Spectacular ‘cultural park’ opens on Jeddah’s waterfront

1 / 3
The largest cultural park on the new Jeddah waterfront. (Photo courtesy: Jeddah Municipality Twitter account)
2 / 3
(AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
3 / 3
(AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Updated 17 January 2018
Follow

Spectacular ‘cultural park’ opens on Jeddah’s waterfront

JEDDAH: Events at the cultural park in Nawras Square on the new waterfront are continuing during the mid-year school holiday, offering a variety of cultural, educational and entertainment activities for families.
The cultural park is one of the initiatives of the Jeddah municipality through the Makkah Cultural Forum with the participation of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, King Abdul Aziz University, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and Jeddah Islamic Port.
Mohammad Al-Bugami, public relations director for the Jeddah municipality, told Arab News: “The main aim is to provide Jeddah residents and visitors with entertainment through awareness-raising recreational programs. It is a widely diverse and inclusive event.
“The activities include a theater, children’s actives, a library for readers, health awareness activities and more. I believe that people’s turnout explains their satisfaction.”
Activities and booths organized by the participating bodies and ministries are about interactive education, scientific innovations, and health awareness such as the skills festival to promote youths’ crafting skills; “Your health is our interest” to provide health and awareness services; the “wheel life” exhibition to educate society about the life of people with disabilities; and robot world.
Moreover, the cultural park will continue until Saturday Jan. 20. Programs and performances throughout the days start from 5 p.m. and run until 10 p.m.

Jeddah Entertainment Boulevard
Events at the new waterfront in Jeddah continue for the sixth day, organized by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). The events started Jan. 11 and will continue until Jan. 20.
The events of Jeddah Boulevard are supported by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the GEA; it was organized by Luxury KSA, which has organized 45 events all over the Kingdom.
Admission is free of charge, and activities start at 4 p.m., while the shows start at 6 p.m. and end by 11 p.m.
The event includes six stages such as the Spanish stage, the sailor’s stage, and the big stage, and each provides a different activity.
The big stage presents a wonderful violin performance of well-known songs such as “Despacito” and many famous Arabic tunes.
While walking through the newly opened waterfront area, you will find a variety of 10 activities such as food trucks, games for children and a circus show.
Jumana Al-Qurachi, an architecture student from Effat University, told Arab News: “I am really thrilled to be here; I really cannot believe what am seeing — it is so much fun!”
Amal Al-Thubiti, a 23-year-old psychologist who attended the show, said: “I am really amazed we have such shows here in Saudi Arabia and am looking forward to concerts here of international stars.”
Mohammed Sindi, one of the organizers from Luxury KSA, told Arab News: “The event is held on a one-square-kilometer space that can accommodate 400,000 people. We have over 100 booths, 16 food trucks, breakdance shows, Spanish dancing performers and there are 600 organizers to help keep this event a success; we have police everywhere to make sure everyone is safe.”


Saudi program to train rural women in leathercraft

Updated 21 May 2025
Follow

Saudi program to train rural women in leathercraft

RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, has launched its first vocational empowerment training in leather industries for rural women in Al-Kharj governorate.

The program aims to promote entrepreneurship and support the national economy in line with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It provides rural women with practical skills in leather manufacturing to help develop their small businesses and improve the marketing of their products.

Majed Al-Buraikan, Saudi Reef assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said 15 rural women are participating in the training, which covers value-added leather production, design, product diversification, quality control, and business management.

The program includes training in business planning, cost management, marketing, and branding to help participants establish viable ventures, according to SPA.

Recently, the UN World Tourism Organization recognized Saudi Reef’s role in supporting sustainable development through its link with rural tourism.

Basmah Al-Mayman, UNWTO Middle East director, in a letter to Saudi Reef Secretary-General Ghassan Bakri commended the program for organizing rural tourism events in various regions of the Kingdom.

UNWTO expressed interest in collaborating with Saudi Reef on initiatives focused on sustainable community development and rural tourism.


Saudi Arabia to establish 7 new bee breeding stations

Updated 21 May 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia to establish 7 new bee breeding stations

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced the establishment of seven queen bee breeding and nucleus colony production stations in regions selected for their suitability: Jazan, Asir, Madinah, Makkah, Hail, Tabuk, and Najran.

Construction is expected to be completed this year, with operations beginning in 2026. The facilities will add to the four existing stations in Abha, Baha, Qassim, and Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The ministry said the projects will aim to preserve and strengthen the local bee strain and reduce reliance on imported colonies, as the Kingdom currently imports about 1.3 million nucleus colonies annually.

The stations will implement programs, including training in queen rearing and artificial insemination, along with promoting practical breeding techniques.

The initiative also includes guidance on advanced beekeeping methods and measures to limit the spread of diseases and pests associated with imported bees. Research will be conducted to support the maintenance and development of local strains.

The ministry said that the projects involve selective breeding based on research and may be offered for investment through beekeepers’ cooperatives or the private sector. Efforts will also be made to support and market the stations’ output.

In line with World Bee Day on May 20, the ministry has called for improving the knowledge and practices of beekeepers to help protect bee populations from disease, pests, pesticides, and environmental stressors.

It also referred to the launch of initiatives to encourage modern beekeeping, increase production efficiency, and support those working in the sector.

There are 25,644 licensed beekeepers in Saudi Arabia, producing 5,832 tonnes of honey from 1 million beehives. The Kingdom’s varied vegetation supports the production of about 20 types of honey, including sidr, talh, and samar.


Saudi authorities launch campaign on safe use of home medical devices

Updated 21 May 2025
Follow

Saudi authorities launch campaign on safe use of home medical devices

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has launched a digital awareness campaign to educate the public on the safe and proper use of medical devices and supplies intended for home use.

The authority aims to reach diverse community segments, providing essential awareness messages and practical guidance to enhance health safety in the home, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It highlighted the importance of purchasing home medical devices from licensed suppliers that offer warranties and after-sales services, including necessary maintenance.

The authority also urged the need to verify that the device has the required licenses and a valid marketing authorization certificate.

Given the wide range of available options and specifications, the authority advised consulting a qualified healthcare professional to select the most appropriate device for an individual’s condition.

It also highlighted the importance of reviewing usage and care instructions, and obtaining any necessary training before purchase.

General safety guidelines include ensuring instructions are available in both Arabic and English, retaining the purchase receipt, keeping devices out of reach of children and pets to prevent tampering, and following recommended calibration and maintenance schedules.

The authority called on the public to report any issues or incidents related to home medical devices or supplies through the National Center for Medical Devices Reporting at ade.sfda.gov.sa/Home/NcmdrReport or by calling the unified number 19999.


Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives publishes book on adhan history, muezzins

Updated 21 May 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives publishes book on adhan history, muezzins

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, known as Darah, has released a new book on the history of the adhan (call to prayer) and biographies of the muezzins of the Two Holy Mosques throughout the centuries.

The book was authored by Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, member of the Council of Senior Scholars and imam and preacher at the Grand Mosque.

It meticulously examines the adhan ritual in the Two Holy Mosques, covering its origins, virtues, and significance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The book is divided into three sections: the adhan’s history, biographies of 95 Grand Mosque muezzins, and 147 Prophet’s Mosque muezzins.

It presents biographies of muezzins who have issued the call to prayer from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present, the SPA reported.

Drawing on credible historical sources and interviews, the author used a scientific approach to document the evolution of adhan tools and the relationship between the muezzin and the mosque.

The book also highlights the Saudi government’s support in selecting skilled muezzins and using advanced audio technology for local and global broadcasts.

This publication enriches the foundation’s collection, serving as a vital resource for researchers and those interested in the history of the Two Holy Mosques and Islamic rituals.


National Water Co. completes $106m in upgrades ahead of Hajj

Updated 20 May 2025
Follow

National Water Co. completes $106m in upgrades ahead of Hajj

  • Upgrades will boost operational efficiency, expand network coverage and enhance real-time monitoring capabilities

JEDDAH: The National Water Co., through its Western Cluster, has completed 18 infrastructure and operational projects ahead of the Hajj season in Makkah and the holy sites, valued at SR400 million ($106 million).

The projects are part of efforts to refine water and environmental services for residents, visitors and the millions of pilgrims expected during Hajj.

Upgrades will boost operational efficiency, expand network coverage and enhance real-time monitoring capabilities.

Capital works include the construction of a 190,000-cubic meter steel water tank along with the development and rehabilitation of water storage facilities, main pipelines, valve rooms and distribution networks.

These efforts are designed to support supply sustainability and reliability, particularly during peak pilgrimage hours.

Operational upgrades include the installation of advanced monitoring systems such as pressure gauges, meters and network sensors. Pumps and isolation valves across water, wastewater, fire and cooling systems have also been modernized to boost performance.

More than 1,200 technical, engineering and administrative staff have been assigned to oversee operations and maintain uninterrupted service during the Hajj season. The company said it will provide round-the-clock water supply to the Prophet’s Mosque and key religious and historical sites in Madinah.

To safeguard water quality, all storage units and connections to pilgrim accommodation are subject to testing. Monitoring is conducted through teams at central and mobile laboratories, which can analyze more than 1,000 water samples per day.

Water flow in Madinah’s central area will be managed using a smart operation system connected to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition monitoring and control room, allowing real-time oversight throughout the Hajj season.