World’s largest falconry festival opens in Riyadh

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The 2025 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which started on Thursday in Riyadh. (SPA)
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The 2025 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which started on Thursday in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 25 December 2025
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World’s largest falconry festival opens in Riyadh

  • This year’s edition has drawn falconers from nine nations, including the GCC states, Italy, Ireland and Syria

RIYADH: The 2025 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which started on Thursday at the Saudi Falcons Club’s Malham facility north of the capital, has attracted falconers from the Kingdom and around the world.

The first day of the event, running until Jan. 10, featured six qualifying heats for local competitors in multiple classifications: Gyr Pure Fledgling and Passage, Peregrine, and Saker varieties in Fledgling (Farkh) and Passage (Qarnas).

Participants will vie over 139 rounds for 1,012 prizes worth over SR38 million ($10 million). There are two primary disciplines, the Milwah lure racing trials over 400 meters, and Mazayen beauty contests.

The racing has four skill levels — owners, amateurs, professionals, and elite — with separate divisions for Saudi and international competitors. The beauty competitions have exacting aesthetic criteria.

This year’s edition has drawn falconers from nine nations, including the GCC states, Italy, Ireland and Syria. The festival holds three Guinness World Records for the planet’s largest falcon event based on bird participation.

Walid Al-Taweel, spokesman of the Saudi Falcons Club, said the festival remains committed to cultivating next-generation interest in the sport.


Saudi aid agency launches food distribution projects in Djibouti and Guinea

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Saudi aid agency launches food distribution projects in Djibouti and Guinea

  • Projects to benefit 40,000 individuals across Djibouti and 50,000 in Guinea
  • KSrelief's aid programs have reached a total of 113 countries across four continents

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched its 2026 food distribution projects in the African republics of Djibouti and Guinea.

The initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian relief efforts to enhance global food security for vulnerable populations, according to statements carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In Djibouti, Saudi Ambassador Mutrek Al-Ajaleen and other local officials rolled out the fifth phase of the year’s project. It consists of 6,715 baskets of essential food items designed to support 40,000 individuals across multiple regions of the country.

In Guinea, Saudi Ambassador Dr. Fahad Al-Rashidi led the launch ceremony for a similar initiative. Under this project, 8,400 food baskets will be distributed, benefiting 50,000 people nationwide.

Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief has served as Saudi Arabia's primary humanitarian arm, making food security one of its largest and most critical operational sectors. According to the center's official statistics, KSrelief has implemented over 1,150 dedicated food security projects at a total cost of more than $2.2 billion.

These specific food distribution initiatives have successfully delivered vital sustenance to vulnerable populations in 86 countries worldwide. Broadening the scope beyond just food security, KSrelief's overall humanitarian and development aid programs have reached a total of 113 countries across four continents.