
