Earth Day in AlUla to connect nature, community at Arch Rock

The Earth Day experience in AlUla is designed to deepen connections with nature and will be held at Arch Rock on Tuesday. (Supplied)
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Updated 21 April 2025
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Earth Day in AlUla to connect nature, community at Arch Rock

  • Bilal Fahad: “Arch Rock was chosen because it’s a significant landmark in AlUla, and its setting perfectly aligns with the Earth Day theme and the nature of the experience”

JEDDAH: In the heart of AlUla, a Saudi community platform, Motnfs, is hosting an Earth Day event on April 22 at the iconic Rainbow Rock, also known as Arch Rock.

The 2025 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights the vital role of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind in creating a cleaner, greener future.

The experience in AlUla is designed to deepen connections with nature, foster social bonds, and promote environmental awareness in a fun and engaging setting.

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The 2025 Earth Day theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ highlights the vital role of renewable energy sources in creating a cleaner, greener future.

Bilal Fahad, founder and experience designer at Motnfs, said: “We decided to align the initiative with the Earth Day 2025 theme through an experience that practically incentivizes teamwork despite the diversity of the participants in a way that raises environmental awareness, creating an environment that encourages the adoption of sustainable eco-friendly habits that reflect our common strength to protect the planet and reflect on this year’s Earth Day theme.”

Rainbow Rock earns its name from its distinctive shape. It resembles an arch or rainbow flanked by two cloud-like formations. The site’s surreal beauty, paired with AlUla’s minimal light pollution, makes it a prime destination for camping and stargazing under crystal-clear skies.

“Arch Rock was chosen because it’s a significant landmark in AlUla, and its setting perfectly aligns with the Earth Day theme and the nature of the experience,” Fahad added.

Earth Day, marked globally on April 22 since 1970, unites more than 1 billion people across 193 countries to advance environmental protection. Initiatives like tree planting and sustainability workshops highlight collective efforts to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity and reduce waste.

The core of the Earth Day event in AlUla is a community clean-up designed to raise awareness about environmental care and promote a shared sense of responsibility for preserving natural spaces.

“Success is measured by the area cleaned and the level of participant engagement during the activity,” said Salman Al-Kanani, co-founder and social media manager at Motnfs.

Motnfs encourages environmental consciousness not only during Earth Day, but also throughout its activities.

“We design experiences in an innovative way that instills a sense of environmental responsibility in participants. This is what characterizes our experiences — redefining people’s connection with nature and bringing themselves away from the pressures of modern life,” said Batool Al-Humaidi, co-founder and public relations lead.

The Earth Day event includes a treasure hunt, blending fun with environmental education.

“The experience is centered around a treasure hunt, where the real treasure is the earth we live on and the participants themselves — highlighting that with the right practices, they are true treasures of our treasure earth,” added Al-Humaidi.

Another key moment of the day will be stargazing, which Fahad believes is a powerful way to connect with the environment.

“The astronomy guide leads participants through a journey of the night sky, sharing stories and facts that spark awe and awareness. By looking up, we’re reminded of our place in the universe and the importance of protecting our planet, tying back to Earth Day’s message of care and responsibility,” Fahad said.

Motnfs operates in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, with plans to expand to more destinations within and beyond the Kingdom.

 


Hajj health-tips kit launches in 8 languages

Updated 16 May 2025
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Hajj health-tips kit launches in 8 languages

  • Kit includes advice to avoid heat exhaustion this Hajj
  • Pilgrims must be vaccinated for stipulated diseases

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Health has launched an awareness kit in eight languages for the forthcoming Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The kit contains content in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Indonesian, Malay and Turkish.

“The multilingual approach aims to reach the widest possible audience of pilgrims arriving from various countries around the world,” the SPA report stated.

Among its key components are guidelines for preventing heat exhaustion. Pilgrims are advised to use umbrellas to reduce direct sun exposure and stay hydrated.

The kit includes videos, social media posts, and printable materials.

Pilgrims are also advised to ensure they are vaccinated for meningococcal meningitis, COVID-19, poliomyelitis and yellow fever, depending on their countries of origin.

The ministry advised pilgrims with chronic diseases to carry documents stating their conditions, and adequate supplies of medications in their original packaging.

It further recommended that pilgrims update vaccinations for diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, chickenpox and mumps.

The kit can be downloaded at: https://www.moh.gov.sa/HealthAwareness/Pilgrims_Health/Pages/Hajj.aspx.


Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

Updated 15 May 2025
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Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, received his counterpart from the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, during the 19th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

During the meeting in Jakarta, the two reviewed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy carried out through active participation in regional and international conferences and forums.

They also discussed strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab parliamentary action to serve Arab issues, as well as other topics of common interest.


King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

Updated 15 May 2025
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King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language held a ceremony in Riyadh recently to celebrate the graduation of the second group of non-native speakers from the Abjad Center.

A total of 168 male and female students were honored after fulfilling all the program’s requirements, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said the Abjad Center offers a learning experience designed to equip non-native speakers with strong and effective communication skills.

Al-Washmi added that the program reflects the refinement of the academy’s educational model, reinforcing its role as a leading scientific authority on the Arabic language.

The initiative amplifies the academy’s educational and cultural impact in line with the objectives of the nation’s Human Capability Development Program, he said.


Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

Updated 15 May 2025
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Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

  • The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub

MADINAH: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, and the Royal Commission for AlUla have formalized a collaboration agreement to enhance cultural exchange and establish a framework to broaden global understanding of northern Arabia’s ancient civilizations and cultural legacy.

The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub. Rooted in mutual dedication to cultural preservation and celebration, the collaboration will unlock new research opportunities and deepen insights into ancient Kingdom artistry, with special focus on the Dadanite civilization.

Experts will conduct joint initiatives in art conservation, historic research, archaeological exploration, and scientific analysis. The institutions will collaborate on exhibitions and artifact exchanges, bringing cultural treasures to international audiences.

Professional development programs covering exhibition curation, research methodologies, narrative development, and museum operations will enhance expertise among staff at AlUla’s museums and the Smithsonian.


Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

Updated 15 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

RIYADH: The Kingdom, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, took part in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held on Thursday via video conferencing.

Nazaha President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous expressed his thanks to the association’s president and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, Danny Woo, for organizing the meeting and for the association’s efforts to promote international cooperation in combating corruption.

He added that the Kingdom, represented by Nazaha, has paid significant attention to strengthening international partnerships in the fields of combating corruption and protecting integrity, and these efforts have resulted in a number of tangible achievements.

Al-Kahmous said that the Kingdom believes in the pivotal role played by the association in solidifying the principles of transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge and experiences.