Saudi king increases Ramadan meals project funding in 18 countries
Saudi king increases Ramadan meals project funding in 18 countries/node/1663981/saudi-arabia
Saudi king increases Ramadan meals project funding in 18 countries
Food distribution for needy families and those affected by precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in Makkah on the occasion of Ramadan has begun. Saudi King Salman on Thursday also increased funding for the Kingdom's Ramadan meals project for 18 countries around the world. (SPA)
Saudi king increases Ramadan meals project funding in 18 countries
Updated 24 April 2020
SPA
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman has approved an increase in funding to SR5 million ($1.3 million) for Ramadan meals projects in 18 countries around the world.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance will implement the program, which aims to provide iftar (breakfast) meals for 1 million people during the holy month of Ramadan.
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh thanked the monarch for his ongoing support of the ministry’s various projects in serving Islamic works.
He said preparations had been made to deliver the initiative in 18 countries through religious attaches’ offices in the Kingdom’s embassies and Islamic centers under ministry supervision.
Al-Asheikh added that this year’s iftar project would be carried out through the distribution of food baskets in line with precautionary measures put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema
Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do
Updated 15 February 2026
Arab News
DHAHRAN: The Saudi Film Festival, organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and supported by the Saudi Film Commission, has announced that it will launch at Ithra in Dhahran between April 23-29.
This year’s festival explores the theme of “Cinema of the Journey,” presenting a selection of Arab and international films, both short and feature-length, that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. (Supplied)
The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.
The theme encourages Saudi filmmakers to explore this subject through their own perspectives. It positions cinema itself as an act of continuous transition, where identity, place, and time converge to shape the human experience.
FASTFACTS
• This year’s Saudi Film Festival will explore the theme of ‘Cinema of the Journey,’ presenting a selection of Arab and international films that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
• The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.
Following last year’s focus on Japanese cinema, the festival will present a special “Spotlight on Korean Cinema” this year.
Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do. This year’s festival creates an atmosphere filled with inspiration, idea exchange, and shared learning. It’s a celebration of cinematic creativity for everyone.”
Tariq Al-Khawaji, deputy director of the festival, added: “At Ithra, we’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the Cinema Association. It has enabled the festival’s growth and thematic diversity year after year, which we see clearly in how we empower filmmakers and create opportunities to engage with global cinema.
“The festival continues to grow across all areas, from preparations and participation to industry expectations locally and regionally. That makes attention to every detail essential.”
Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. After intermittent early editions, it has now established itself as an annual platform for narrative and documentary competitions, industry programs and project markets.
By bringing together emerging and established filmmakers in Dhahran each year, the festival strengthens Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global film stage.
