Abha artist draws inspiration from Najdi culture

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When abstract artist from the city of Abha, Mohammad Al-Shaya, picks up his paint brush, he creates vibrant works depicting the beauty of Najdi culture and heritage. (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)
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When abstract artist from the city of Abha, Mohammad Al-Shaya, picks up his paint brush, he creates vibrant works depicting the beauty of Najdi culture and heritage. (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)
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When abstract artist from the city of Abha, Mohammad Al-Shaya, picks up his paint brush, he creates vibrant works depicting the beauty of Najdi culture and heritage. (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)
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Abstract artist from the city of Abha, Mohammad Al-Shaya presented 54 artworks in a solo exhibition titled “It Was,” which ended on Thursday at Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh’s Al-Mousa Center for arts. (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)
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Updated 12 January 2024
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Abha artist draws inspiration from Najdi culture

  • Al-Shaya presented 54 artworks in a solo exhibition titled “It Was”
  • For the past 25 years, Al-Shaya has taught young artists how to paint

RIYADH: When abstract artist from the city of Abha, Mohammad Al-Shaya, picks up his paint brush, he creates vibrant works depicting the beauty of Najdi culture and heritage.
Al-Shaya presented 54 artworks in a solo exhibition titled “It Was,” which ended on Thursday at Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh’s Al-Mousa Center for arts.
“In my fourth exhibition, I aimed to show a new form of visual text through my paintings and highlight Najdi culture and identity … the paintings depict buildings and doors of Najdi-style architecture.”
Al-Shaya’s streak of prizes began when he was a middle school student in 1989, winning first place at the 11th World Children Art Exhibition in Japan.
“When I was in middle school, I was drawing the nature of the village I grew up in and the people that surrounded me. My teacher decided to send over my drawing and I won first place at the art exhibition in Japan.”
For the past 25 years, Al-Shaya has taught young artists how to paint.
“Throughout my career as an art teacher, teaching children and students, I have learned and benefited so much. The innocence and playfulness in their work is so inspiring for an artist like me.”
He has taken part in many artistic events inside and outside the Kingdom, and has held four solo exhibitions. He also took part in more than 80 joint exhibitions with artists from various regions of the Kingdom.
Al-Shaya uses three mediums to create color and texture paintings: Oil paint, acrylic and chalk.
“In terms of my artwork, I choose the colors in the spur of the moment. I try to create paintings that provoke emotions in the viewer because that’s what makes a successful piece. The odder and more unusual the color palette is, the more the painting will turn out beautiful and striking.”
Al-Shaya created an abstract painting with the colors purple, yellow and red, featuring the year “2030” on the left and right side.
The painting includes ancient inscriptions written in historical languages in a nod to AlUla’s rock art.
“We (Saudis) have a powerful and beautiful legacy, and as artists we must take an element from that legacy and develop it in our own way. Our country has a great vision, and we must collaborate in this new vision of 2030,” he said.
Gallery manager and art curator of the “It Was” exhibition, Saif Youssef, has worked on more than 20 exhibitions with his team at Ahlam Gallery.
“Al-Shaya’s art combines themes of traditional symbolism in Najd with the abstract in a unique way, using movement and strong colors to create his masterpieces,” he said.
Renowned Saudi artists Abdullah Hammas, Mohamed Al-Ajlan and Abdullah Al-Hebi, along with Al-Shaya’s friends and family, visited the exhibition to see the works.
To see more of Al-Shaya’s artwork, visit his Instagram @mohf2013.


Riyadh forum to discuss best practices in corporate social responsibility

Updated 11 sec ago
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Riyadh forum to discuss best practices in corporate social responsibility

  • Experts from around world to share strategies for sustainable business models, community empowerment 

JEDDAH: Riyadh will host the Global CSR Forum on Oct. 28-29, promoting social responsibility and sustainability worldwide.

The forum aims to share global experiences, encourage discussions, and identify solutions to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the social responsibility sector.

The two-day event will feature more than 100 speakers and experts from across the world. It seeks to deepen understanding of corporate social responsibility and empower sectors to excel locally and internationally.

Mubarak Al-Bogami, director general of the social responsibility department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said: “The forum is poised to deliver a powerful impact both locally and globally.”

He said: “On the home front, it promises to enhance corporate social responsibility efforts, while on the global stage, it will serve as a vibrant hub for showcasing and sharing best practices in CSR.”

Al-Boqami added: “The core message is clear: The Global CSR Forum is a catalyst for change. It is a space where companies from around the world can connect, share insights, and collaborate to advance social responsibility on a global scale. This collaborative approach not only benefits the environment and communities but also empowers businesses to thrive and achieve their goals.”

The forum’s diverse program will highlight key CSR themes, including the public sector’s role in supporting CSR initiatives, responsible business models, capacity building, and using technology to enhance social and environmental impact. It will also cover principles, standards, best practices for CSR compliance, and share experiences from various sectors.

Al-Boqami said that the forum would contribute to the knowledge economy in social responsibility by sharing the latest advancements and improving best practices.

“It aims to embed a culture of social responsibility across global sectors, share successful experiences, build strategic partnerships, and support individuals in developing specific social responsibility skills.”

He added that the forum would facilitate the exchange of global best practices for Saudi companies.

“Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in global indicators, securing leading positions in many areas. The 2024 Competitiveness Report from the IMD World Competitiveness Center highlights this progress, particularly in social responsibility, where the Kingdom now ranks 16th globally,” Al-Boqami said.

Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives to promote social responsibility, including designating March 23 as Social Responsibility Day, which has gained international recognition for its impact on global efforts.

Al-Boqami said that the forum presented a valuable opportunity to align these efforts by fostering communication and sharing successes and best practices.

He added that with participation from experts across all sectors, the forum would support precise knowledge transfer and the refinement of experiences.


Study finds fish farming wastewater boosts date fruit weight, nutrients

Updated 12 min 31 sec ago
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Study finds fish farming wastewater boosts date fruit weight, nutrients

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Environment has introduced an innovative irrigation technique using fish farming wastewater, significantly increasing date palm productivity across the Kingdom.

Recent research reveals that this method boosts soil nutrient levels and enhances various qualities of dates, improving their economic value, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Conducted by a specialized team, the study, titled “The Impact of Using Fish Farm Wastewater on Palm Production” highlights this approach as a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture.

Nutrients in fish food residues, especially ammonia, enhance soil health and crop yield, SPA stated.

According to the study, date palms irrigated with fish farming water saw a 26 percent increase in fruit weight, 17 percent in length, and 13 percent in diameter.

Key nutrients in the dates also surged: sugar content increased by 25 percent, zinc by 367 percent, manganese by 112 percent, copper by 9 percent, calcium by 15 percent, phosphorus by 42 percent, and iron by 162 percent.

This research supports a national initiative to expand applied agricultural research, integral to the Kingdom’s transformation strategy.

The study estimates that the Kingdom’s 362 fish farms produce 386 million cubic meters of wastewater annually. Utilizing this for irrigation could significantly improve local date production and quality, aligning with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals.

The study also emphasizes economic benefits, including enhanced soil nitrogen and organic matter, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers, water conservation, increased farmer income, and promotion of a circular economy.


KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

Updated 11 September 2024
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KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

RIYADH: Anneliese Dodds, the British minister for development, has praised Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in various countries of the world through its relief agency KSrelief.
The minister made this comment during a video conference Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief, where they also discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief assistant supervisor for operations and programs, met with Gavi Vaccine Alliance chief executive Sania Nishtar in Riyadh to discuss humanitarian and relief measures and ways to provide essential vaccines to countries assessed in need.
Elsewhere, the aid agency has also awarded an initial approval certificate to the Ain Ophthalmology Association in Jazan, allowing it to conduct operations outside the Kingdom.
In Jordan, KSrelief clinics provided services to 2,551 Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.


KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

Updated 11 September 2024
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KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

RIYADH: KSrelief continues implementing several projects in Yemen, including the distribution of dates across the country to neediest groups.
The agency distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in the districts of Al-Houta and Al-Melah in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, benefiting 36,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported. 
It also delivered 3,187 cartons of dates to vulnerable groups in the Midi district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate.
This aid, benefiting 18,000 individuals, is part of the date assistance distribution project in Yemen for 2024.


Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

Updated 11 September 2024
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Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

  • International Court of Justice has ruled settlements are illegal
  • Ministers call for UN to suspend Israel from general assembly

CAIRO: The Arab League’s foreign ministers have urged the international community to enforce the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion declaring Israel’s settlements illegal in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

At the conclusion of their discussions on Tuesday at the 162nd Ministerial Meeting of the Arab League Council in Cairo, the ministers said Israel must cease its illegal presence and all settlement activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They called on the UN General Assembly and Security Council to consider additional measures to end Israel’s illegal occupation.

The ministers also urged the ICJ to expedite its judgment on the case brought by South Africa against Israel, which accuses Tel Aviv of failing to abide by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

They said Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

It was also a declaration of war and aggression against Arab nations, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates conflict in the region.

They called on the UN to suspend Israel from participating in its general assembly, SPA reported.

This was because of Israel’s “non-compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, its threat to international peace and security, and its failure to fulfill its obligations that were a condition for its admission to the United Nations.”

They also slammed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, which they said were obstructing efforts for a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners and hostages.