JEDDAH: Singers Abadi Al-Johar, from Saudi Arabia, and Waleed Al- Shami, from Iraq, were a hit at their first concerts in front of families at King Abdullah Economic City on Friday.
Al-Johar, 64, is a musician, singer and composer. One of the most popular Khaleeji singers in the Gulf, he has composed around 50 albums since he began his musical career in 1968. He earned the title Ikhtabout Al-Oud (Octopus of the Oud) from the late Talal Maddah because of his unmatchable Oud playing.
The Saudi singer is also a member of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts. He won a number of awards including an honorary doctorate from the Academy of Arts in Egypt, Best Khaleeji Musician Award from Egypt and the Golden Oud from Rotana.
Al-Shami, 46, is an Iraqi singer and composer who began his musical career in 1999 and has composed four albums.
His career took off after the success of his first album “Musiba” in 2008.
First to perform at the venue was Al-Shami. He sang hit songs such as “Sadmah,” “Eshtaqt Lak,” “Majnouni,” “Ahebah Kolesh” and his most popular song “Hala Hala.”
On stage, he thanked the General Entertainment Authority and BluePlan Media for providing the concert to the public.
“I hope it is not the last time we meet. We must repeat this, here, Riyadh and the Eastern Province. That is a promise,” he said.
Following Al-Shami’s performance, Al-Johar sang hit songs such as “Khalas Erjaa,” “El Mazhareya,” “Khayarteni,” “Daqayeq” and “Hobbak Samaa.”
During his performance, the Saudi legend said: “I am delighted by your presence, I will sing any song you want me to.”
Television presenter Kholud Alnimer attended the concert. “It is very crowded, that means there is a lot of love for these singers,” she told Arab News.
The audience was overjoyed with the music of Waled Al Shami and Abadi Al-Johar.
“It is great to see a Khaleeji concert for the first time in front of families, and it has been done very professionally — looking forward to more.” Nadeem bin Talal, a fan, told Arab News
Khaleeji music enthralls Saudi audience
Khaleeji music enthralls Saudi audience
- Saudi singer Abadi Al-Johar has composed around 50 albums since he began his musical career in 1968
- Al-Johar has been awarded the Best Khaleeji Musician Award from Egypt and the Golden Oud from Rotana
National Center for Wildlife releases more than 60 wildlife species at King Khalid Royal Reserve
The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, in cooperation with the National Center for Wildlife, released more than 60 wildlife species at King Khalid Royal Reserve today near Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This initiative, according to the agency, is part of programs to reintroduce endangered species to their natural habitats, reflecting the integrated national efforts to protect wildlife and promote its sustainability.
“Releasing wildlife into the King Khalid Royal Reserve enhances biodiversity and restores natural habitats within the reserve. This contributes to providing a safe natural environment that supports the stability of wildlife and facilitates its adaptation to its natural habitats”, said the authority’s CEO, Talal Al-Hariqi.
He added that such efforts align with the National Strategy for Environmental Conservation and fulfill one of the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to create an attractive environment that contributes to improving quality of life and promoting sustainability.
He also said that the collaboration with the National Center for Wildlife Development is a model for institutional integration in implementing reintroduction programs. This is achieved by unifying scientific and technical expertise and applying global best practices in wildlife conservation, thus ensuring the success of these programs and the long-term sustainability of their results.
Ziad bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri, director-general of projects and operations at the authority, said that the King Khalid Royal Reserve has released more than 60 wildlife species, including Arabian oryx, Arabian hares, and Arabian gazelles. This initiative aims to enrich the reserve’s biodiversity, contribute to restoring ecological balance through the reintroduction of endangered animals, promote sustainability, and support and revitalize ecotourism.
He said that over past years, the authority released more than 300 wild animals of different types, including reptiles, mammals, and local birds, all of which are classified on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List as species that are vulnerable or threatened with extinction.
He said that animals released in the King Khalid Royal Reserve are subject to periodic and continuous monitoring through field studies and modern monitoring techniques, such as surveillance cameras and tracking collars, where many natural births and herd growth have been recorded, reflecting the success of the release and reintroduction programs.
