RIYADH: Catmosphere’s second annual Catwalk to raise awareness of endangered wildlife and collective well-being attracted thousands of participants in the Kingdom and around the world on Saturday.
“We were thrilled that the inaugural Catwalk in 2021 received such overwhelming support, showing a huge appetite for our message and support for action to conserve the iconic big cats throughout the world,” Princess Reema Bandar, founder of Catmosphere, said.
This year’s Catwalk is expected to be much bigger than last year’s, which had 27,000 participants in 102 countries.
More than 50 organized walks took place in the Kingdom alone, with many cities participating, including Asir, Riyadh, Alkhobar, Dharan, Al-Qassim, Makkah, Jeddah and Jazan.
The official number of participants have yet to be announced, but this year’s attendance already appears to be higher than the first Catwalk last year.
Catwalk is an annual global event that invites people to take part in a 7 km walk to promote interconnected well-being and preservation of wildlife, including the seven big cats — tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, pumas, cheetahs and snow leopards, with a focus on the endangered Arabian leopard.
This year several locations in Riyadh hosted the catwalk, including Diriyah, the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Front, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
One of the participants, Amirulhusni Sahar walked in Diriyah. He said that some of his family took part in the first Catwalk, but this is his first time.
“I am here with my family and we are representing Malaysia as well,” Sahar, the first secretary of the Malaysian Embassy, said.
Sian Tichar, the Catwalk campaign manager in Riyadh, explained Catmosphere’s mission in promoting collective well-being.
“The concept of collective well-being means that in order to have a healthy planet we need to have healthy people. What the Catwalk does is invites people to take a walk outside. If you are walking outside, you are likely to feel better about yourself and you will notice nature, and if you care about nature, you will care about wildlife,” Sian Tichar said.
“Princess Reema’s initiative, the foundation Catmosphere, and its flagship campaign, Catwalk, invite people to go on a walk and learn about the stories of big cats and the challenges they face to interpret the concept of collective well-being,” she added.
Tichar said that last year during the first Catwalk many people used the opportunity to pick up trash and plant trees.
“I’m very proud to be a part of the Catwalk team and really excited to see Saudi leading by example in getting behind causes that help promote collective well-being.”
Diriyah Gate CEO Jerry Inzerillo joined this year’s Catwalk in the historic center. Many Saudi Scouts were present to assist and guide participants along the walk, while a Saudi Games mascot greeted children, and snacks and drinks were provided before and after the walk.
Northeast of the Riyadh Catmosphere festivities, the Alkhobar Corniche came to life as locals joined the annual Catwalk.
Families gathered at a spot overlooking the Alkhobar water tower as excited children — many of whom had their faces painted with an image of a wild cat — joined the walk.
“It’s a good turnout and it’s pretty interesting for the kids — they are excited to see something different after a long time. Most of these animals are in the endangered category, so it’s interesting to see how the artists have come up with different variations and colors,” local resident Shaila G. told Arab News.
One of the participating artists, Reem Alsaaq, had her paintbrush at the ready and was adding color on the spot.
“I found out about this event through my local artist group. They asked me to paint something live at the corniche and I decided to re-create an image of a wildcat that looks like it is pondering life,” Alsaaq told Arab News.
Laura Masoni found out about the event through her compound.
“I’m very sensitive about animals and wildlife matters. We are here with my family and friends of my kids just to be all together and do something for a good cause,” she said.
Giovanni Gennari added: “it’s a very important cause to protect our environment. It was a good day out and a good way to stay away from home and from tablets and video games. The day is perfect.”
The catwalk was held in three different locations in Jeddah city, including the Corniche, Prince Majed Park and Prince Fawaz walkway.
Wesam Zailai, general manager of the Catwalk: said: “The event is divided into two categories, walking and running, and three distances: 1 km, 3.5 km and 7 km to preserve the Arabian leopard.”
He added: “We have 300 adults and 150 children participating today.”
Saudi participant Abdulrahman Al-Enizi, 43, was the first-place winner at the Jeddah Catwalk in Corniche.
After running the 7 km in 24 minutes, Al-Enizi told Arab News: “I am so happy with this initiative, and I showed up today to support the cause and spread awareness about saving the Arabian leopard from extinction. I personally appreciate sports, especially walking, which improves both mental and physical health.”
Al-Enizi came with his 6-year-old son Abdulmalik, who joined the 1 km category for children.
Arab News also interviewed children in the Kingdom to find out what they know about the Arabian leopard and what could be done to help the threatened species.
Saudi Raed Jawa, 13, said that the Arabian leopard is “considered one of the largest Arab cats and it is the most endangered animal.”
However, Jawa said that his favorite big cat is the lynx. “There are many endangered animals that I love and want to see,” he added.
His sister, 11-year-old Hala, explained that the Arabian leopard belongs to the feline family of carnivorous mammals and is found in the Arabian Peninsula.
“My favorite big cat is the tiger,” she said.
“I’m so glad we have animal conservations in this country because I love animals.”
Bangladeshi Aleena Haque, 9, said that her favorite big cats are lions, leopards, cheetahs and the Bengal tiger.
She is concerned about the Arabian Leopard being an endangered species. “I’m worried about it going extinct because I love animals so much,” she told Arab News.
In 2021, Catmosphere was launched by Princess Reema, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, who is on a mission to safeguard the future of big cats. The nonprofit aims to magnify the efforts of Panthera, a US-based charity devoted to the conservation of 40 species of wild cats.
Kingdom heeds call of the wild with Catwalk
https://arab.news/yz4wg
Kingdom heeds call of the wild with Catwalk
- Thousands join walk for wildlife, well-being in Catmosphere’s second annual event
- This year several locations in Riyadh hosted the catwalk, including Diriyah, the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Front, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Saudi crown prince and Iranian president discuss Iran-Israel ceasefire deal
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expresses hope the truce will restore security and stability in the region and prevent further confrontation
RIYADH: During a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel.
The prince expressed the Kingdom’s hope that the truce would help restore security and stability in the region and prevent the risk of further confrontation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He underscored Saudi Arabia’s consistent position in support of diplomatic dialogue as the preferred path for the resolution of disputes.
The pause in the conflict between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13, was announced hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile strikes on Monday that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
In the aftermath of the attack, the crown prince spoke with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with the country, and strongly condemned what he described as Iran’s “unjustified and blatant aggression” against the Gulf state.
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Doha for emergency GCC meeting
- Session convened to discuss Monday’s Iranian missile attack on US bases in Qatar
DOHA: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Doha on Tuesday to take part in an emergency meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal was received upon arrival by Qatari Minister of State Sultan Al-Muraikhi, Saudi ambassador to Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, and GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi.
The emergency session has been convened to discuss Monday’s Iranian missile attack on US bases in Qatar.
The meeting will address the implications of the incident for regional security, as well as collective efforts to restore stability across the Gulf, SPA added.
Saudi cookbooks for kids win ‘Best in World’ Gourmand award
- ‘Aklana’s’ 13 volumes document Saudi culinary and cultural traditions
- Building a ‘golden age’ of literature for kids, publisher tells Arab News
JEDDAH: A children’s cookbook showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich culinary heritage has won one of the world’s top awards.
Layal Idriss received the 2024 “Best in the World” Gourmand Cookbook Award in Cascais, Portugal, recently for her work as the creative director, publisher, and visual storyteller behind the “Aklana” book series.
The series is an ambitious project documenting the Kingdom’s culinary culture for children.
Speaking to Arab News, Idriss described the award moment as “truly overwhelming.”
The co-founder of Dar Waraqa and Radish House Agency added: “I was honored to be invited to speak on the Gourmand stage about ‘Aklana’ from Saudi Books, highlighting Saudi culinary food and culture.
“To stand there, representing a project that is so dear to my heart, filled me with immense gratitude.”
The “Aklana” series, created in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Culinary Arts Commission and published by Dar Waraqa, comprises 13 individually designed books, each dedicated to one of the Kingdom’s provinces.
The series was envisioned as a “holistic cultural journey” for children, designed to inform and delight local and global readers alike.
Idriss explained that “with every dot we put on paper, we recognized that we were serving a global readership.”
To ensure international accessibility, the books were translated into English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
In her role as creative director, she led a team of four to five artists per book, each handpicked to reflect the cultural tone and visual storytelling of the region they depicted.
“The goal was not just beautiful illustrations, but visuals that truly captured the essence of the narrative and cultural elements,” she said.
Ensuring artistic and editorial cohesion across all 13 volumes was no small feat: “Directing multiple artists while maintaining a unified look and feel was a complex yet rewarding challenge.
“From initial sketches to final production, I oversaw every step to guarantee consistency in design and storytelling.”
Alongside project manager Mohammed Hasanain, Idriss also prioritized premium production quality.
She said: “We focused on high-quality production from illustrations to paper believing that a beautifully made book serves as the best messenger for a vibrant culture.”
Speaking about what sets “Aklana” apart globally, Idriss highlighted its unique fusion of cultural depth, educational content and visual excellence.
Each book explores not only food but also local traditions, celebrations and natural resources.
“Many cultural cookbooks might offer recipes, but few delve so comprehensively into the lifestyle, celebrations, and natural resources tied to the food presented through such a rich and consistently high-quality visual narrative,” she said.
For Idriss, this award is validation of a lifelong mission.
“Personally, this award is an incredibly encouraging milestone. I’ve devoted my life to bookmaking with a clear vision: to contribute to building the golden age of children’s literature in Saudi Arabia,” she said.
While “Aklana” focuses on culinary heritage, Idriss believes the same level of dedication must extend to all genres of children’s literature in the Kingdom.
“The underlying passion for creating meaningful and beautifully crafted books remains the same,” she added.
The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards receive submissions from more than 221 countries and regions.
Every year, the awards ceremony is held in a location known for its gastronomic heritage, attracting publishers, chefs, authors, and journalists from across the globe.
With “Aklana” now part of both the Saudi and global culinary conversation, Idriss hopes it will spark a new wave of culturally grounded publishing initiatives across the Arab world.
“‘Aklana’s’ success provides a strong model. We hope it inspires future projects in the Kingdom and across the region to delve deeper into cultural exploration, setting new benchmarks for quality in publishing.
“We’re committed to continuing this journey, sharing our books globally, as we believe they are vital cultural messengers.”
King Abdulaziz Foundation launches Darah Documents initiative for greater accessibility to records
- Initiative seeks to connect new generations with their heritage and enhance the role of historic documents as primary sources for helping to understand Kingdom’s past
- Darah Documents features a digital system that supports browsing and advanced search capabilities
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives has unveiled the Darah Documents initiative, a project designed to broaden public access to Saudi Arabia’s historic records and deepen national awareness of their significance.
The initiative, which was launched on Monday, seeks to connect new generations with their heritage and enhance the role of historic documents as primary sources for helping to understand the Kingdom’s past.
Darah spokesperson Sultan Al-Owairdi told Arab News that the foundation is using technology such as artificial intelligence to modernize archival access.
He said that "automated indexing of historical materials using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and text analysis technologies contributes to reducing human effort and accelerating accessibility."
Additional enhancements include AI-powered search tools, contextual linking of historical landmarks, and real-time multilingual translations to broaden global reach. Al-Owairdi further emphasized youth engagement, stating: "Darah is implementing several programs and activities connected to the initiative, targeting young people specifically."
These include training workshops, field visits, and expert dialogues designed to simplify historical concepts in contemporary formats. The foundation also leverages "simplified and appealing digital content that aligns with the interests of the younger generation," encouraging creative contributions to national memory preservation.
At the heart of the initiative is a digital portal and beneficiary services center, which together offer researchers, historians and interested individuals streamlined access to a diverse range of archival materials.
These collections span local and foreign documents, manuscripts, photographs, oral histories and more, covering topics from politics and the economy to society, culture and education.
Darah Documents features a digital system that supports browsing and advanced search capabilities. Users can request documents electronically or explore them directly at the beneficiary services center.
The platform also provides descriptive information and translations for non-Arabic content, making the archives more accessible to a broader audience.
As a nationally recognized authority on historic preservation, the foundation is committed to collecting, organizing, cataloging and digitizing documents according to rigorous scientific and archival standards.
This phased initiative includes ongoing indexing and the release of high-value historic records, ensuring their preservation and optimal use for research and cultural enrichment.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Darah Documents reinforces national identity and supports the Kingdom’s digital and knowledge transformation by making historic content more widely available.
First graduates complete KSGAAL’s linguistic proofreading course
- Abdullah Al-Washmi said the program reflected the academy’s commitment to empowering the Arabic language within government institutions
- One-year program is open to professionals working in editing and proofreading roles within government agencies
RIYADH: The first cohort of the Higher Diploma in Linguistic Proofreading program at the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language celebrated their graduation on Tuesday.
The ceremony was held at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh and attended by prominent academics, students and trainers.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy's secretary-general, said the program reflected the academy’s commitment to empowering the Arabic language within government institutions.
He added the program was a pioneering model in supporting the professional development of Arabic language specialists.
The one-year program is open to professionals working in editing and proofreading roles within government agencies and is accredited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
The training pathway designed by the academy focuses on preparing specialized national linguistic teams.
Its methodology integrates theoretical and practical aspects to meet the needs of government sectors and enhance the efficiency of Arabic language usage.
Tuesday’s ceremony saw 60 graduates honored for completing the program, which includes 435 training hours delivered by 16 trainers.
