JEDDAH: The past few months have provided Saudis and expatriates living in the Kingdom an unprecedented dose of global and local entertainment under an ambitious program spearheaded by the General Entertainment Authority.
However, contrary to what several local and pan-Arab media outlets have reported, the visit of international actor Al Pacino on May 11 and 12 to Riyadh and Dammam is not yet confirmed.
In a phone interview, the General Entertainment Authority representative told Arab News that “nothing has been fully confirmed yet” for Pacino’s visit.
According to the media outlets which have reported the story based on what they say was the official agenda of the entertainment body, the Oscar-winning actor was scheduled to speak to Saudi families about his journeys and his secrets during his long career in the film industry.
The “Scarface” and “Godfather” trilogy star will also tell stories from personal experiences in acting. The evenings will conclude with the fans’ questions.
Pacino, 76, won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his role in the movie “Scent of a Woman.” He is considered one of the best actors in the history of American cinema.
Over the past few days, Saudi social media users expressed enthusiasm about Pacino’s visit.
Nawaf (@RopinsonCroz) tweeted: “Al Pacino! My God, I have been watching his movies all my life, and suddenly he comes to Riyadh? Dreams come true.”
Among other international entertainment events which are supposedly scheduled for 2017 are the Canadian group Cirque du Soleil, Indian-American novelist Deepak Chopra, the Russian Grand Circus of Moscow and Oprah Winfrey.
Al Pacino’s Saudi visit ‘not yet confirmed,’ entertainment official tells Arab News
Al Pacino’s Saudi visit ‘not yet confirmed,’ entertainment official tells Arab News
Policewoman honored for soothing crying baby when her mother fell unconscious at Beirut airport
- ISF honors first adjutant for comforting and feeding baby-milk to scared infant whose mother was rushed to hospital
- Social media users praise policewoman for her ‘humane and empathetic’ act after photos went viral
BEIRUT: A Lebanese policewoman who comforted an infant and fed her milk while her mother was hospitalized after falling unconscious at Beirut airport was honored for what social media users dubbed a ‘humane and empathetic’ act.
First Adjutant Nadia Nasser was on duty when the unidentified baby’s mother suffered a sudden illness and fell unconscious at a checkpoint inside Beirut International Airport earlier this month.
Photos of Nasser holding the months-old baby in her arms, preparing a milk bottle and feeding her went viral across social media, where users described the policewomen’s act as ‘motherly, compassionate and humane’ behavior.
Brig. Gen. Moussa Karnib of Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces honored Nasser on Friday for caring for the infant for almost two hours at the airport after her mother was rushed to a hospital.
A media statement said the first adjutant was honored upon the directives of ISF’s Director General Maj. Gen. Raed Abdullah, after she took personal initiative on Feb. 2 to comfort the infant.
Commenting on Nasser’s photos that went viral, a user called Sami said she should be promoted for her ‘selfless and empathetic’ act.
Another user, Joe, commented: “She should be rewarded.
“This is how loyalty and love for one’s job and country are built,” wrote a user called Youssef.
Media reports said that when the incident happened, the baby’s fear and cries prompted Nasser to take the initiative to comfort and remain beside her until her mother’s condition stabilized.
ISF’s statement did not clarify whether Nasser and the baby accompanied the mother in the ambulance or how they were reunited later.
