FaceOf: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Gannas, president of the Saudi Karate Federation
Al-Gannas was the first vice president of the Arab Karate Federation between 2017 and 2018.
He won the gold medal in kumite in the Arab Championship 1979, and bronze medal on the kata team at the Asian Championship 1981
Updated 19 July 2018
Arab News
JEDDAH: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Gannas has been the head of the Saudi Karate Federation since March 2018.
Prior to his appointment, Al-Gannas was the first vice president of the Arab Karate Federation between 2017 and 2018.
He has also served as the president of the West Asian Karate Federation, president of the Gulf Karate Organizational Committee and chairman of the referees committee at the Saudi Arabian Karate Federation.
Al-Gannas received his Ph.D. in security management from Neelain University in Khartoum, Sudan, and his master’s degree from Naif Arab University for security sciences in security management at the department of crime prevention.
Al-Gannas is a member of the World Karate Federation (WKF) executive committee, a board member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and a former member of the Arab referees committee and Gulf referees committee.
He was a member of the Al-Hilal Saudi Sports Club and former supervisor of different sports at the Al-Hilal sports club, and a member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic committee preparing for qualification for the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Al-Gannas is a black belt in the 7th dan, and was a Saudi champion for many years in kata and kumite.
He won the gold medal in kumite in the Arab Championship 1979, and bronze medal on the kata team at the Asian Championship 1981.
He was an international referee and participated in international and local championships, and headed many Saudi missions for international and continental championships.
Al-Gannas also won the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Creative Sports Award at its ninth edition in November 2017 for best Arab administrator.
Al-Gannas met Jordan’s Olympic Committee Secretary-General Nasser Al-Majali in Amman on Tuesday and they discussed ways of enhancing karate in both countries.
Japan Park showcases art, culture at Riyadh’s Esports World Cup
Japanese anime, manga, videos, and learning calligraphy at Boulevard City
Updated 4 sec ago
Arab News Japan
RIYADH: Japan Park has become a major attraction at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh with its displays of anime, manga and video games.
Being held at Riyadh’s Boulevard City, visitors can wear traditional Japanese kimonos on entry and engage with actors wearing costumes of popular characters, including Gundam and Vegapunk.
The park also has traditional Japanese games, including Kendama and Go, dances, and stage shows inspired by well-known anime series.
Additionally, experts have been holding daily workshops on Japanese calligraphy, allowing visitors to learn more about traditional techniques, and how to write their names in kanji.
The park also features workshops on origami and uchiwa conducted by Japanese professionals.
The area has various restaurants, serving dishes including ramen, sushi, and mochi.
The Esports World Cup is an annual tournament that takes place from July to August.
From ‘What If?’ to ‘Wow!’ at Ithra children’s festival
The festival at Ithra offers shared space for children and parents to express curiosity, creativity
Updated 14 July 2025
Jasmine Bager
DHAHRAN: The inaugural Children’s Festival being held under the theme “What if?” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is designed to “inspire imagination, encourage connection, and make space for discovery,” an official told Arab News recently.
Nouf Al-Jama, the head of learning at Ithra, added: “The program invites children to express themselves, engage with their surroundings, and experience culture in new and exciting ways.”
The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)
The event, which began on July 7 and runs until July 26 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., blends creativity, learning, play and discovery.
The festival features 50 diverse activities including live performances, interactive stations, creative zones, workshops and a book fair, to encourage critical and creative thinking.
FASTFACTS
• The Children’s Festival’s artistic zones invite kids and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression.
• The five-day Children’s Book Fair runs until July 19 and includes 20 local and international publishing houses.
• South Korea is this year’s guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations.
The artistic zones invite children and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression.
One such experience combines rhythm and culinary arts, transforming everyday kitchen utensils into instruments of sound and joy.
The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)
“(The festival) gives children the freedom to express themselves and feel heard — whether through painting in the interactive art space, uncovering clues in the museum adventure, or stepping onto the open mic stage,” said Al-Jama.
The sessions have experts from local and regional institutions including the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, House of Wisdom in Sharjah, and King Abdulaziz Public Library.
The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)
Parents and guardians are invited to join workshops, engage in conversations with other parents and build memories.
“It is this sense of togetherness, where children and families learn and grow side by side, that makes the festival so special,” Al-Jama added.
The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)
With schools closed and summertime in full swing, local children are immersing themselves in the festival.
“The response so far has been incredibly encouraging. From the very first day, we have seen families arriving early and staying for hours, moving from one experience to the next.
The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)
“Children have embraced the festival with curiosity and confidence,” she said of the opening week.
Additionally, the five-day Children’s Book Fair at Ithra runs until July 19, and includes 20 local and international publishing houses specializing in literature for children and young adults.
South Korea is this year’s guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations.
“It is part of Ithra’s ongoing efforts to support the next generation by using culture as a tool for exploration, growth, and shared experience,” Al-Jama said.
From Nigeria to Makkah, sereh finds a home on Saudi tables
The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food
Updated 14 July 2025
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Sereh, a beloved African dish rooted in Nigerian tradition, has carved out a place for itself in the culinary landscape of Saudi Arabia.
Once popular as a street food in Makkah’s older neighborhoods such as Al-Mansour, Al-Hafayer, and Al-Barno, sereh has grown beyond its origins to reflect a story of migration, cultural exchange, and shared taste.
Traditionally, sereh consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Traditionally, sereh — also known as tsire or suya — consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices, then roasted over an open flame. This method creates not only a flavorful dish but an aromatic experience that draws people in.
“Tamiz, or Afghani bread, was also a street food, so they were often enjoyed together,” said Rodwan Fallatah, owner of the African restaurant AfriQ in Riyadh.
FASTFACT
Sereh’s journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah’s openness.
“You roast the sereh until it’s hot, and with tamiz nearby, you simply grab some hot bread to enjoy with it.”
The dish originates from the Hausa tribe, an ethnic group with a strong presence in northern Nigeria, southern Niger, and beyond.
Traditionally, sereh consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
“As a proud member of the Hausa tribe, I take great pride in seeing our traditional dish being enjoyed far beyond Hausa land, reaching communities across Africa and even here in Saudi Arabia,” said Zainab Hawsawi, a Saudi writer and businesswoman.
She noted that the typical Hausa kitchen is a treasure trove of rich and diverse flavors, featuring meat dishes like dambu nama, delicately shredded and seasoned dried beef; kilishi, thinly sliced, spiced, and sun-dried meat; and balangu, famous for its juicy, freshly grilled pieces.
“But nothing compares to the explosion of flavors you experience when eating suya, especially as you dip each piece into yaji, the signature blend of spicy suya dipping spices,” she added.
The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food.
Sereh gradually integrated into the local food scene, creating a fusion of flavors that captivated the taste buds of residents.
“I think the logical answer would be migration,” said Fallatah, emphasizing how pilgrims helped introduce the dish into Makkah’s multicultural food scene.
Makkah, long regarded as a cultural crossroads, provided fertile ground for this culinary exchange. As locals encountered new dishes, they began to experiment and adapt.
Originally from Madinah, Fallatah moved to Riyadh in 1997 and opened AfriQ, where he serves sereh among other dishes.
His passion for African cuisine has made his restaurant a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
“The spices are unique, and the preparation of sereh is different. Locals observe and learn, and soon they want to try it themselves,” he explained, noting that demand is especially strong in hotels catering to pilgrims and tourists.
Sereh’s journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah’s openness and the Kingdom’s growing embrace of cultural diversity through food.
As it continues to evolve, sereh stands as a flavorful reminder of how Saudi kitchens are becoming more globally inspired — one skewer at a time.
RIYADH: Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci bid farewell to the Kingdom as he concluded his decade-long tenure.
Selmeci visited Arab News headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, where he met with Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.
The envoy said his goals were to strengthen political and diplomatic relations, expand economic ties and promote a positive image of Hungary in Saudi Arabia.
Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci with Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in Riyadh on Monday. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
At the same time, Selmeci sought to highlight Saudi Arabia’s changes and opportunities in Hungary, as well as the hospitality and kindness of the Saudi people.
“I believe I achieved good results in both areas, thanks to the support of Saudi institutions, the people and my colleagues at the embassy,” Selmeci told Arab News.
Reflecting on his time in the Kingdom, Selmeci highlighted the significant changes he witnessed over the years. He singled out the closing ceremony of Riyadh Season at King Fahd Stadium as a moment that symbolized Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation.
Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country.
Balazs Selmeci, Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
He recalled that the stadium was full of men and women together, and Saudi ballet dancers performed on stage — something that would have been unimaginable earlier.
“At that moment, I realized how much Saudi Arabia had changed. I saw many talented Saudis and felt their happiness, both on stage and in the audience,” the envoy said.
Over more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Selmeci observed the transformative impact of Vision 2030, including societal reforms and economic diversification.
He added that social reforms — such as involving women in the workforce, increasing their participation across sectors, welcoming international visitors and events, and balancing tradition with modernization — laid the foundation for economic progress.
“Vision 2030 itself required great courage from the leadership and strong support from the Saudi people,” Selmeci said.
From the outset, Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country, he added.
“These social and ongoing economic reforms have increased Saudi Arabia’s international presence and influence,” Selmeci said.
He added that the reforms have allowed foreigners to better understand the Kingdom and build trust, and that the dedication of both the government and the people provides a strong foundation for success.
Selmeci began his tenure as ambassador on Nov. 14, 2019, presenting his credentials to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Dec. 12, and to King Salman on Jan. 8, 2020.
Before then, he served in Riyadh as deputy head of mission from March 2014 to June 2018, marking more than a decade since he first began working to strengthen Saudi-Hungarian relations.
During his tenure, he oversaw the first-ever bilateral meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in the Kingdom, as well as the first bilateral meeting between their defense ministers.
Selmeci said that among the economic cooperation projects during his tenure, his favorites were the reestablishment of the Saudi-Hungarian Business Council, the launch of the Saudi-Hungarian Digitalization Cluster and the creation of the first Saudi-Hungarian joint venture in the Kingdom.
He also extended his best wishes to the Saudi people, encouraging them to continue working with determination toward a better life, making the country more prosperous while preserving its traditions and heritage.
Asked what message he would leave for his successor, Selmeci expressed hope that they would build on these achievements and accomplish even greater successes, while creating as many memorable experiences as he did.
He added that his successor could count on the full support of the Saudi leadership, officials, the people, the diplomatic corps and embassy staff.
In his closing remarks, the ambassador said he planned to return to the Kingdom in the future — “even as a simple tourist, to walk in King Salman Park, visit Qiddiya or attend Expo 2030.”
Open call for 12th Red Sea International Conference in Jeddah
Museums, heritage commissions invite experts to submit proposals for 2026 event
Grants available to successful bidders
Updated 14 July 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Experts in the fields of archaeology, history, anthropology, environmental studies and museum curation are being invited to apply to take part in the 2026 edition of the Red Sea International Conference.
The event, which will run from April 9-12, will be held at the Bab Al-Bunt building, which sits within Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Historic District and is the future home of the Red Sea Museum.
Launched in 2002, the conference is regarded as a key platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on the Red Sea’s historical significance. Previous editions have been held in partnership with the British Museum, University of Southampton, University of Warsaw and University of Crete, among others.
The open call for the 2026 event was issued by Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission and Heritage Commission. Participants will explore a broad range of themes, from ancient maritime trade and the archaeology of coastal cities and ports, to environmental history, underwater heritage and the Red Sea’s legacy as a crossroads of cultures linking Africa, Arabia and the Indian Ocean.
Anyone interested in taking part should submit an abstract, limited to 300 words and written in English, to [email protected] by Oct. 15. Poster proposals are also welcomed and will be reviewed by a scientific committee.
To support broad participation in the conference, the commissions will provide five grants to cover the cost of travel, accommodation and registration to researchers whose papers are accepted.
Priority will be given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.
By hosting the conference in Jeddah, the commissions aim to bolster Saudi Arabia’s academic and cultural standing, while reaffirming the Red Sea’s enduring significance as a living archive of human history, exchange and civilization.
