Saudi Arabia launches global iftar charity projects
Updated 29 April 2021
SPA
KATHMANDU: More than 16,000 Muslims in Nepal will benefit from 466 Ramadan food baskets distributed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministry has launched a similar initiative in Australia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, where the religious attaché office at the Saudi Embassy will distribute 300 food baskets and 25,000 iftar meals.
The religious attaché office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will also distribute 2,000 food baskets and 11 tons of dates to more than 15,000 beneficiaries.
In Gabon, the ministry has inaugurated King Salman’s iftar program by distributing food baskets to 300 families.
As part of the iftar program, the religious attaché office at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Jakarta donated Ramadan food baskets and dates in Indonesia.
The officials distributed more than 1,750 food baskets, 6,500 breakfast meals, and 15 tons of luxurious dates.
Saudi Arabia has launched iftar programs in 16 countries this Ramadan, with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance arranging for the initiative to reach all continents through coordination with Saudi Arabia’s embassies and Islamic centers.
Little Farm: A countryside escape in the heart of Jeddah
The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time
Updated 57 min 43 sec ago
Nada Hameed
During weekends, I always like to take my 18-month-old son somewhere that stimulates his senses and curiosity. While searching for family-friendly farms in Jeddah, I discovered Little Farm, located in the Al-Manarat district. With a 4.2 rating, it seemed like a convenient nearby option.
My first impression upon entering was very positive. The venue also hosts children’s themed parties, and the cashier explained the available activities, which cater to children as young as one year old. Visitors can access the animal farm area starting from SR39 for both adults and children.
Older children can participate in interactive experiences such as goat milking, which is offered for an additional fee. Visitors can also explore dedicated rabbit and cat halls, both available at an extra charge. These halls allow children to interact with animals from various breeds in a safe environment, under the supervision of trained animal specialists. Another section of the venue is the vertical farm zone, where families can explore hanging fruits and vegetables and learn about modern farming methods.
I purchased tickets for the animal farm and paid an additional SR25 for a basket of animal feed, which included cattle feed, bird food, clover, grains and lettuce. Visitors can keep the reusable straw basket for future visits. The dark brown basket with a blue base adds to the countryside aesthetic. The farm opens daily to visitors at 4:30 p.m.
A toddler gets a close encounter with a goat at the Little Farm. (AN photo by Nada Hameed)
The maze-like entrance creates the atmosphere of a secret garden. Visitors are first greeted by a group of large turkeys, loudly announcing their presence. I quickly moved toward the duck pond, as ducks are my son’s favorite birds. We enjoyed feeding them lettuce by the water. Both the ducks and the pond were clean, and the experience was enjoyable enough that my son wanted to stay there for the rest of the visit.
We then moved to the turtle enclosure, where the animals appeared active and eager to be fed. In the goat section, children were allowed to hold a baby goat, which quickly became a highlight for many families. We also fed goats and sheep, the farm indeed provided an engaging and educational experience for children. Ponies, cows, donkeys and geese were also there.
The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time. The reactions are truly priceless.
The animal shelters were clean and spacious, and the farm offers a good variety of animals. Staff members were helpful and welcoming, and overall prices were reasonable for the experience offered. For more information, check the farm’s Instagram account @littlefarmksa.