Saudi publishing house creates heritage-led children’s works

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Founded in 2019 by Layal Idriss and her husband Mohammed Hasanain, Dar Waraqa, or ‘House of paper,’ is based in Jeddah and offers publishing and distribution services (Supplied)
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The “Aklana” series, which translates to “Our Saudi Food,” is a creative collection of stories that preserve the authenticity of traditional Saudi recipes. (Supplied)
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Updated 17 July 2024
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Saudi publishing house creates heritage-led children’s works

  • Arab children deserve innovative storytelling where they see themselves as heroes, says Dar Waraqa cofounder

JEDDAH: A Saudi Arabia publishing house focused on works for children is utilizing passion and innovation to turn the page toward a “golden age of creativity” in the Kingdom.

Dar Waraqa is an award-winning company that creates aesthetically-pleasing books and products that reflect Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage.

Layal Idriss, cofounder and creative director of Dar Waraqa, told Arab News during a recent interview: “Our vision revolves around continuing with the passion for creating innovative projects that will create the golden age of creativity locally and represent Saudi Arabia on the global creative publication scene.”

Idriss is a visual storyteller, entrepreneur and educator who has produced over 100 books and products over the past two decades. “I am proud to bring change and innovation to children's publishing in the MENA region by cofounding Dar Waraqa,” she said.

Idriss studied media arts and animation as an undergraduate and earned a master’s degree in fine arts from California State University, specializing in illustration.

After graduating, she taught at her alma mater from 2014 to 2021. Last year she was selected for a Women in Innovation Fellowship at Georgetown University.

Idriss is challenging the status quo of creative entrepreneurship by focusing on the importance of culturally rich products and books tailor-made for children.

“I am constantly working on evolving my storytelling skills by participating in residencies and exhibits that promote experimental and innovative storytelling methods,” she said.

Driven by her own childhood love for reading, she aims to create a library that will inspire future generations and believes that Arab children deserve high-quality art and innovative storytelling where they see themselves as heroes.

Dar Waraqa, or “House of Paper,” is based in Jeddah and offers publishing and distribution services to clients worldwide. It was founded in 2019 by Idriss and her husband Mohammed Hasanain when she had noticed that clients at her creative agency, Radish House, struggled to transform digital creations into tangible products.

Recognizing this, she created Dar Waraqa as a one-stop shop, guiding clients from the idea stage to the final product.

“The company also expanded its services to include post-production, distribution, and marketing, ensuring that books and products reach their intended audience,” she explained. “Collaborating closely with Radish House, we select artists to create magical stories.”

Dar Waraqa also provides extensive guidance and training to artists and designers, focusing on young talent from Saudi Arabia and globally, Idriss added. “We aim to lead the golden age of Saudi children’s books through a collective creative process that leverages the latest technology.”

At the company, the storytelling process begins with in-house ideation, emphasizing innovation and creativity before involving any authors. Once a solid project structure is in place, they seek the best authors, primarily working with Saudi Arabia talent but also international writers when needed.

The publishing house is not working under any government entity currently, Idriss said. “We are fortunate as Saudis that there are many initiatives and support programs available, and we try to apply to most of them. We are an independent small business working on projects with local entities to serve their needs.”

For example, “Aklana” is a collaboration between the Saudi Culinary Commission to create a series of children’s books highlighting recipes and stories from the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.

The title translates to “Our Saudi Food” and the work presents authentic recipes through characters that are meant to be filled with joy and endearing to young readers.

“It is an excellent way to … work with the commission closely on preserving recipes in a fun and innovative way,” Idriss said.

She added that the series is “a great way to innovate and build a community of creatives who collaborate and build visual narratives of our food, culture, and daily life.”

Each book in the “Aklana” series includes a short summary of the region and its natural resources.

Idriss added that the commission put in “tremendous effort” to provide their team with resources and recipes “as they spent the last few years working diligently on traveling around Saudi Arabia researching recipes and documenting them as well as talking to experts.”

The series is designed to be a part of any home or school library for Saudi Arabia children.

“In some comics and stories, we tackle traditions like dishes prepared days before a specific holiday or a wedding feast or the rituals and traditions in local households when a baby is born. With that, we successfully achieved a series that informs and entertains people from all ages and walks of life,” Idriss explained.

The six published “Aklana” books have recently been translated into Mandarin Chinese and Korean, debuting at the 2024 Beijing and Seoul international book fairs, respectively. Currently, only the Madinah edition has been translated into English.

“Once the series is complete, we plan to apply to the Tarjem initiative to have the books translated into various languages,” Idriss said. This would help entertain and inform people worldwide about the diversity of Saudi Arabia’s culture and life, she added.

In 2023, Dar Waraqa collaborated with Ithra at the Eastern Region Book Fair to create an interactive storytelling experience for children and families, which attracted over 10,000 guests.

During Ramadan 2024, Dar Waraqa worked with Hayy Explorers at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah and participated in a panel discussion at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, to present the publisher’s perspective on the creative process.


Hajj 2025 planning meeting eyes new level of standards

Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz attends the first planning meeting for the 2025 Hajj season in Jeddah.
Updated 41 min 28 sec ago
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Hajj 2025 planning meeting eyes new level of standards

  • The meeting invited 60 organizations from the Hajj sector, along with various princes, ministers and officials
  • Prince Saud announced the timeline for the 2025 Hajj season, adding that it will meet a new level of standards

RIYADH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz attended the first planning meeting for the 2025 Hajj season in Jeddah on Sunday.

The meeting, held under the auspices of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, governor of Makkah and head of the Central Hajj Committee, invited 60 organizations from the Hajj sector, along with various princes, ministers and officials.

Prince Saud announced the timeline for the 2025 Hajj season, adding that it will meet a new level of standards, including updated regulations, enhanced worker training and solutions to address challenges.

He conveyed the governor’s appreciation to organizations serving pilgrims and praised their efforts and the leadership’s support in providing high-quality services.

Prince Saud highlighted the need to build on the achievements of the 2024 Hajj season and ensure early preparation for this year’s pilgrimage. He urged the importance of increased cooperation to improve services and facilities.

He said that the meeting should result in clear, high-quality plans that positively impact the pilgrimage experience.

The meeting reviewed the 2024 Hajj season’s achievements, which included 300 plans for improved readiness. Notable accomplishments were the launch of the Nusuk card, experimental Hajj trips from Taif International Airport, expansion of the Makkah Route initiative, a 51-km extension of the Jeddah-Makkah highway, increased transportation from Mina to the Grand Mosque and the application of anti-heat paint near the Al-Namirah Mosque.

The meeting also covered the 2025 planning model, focusing on readiness, service quality standards and operational performance indicators.

A workshop titled “Harmonization of key services, roles and milestones” was held to review and initiate plans for this year’s Hajj season.


Medident signs MoU with Web Arabia for Healthcare Development in Saudi Arabia

Updated 50 min 33 sec ago
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Medident signs MoU with Web Arabia for Healthcare Development in Saudi Arabia

  • Areas such as preventive health measures, elderly care and public health initiatives will also prioritized

TOKYO: Tokyo-based Medident has entered a strategic partnership with Web Arabia, an IT company headquartered in Riyadh. The agreement, formalized through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to integrate Japanese healthcare standards with Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.

The MoU, guided by CEO Dr. Tomita Daisuke, focuses on leveraging advanced medical technologies and improving healthcare management in Saudi hospitals. It particularly emphasizes digital training for healthcare professionals.

Areas such as preventive health measures, elderly care and public health initiatives will also be prioritized.

Web Arabia, an IT company, and part of the Al Sabhan conglomerate, is one of Saudi Arabia’s prominent companies. Based in Riyadh, Web Arabia specializes in smart city solutions and is a subsidiary of Metscco Heavy Steel Industries, a leading general engineering company responsible for major infrastructure construction projects in Saudi Arabia.

Through this partnership, Web Arabia will play a key role in promoting digital healthcare transformation. This transformation is not just a goal, but a means to achieve the ambitious healthcare goals set by Saudi Vision 2030.

The MoU, guided by CEO Dr. TOMITA Daisuke, focuses on leveraging advanced medical technologies and improving healthcare management in Saudi hospitals. (AN Japan Photo)

The aim is to revolutionize the healthcare sector through innovations in telemedicine, electronic health records, health monitoring technologies, and other advanced medical technologies.

Dr. Mohamed Abdelhakim, Medident’s Tokyo-based Overseas Business Director, has been a key figure in facilitating this collaboration. His extensive experience and education from Nippon Medical School’s Plastic Surgery Department and Cairo University School of Medicine, combined with his role in promoting advanced healthcare solutions and patient-centered care globally, make him an invaluable asset to this partnership.

The agreement between Medident and Web Arabia is not just about driving healthcare innovation and improving patient outcomes. It’s about contributing to the overall well-being of Saudi Arabia’s population, aligning with the nation’s ambitious healthcare goals. This partnership promises a healthier, more prosperous future for the people of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Tomita, President of the Japan Oral Health Association and Representative Director of Mirise Well Medical Group, is a highly respected figure in the healthcare industry. His extensive education and experience, including a Leading Digital Healthcare Transformation degree from Harvard Medical School and specialization in orthodontics, make him a trusted leader in this partnership.

* This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan, click here to read it.


New partnership to enhance museum accessibility for people with disabilities

Updated 08 September 2024
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New partnership to enhance museum accessibility for people with disabilities

  • MoU aims to develop joint policies and strategies to empower people with disabilities in museum-related fields

RIYADH: The Museums Commission and the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities signed a memorandum of understanding at the National Museum in Riyadh on Sunday.

The memorandum, which was signed by Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the commission, and Hisham Al-Haidary, CEO of the authority, aims to develop joint policies and strategies to empower people with disabilities in museum-related fields.

The memorandum underscores the commitment of both entities to provide a safe, inclusive environment that upholds the rights of people with disabilities and enhances their participation in society, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It also seeks to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural and historic identity while addressing the physical and emotional needs of people with disabilities to ensure their full access to museums and cultural programs.

Al-Haidary explained that the partnership aimed to achieve key objectives for empowering people with disabilities. He said: “We seek to provide comprehensive accessibility in museums and train staff on interacting with this group, including training tour guides in sign language for visitors with hearing impairments.”

Regarding visitor experience evaluation, Al-Haidary spoke of a clear mechanism agreed with the commission, including tracking visitors with disabilities, collecting data via surveys, and analyzing feedback on social media. Periodic reports will be prepared and shared with relevant entities to ensure continuous improvement.

Al-Sanousi said that the commission was evaluating all its museums to meet the highest safety and comfort standards for people with disabilities.

He said: “Efforts will include modifying infrastructure, providing safe pathways, immediate support services, and designated areas within museums.”

He also highlighted plans to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and the nonprofit sector to increase participation in cultural activities. Policies would include organizing special visits and interactive educational programs to engage people with disabilities and promote access to cultural resources.

The initiative is part of the ongoing development of the museum environment in the Kingdom, ensuring accessibility for everyone and promoting the involvement of people with disabilities in cultural and heritage activities.


Saudi project clears 766 Houthi mines in Yemen

Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 766 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. (Supplied)
Updated 08 September 2024
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Saudi project clears 766 Houthi mines in Yemen

  • Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 458,477 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 766 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 12 anti-personnel mines, 41 anti-tank mines, 702 unexploded ordnances and 11 explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 458,477 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.


Riyadh wins bid to host UN World Data Forum 2026

Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the UN World Data Forum 2026 in Riyadh. (@Stats_Saudi)
Updated 08 September 2024
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Riyadh wins bid to host UN World Data Forum 2026

  • Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global statistical advancement recognized

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics, has won the bid to host the UN World Data Forum 2026 in Riyadh.

It was recently announced by the High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The decision followed a majority vote after a review of proposals from competing countries, highlighting their ability to host the global event.

Fahad Al-Dossari, president of the General Authority for Statistics, presented Saudi Arabia’s bid during the group’s meeting. His presentation outlined the authority’s advancements in statistical work, the Kingdom’s experience hosting international events and its capacity to provide logistical support for such gatherings.

The proposal also introduced a suggested theme for the forum: “Using the Latest Technologies and Methodologies to Enhance Global Statistical Systems and Enable Sustainable Development.”

Al-Dossari said: “Hosting this event reflects the Kingdom’s prominent status, affirming King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s commitment to supporting the statistical sector, recognizing the crucial role of statistical data in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.”

He added: “Winning the bid to host the 2026 UN World Data Forum highlights the progress made in the statistical field, driven by initiatives from the General Authority for Statistics, which aim to produce accurate and updated data through improved data management and governance.”

The forum, targeting 193 UN member states, reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting high-quality statistical data and indicators. It will invite participants from international organizations, UN member states’ statistical offices and data scientist groups.