RIYADH: Catmosphere’s second annual Catwalk to raise awareness of endangered wildlife and collective well-being attracted thousands of participants in the Kingdom and around the world on Saturday.
“We were thrilled that the inaugural Catwalk in 2021 received such overwhelming support, showing a huge appetite for our message and support for action to conserve the iconic big cats throughout the world,” Princess Reema Bandar, founder of Catmosphere, said.
This year’s Catwalk is expected to be much bigger than last year’s, which had 27,000 participants in 102 countries.
More than 50 organized walks took place in the Kingdom alone, with many cities participating, including Asir, Riyadh, Alkhobar, Dharan, Al-Qassim, Makkah, Jeddah and Jazan.
The official number of participants have yet to be announced, but this year’s attendance already appears to be higher than the first Catwalk last year.
Catwalk is an annual global event that invites people to take part in a 7 km walk to promote interconnected well-being and preservation of wildlife, including the seven big cats — tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, pumas, cheetahs and snow leopards, with a focus on the endangered Arabian leopard.
This year several locations in Riyadh hosted the catwalk, including Diriyah, the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Front, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
One of the participants, Amirulhusni Sahar walked in Diriyah. He said that some of his family took part in the first Catwalk, but this is his first time.
“I am here with my family and we are representing Malaysia as well,” Sahar, the first secretary of the Malaysian Embassy, said.
Sian Tichar, the Catwalk campaign manager in Riyadh, explained Catmosphere’s mission in promoting collective well-being.
“The concept of collective well-being means that in order to have a healthy planet we need to have healthy people. What the Catwalk does is invites people to take a walk outside. If you are walking outside, you are likely to feel better about yourself and you will notice nature, and if you care about nature, you will care about wildlife,” Sian Tichar said.
“Princess Reema’s initiative, the foundation Catmosphere, and its flagship campaign, Catwalk, invite people to go on a walk and learn about the stories of big cats and the challenges they face to interpret the concept of collective well-being,” she added.
Tichar said that last year during the first Catwalk many people used the opportunity to pick up trash and plant trees.
“I’m very proud to be a part of the Catwalk team and really excited to see Saudi leading by example in getting behind causes that help promote collective well-being.”
Diriyah Gate CEO Jerry Inzerillo joined this year’s Catwalk in the historic center. Many Saudi Scouts were present to assist and guide participants along the walk, while a Saudi Games mascot greeted children, and snacks and drinks were provided before and after the walk.
Northeast of the Riyadh Catmosphere festivities, the Alkhobar Corniche came to life as locals joined the annual Catwalk.
Families gathered at a spot overlooking the Alkhobar water tower as excited children — many of whom had their faces painted with an image of a wild cat — joined the walk.
“It’s a good turnout and it’s pretty interesting for the kids — they are excited to see something different after a long time. Most of these animals are in the endangered category, so it’s interesting to see how the artists have come up with different variations and colors,” local resident Shaila G. told Arab News.
One of the participating artists, Reem Alsaaq, had her paintbrush at the ready and was adding color on the spot.
“I found out about this event through my local artist group. They asked me to paint something live at the corniche and I decided to re-create an image of a wildcat that looks like it is pondering life,” Alsaaq told Arab News.
Laura Masoni found out about the event through her compound.
“I’m very sensitive about animals and wildlife matters. We are here with my family and friends of my kids just to be all together and do something for a good cause,” she said.
Giovanni Gennari added: “it’s a very important cause to protect our environment. It was a good day out and a good way to stay away from home and from tablets and video games. The day is perfect.”
The catwalk was held in three different locations in Jeddah city, including the Corniche, Prince Majed Park and Prince Fawaz walkway.
Wesam Zailai, general manager of the Catwalk: said: “The event is divided into two categories, walking and running, and three distances: 1 km, 3.5 km and 7 km to preserve the Arabian leopard.”
He added: “We have 300 adults and 150 children participating today.”
Saudi participant Abdulrahman Al-Enizi, 43, was the first-place winner at the Jeddah Catwalk in Corniche.
After running the 7 km in 24 minutes, Al-Enizi told Arab News: “I am so happy with this initiative, and I showed up today to support the cause and spread awareness about saving the Arabian leopard from extinction. I personally appreciate sports, especially walking, which improves both mental and physical health.”
Al-Enizi came with his 6-year-old son Abdulmalik, who joined the 1 km category for children.
Arab News also interviewed children in the Kingdom to find out what they know about the Arabian leopard and what could be done to help the threatened species.
Saudi Raed Jawa, 13, said that the Arabian leopard is “considered one of the largest Arab cats and it is the most endangered animal.”
However, Jawa said that his favorite big cat is the lynx. “There are many endangered animals that I love and want to see,” he added.
His sister, 11-year-old Hala, explained that the Arabian leopard belongs to the feline family of carnivorous mammals and is found in the Arabian Peninsula.
“My favorite big cat is the tiger,” she said.
“I’m so glad we have animal conservations in this country because I love animals.”
Bangladeshi Aleena Haque, 9, said that her favorite big cats are lions, leopards, cheetahs and the Bengal tiger.
She is concerned about the Arabian Leopard being an endangered species. “I’m worried about it going extinct because I love animals so much,” she told Arab News.
In 2021, Catmosphere was launched by Princess Reema, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, who is on a mission to safeguard the future of big cats. The nonprofit aims to magnify the efforts of Panthera, a US-based charity devoted to the conservation of 40 species of wild cats.
Kingdom heeds call of the wild with Catwalk
https://arab.news/yz4wg
Kingdom heeds call of the wild with Catwalk
- Thousands join walk for wildlife, well-being in Catmosphere’s second annual event
- This year several locations in Riyadh hosted the catwalk, including Diriyah, the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Front, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Saudi FM discusses developments in Rafah with Palestinian PM
- During a meeting in Riyadh, the two officials also discussed strengthening cooperation relations between their countries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in the Gazan city of Rafah with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Thursday.
During a meeting in Riyadh, the two officials also discussed strengthening cooperation relations between their countries, and the Palestinian government’s priorities and work program.
Israeli forces massed tanks and opened fire close to built-up areas of Rafah on Thursday, residents said, after US President Joe Biden vowed to withhold weapons from Israel if its forces launch a major invasion of the southern Gaza city.
Israel has defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting “targeted raids” in the border city, which is crowded with displaced Palestinian civilians.
Saudia unveils 2024 Hajj season plan
- Kingdom’s national carrier boasts more than 150 aircraft in its fleet, and has pledged to deliver “top-notch services” to pilgrims during Hajj
- More than 11,000 frontline employees and aircraft maintenance technicians will work throughout the season
RIYADH: Saudia has unveiled its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, allocating more than 1.2 million airline seats for pilgrims visiting the Kingdom.
The Kingdom’s national carrier boasts more than 150 aircraft in its fleet, and has pledged to deliver “top-notch services” to pilgrims during Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The airline’s operational period for the Hajj season spans 74 days, beginning May 9. It includes both arrivals and returns.
Saudia has organized specialized teams to oversee performance monitoring, lounge operations, coordination with other sectors as well as an emergency plan in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Virtual simulations have been conducted at Jeddah and Madinah international airports to prepare for Hajj.
Saudia is welcoming pilgrims from the Grand Mosque through five domestic airports: Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Dammam and Yanbu, the SPA reported.
More than 11,000 frontline employees and aircraft maintenance technicians will work throughout the season. The Makkah Route initiative will cater to 120,000 pilgrims, while the “Hajj with No Bags” service will also run.
The airline plans to handle 270,000 bags and 240,000 Zamzam water bottles during Hajj.
Amer Alkhushail, CEO of Saudia Hajj and Umrah, said that the national carrier is “honored” to play a vital role in serving pilgrims, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Saudia has gained “invaluable experience” from previous Hajj seasons, contributing to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, he added.
“As part of our preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, the Saudia Group is committed to forging agreements with government delegations and travel agents. We are dedicated to ensuring adequate seat capacity and extending our services to meet demand in over 100 destinations across four continents,” Alkhushail said.
“Moreover, we are facilitating reservation and ticket issuance through electronic channels and Saudia Group offices. Additionally, we are conducting awareness campaigns to educate pilgrims about luggage requirements, including dimensions, weights and prohibited materials for air transport.
“Furthermore, we are poised to support the implementation of flights through the Makkah Route Initiative.”
Through its workforce, Saudia can provide communication to pilgrims from around the world in 30 languages, he added.
Onboard meals are tailored to accommodate diverse preferences, Alkhushail said, highlighting Saudia’s in-flight entertainment, which offers pilgrims educational and guidance materials developed in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Saudia also offers luggage collection services from pilgrims’ residences, easing travel after the completion of Hajj rituals, he added.
Saudi Fund for Development launches cancer hospital project in Mauritius
- Project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated by the fund’s CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad
- Saudi Fund for Development has supported Mauritius since 1982 through projects and programs in vital industries
RIYADH: A hospital specializing in cancer care will be built in Mauritius as part of an ambitious healthcare plan by the Saudi Fund for Development.
The project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated on Thursday by the fund’s CEO, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ceremony was attended by the prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth; the country’s minister of health, Dr. Kailesh Kumar Singh; Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Tamyaat; and Mauritius’ ambassador to the Kingdom, Showkutally Soodhun.
The hospital is planned to cover 21,000 sq meters and will contain 220 medical beds.
According to the SPA, the fund aims to enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system in Mauritius, providing the highest standards of care and prevention of chronic diseases.
The hospital will also focus on the rehabilitation and development of healthcare services, as well as the care of cancer patients, with a goal of improving access to treatment.
It is part of the fund’s efforts to enhance the pillars of development in developing countries around the world.
The Saudi Fund for Development has supported Mauritius since 1982 through projects and programs in vital industries.
Through seven projects and programs in the country, the fund has delivered about $228 million in development loans, enhancing social and economic growth, and providing job opportunities.
South Korea seeks to build economic, cultural relations with Saudi
- Seoul focusing on hydrogen supply chains and defense
- Media event saw 65 reporters from across world attend
SEOUL: The Korean Embassy in Riyadh recently hosted reporters from Saudi Arabia and across the globe at the week-long World Journalists Conference here to enhance the Asia nation’s relations with other countries.
“As a Saudi journalist, your experience and exchanges of views in Korea, along with your insights, will provide a great introduction about Korea to Saudi Arabia,” Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Choi Byung Hyuk told Arab News.
“Cooperation is expanding beyond traditional construction and energy sectors to include areas like plants, hydrogen supply chains, defense, and culture — leveraging Korea’s economic development expertise, experience, and the capabilities and technologies of its excellent companies,” he added.
The WJC invited over 65 international journalists including an Arab News reporter to the week-long conference organized by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Korea Press Foundation.
The participants discussed various issues including the role of media in war reporting, efforts to achieve world peace, and Korea’s foreign policy.
The conference included sessions on the impact of Web3 on digital media and journalism and Seoul’s Tourism Renewal plan.
The organizers, during the trip, highlighted Korea’s culture, landscapes, history, diplomatic relations, and emerging scientific advancements.
“Korea has developed economically and is also well-known culturally to Saudi youth through K-pop, K-movies, and dramas,” the Korean ambassador explained.
Hyuk said the natural environment of Korea makes it a great place to visit and explore. “Korean people, like Saudis, are known for their warmth and hospitality, which will be quickly evident through long-term interactions.”
He added that there was a growing Muslim community in Korea.
Hyuk said the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Korea in November 2022 and President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s trip to Saudi Arabia in October 2023 has led to “rapid progress in bilateral relations.”
In his remarks at the opening of the 12th WJC conference, Jong Hyun Park, president of the Journalists Association of Korea, said: “Since 2013, in the spirit of the global era, foreign journalists, who are engaged in similar deliberations and tasks within our global village, have been gathering at the WJC. This assembly aims to tackle common global challenges and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of journalism.”
“Our unity is rooted in a shared commitment to journalism, transcending differences in nationality, gender, skin, color, and ideology. We hope you will seize the opportunity to explore South Korea’s rich traditional culture and unique characteristics of each region, including visits to Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, Suwon, Ansan, and the demilitarized zone,” Park added.
The speakers at the event included Joo Hee Lee, the managing editor of the Korea Herald, Anum Hanif, the producer of the Hum News Network in Pakistan, Nicola Smith, Asia correspondent for The Telegraph in the UK, Leonardo Casa, the deputy director of BioBio Chile, and Ki Yon Kil, the president and CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization.
The tour included Incheon, Seoul, Suwon, Yongin and Ansan, where journalists were able to meet local people and see how technology was shaping communities.
There was also a visit to the demilitarized zone and the Dora observatory. Through binoculars, visitors were able to view the mountains and farmlands on the North Korea side, and the city of Gaeseong.
First pilgrims from India arrive for 2024 Hajj
- India is sending a total of 175,025 pilgrims in this pilgrimage season
- Special Hajj flights for Indian pilgrims depart from 10 cities on Thursday
NEW DELHI: The first group of pilgrims from India arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to perform this year’s Hajj, as the world’s most populous country launched special flights for the annual pilgrimage.
With over 200 million Indians professing Islam, the Hindu-majority country has the world’s largest Muslim-minority population. Under the 2024 Hajj quota, 175,025 worshippers will travel to Saudi Arabia for the spiritual journey that is one of the five pillars of Islam.
This year, Hajj is expected to begin on June 14 and end on June 19. While the pilgrimage can be performed over five or six days, many pilgrims choose to arrive early for what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill their religious duty.
One of the first Hajj flights for Indian pilgrims departed on Thursday from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
“The flight carrying the first lot of 285 people took off at 2:20 a.m. on Thursday,” Kausar Jahan, chairperson of the Delhi State Hajj Committee, told Arab News.
In Madinah, the pilgrims were welcomed by the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, and his team, as well as the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Service, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and the Saudi Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdul Fattah Mashat.
“First flight of Indian Hajj pilgrims arrives in Madinah (and) receives a warm reception,” the Indian Hajj Mission in Jeddah wrote on Facebook. “With the arrival of the first flight … India’s Hajj 2024 has begun.”
A.P. Abdullakutty, chairman of the Hajj Committee of India, said several flights took off from different parts of India on Thursday.
“We have several embarkation points, and on May 9th, the first day of the Hajj flights, several planes will be taking off from at least 10 places across India,” he told Arab News.
The list of cities includes Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Srinagar, capital of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority territory between India and Pakistan, both of which claim it in full and rule in part.
India’s Hajj contingent this year includes more than 4,000 women who will perform the Hajj on their own, without a mahram, or male guardian, Abdullakutty said.
They represent a group of women pilgrims who have been able to travel to Saudi Arabia alone since last year, following the Kingdom’s 2022 decision to lift a rule that required women to be accompanied by a mahram. Those who had no such companion could only travel in large groups of other women.
India’s preparations for this year’s Hajj were overseen by Muktesh K. Pardeshi, secretary of consular, passport, visa and overseas Indian affairs at the Ministry of External Affairs, who concluded an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
“During his visit, the secretary conducted a review of preparations for Hajj 2024 in Jeddah and Madinah,” the ministry said in a statement.
“He met with (Saudi) Vice Hajj Minister Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat, and discussed logistical arrangements and infrastructure developments aimed at the welfare and comfort for pilgrims.”
