A two-day awareness campaign on tuberculosis was launched here at five large malls — Serafi Mega Mall, Mall of Arabia, Red Sea Mall, Haifa Mall and Andalus Mall — and across restaurants and cafes in Jeddah on Wednesday.
The Jeddah-based “Stop TB” group joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Directorate of Health Affairs in Jeddah, the Ministry of Health and volunteers to launch their 8th annual Stop Tuberculosis (Stop TB) campaign and to raise awareness of its correlation with HIV to save future generations from the curable disease.
“Every year, the Jeddah TB group organizes this awareness campaign. This is the first time we join the HIV and TB awareness campaigns in one. The campaign highlights the symptoms of TB and courses of action when the symptoms occur. Once again this year, a number of volunteers from various medical institutions and hospitals have taken the initiative of spreading awareness in order to reach our goal of stopping the spread of TB,” said Mohammed Bakhrieba, leader and founder of the Stop TB campaign.
Over the past 7 years, the group has succeeded in spreading awareness among almost 35,000 people each year through different media outlets. In its first year, almost 1 million people participated with the help of TV channels and multiple media outlets.
“We have direct, face-to-face interaction with 30-35,000 people at malls, but also indirectly through songs, media, PR campaigns, videos, e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and other means that have enabled us to spread the word to millions of people both inside and outside the Kingdom,” he added
“Also this year, Lamborghini, McLaren, Bentley and Lotus have all gotten on board with our campaign. They will visit different coffee shops to raise awareness on TB, explain what it is, how to prevent it and how to help society in preventing its spread.”
“We will give youth the chance to enjoy a test-drive with us in order to attract a large number. Participants will be made to sign a commitment form prior to getting their free ride,” he added.
Amro Al-Khair, a 6th-year medical student and campaign leader at Andalus Mall, has said that it is vital to spread awareness, especially as to the effects of diabetes and smoking on TB.
“We are spreading information on TB and HIV through brochures, pamphlets and through one-to-one dialogue. There is even a small HIV test that can be taken here at the mall. People can also participate in a questionnaire via e-mail or using the iPad,” he explained.
He added that there has been a significant change on the awareness front though at the outset, many people do not know what TB is.
In Saudi Arabia, the disease is said to be under control. Approximately 4,015 TB patients were diagnosed in 2011 in the Kingdom.
According to a report issued by the WHO in 2011, there were an estimated 8.7 million new cases of TB (13 percent co-infected with HIV) and 1.4 million deaths from the disease, including almost 1 million deaths among HIV-negative individuals and 430,000 people who were HIV-positive.
TB is one of the top killers amongst women, with 300 000 deaths among HIV-negative women and 200,000 deaths among HIV-positive women in 2011. Global progress also conceals regional variations, with the African and European regions not on track to having an official 25-year mortality rate by 2015.
Jeddah’s ‘Stop TB’ group joins World Tuberculosis Day
Jeddah’s ‘Stop TB’ group joins World Tuberculosis Day
Why we feel full soon after breaking fast
- Slower digestion and hormonal changes are likely what is happening after fasting, says expert
RIYADH: Many people experience fullness almost immediately after some soup, dates and coffee at iftar, which is likely due to slow digestion and hormonal changes, according to a local nutritionist.
Malak Kandiel, also a chef who designs iftar menus, told Arab News recently: “The stomach digestion process has slowed down due to the long hours of fasting, which causes feeling fuller after eating small amounts of food and takes more time to digest it.”
She elaborated on the broader benefits of fasting: “I always say if you can control your eating habits and portions you can control anything and achieve anything you want.
“Think about it, food is one of the strongest human instincts. Once you are able to gain control over it, you’ll unlock the ability to strengthen self-control in other areas of life.
“It’s not just practicing fasting, you’re also practicing patience, discipline, emotional control, and the feeling of desire but you choose not to act on it. That’s power.”
She emphasized that fasting affects body hormones more than the stomach itself. “I believe it doesn’t shrink your stomach. After long hours of fasting, the process of digesting the food slows down. Imagine if you’re eating your meal at a slower pace instead of just chucking the food quickly.”
Oils and fried foods, she added, can irritate the stomach and colon, while eating too quickly leads to the swallowing of air and bloating.
Her advice for a gentler approach is practical: break the fast with a glass of water and one to two dates, take at least 10 minutes to pause, complete Maghrib prayer, and sit with family.
She also recommended starting iftar with soup, eggs, or chicken, avoiding heavy carbs and oily foods, followed by fruits for a vitamin boost. After a couple of hours, sahoor should mirror iftar options, with the addition of a banana to help reduce thirst and dehydration.
When it comes to an iftar menu, chef Gokhan Kekec from Rixos Obhur Jeddah shared his perspective.
“Designing an iftar menu is always about respecting both the spirit of Ramadan and the physiology of the guest. After long hours of fasting, the body needs gentle re-activation rather than overload.
“My goal is to honor traditional flavors while guiding the guest through a comfortable culinary journey. This means focusing on hydration, natural sugars, light broths, and a gradual flavor progression before introducing richer dishes.”
He intentionally structures the menu in stages to prevent sudden fullness. “Absolutely. I strongly believe iftar should be experienced in stages,” he said.
The meal begins with rehydration and gentle energy through dates, water, laban and fresh juices, followed by warm, light options such as soups and simple mezze.
Balanced main courses come next, featuring grilled proteins, rice and vegetables, before concluding with desserts and traditional Ramadan sweets.
This gradual approach helps prevent the heavy feeling of overeating and allows guests to fully enjoy the dining experience. This is better than having dates, fried appetizers, soups and juices arrive simultaneously, he says.
Kekec noted: “From a culinary and wellness perspective, spacing dishes is far better. When everything arrives at once, guests tend to eat quickly after fasting, which can cause discomfort.
“Ideally, we encourage a short pause after breaking the fast before introducing soups and hot starters. Even a natural 10 to 15-minute flow improves digestion and guest comfort significantly while still respecting tradition.”
He also observed that diners’ preferences have evolved over time: “Guests today are much more health-conscious and balanced in their choices.
“We see increasing demand for lighter soups, grilled proteins instead of heavy stews, more salads and plant-forward options, and reduced sugar desserts with fresh fruit selections.
“Modern iftar is evolving into a balance of tradition, wellness and experience, and as chefs it is our role to guide that evolution while keeping the emotional connection to Ramadan alive.”
Rixos, as a Turkish hospitality brand, emphasizes the nation’s cuisine at iftar. “Our buffet features a wide selection of Turkish mezze, traditional hot dishes, and a dedicated grill section that plays a key role in the menu.”
The experience is further enhanced with multiple live cooking stations, including freshly prepared pide and gozleme, doner and kebab varieties, and pasta.
“These interactive elements allow guests to enjoy freshly prepared, hot, and personalized dishes, transforming iftar into a complete gastronomic experience,” he added.
