Gazelle is desert’s skittish, elusive icon and poets’ enduring muse
Arabian gazelle is revered in Bedouin culture and poetry
Protection of gazelles falls under environmental strategy
Updated 25 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The skittish gazelle, revered in Bedouin culture, is a defining symbol of wildlife in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Arabian gazelle is known for its agility, alertness and extreme caution, according to a recent Saudi Press Agency report.
Gazelles are swift, reaching speeds of up to 100 kph in short bursts.
Beyond its physical traits, the gazelle has become a cultural symbol of beauty and elusive elegance in Arab tradition, the SPA added.
Poets have long compared their beloveds to the gazelle, immortalizing its qualities in verses from the pre-Islamic era to the present.
In popular heritage, the skittish gazelle represents “the hunter’s pursuit,” highlighting the skill required to track it in sandy terrain, the SPA report stated.
As a part of Saudi Arabia’s biodiversity preservation efforts, the National Center for Wildlife and the Royal Reserves Council have launched initiatives to reintroduce gazelles into their natural habitats, to address their population decline.
These efforts fall within a broader national strategy to restore ecological balance and ensure the sustainability of wildlife, alongside awareness programs that promote the preservation of this vital natural heritage.
Earlier this month, NEOM reintroduced more than 1,100 animals, representing six species, to its expansive nature reserve, marking a major step in its broader mission to revive the region’s natural balance.
As NEOM’s regreening program progresses — with 4.7 million trees, shrubs and grasses planted so far — the 530 Arabian Sand Gazelles currently in the reserve are thriving on the returning natural vegetation, aided by the removal of heavy livestock grazing.
NEOM is also home to 223 Arabian gazelles, which are typically darker in color and more elusive, preferring to reside in foothills and rugged mountain terrain.
Absher Hackathon finalists highlight scale of Saudi tech talent
World’s largest hackathon underscores growing national enthusiasm for tech innovation
Updated 14 December 2025
Ghadi Joudah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s push to position itself as a global hub for digital innovation was on display this weekend as the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon 2025 — billed as the world’s largest hackathon — concluded with the announcement of finalist teams competing for prizes totaling SR1 million ($266,000).
The three-day hackathon, organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals.
The finalist teams recognized for their projects were: Shadow, Wusool, Watheeq , Tanabbah, HRS, Ikhlaa, Amal, Mustabiq, Al‑Dahna, Inspire, Saqour Al‑Watan, Thaqib, Sawt Al‑Mustaqbal, Manee, and YS Advance International.
The finalists were announced at the end of the three-day Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy. (AN photo/Supplied)
In addition to cash prizes, the competition offered SR450,000 in support from the National Technology Development Program, along with incubation opportunities at Invi Lab to help teams turn prototypes into market-ready products.
Tariq Al‑Hamid, official spokesperson for the Absher Conference, told Arab News that the hackathon has generated strong momentum nationwide.
This year’s event included more than 4,000 participants from all regions of the Kingdom — “a reflection of the growing national enthusiasm for digital innovation,” he said.
HIGHLIGHT
The Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals.
According to Al‑Hamid, the 2025 event was structured around four specialized tracks: digital identity and security applications; artificial intelligence for predictive and proactive security; Internet of Things applications supporting field operations; and innovations to enhance or expand services on the Absher Platform.
Tariq Al-Hamid (center) said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. (Supplied)
He added that this focused approach allowed participants “to present high‑quality ideas and advanced prototypes at levels comparable to international competitions.”
Participants also took part in more than 80 training programs delivered by global partners including Google Cloud, Meta, NVIDIA, and Huawei, an experience Al-Hamid said significantly strengthened both the competition and participants’ skills.
Al-Hamid said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. “More important than the cash reward is the opportunity to turn creative ideas into real products that make an impact on citizens, residents, and visitors.”
Standout participants often attract the attention of leading national technology companies seeking new talent, he added.
Participation was open to individuals and teams from across Saudi Arabia, from high school students to industry professionals, highlighting the inclusivity of the event and the breadth of the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
The hackathon forms part of the wider Absher Tuwaiq initiative, a core pillar of the upcoming Absher Conference 2025, which will empower more than 100,000 participants across seven technical tracks in 16 cities, in partnership with 20 local and international organizations.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Interior and Tuwaiq Academy, sponsored by Elm Company and held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, will take place in Riyadh from Dec. 17 -19.
The event will showcase national digital innovations and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role in global technology.
