Ramadan in Qatif showcases Saudi small town spirit
Festive gatherings typical of tight-knit community
Locals enjoy spirituality, family gatherings in holy month
Updated 17 March 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Locals in Qatif practice Ramadan traditions by reconnecting with relatives, keeping the community spirit of small Saudi towns alive.
Like other regions of the Kingdom during Ramadan, families and friends gather to scope for the best markets, cafes and restaurants as Qatif’s days turn into nights.
But for many locals, Ramadan is about staying in and reconnecting with relatives in the tight-knit locale.
Dana Al-Awamy, a university student from Qatif, told Arab News that her Ramadan routine “feels like a celebration because everyone is fasting together and breaking their fast together.
“The food we eat is always the same so it is kind of ritualistic ... my favorite part about Ramadan is the community and feeling the spiritual connection to God.”
Having lived abroad, Al-Awamy had a foreign concept of Ramadan, but coming back home has given her the chance to immerse herself in the holy month, surrounded by the warmth of her family.
During the month, Al-Awamy honors her late grandmother, who was the heart of past celebrations.
“She was an amazing chef and it was her that would cook most of the food and make specific dishes only in Ramadan.
“I miss that now. I really believe because of that, it made me enjoy Ramadan as a kid and grow to love it even more as an adult,” she said.
Sara Al-Awami shares her treasured moments with family, highlighting that the holy month brings a beautiful balance of spirituality, family and community, making it her favorite time of the year.
“We have a daily walk before iftar, which has become a small but meaningful tradition. The evenings are filled with gatherings, game nights, and, of course, enjoying all the delicious food,” she said.
“I also love wearing traditional clothing during Ramadan — it adds to the festive and cultural spirit of the month. And while I’d love to say I help with the cooking, my real specialty is showing up just in time for iftar ... especially for dessert.”
“One of my favorite things about Ramadan is the strong sense of community and generosity that fills the month.”
Having lived in different places, Al-Awami realized that while there may be slight cultural differences, Ramadan is celebrated in a very similar way in countries across the Gulf.
“The essence of the month is always about family, loved ones and coming together. The Eastern Province, like many other regions, is full of vibrant Ramadan traditions — whether it’s the communal iftars, the traditional fashion, the late-night outings, or the spiritual gatherings,” she said.
“But overall, across the Gulf, the core of Ramadan remains the same: A time of faith, family and generosity.”
Having spent many years celebrating Ramadan abroad and alone, she has come to appreciate the time spent with family even more.
“Nothing compares to the warmth of breaking your fast with loved ones, the conversations that last late into the night and the shared traditions that make this month so special,” she said.
“Now, I cherish these moments even more because I know what it’s like to experience Ramadan without them.
“Whether in the Eastern Province, Kuwait, London, or the US, what makes Ramadan truly meaningful is the connection — with family, with the community and with faith.”
Saudi-US forum in Riyadh spotlights the projects transforming the Kingdom
From driverless cars to giga-projects, US and Saudi CEOs and ministers unpacked on Tuesday the ideas powering Vision 2030
Milestones in innovation, culture, infrastructure, tourism and tech celebrated at conference attended by President Trump
Updated 14 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: It is just over 10 years since the Uber smartphone-based car-hailing service launched in Riyadh. Since then, it has expanded to other cities in the Kingdom and, as Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told a panel at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is now one of the company’s fastest growing markets.
There are now 140,000 Saudi nationals driving on the platform, serving 4 million riders in 20 cities across the Kingdom.
Now, said Khosrowshahi, the company was poised to take the next technological step — and, he predicted, autonomous vehicles will soon be seen on the streets of the Kingdom.
“You will see autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia this year,” Khosrowshahi told the panel on Tuesday. “It's something that we are very focused on.”
US President Donald Trump views plans for Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah during his state visit. (AFP)
He said the vehicles would be much safer for both passengers and other road users.
“Autonomous (technology) holds incredible potential for us,” he added. “First of all, it represents a safer street, as the autonomous driver isn’t distracted, isn’t going be texting while they’re driving, etc. And it’s a driver that continues to learn from all the experience of all the miles driven all over the world.”
Ultimately, he added, “autonomous will not only be safer, but will also be a cheaper form of transportation.” Uber is “now working with 18 autonomous partners … to make sure that autonomous technology is introduced in a safe manner.”
Another session at the forum, moderated by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas, focused on the giga-projects that are raising the Kingdom’s profile around the world and writing the next chapter in the story of national transformation.
The Mukaab, a cubed skyscraper being develop in downtown Riyadh. (New Murabba)
The transformation of Diriyah, the birthplace of Saudi Arabia, into a globally important cultural, historical and leisure destination, is one of the projects that is helping to drive the modernization and diversification envisaged by Vision 2030.
Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company, spoke about the importance of preserving the Kingdom’s history and the ancestral home of Al-Saud, including the royal At-Turaif district, considered the birthplace of the First Saudi State in 1727 and which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.
Today, Diriyah is the scene of one of Saudi Arabia’s largest giga-projects, a $63.2 billion transformation of the 14-square-kilometer site of the historic town into a global heritage, cultural and lifestyle destination.
Stating that the project is running on schedule and within budget, Inzerillo added: “We just welcomed to the UNESCO World Heritage site this week our three millionth visitor. We have 45,000 workers currently working in the project. We are very honored and pleased to say that right now we’re doing business with 83 American companies.”
Michael Dyke, CEO of the New Murabba development in Riyadh, said the Mukaab, the vast cube-shaped building at its heart, would be one of the world’s top iconic buildings.
Saudi Housing Minister Majed Al-Hogail, left, and Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, centre, talk with Arab News Editor in Chief Faisal J. Abbas. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)
“It is one of the greatest, largest structures ever known,” Dyke said, comparing it to the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas. That, said Dyke, seats almost 18,000 people; the Mukaab will be 22 times larger.
“When people enter the Mukaab, they will enter another world, there will be holograms and there will be strong AI driving through the whole of the facility.”
The Mukaab will come online from 2030 onward, and “when people come to Riyadh they will see something new, something different. It will be another fantastic place that will complement the amazing projects already happening in the Kingdom.”
FASTFACTS
• Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said autonomous vehicles would be much safer both for the passengers and other road users.
• New Murabba CEO Michael Dyke said the Mukaab would be one of the world’s iconic buildings.
Another massive project being created as part of the Kingdom’s development is NEOM — the vast city on the Red Sea coast that has already fired imaginations around the world.
Rayan Fayez, Deputy CEO of NEOM, said the 26,500 square kilometer project would be the size of Massachusetts.
“Building a city and a region of this scale, requires significant infrastructure,” Fayez said.
Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk with Saudi Minister of Communications & IT Abdullah Alswaha. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)
“When we talk about some of the themes that we are spending our time and effort on, infrastructure is a big one. So, whether it is digital infrastructure, 500 kilometers of fiber has already been laid, a data center being built, power and utility infrastructure already has solar, and wind farms up.
“In addition to 194 kilometers of water pipeline, food infrastructure (such as) greenhouses are being developed, because NEOM is not just a real-estate development initiative, it’s an economy building.”
NEOM is, he added, “a joint venture between Neom Aqua Power and Air products, which is, of course, a US company with a significant investment coming into Neom, developing what will become the Green Hydrogen Project.”
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visit Diriyah. (AFP)
When Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 comes to fruition, in just five years from now, tourism will be as important for the Kingdom’s economy as oil is today.
That was the prediction of Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the minister of tourism, during a panel at the Saudi–US Investment Forum.
It was, Al-Khateeb added, a measure of how far the country’s tourism sector has come since the launch in 2016 of Vision 2030, the blueprint for reducing the dependence on oil and diversifying the economy, that Saudi Arabia is increasingly seen around the world as a land of green mountains, stunning Red Sea islands and a welcoming, hospitable culture.
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The tourism and hospitality sectors have experienced a significant increase in visitors, rising from 50 million domestic and international tourists in 2019 to 115 million in 2024, surpassing the ambitious target of 100 million tourists that was set for the industry under Vision 2030.
In 2024, Al-Khateeb added, with 30 million international visitors among its 115 million tourists, Saudi Arabia was one of the 10 most visited countries in the world.
The Line, a new mega city currently under construction in Neom. (Neom)
"I’m excited,” Al-Khateeb said. “We are full of energy to build this new sector to unlock the potential we have in our great country and to share the beautiful culture with the visitors coming from all around the world.
"By 2030, the tourism sector will be next to the oil as the highest contributor to our economy," he added.
For decades, oil production accounted for 85 to 90 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, but since 2016 significant changes have occurred and oil now accounts for less than 55 percent of GDP.
Since 2019, the Kingdom has opened its borders to nearly 65 countries, issuing electronic visas for those visiting its natural and manmade tourist attractions, from the spectacular mountains of Asir in southern Saudi Arabia to the ancient mysteries of AlUla in the north.
Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas moderated a session on the giga-projects in the Kingdom. (AFP)
In Riyadh, he added, tourists can find a wide choice of sports, cultural and adventure attractions, and there is still more to see in the Red Sea and experience in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Al-Khateeb emphasized that a well-educated, vibrant young Saudi population is essential for the growth of the tourism sector, which has increased its workforce share from 2 percent to 7 percent in less than a decade.
The ministry aims to welcome 50 million international tourists by 2030, placing the Kingdom among the top five most visited countries, he said. It also plans to increase the sector's GDP contribution from the current 5 percent to 10 percent by that same year.
"We have created (a tourism) sector that will satisfy the different travelers from different segments who are coming for business or leisure and entertainment, or people who are coming for religious purposes to visit the two holy cities," Al-Khateeb said.
Business leaders gathered in the Saudi capital on Tuesday for the Saudi-US Investment Forum. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)
In discussing the US-Saudi partnership, the minister noted that the tourism sector had adopted best practices from the US, a leading global country in the industry, including conferences, entertainment and air-travel services.
"We are working closely with our friends and partners in the US. We are sending young Saudis to get the best education in the US and the best vocational training (in tourism)," he added.
Saudi assistant defense minister meets Korean official
Updated 13 May 2025
Arab News
Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Defense Talal Al-Otaibi met with Korean Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration Seok Jong-gun.
During the meeting, they discussed “promising cooperation opportunities in the field of military industries, technology transfer and localization, and defense research and development in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” the Saudi ministry’s official account wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
Al-Otaibi also held a meeting with Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom Yasunari Morino, and they discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest.
Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,’ coinciding with Trump visit
More than 2,500 media professionals expected to attend 2-day event in Riyadh showcasing new media technologies
Updated 13 May 2025
Arab News
Riyadh: The ninth Media Oasis, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Media, began in Riyadh on Tuesday, coinciding with the visit to the Kingdom by US President Donald Trump.
The two-day event at Riyadh’s Green Halls venue is showcasing new media technologies and includes a number of multi-zoned exhibitions within a 2,000-square-meter space, organizers said. It also aims to provide a dynamic platform supporting extensive coverage of Trump’s visit, and highlight Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving global image, they added.
More than 2,500 local and international journalists and other media professionals were expected to attend, making it one of the largest media-related gatherings in the region. It is held in collaboration with the Quality of Life Program, one of the key pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and economic diversification.
The event features an “Oasis Valley” zone set up to provide live coverage of the US president’s visit. Another prominent feature is the “Oasis Exhibition” zone, which offers in-depth information and insights about the transformative initiatives launched under Vision 2030.
There is also a focus on ongoing collaborative projects between the Kingdom and the US in sectors such as infrastructure and tourism. A dedicated exhibition marking 90 years of Saudi-American diplomatic relations traces the shared history of the two nations, highlighting pivotal moments in the relationship and shedding light on the cultural, political and economic foundations that have helped shape decades of cooperation.
In addition, four advanced studios have been created on-site to allow local and international TV networks to provide uninterrupted, professional-grade reporting.
Government agencies and other key Vision 2030 stakeholders actively involved in the event include the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the NEOM megacity project, New Murabba Development Company, Qiddiya Investment Company, and the official team behind Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
New initiative aims to support women in Saudi creative sector
CEO of Publicis Groupe KSA Adel Baraja: You cannot graduate as a creative strategist; you have to grow that skill
Business lead at MSL KSA Nadin Al-Alami: The vision of Saudi is all about innovation, growth and standing out, and you can’t achieve that without the right culture
Updated 13 May 2025
Hajar Al-Qusayer
RIYADH: An initiative supporting the next generation of female talent in Saudi Arabia’s creative marketing industry was launched by Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The Maheerah Network is a year-round program focused on training, leadership development and professional networking.
Adel Baraja, CEO of Publicis Groupe KSA, which is behind Maheerah, said that the program was designed to be led by women already working in the industry.
“Maheerah Network is an expert-led program by women in the industry, supporting and growing businesses in Saudi Arabia, and helping educate women pursuing careers in communication,” he told Arab News.
Baraja said that there was a need to develop creative strategists through practical experience and professional growth, noting that many students graduating in fields such as marketing and design still faced challenges translating their academic knowledge into strategic creative work.
“We need a lot more creative strategists for both men and women in this case. And you cannot graduate as a creative strategist; you have to grow that skill.”
During a panel titled “Owning your voice: Authentic Female Leadership in Saudi Arabia,” held at the launch event, Nadin Al-Alami, business lead at MSL KSA, emphasized the importance of having authentic leadership in the communications sector.
“It’s a very dynamic industry and so flexible, and without authentic leadership, you cannot survive, especially that most of the workforce is Generation Z,” she said.
Al-Alami said that managing Gen Z professionals required a purpose-driven and trust-based approach.
“You cannot just impose things on Gen Z without having them believe in your purpose and your vision, without connecting them, without having them trust you.”
Al-Alami also underlined the role of cultural intelligence in building internal culture and driving progress.
“Cultural intelligence is bringing all those authentic values and approach to dealing with our people to create a very positive culture and without this, there is no way forward.”
Al-Alami cited Saudi Arabia as an example of a national vision built on innovation and growth.
“The vision of Saudi is all about innovation, growth and standing out, and you can’t achieve that without the right culture. It’s a must.”
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the launch, Nada Hakeem, CEO and co-founder of Wetheloft, said that hiring trends in the creative sector had shifted, particularly among younger professionals.
“Today, most of the talent is from Generation Z. They are not just looking for a job, but for purpose as well,” Hakeem told Arab News.
This generational shift had pushed companies to rethink traditional job structures.
“This has made it necessary for companies to have something bigger than just the tasks employees are doing,” she said.
Hakeem added that women were increasingly seen as valuable contributors in the creative sector, with companies actively seeking to hire more female talent.
“Women in Saudi Arabia are not just getting opportunities, but we feel a little bit more privileged, and companies are actually actively seeking more women in Saudi.”
She said that empathy played a key role in the creative field, particularly in marketing and communication.
“I think women are more empathetic by nature, and empathy in the creative industry is essential. When you understand the needs of others, you can cater to them better. And this is what marketing and communication is all about — understanding the needs and the wants and the problems, and solving problems for others.”
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is increasingly seen as a country of impressive mountains, stunning Red Sea islands, and a hospitable culture, with aspirations to make tourism as significant as oil to its economy by 2030, according to Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the minister of tourism.
Al-Khateeb made his remarks on Tuesday during a panel at the Saudi–US Investment Forum 2025 in Riyadh, which included Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the Saudi minister of municipalities and housing, and was chaired by Arab News’ Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.
The minister said that the tourism sector had come a long way since the 2016 launch of Vision 2030, which established a plan to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and create a diverse economy.
The tourism and hospitality sectors have experienced a significant increase in visitors, rising from 50 million domestic and international tourists in 2019 to 115 million in 2024, which surpasses the target of 100 million tourists set for the industry under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia was one of the 10 most-visited countries globally in 2024, receiving 30 million international visitors, Al-Khateeb said.
He added: “I’m excited. We are full of energy to build (this) new sector to unlock the potential we have in our great country and to share the beautiful culture with the visitors coming from all around the world.
“By 2030, the tourism sector will be, next to oil, the highest contributor to our economy.”
Saudi Arabia had been viewed for decades as a country that mainly produced crude oil — making up 85 to 90 percent of its gross domestic product — and boasted hot weather and sand dunes, he said.
However, since 2016, significant changes have occurred. Oil now accounts for nearly 55 percent of the country’s GDP and, since 2019, the Kingdom has opened its borders to nearly 65 countries with electronic visas in operation, the minister added.
The spectacular mountain ranges of Asir and the beauty of AlUla are both attracting visitors, while Riyadh offered its own experiences, along with the Red Sea and the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Al-Khateeb said that well-educated, young Saudis were essential for the growth of the tourism sector, which had increased its workforce from 2 percent to 7 percent in less than a decade.
The ministry aims to welcome 50 million international tourists by 2030, placing the Kingdom among the top five most-visited countries, he added. It also plans to increase the sector’s GDP contribution from the current 5 percent to 10 percent in the same timeframe.
Al-Khateeb said: “We have created (a tourism) sector that will satisfy the different travelers of different segments who are coming for business or leisure and entertainment, or people who are coming for religious purposes to visit the two holy cities.”
The minister noted that the tourism sector had adopted best practices from the US, a leading country in the industry, attracting conferences, entertainment, and airline services.
He added: “We are working closely with our friends and partners in the US. We are sending young Saudis to get the best education in the US and the best vocational training (in tourism).”
