Riyadh deputy governor welcomes Djibouti ambassador for talks

The envoy, who is also dean of the diplomatic corps, told Arab News he was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet the prince and discuss matters with him and other senior officials. (SPA)
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Updated 28 July 2022
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Riyadh deputy governor welcomes Djibouti ambassador for talks

  • Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama discuss area of mutual interest
  • Two sides held ‘cordial conversations and exchanged ideas,’ envoy says

RIYADH: Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of Riyadh region, met Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama on Tuesday to discuss areas of mutual interest.

The envoy, who is also dean of the diplomatic corps, told Arab News he was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet the prince and discuss matters with him and other senior officials.

“We had cordial conversations and exchanged ideas on a number of topics of common interest,” he said.

“I thanked Prince Mohammed, and Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Riyadh region, and Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the mayor of Riyadh, for all their cooperation and distinguished presence in honoring and interacting with diplomats and embassies accredited to the Kingdom at various programs.

“The discussions focused on various subjects, particularly the situation of Djiboutian nationals residing in the Riyadh region,” he added.

Bamakhrama also congratulated Prince Mohammed on the great achievements made by Riyadh and the Kingdom in general, and praised the NEOM Smart City project after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday announced plans for The Line development there.

“The Line, a smart city project, is beyond imagination in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. An important addition to King Salman’s accomplishments and the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Such exceptional projects reassure the leading role of KSA under its wise leadership,” he said on Twitter.

His post was alongside a tweet by NEOM that said: “Presenting a 170 km vertical city that can be traveled end to end in 20 minutes. Giving residents a convenient lifestyle within 5-minute walk neighborhoods and communities organized in three dimensions, THE LINE is the future of urban living.”

The crown prince said on Monday that The Line would epitomize “ideal living” and address humanity’s urgent challenges.

“NEOM is one of the most important projects of Saudi Vision 2030, and The Line is an affirmation of our firm commitment to presenting a project to the whole world. NEOM is a place for those who dream of a better tomorrow,” he said.


How a Saudi language processing center is using AI to improve machine interaction with Arabic

Updated 6 sec ago
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How a Saudi language processing center is using AI to improve machine interaction with Arabic

  • The Artificial Intelligence Center for Arabic Language Processing is bridging the gap between technology and one of the world’s most spoken languages
  • The center’s five advanced labs provide resources for researchers developing AI applications for Arabic, says KSGAAL’s linguistic computing head

RIYADH: Experts at the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language are leveraging artificial intelligence to advance machine interactions with Arabic — one of the most widely spoken languages on the planet, yet one largely neglected by the tech world.

A key initiative is the Artificial Intelligence Center for Arabic Language Processing in Riyadh, which focuses on driving innovations in language technology.

The first of its kind dedicated to Arabic natural language processing, the center utilizes and advances AI techniques to develop cutting-edge scientific tools, research methodologies and computer applications that enhance interactions with the Arabic language across various platforms and technologies.

Natural language processing, or NLP, is a subfield of AI that bridges the gap between human communication, spoken or written, and machine understanding. It enables computers to understand human languages and generate text and speech in a natural way by combining computational linguistics with statistical modeling, machine learning, and deep learning.

Abdullah Al-Fifi, head of the linguistic computing department at KSGAFAL, said the Arabic Intelligence Center aims to empower researchers and developers to harness advanced technologies for processing the Arabic language. It also seeks to create applications, tools, and programs that contribute to preserving and advancing the Arabic language.

The center, launched in late April, comprises five advanced labs that work on developing AI applications tailored to Arabic, he told Arab News.

Among these is the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies like language assistants, which are smart tools designed for precise interaction with languages. It also focuses on enhancing the abilities of intelligent systems to analyze and comprehend Arabic texts with high accuracy.

The Data Preparation and Linguistic Resources Building Laboratory collects, classifies and labels linguistic data to serve as a primary resource for improving Arabic language processing in intelligent systems. It employs various techniques to ensure the data’s quality and reliability for research and technical applications.

Another key lab, the Virtual and Augmented Reality Laboratory, advances innovative technologies to enhance the Arabic language learning experience. It develops educational and entertainment software using virtual reality, enabling unconventional applications of Arabic in modern digital environments.

The Audio and Visual Laboratory develops speech recognition and pronunciation technologies. It focuses on recording, processing, storing and classifying audio data using advanced techniques to ensure precise voice interaction with the Arabic language.

A key aspect of the Arabic Intelligence Center is also the Researchers’ Laboratory, which provides a comprehensive research environment with dedicated spaces for computational linguistics researchers. It is designed to support advanced research focused on developing AI technologies specialized in the Arabic language.

Researcher Abdullah Al-Maadi told Arab News that “the Arabic Intelligence Center has had a significant impact on my training journey at KSGAFAL” and added: “It provided me with a supportive environment for growth, in addition to offering real-world data that could be tested. The center also enabled the development of products to be applied to actual robots.”

Raghad Al-Rasheed, who is also a researcher, said the center gave her the opportunity “to capitalize on the expertise of specialists, helping me enhance my knowledge and develop my research skills.”

“The center actively contributed to supporting our research by providing the necessary equipment and data to complete the work,” she told Arab News, adding that it also offered her a dedicated space to meet all her needs while working on her project, Areeb.

The Arabic Intelligence Center is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global leader in these fields.

It seeks to pioneer the use of AI for the Arabic language and provide integrated services that empower users to enhance its global prominence.

The establishment of this center underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to employing AI and data-driven strategies to strengthen the prominence of the Arabic language in an age of advanced technologies, said KSGAFAL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi.

He added the center has strengthened Arabic’s global position by using modern technologies that help the language adapt to ongoing developments through its advanced labs.

The Arabic language is spoken by around 422 million people worldwide, including 313 million native speakers, according to the International Center for Language Studies. It is the fifth most widely spoken language globally and the fourth most used online, according to Internet World Stats.


Quality of Life Program, UN-Habitat officials hold talks

Updated 44 min 2 sec ago
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Quality of Life Program, UN-Habitat officials hold talks

RIYADH: The Quality of Life Program’s CEO Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr recently received in Riyadh the UN-Habitat’s Deputy Executive Director Michal Mlynar.

The officials discussed the program’s mission to achieve the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.

Al-Bakr and Mlynar also focused on boosting cooperation in developing quality of life indicators globally, and shared experiences in sustainable urban development.
 


Syrian artist Emar Hmeid hosts first solo show in Saudi Arabia

Updated 57 min 21 sec ago
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Syrian artist Emar Hmeid hosts first solo show in Saudi Arabia

  • Artist’s work draws inspiration from Fauvism 

DAMMAM: Syrian artist Emar Nedal Hmeidi has opened her first solo exhibition, “Nook,” at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam.

“I am a lively person who loves life — and you can peek into my world over the last three years here,” Hmeidi, who is based in Saudi Arabia, shared with Arab News on the opening night.

Featuring 53 paintings of various sizes, the exhibition reflects Hmeidi’s deeply personal exploration of her space and its transformation — and translation — into works of art.

Hmeidi’s vibrant, melancholic yet playful works depict intimate interior scenes, capturing how her personal nook— a modest corner a short drive away from SASCA — served as her creative sanctuary. It is her place to rest, create and be the most authentic version of herself. 

These paintings, created entirely within that space during the past three years, represent a fusion of reality and imagination, with her use of color serving as an emotional language to convey her inner world.

Reflecting on her move from Syria to Saudi Arabia, she added: “Coming from Syria to Saudi Arabia, I live in a perpetual and permanent state of discovery. Art is an ongoing search for unity in contrasts.”

Her work draws inspiration from Fauvism, evident in the bold and instinctive use of vibrant colors. Hmeidi describes her creative process as one where colors resonate with her emotions, evolving instinctively to match her state of mind. This approach allows her to create uniquely emotive shades that are nearly impossible to replicate.

The paintings showcase her ability to transform static spaces into dynamic sanctuaries through light, mood and creativity. They often depict solitary, reflective moments, such as a woman reading or sipping tea, surrounded by plants and shifting light.

Hmeidi’s journey from Syria to Saudi Arabia brought a profound change to her art and life. Having endured the hardships of life in Syria, where basic needs often overshadowed artistic endeavors, she found stability and peace in Saudi Arabia. This shift in location allowed her to focus on introspection and creativity, channeling her experiences into deeply personal art.

Color plays a central role in Hmeidi’s artistic expression, serving as a medium to communicate her emotions.

“I’m a person who prefers to communicate with colors rather than with words. I love color deeply. For me, it’s not just about putting together shades and tones, but about how colors resonate with me in the moment. I enjoy mixing them instinctively, following the natural flow of my feelings,” she said.

“Sometimes, when people ask how I achieve a specific shade, I could tell them the combination, but it won’t ever come out the same. The color can feel. It always comes from the heart and it has my own personal touch,” she said.

Through her paintings, Hmeidi creates a dialogue between reality and imagination. “It’s about how these elements come together — walls, plants, furniture and light — interacting to form a space where reality and imagination converge. It’s almost as if the corner, the nook, becomes a meeting point for these worlds,” she said.

Hmeidi’s journey to Saudi Arabia profoundly influenced her creativity.

“It wasn’t my choice to come here to Saudi Arabia at first, but over time, I realized that it was the best decision. It empowered me,” she said. “This place gave me more than I ever had before — notably, stability, comfort and peace of mind,” she said.

Reflecting on her past, she said: “Back in Syria, I had to worry about basic needs — electricity, water, safety. Life there was exhausting, and it was hard to focus on creating art with so many external pressures. But here, in Saudi Arabia, I feel an inner peace that I never had before. This change in my surroundings has also brought a change in me and my work.”

Isolation, for Hmeidi, became a source of inspiration. “That solitude can also be a positive state for an artist. It allows immersion into oneself and opens a window for others to explore their own dimensions through art. It’s a journey of documenting personal experiences while discovering the relationship between place and self, color and light, and isolation and creativity,” she said.

Commenting on the recent news from Syria, Hmeidi offered a note of optimism. “This recent burst of joy in Syria was so brief— only about 12 hours. But during that time, we felt a heightened sense of belonging to our homeland, a deep connection. It was a sense of ‘Syria for the Syrians,’ just as Saudi Arabia is for the Saudis.”

She hopes to pick up a paintbrush soon and dedicate the next nine months to creating an entirely fresh set of paintings inspired by the ever-morphing and evolving journey she is experiencing.

For now, Saudi Arabia is home. Visitors to the Dammam exhibition are encouraged to purchase the for-sale paintings, and perhaps hang pieces of Hmeidi’s Nook in their own nooks.

The exhibition will remain on display until at least Dec. 20.


Man arrested in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan for transporting 9 illegals

Updated 12 December 2024
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Man arrested in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan for transporting 9 illegals

JAZAN: Border patrols in Al-Aridah, Jazan, arrested a man for transporting nine people from Ethiopia and Yemen who illegally crossed the Saudi border in his vehicle.

After preliminary legal procedures, the violators have been referred to the relevant authorities and, subsequently, to the Public Prosecution.

Saudi authorities have warned that anyone facilitating the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, including providing transportation, shelter or other assistance, could face 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to SR1 million ($266,000). Their vehicles and property could also be confiscated and they could face public defamation.

Meanwhile, authorities in the same region arrested a resident for selling qat. Legal procedures have been completed and the person referred to the competent authorities.

Members of the public with information on drug smuggling or selling are urged to call 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. They can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email [email protected].


Saudi FM congratulates new EU high representative

Updated 12 December 2024
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Saudi FM congratulates new EU high representative

  • Two leaders also discussed recent regional developments and ongoing efforts to address key issues

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday spoke on the phone with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

During the call, Prince Faisal extended his congratulations to Kallas on her new appointment, which she took up on Dec. 1, and expressed his best wishes for her success in her role, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders also discussed recent regional developments and ongoing efforts to address key issues.

The exchange underscored the importance of Saudi-EU collaboration in promoting stability and addressing shared challenges.