Jareesh, maqshush announced as Saudi Arabia’s national dishes 

Jareesh is made of cracked wheat that is slow cooked with vegetables and tomato sauce. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 12 January 2023
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Jareesh, maqshush announced as Saudi Arabia’s national dishes 

DUBAI: The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission revealed on Wednesday that the wheat dish jareesh has been selected as the national dish of the Kingdom, while maqshush was named the country’s national dessert. 

Hailing from the northern region, jareesh is made of cracked wheat that is slow cooked with vegetables and tomato sauce. Lamb is optional. 

Maqshush is made of buckwheat pan bites topped with ghee, honey, dates molasses or sugar. Locals often indulge in the delicious dessert when it is cold and rainy. 

This week, the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission launched the National and Regional Dishes Narratives initiative “in an effort to enhance the presence of the Saudi culinary heritage both locally and globally.” 

Later this year, the commission will identify the dishes that best represent the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. 


Lolo Zouai releases new music video, sets album date

Updated 10 February 2026
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Lolo Zouai releases new music video, sets album date

  • French Algerian star will release new album April 24
  • Record dedicated to a close friend who died in 2021

DUBAI: French Algerian singer and songwriter Lolo Zouai this week dropped a new music video for her single “Holding On” and announced that her upcoming album, “Reverie,” will be released on April 24.

The track, which blends R&B and dance-pop elements, explores themes of grief and memory. Its accompanying music video is dedicated to Zouai’s close friend Hanna Rosa Hotchkiss who died in 2021.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Zouai said the album reflects a period of personal change.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lolo Zouaï (@lolozouai)

“This record was made through three years of grief, growth, and reflection. I had to lose myself to find myself again. I couldn’t have done it without my angel, Hanna.”

“Thank you to my collaborators, my friends, and my Lo-riders who held me down through it all,” she added. “I hope it heals you the way it healed me.”

Zouai teased the album earlier this year writing: “2026. ALBUM SUBMITTED. LET’S… GOOO,” on Instagram, sharing a carousel of images of herself.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lolo Zouaï (@lolozouai)

Fans quickly took to the comments section to congratulate the music sensation.

“OH MY GOD FINALLY!!! I’m so so so excited and proud of you omg, you did that,” one fan wrote. Another said: “Some good news i needed this fr.”

Another fan said: “I’m so excited I just shed a tear … 2026 is so gonna be your year boo!!!! SEE U SOON!!”

Zouai’s last release was in November, when she dropped a new single titled “3AM in San Francisco.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lolo Zouaï (@lolozouai)

In 2024, Zouai dropped several tracks, including her “Please Hold” EP featuring “jetlag” and “UNHHH,” along with “mute” and “Potential.”

In June 2024, she also announced that she had written a song for K-pop group NewJeans for their Japanese debut.

Known for her blend of R&B, club-pop and hip-hop, she has gained an international fan base for her dynamic stage presence and genre-blending music.

Her career highlights include the release of a debut album “High Highs to Low Lows” in 2019, which features 12 tracks, and a follow-up “PLAYGIRL” in 2022, which has 13 tracks.

After the album’s release in October 2022, Zouai was featured on a billboard in New York’s Times Square.