JEDDAH: “When pigs fly,” was a frequent expression when I was growing up in Saudi Arabia, applied to things that were very unlikely to happen.
One such thing was women driving. Yet on Sept. 26, 2017, pigs grew wings as the Saudi Ambassador to the UN, Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, announced “the important first step” to the world just a few minutes after the royal decree was announced.
On June 24, I heard the pigs exultantly clapping their little wings!
Even though I won’t be getting my driver’s license until August, the thrill and relief I felt seeing all these women arguing on Twitter about whether to drive or not, cannot be put into words. It is not a matter of driving, but a matter of choice and deciding how to live your life.
June 24 was not just another day to Saudis. Just a week ago, but already it feels like a long time since our lives as women changed forever. At 11:50 p.m., we wanted to do two things: Close the newspaper pages and make sure everything was perfectly in place before we hit the streets as soon as the clock struck midnight.
Saudi women, and men alike, hit the streets in major cities to mark the day as soon as the momentous royal decree came into force, either behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, waving at female first-timers.
On our first ride, we encountered overwhelming support. Although not behind the wheel that day, I was being driven by a female driver for the first time. Our senior editor Mo Gannon was at the wheel, excited to have the honor of driving Arab News women around the beautiful coastal city of Jeddah. Editor in Chief Faisal J. Abbas was gladly sitting in the passenger seat.
The Dubai-based Canadian editor’s first visit to Saudi Arabia was marked by milestones: Not only was she among the first women to drive in the Kingdom, but she was the first foreign woman to rent a car from Budget Saudi Arabia.
“Let’s go on an all-women road trip,” she declared after she got the keys to the Land Cruiser. From the passenger seat, Arab News photographer Huda Bashatah documented the trip with her camera, while reporter Aseel Bashraheel, in the backseat, navigated as we made our way through Jeddah’s busiest area, the south.
Old Jeddah was the perfect place to show off our traditional side to our foreign visitor, thirsting for a dose of culture away from skyscrapers, busy malls and fancy neighborhoods. The tantalizing aroma of roasted peanuts and fresh Turkish coffee filled the narrow alleys of Al-Balad, a soothing aroma evoking the good old days.
Our trip ended at the Jeddah Hilton. “I hope your turn comes and you get to drive your own cars soon,” said one of the security guards, in a Bedouin accent, smiling and waving at us as we passed by the hotel’s main gate. It was refreshing to hear a Saudi man showing his support to his countrywomen.
“Inshallah, we will,” replied Huda.
Social media has been abuzz in the past couple of days with women and men posting videos.
One Saudi man shared a video of his wife driving him to work, while Sahar Nasief, a lecturer at King Abdul Aziz University and women’s rights activist, posted a clip of her filling her car at the gas station for the first time.
“First gas-filling in Jeddah,” she announced. Such spontaneous moments mean the world to these women.
“Welcome to the 21st century,” was among the most repeated comments I encountered on Twitter. I remember an inspiring video my father shared on WhatsApp about people’s different time zones. I would like to tell those keyboard warriors: We are not late. We are not early. We are very much on time, and in our time zone!
While I am not attempting to speak on behalf of more than 30 million Saudis here, but living in the Kingdom for almost 27 years has shown me that we are tired of people lecturing us about how we should behave in order to join the ranks of the first world.
To some these incidents may seem like baby steps, but they are huge milestones to citizens and residents of the country.
So, dear world, please fasten your seatbelts and take the back seat while we drive the wheel of change our own way.
Women driving in KSA: A huge milestone not a baby step
Women driving in KSA: A huge milestone not a baby step
- The arrival of women drivers could lift Saudi car sales by 15-20 percent annually
- Carmakers joined governments in welcoming the order by Saudi Arabia's King Salman that new rules allowing women to drive
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to UAE president on key official’s death
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday offered condolences to the ruler of the United Arab Emirates on the death of a key official and a member of the royal family, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a cable to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, King Salman expressed "our deepest and sincere condolences" on the death of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s ruler representative in Al Ain, who died on May 1, 2024.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed "my warmest and most sincere condolences" in a separate cable to the UAE leader, the SPA said.
French creatives bring enchanting art experience to Jeddah
- For ‘ETH3R,’ Paul Marlier translates dancer Jeanne Morel’s graceful movements into digital art
JEDDAH: Artist Paul Marlier and dancer Jeanne Morel have brought an interactive digital art display dubbed “ETH3R” to Jeddah’s cultural hub, Hayy Jameel.
The French creatives feature immersive artworks generated using the biometric data of Morel captured during her movement in extreme environments — including in zero-gravity.
The unique blend of technology and creativity has captivated audiences with its perspectives on reality, and contrasts with the often mundane nature of daily life.
In an interview with Arab News, Marlier spoke about the creative process behind their digital artwork. He also highlighted the production of artworks inspired by the human and scientific data he had gathered.
“It is a real pleasure to be here, particularly in Hayy Jameel, where we blend art and science to create a sensory experience like no other,” he said. “It represents the DNA imprint of the world — the dance of our souls.”
He added: “ETH3R encompasses paintings and dynamic installations derived from the biometric data of my wife, Jeanne Morel, who dances in diverse and extreme environments, from beneath the ocean depths to high-altitude astronaut training.”
Marlier has amalgamated this scientific data regarding human physiology with other information, including air quality, satellite imagery, and even facts from the Red Sea. “These artworks serve as emotional imprints, reminiscent of moments of grace. It’s truly a collaborative effort.”
Explaining the process, he added: “With Jeanne as the catalyst, adorned with sensors akin to a paintbrush, her dance emotions are translated through code into the digital art seen in the paintings. We explore themes of fragility, spirituality, and the inherent unity between humans and nature — the universal dance.”
“We approach data not as mere codification, but as sensations, enabling us to specify and share the experience. By capturing a wealth of information from this singular dancer, we endeavor to materialize the essence of grace,” Marlier said.
Morel added: “Dance is the way to express your deepest emotions, sometimes simpler than words.”
“Dance is the allegory of life. It allows me to stay alive, connected to the movements of the world. Our bodies are constantly dancing, moving, on this earth which itself dances around the sun and remains in balance thanks to gravity,” she added.
Of their first visit to the Kingdom, Marlier said: “The people are absolutely welcoming here. And spirituality and poetry are so present.”
Morel added: “We admire the spirituality and also the open-mindedness of this country regarding art and especially digital art.”
Waleed Harthi, an art enthusiast, said: “Witnessing art that exceeds boundaries was a mesmerizing journey, captivating our senses and sparking wonder at the fusion of art and technology. The live demonstration and dance were incredibly relaxing and offered a serene escape to some other imaginary world.”
The exhibition runs until May 11.
Saudi FM discusses developments in Sudan with army chief, RSF leader
- During the separate calls, the latest developments in the situation in Sudan and their repercussions on the Sudanese people were discussed
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the leader of Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo on Wednesday.
During the separate calls, the latest developments in the situation in Sudan and their repercussions on the Sudanese people were discussed, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal stressed the importance of working to protect Sudan and its people from further destruction and preventing the worsening of the humanitarian conditions there.
The minister also said it was important to prioritise the interests of the Sudanese people and stop the fighting to protect state institutions and bring about safety in Sudan.
Farasan Island celebrates 20th Hareed Fishing Festival
- Event showcases tourist activities such as parasailing, traditional folk dances
RIYADH: Fishermen from the Jazan region have started preparing for the 20th Hareed Fishing Festival, which begins on Thursday.
The festival, which takes place on Farasan Island and lasts for two days, celebrates the fishing of parrotfish, otherwise known as hareed.
It showcases various tourist activities such as parasailing, traditional folk dances, and competitions for catching the fish, which is difficult due to their survival instinct which leads them to hide by corals.
Hareed are traditionally caught close to the shore in nets. The brightly colored fish come in different sizes and change color as they grow, the color varying according to their sex. They are considered parrot-like as they have teeth that they use to scrape food off coral reefs.
The fishing season varies across the region’s waters. In the past, the people of Farasan celebrated the event by visiting newlywed brides wearing traditional dress, while women and children joined in the festivities at her home.
Visitors to the festival will also get the chance to explore the heritage sites in Farasan, which include Wadi Matar, Al-Qassar village and Bait Al-Jarmal, along with several historic houses.
The island boasts a unique cultural heritage which centers on sailing and pearl-diving experiences in the past.
Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Nasser is launching the festival, which is organized by the region’s branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, in partnership with the islands’ governorate.
Mohammed Al-Atif, the general director of the branch, said that the festival embodied the customs and traditions of the people of the Farasan Islands and was considered an annual event to highlight the region’s tourism potential.
He added that the festival also celebrates hareed, which appears at the same time each year and proves a major attraction for people in the Jazan region.
Riyadh hosts food technology and innovation show
- Industry giants showcase latest in processing, sustainability
RIYADH: More than 400 companies from 35 countries are taking part in the first Saudi Food Manufacturing show, which opened in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef, the event focuses on processing, packaging and ingredients and aims to facilitate high level business deals, connections and collaborations.
Three companies that won a Saudi Food Manufacturing Award at the event — Multivac, DC Norris and Brenntag — spoke to Arab News.
Amir Sotoudeh, managing director of Multivac, said the German firm won the Best Processing Innovation Award for its TX series and smart services at Gulfood Manufacturing.
The company has had a branch office in Riyadh since 2009 and the Kingdom is the company’s largest market in the Middle East.
“Saudi Arabia is a significant market, especially in recent years, with major developments focusing on local production and manufacturing. That’s where our technology and expertise as a market leader in processing and packaging are essential.”
DC Norris is a UK-based process equipment company serving 62 countries. It provides solutions for food, dairy and beverage manufacturing and won the Best Processing Manufacturing Award.
Stuart Rigby, product and process technology manager at DC Norris, said the company’s jet cook system, which is used in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai and Azerbaijan, was able to cook meals two to three times faster than traditional methods.
“It also uses considerably less water, resulting in zero burns, requiring less cleaning and reducing costs. Additionally, it consumes up to 55 percent less energy than traditional cooking methods,” he said.
Brenntag, a 150-year-old German company, is the global market leader in chemical and ingredient distribution. It won the Best Ingredients Innovation Award.
Mahaboob Shaik, technical sales manager at Brenntag, said: “We have replicated the characteristics of regular milk-based proteins and constituents using plant-based alternatives. We’ve developed a Greek-style feta cheese made from plant-based ingredients.
“This helps to reduce allergens like milk proteins in dishes like Caesar salad. Now, when you order a salad at a restaurant, you can enjoy a plant-based cheese, which is entirely vegan.”
Several Saudi manufacturers, including Sapin, Anasia and Memco, are taking part in the show, which provides a platform for companies to exchange ideas.
Majed Al-Argoubi, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, said: “The industrial sector is going to increase both the GDP and abilities of youth in the Kingdom.
“We are making impressive growth through Saudi Vision 2030 and Made in Saudi is remarkable for expanding cities across the country and achieving our goals.”
Among the most innovative products on display are the Novamyl BestBite from Novozymes, which improves texture and softness in baked goods while extending shelf life to reduce food waste. Others include sustainable packaging for dates from Napco, a sugar reduction method for fruit juice from Austria Juice, Lactosan, a natural culinary booster from FSL and Biopap, a range of renewable, compostable, high-performance food containers.
Pavilions from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, US, France, Turkiye and China reflect the international scope of the show, which runs until Thursday.
