Explore the culinary diversity of Jeddah’s iftar scene

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Al-Mirkaz Tent at Laylati Hall offers a ‘captivating bedouin tent atmosphere’ featuring a variety of cuisines. (Supplied)
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Al-Mirkaz Tent at Laylati Hall offers a ‘captivating bedouin tent atmosphere’ featuring a variety of cuisines. (Supplied)
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Updated 31 March 2024
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Explore the culinary diversity of Jeddah’s iftar scene

  • The iftar menu is inspired by Jeddah’s rich history, featuring a variety of tasty local dishes that reflect the historical influence of sailors, fishermen, merchants, and pilgrims guided by the moon and stars

JEDDAH: Jeddah’s iftar scene offers a rich tapestry of dining experiences, blending traditional flavors with contemporary flair.

As Ramadan enveloped the city in its spiritual embrace, a variety of culinary treasures provided unforgettable iftar experiences.

Ahmed A. Darwish’s expertise and passion for culinary excellence set the stage for an exploration of the top iftar spots in Jeddah.




Al-Mirkaz Tent at Laylati Hall offers a ‘captivating bedouin tent atmosphere’ featuring a variety of cuisines. (Supplied)

Darwish is the CEO and co-founder of Foodies Inc., a specialist agency catering to both restaurant enthusiasts and owners, including content creation services that go beyond traditional social media management.

Darwish told Arab News about the five best iftar experiences in the coastal city.

Alfolk

“Alfolk Ramadan tent at Shangri-La hotel features a buffet of global dishes and live cooking stations, surrounded by opulence,” he said.

After two years of success, Alfolk has become one of the most distinctive modern Ramadan destinations in Jeddah, with designs inspired by the city’s historical significance as a gateway to Makkah.




Alfolk Ramadan tent at Shangri-La hotel. (Supplied)

Diners can indulge in the finest culinary innovations, while learning about the city’s maritime heritage. The iftar menu is inspired by Jeddah’s rich history, featuring a variety of tasty local dishes that reflect the historical influence of sailors, fishermen, merchants, and pilgrims guided by the moon and stars.

Families can also benefit from the children’s club services, where youngsters between 2 and 12 can enjoy a fun and educational experience with a variety of organized activities.

The price is SR488 ($30) per adult and SR289 per child aged between 6 and 12.

Shababik

“Shababik offers a dive into Lebanese culinary traditions with family recipes in a warm, inviting atmosphere,” Darwish said.

Prices start from SR290 per person and SR150 for children under 8.

Marina Petite Cafe

“Marina Petite Cafe blends Arabic culinary delights with scenic views, creating a Beirut-like experience by the Red Sea at the Marina Yacht Club,” he said.

Prices start from SR230 per person and SR100 for children.

Al-Mirkaz Tent

“Al-Mirkaz Tent provides a captivating Bedouin tent atmosphere for an immersive iftar experience. Renowned for its stylish ambiance, it has consistently been recognized as the ‘see and be seen spot’ each year,” Darwish said.

Catering to diverse segments of Saudi society and capable of hosting over 600 guests, the tent presents a fusion of Saudi, Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern culinary delights.

It has been situated at Laylati Hall since 2019.

A splendid dining area has a buffet-style offering of traditional Arabic and international cuisine, priced at SR560 per person and SR280 for children aged 5 to 11. Children under 5 are not permitted.

Relish

Guests can embark on a distinctive culinary adventure through ancient Lebanese recipes, artfully crafted into delectable dishes presented in an elegant open buffet setting.

Relish has two branches in Jeddah and Makkah, with prices of SR149 for adults and SR75 for children aged 7 and above.

 


Saudi Space Agency to launch space futures center with WEF

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Saudi Space Agency to launch space futures center with WEF

RIYADH: An agreement between the Saudi Space Agency and the World Economic Forum will see the Center for Space Futures open this autumn, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

The center will aim to facilitate discussions on space collaboration, incorporating best practices from the forum and its communities into the global space sector, and generating forward-looking contributions to accelerate space technologies.

“The center is committed to fostering a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable space economy globally. By developing principles, expanding knowledge, refining models and cultivating partnerships, we aim to responsibly harness the vast opportunities of space,” said Saudi Space Agency CEO Mohammed Al-Tamimi.

“From monitoring the effects of climate change to increasing human connectivity via satellites, the impact of the global space sector on Earth cannot be overstated,” said Jeremy Jurgens, the WEF’s managing director.

He added the center would be integrated into the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution network due to the importance of topics such as space technological innovation, policies and regulations, as well as sustainability.

 The Center for Space Futures will be the first in C4IR to focus exclusively on space.

It will work alongside the Kingdom’s existing center, C4IR Saudi Arabia, to advance Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s roadmap for economic diversification, global engagement and improved quality of life.


Region has a choice of two paths says Blinken, one of war and aggression, the other of peace

Updated 30 April 2024
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Region has a choice of two paths says Blinken, one of war and aggression, the other of peace

  • In Riyadh, Blinken is expected to meet with senior Saudi leaders and hold a wider meeting with counterparts from five Arab states

RIYADH: Secretary Anthony Blinken said the Middle East region had two paths moving forward, one of violence and permanent insecurity, the other intergration and and greater peace.

Speaking in Riyadh at a joint US-Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting to advance coordination on regional security on Monday, Blinken said he believed most in the region wanted to follow the path of peace.

“There really are two paths forward for the region as a whole. One driven with division with destruction, with violence with permanent insecurity. The other, greater integration, greater security, greater peace,” Secretary Anthony Blinken said.

“ I think the region today shows that many more of us want to pursue that affirmative path, and I’m grateful to our colleagues in the GCC for working in partnership to advance in that direction,” he added.

During his opening remarks, Secretary Blinken expressed that the meeting serves as an opportunity to advance efforts to promote greater stability in this region.

Blinken arrived in Riyadh Monday morning as a part of a 3-day visit from April 29-May 1 to meet with regional partners.

The secretary highlighted that in the upcoming days as he travels to Jordan and Palestine he will meet with humanitarian groups and the Israeli governemnt to discuss the developments in Gaza.

During his remarks Secretary Blinken highlighted the current U.S. interventions such as the increased value of aid delivered to Gaza and the building of the US maritime corridor.

“It is not enough we still need to get more aid in and around Gaza,” he explained.  

During his speech, Blinken underlines that the U.S. will continue to work with its GCC partners to “build just and lasting peace.”

“We are focused on addressing the greatest threat to regional stability and regional security, Iran,”

“ This is the first meeting since Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, The first direct attack from Iran to Israel with more than 300 projectiles including over 100 holistic missiles," Blinken explained.  

Blinken underlined that the attacks from Iran stress the importance of working together in integrated defense.

He highlighted that this will be the discussion topic in the upcoming US-GCC meeting in a few weeks on integrated air, militry defense and maritime security.

The other discussion topic underlined by Blinken was the “ ways to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,”

“The Houthi attacks not only undermine security but they undermine the lives and livelihoods of people throughout the region including in Yeman, the very people they profess they want to represent, The cost of goods have gone up, and it’s harder to get things into Yemen, to the north we’re people so desperately need it,”

“This needs to stop and we are being resolute in doing everything we can to put a stop to it,” Blinken sid.

During his opening remarks, the GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called for an international conference on implementing a two-state solution.

He also underlined the need for effective international measures to end the violence in the West Bank.

He also expressed the importance of ensuring the security of relief corridors for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Al-Budaiwi emphasized that the continuous escalation between Iran and Israel threatens the security and stability of the region.

The GCC Secretary General also expressed concern over the Houthi attacks on the Red Sea.

Following his visit to the Kingdom, Blinken will be meeting with counterparts in Jordan and Palestine.

As a part of his visit, the secretary will discuss various topics including the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages.

Other topics in the meetings will include humanitarian aid to Gaza, limiting the spillover of conflict and ongoing efforts to achieve regional security.

A pathway to an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel will also be one of the topics of discussion during his visit.

On the sidelines of the meeting, The Saudi Minister of foreign affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Secretary Blinken. The two discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip, the importance of a ceasefire, efforts to ensure entry of urgent humanitarian aid, and joint efforts.


Saudi crown prince receives world officials after WEF special meeting in Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Updated 30 April 2024
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Saudi crown prince receives world officials after WEF special meeting in Riyadh

  • Two-day special meeting of the World Economic Forum ended on Monday

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received officials from around the world in Riyadh after a special meeting of the World Economic forum ended on Monday.

The officials included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.

The officials attended the two-day special meeting during which the crown prince called for global collaboration to help build a more resilient and integrated global economy. 

Blinken is visiting the Kingdom on his seventh trip to the Middle East since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which responded with a relentless offensive in Gaza that has drawn global criticism.


Saudi authorities issue severe weather warning

Updated 30 April 2024
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Saudi authorities issue severe weather warning

  • Schools, universities in some regions switch to remote learning after storms, high winds forecast

RIYADH: Saudi authorities warned residents that most parts of the Kingdom will experience severe weather until Friday.

The National Center of Meteorology on Monday forecast moderate-to-heavy rain in the Madinah, Makkah, Jeddah, Baha and Najran regions, accompanied by high winds, hail and thunder.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense also issued severe weather warnings accompanied by safety instructions as the country braces for heavy rainfall in coming days.

The Civil Defense said that most parts of the Kingdom will experience moderate-to-torrential thundershowers, accompanied by strong winds, until Friday.

Regions to be affected include Asir, Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Jazan, Qassim, Jouf, Hail, Tabuk, Northern Borders, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged people to take precautions, remain indoors during stormy weather, and adhere to its instructions.

Schools in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah regions switched to online classes through the Madrasati remote-learning platform on Monday after authorities warned of storms and possible floods this week.

The King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, University of Jeddah, University of Taif, and Umm Al Qura University in Makkah were closed on Monday and postponed scheduled exams until further notice.

Taibah University in Madinah and Saudi Electronic University’s branch in Jeddah also suspended in-person classes on Monday, and switched to remote learning.

Jeddah Municipality implemented a field plan to deal with the weather conditions, and urged residents to show caution and stay away from flooded areas.

Bandar bin Saleh Al-Hadiya, director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Northern Border region, inspected dam safety in Arar ahead of the rainy situation.

Riyadh region was also hit by a heavy sandstorm accompanied by high winds on Sunday night, leaving the city skyline enveloped in dust.

On Monday, the NCM issued a red alert for dust storms in parts of the Riyadh region,  including the capital, and Al-Aflaj, Al-Sulail and Wadi Al-Dawasir governorates.


Saudi FM discusses two-state solution with French, Turkish counterparts

Updated 30 April 2024
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Saudi FM discusses two-state solution with French, Turkish counterparts

  • The discussions took place on the sidelines of a ministerial consultative meeting to discuss Gaza war

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with his French and Turkish counterparts on Monday.
The discussions took place on the sidelines of a ministerial consultative meeting of the six-party Arab Committee to discuss developments in the Gaza war, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Talks with Hakan Fidan of Turkiye and Stephane Sejourne focused on coordinating efforts to advance the two-state solution and acknowledge the Palestinian state, SPA added.