Sayidaty magazine has recognized the outstanding contribution of 37 Saudi women in different walks of life such as education, health, media, arts and economics.
Princess Hussa bint Salman bin Abdulaziz, who attended the Creativity Awards 2015, praised the winners for their work in advancing the country and the cause of women.
The event was attended by Princess Nora bint Mohamed, the wife of the Riyadh governor, several princesses and women community leaders.
Princess Hussa said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman was committed to supporting women’s advancement in line with Islamic law.
She said she has vivid memories of how they started the women’s section at the magazine after holding discussions with her late brother Prince Ahmad and late mother.
She said her mother contributed to cultural, charity and social projects, and supported Saudi women in all areas. Her mother received support from King Salman to create a women’s section at Riyadh daily Arabic newspaper, a dream realized with Hiya Al-Munai and Khairiyah Al-Saqqaf, she said.
Prince Ahmad also played a leading role by creating a women’s section at the Saudi Research and Publishing Company, she said.
Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, editor in chief of Sayidaty magazine, said the event was a continuation of the magazine’s commitment to honor women for their contribution to society.
Al-Harthi said it was significant that it was taking place in the capital because the city is known as a leading center for creativity in the Arab world. It would take place on an annual basis.
He also announced that it would be expanded next year to include women from other Arab nations. There would be a section for outstanding women achievers over many years and one for promising leaders.
Hadya Al-Said, the managing editor of Sayidaty, said the staff maintains a white box that contains the history of the magazine and a record of outstanding women. She said Saudi women have been influencing society in good and hard times.
Fatina Shakir, who was the first editor in chief of Sayidaty, said the honoring of Saudi women today was like honoring all those who had come before. She recalled how she was appointed to lead the magazine while in California, following an interview with King Salman; and how they had overcome challenges at the publication’s birth.
The event included an opera entitled Saudi Girl on the Peak. Fine artist Ohoud Al-Malki presented a painting she created of King Salman.
The women honored in education were Haifa Jamal Allail, Wafa bint Mahmoud bin Abdullah, Arwa Ali Abdullah Akhdar, and Nora bint Abdullah Faiz.
In medicine and science Huwaida Abeed, Salwa Al-Hazaa, Nihad Al-Jashi, Maha Al-Munaif, Samia Al-Amoudi, Ghada Al-Mutairi, Hiba Al-Wafi and Fatma Al-Hamlan.
In economics, Princess Haila bint Abdulrahman bin Nasir bin Farhan Al-Saud and businesswomen Lubna Al-Olayan, Hanaa Al-Zuhair, Maha Fitaihi and Sarah Al-Ayed.
In administration, Huda Al-Ameel, Nora Al-Shabaan, Hanan Al-Ahmadi, Sufana Dahlan and Nahla Al-Anbar. In media, Najdiyyah Al-Hijailan, Khairiyyah Al-Saqqaf, Dalal Aziz Dhia, Fatina Shakir and Nawal Bakhsh.
In social and humanitarian work, Suhaila Zain Al-Abideen, Hatoon Al-Fassi, psychiatric consultant Fawziya Al-Hani and Dania Almaeena.
In literature, Fawziya Abu Khaled, Thuriya Abeed, and Thurraya Al-Arrayidh. In arts director, Haifa Mansour, Shahad Al-Azaz and director Shahad Amin.
Princess Hussa honors top Saudi women achievers
Princess Hussa honors top Saudi women achievers
Dammam airport introduces advanced navigation technology
- General Aviation Terminal at King Fahd International Airport is big step forward for facilities
DAMMAM: King Fahd International Airport — the largest airport in the world by area, according to Guinness World Records — has implemented a cutting-edge navigation system, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
The Category III Instrument Landing System upgrade project allows aircraft to land automatically in low-visibility and foggy conditions, ensuring flight continuity while enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening safety reliability.
Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Eastern Province, inaugurated the General Aviation Terminal and the upgrade of the ILS on Monday.
The General Aviation Terminal at King Fahd International Airport represents a significant step forward for the airport’s facilities.
The project spans more than 23,000 sq. meters, ensuring operational efficiency and the swift completion of travel procedures through the main terminal.
It includes aircraft parking areas covering 12,415 sq. meters, with capacity for four aircraft simultaneously, in addition to support services and car parking spanning 6,665 sq. meters — contributing to smooth traffic flow and providing a travel experience aligned with the highest international standards.
The project also includes upgrading the western runway to 4,000 meters, along with an additional 4,000 meters of taxiway, equipped with more than 3,200 lighting units operating under a unified system with advanced technologies to meet modern operational requirements and accommodate all types of aircraft.
These developments will contribute to increasing passenger capacity and air traffic growth in the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, the president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said that the Aviation Program had derived from the strategy.
He said: “It (the program) embodies the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, aiming to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics platform linking three continents; an international destination for tourism and business; and a leading aviation hub in the Middle East.”
The authority has implemented several initiatives to develop the general aviation sector and create an attractive investment environment by improving regulatory frameworks.
These efforts have successfully attracted leading global companies, with Universal Aviation named as the operator for the terminals at King Fahd International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hassany, the CEO of Dammam Airports, said that the General Aviation Terminal and the ILS upgrade represented “a major leap for Saudi airports.”
He added that preparing the operational environment on the western runway had been the result of close cooperation between the GACA, Saudi Airports Holding Company, Dammam Airports, the National Center for Meteorology, and the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company, with each entity fulfilling its role to ensure operational readiness, safety and efficiency.
Dammam Airports manages and operates three airports in Eastern Province: King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Al-Ahsa International Airport, and Qaisumah Airport in Hafar Al-Batin.
Arab News spoke to Gregory Evans, chairman of the board at Universal Weather and Aviation, who was present during the ceremony on Monday.
He said: “We operate Dammam’s only GA terminal with dedicated, private aviation hangars, providing secure, climate-protected aircraft storage that safeguards your assets and ensures predictable availability.
“Around the world, the number of business jets, private jets, has really exploded over the last 15 years, and what’s going on in Saudi Arabia is going on in other parts of the world, where you have more and more private jet operators coming into places like Dammam and Riyadh and Jeddah and other locations — but they don’t have the infrastructure.
“They don’t have where to park; they don’t have where to put their planes in hangars, believe it or not. This is the first hangar in Saudi Arabia for private jets.
“It’s an incredible day to be able to bring that kind of service to the country, as well as FBOs (fixed-base operators).”
The team also plans to operate additional hangars for private jets in Jeddah and Riyadh.
Evans said: “We have three projects really going on at the same time. We have Riyadh going on, and Jeddah. Because the DACO (Dammam Airports Company) people work very quickly, it is Dammam first. I wouldn’t say I chose Dammam; Dammam chose us.”
