Rosewood Jeddah, a multi award-winning hotel, is highlighting the traditional Saudi culture through a Hijazi themed Ramadan celebration at its specialty restaurants, Habsburg and Noodles.
Guests are invited to discover historical Saudi traditions as the hotel’s restaurants are transformed into a traditional Layali Hijazia setting.
Habsburg and Noodles restaurants are decorated with Hijaz artefacts such as the fanous (lanterns), mashrabiya windows and other traditional handicrafts.
Further adding to the Hijazi theme, the property is replicating traditional souks and bazaars throughout the hotel creating an essence of the old streets in the region of Hijaz.
Staff members from both Noodles and Habsburg are wearing traditional Hijazi dress to greet diners while offering Zamzam water, a traditional drink in Jeddah during the holy month.
Executive Chef Amjad Al-Ghandoor and his team have been serving iftar and suhoor dishes, including Arabic mezzes, soups, a wide selection of warm and cold appetizers and main courses, as well as a selection of Middle Eastern and international desserts.
This year’s culinary additions include a buffet counter with a Turkish twist, serving delicious olive oil based delicacies. Both restaurants will feature authentic Hijazi cuisine such as gursan, jeraish, mento and lamb kabsa.
At Habsburg, live cooking stations serve up international and local dishes such as saj, shawarma, lamb and beef liver, egg omelettes, and foul madamas for suhoor. The menu is complemented by signature Ramadan juices such as jellab, vimto, kamar eldin, laban and tamer hindy.
“Here at Rosewood Jeddah, we look forward to welcoming guests for iftar and suhoor in the Hijazi spirit,” said Mazen Allam, hotel manager of Rosewood Jeddah.
The hotel offers group booking options for iftar or suhoor for gatherings up to 200 people at Habsburg and Noodles restaurants.
Sponsors and media partners include the First Group, Platinum Magazine, Alam Arrajol Magazine, Arab News, Jeddahfood.com and Qatar Airways.
Rosewood Jeddah features Hijazi Ramadan
Rosewood Jeddah features Hijazi Ramadan
Ahead of its centenary, SAB posts SR8.5bn net profit
Lubna S. Olayan, chair of the board of directors of the Saudi Awwal Bank, has announced the bank’s financial results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, marking a year of strong financial performance as SAB prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2026.
For the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, SAB demonstrated strong financial performance, recording a net profit after Zakat and income tax of SR8.5 billion ($2.2 billion), an increase of 5 percent compared to 2024. The total operating income rose by 5 percent year on year to SR14.7 billion, reflecting sustained business momentum and disciplined execution of the bank’s strategy.
The net loans and advances reached SR299 billion, up 15 percent year on year, while customer deposits grew to SR323 billion, an increase of 21 percent year on year, which underscored the strength of SAB’s franchise and funding position. The total equity increased to SR79 billion, highlighting the bank’s strong capital base, prudent balance sheet management, and sustained profitability.
Olayan said: “2025 was a year of strong financial performance and disciplined execution. Our consistent delivery reflects the strength of our business model, our focus on operational efficiency, and our commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders. Our revenues continue to grow despite lower benchmark rates demonstrating the impact of our strategy.”
During the year, SAB continued to deliver faster-than-market growth, with loans expanding by 15 percent. Growth remained well balanced across retail and wholesale banking, supporting priority sectors aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 transformation. Operational efficiency initiatives and disciplined cost management, together with strong asset quality, contributed to a return on tangible equity of 14.5 percent.
Sustainability remained a core strategic priority. SAB exceeded its sustainable finance ambition, growing its sustainable finance portfolio to SR45 billion. SAB also issued two green-labelled bonds totaling $1.9 billion, which strengthened its capital base, and launched the first green mortgage in Saudi Arabia. The bank’s progress was reflected in improved ESG ratings, including an upgrade by MSCI to “A.”
Olayan added: “As we prepare to enter SAB’s second century, we are well positioned to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions and to build on our unique legacy as Saudi Arabia’s first bank. Our diversified business model, strong capital position, and disciplined execution underpin our ability to navigate evolving market conditions and continue delivering sustainable growth.”
In 2025, SAB’s performance and leadership were recognized through multiple regional and international awards, including Best Bank in Saudi Arabia, Best ESG Bank in Saudi Arabia, Best Digital Bank, Best Corporate Bank, and Best Private Bank, reflecting the bank’s continued focus on financial performance, sustainability, innovation, digital capabilities, customer satisfaction, and corporate governance.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our customers for their continued trust, our employees and management for their commitment and dedication, and our regulators and strategic partner HSBC, for their ongoing support, which enable SAB to continue delivering this strong and sustainable performance,” Olayan said.
