RIYADH: Pakistan’s Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq urged the Pakistani community to work as brand ambassadors of the country and keep doing well to help further enhance the whole gamut of bilateral relations with the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia.
Speaking in a seminar organized by the Institution of Engineers Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Center (IEP-SAC) here on Sunday, Haq admired the high caliber of Pakistani engineers and applauded them for their rich contribution in the development of the Kingdom.
The program started with the recitation of verses from Holy Qur’an by Aim Siddiqui.
Parvez Naushahi, a Pakistani engineer who works with Ground Engineering Contractors, Saudi Arabia as a general manager, made a presentation on “Pile Foundation in Saudi Arabia.”
The presentation encompassed the historical background of stone columns, footings and pile foundation.
The Pakistani envoy, chief guest at the function, in his address appreciated the presentation and admired the high caliber of Pakistani engineers who have earned good name for their motherland by sheer hard work, dedication, professional skill and contribution in the development of the Kingdom.
Syed Mubashir Kirmani, IEP-SAC chairman expressed his gratitude to the envoy for his continuous patronage.
In his concluding remark, Kirmani recalled that the vision of IEP-SAC is to promote knowledge of science and engineering and to facilitate engineers sharing knowledge and experience to further enhance their capabilities.
Thanking speakers, he expressed his earnest desire to expand IEP-SAC scholarship program from 88 at present to 99 in 2016 and appealed to the engineering community to come forward and contribute to this noble cause.
Envoy urges community to work for strengthened Saudi-Pak ties
Envoy urges community to work for strengthened Saudi-Pak ties
Balad Beast brings global beats to historic streets
- ‘MDLBEAST put us on the international map,’ say Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash
JEDDAH: The music festival Balad Beast concluded its fourth edition this weekend, having transformed Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage district of Al-Balad into an open-air celebration of music, culture and creativity that attracted thousands of music lovers over two nights.
The festival, organized by Saudi music platform MDLBEAST, featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds.
Speaking to Arab News, MDLBEAST chief creative officer Ahmad Al-Ammary, also known as DJ Baloo, described Balad Beast as a “cultural takeover” adding that finding the right spaces for dance floors was a challenge, “but Balad is constantly evolving and we work with that change.”
Addressing the challenges of working in a heritage area, he said: “Balad is sensitive and condensed, so logistics can be complex. In our first year, heavy rain flooded one of the planned squares and we had to relocate the Souq Stage to a much smaller space, but it worked and it has remained there ever since.
HIGHLIGHT
Reggae superstar Shaggy noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“Yes, the alleys are narrow and the district is old, but they’re full of ideas, patterns, colors and visuals. Everything flows here,” he continued. “As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.”
Balad Beast featured performances from international artists including US rapper Playboi Carti, making his first appearance in Saudi Arabia; US rapper Destroy Lonely; Swedish DJ and producer Alesso; and Bosnian-German DJ Solomun on the opening night. The following night saw French-Haitian singer-songwriter Naïka, reggae superstar Shaggy, Dutch DJ Franky Rizardo, British DJ Pawsa, and US rapper Tyga, and more take the stage, while Saudi and regional artists including Cosmicat, TUL8TE, Zeina, Vinyl Mode, Moayed, Dish Dash, Musab, Varoo and HiFi appeared across the festival, offering audiences a mix of global and local talent.
Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash reflected on the festival organizer’s impact for local artists.
As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.
Ahmad Al-Ammary, MDLBEAST chief creative officer
“MDLBEAST put us on the international map,” the brothers told Arab News. “It helped us get recognized by festivals, promoters and event organizers abroad. When we travel, people don’t expect this level of talent coming from Saudi Arabia, especially considering we didn’t have this scene before.”
Shaggy, who performed a hit-filled set during the festival, told Arab News: “I’ve been blessed with some incredible songs, and I see music as a gift and a tool for service. When I go on stage, I’m there to entertain people, to make them smile and feel good, but that service also supports many livelihoods from the people working at this festival to those who work with me. These songs have become part of people’s lives, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Shaggy also noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“I’ve performed in Saudi Arabia more than once, and while there are certain rules that are different, it’s not an issue for me. My focus is always on delivering the hits and giving the audience a great time,” he said.
“There’s a big misconception. People have more freedom than (outsiders) think. Everyone has been extremely nice.”
Asked what advice he would offer to aspiring artists, Shaggy said: “Understand that what you’re given is a gift and a form of service. Stay humble, do the work, and remember why you’re doing it.”
As Al-Ammary noted, there are many such aspiring artists now making a name for themselves in the Kingdom.
“Talent is emerging everywhere, at different levels,” he said. “The scene is still in a mysterious and surprising phase. There’s a rawness to it.”
