RIYADH: Apple launched its payment service in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with Visa customers in the Kingdom now able to buy almost anything with their iPhones.
Apple Pay was first trailed in the Saudi market last October, with the tech giant promising the option would soon be available. Months later Apple Pay was launched nationwide.
In a statement published by Arabian Business, Visa general manager for Saudi Arabia, Ali Bailoun, said: “As a country filled with tech-savvy, mobile-first consumers, we are delighted to work with Saudi Payments and our bank partners to help bring Apple Pay to Visa cardholders here, making their payments experience easier, faster and more secure than ever before.”
Apple Pay joins Sadad and mada Pay as another option to join the cashless roster of payment methods available to Saudi consumers.
The regional webpage for the service lists some of the high-profile retailers where Apple Pay can be used. These include Carrefour, Al Baik, Sephora, Lacoste, Starbucks and Homecentre.
Apple Pay launched in Saudi Arabia
Apple Pay launched in Saudi Arabia
- Apple Pay joins Sadad and mada Pay as another option to join the cashless roster of payment methods available to Saudi consumers
Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons
- It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content
TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.
The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.
It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.
Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.
The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.
Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.
