Theater celebrates joy and togetherness during Eid in Saudi Arabia

Theater celebrates joy and togetherness during Eid in Saudi Arabia
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Families and children gather to watch a lively puppet performance by Kaif Theater during an event.(@msrhkaef)
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Updated 30 March 2025
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Theater celebrates joy and togetherness during Eid in Saudi Arabia

Theater celebrates joy and togetherness during Eid in Saudi Arabia
  • Growth of theatrical arts represents progress in Kingdom’s cultural transformation
  • The stage offers a platform for performers to display Saudi heritage, values and stories

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia welcomes the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the Kingdom is filled with excitement.

Beyond the traditional sweets, family visits, and cultural customs, one timeless form of storytelling is stealing the spotlight — the theater.

During Eid, theater in Saudi Arabia becomes a space for joy, connection and cultural expression. Throughout the Kingdom, families flock to stage productions that turn shared laughter into a celebration of identity.

“I’m reminded of the famous saying: ‘Give me bread and a stage, and I will give you a civilized nation,’” said Raghad Abdulrahman, a Saudi playwright, poet and member of Kaif Theater.

For Abdulrahman, theater offers a platform to put Saudi heritage, values and stories on show — something she believes is both urgent and long overdue.

“We have a rich cultural history that deserves to be translated and brought to life on stage,” she said. “As Peter Brook once said, theater is a medium of communication between people and cultures. And our culture has so much to say.”

Theater in the Gulf has long had a strong link to Eid. For decades, Eid celebrations included stage performances — comedies, dramas and musicals that reflect the mood of the season. While theater is part of the broader cultural fabric year round, its presence becomes especially vibrant during Eid.

“This connection runs deep in our Gulf heritage,” Abdulrahman said. “It’s how we’ve always translated joy on to the stage.”

This year, two major performances are scheduled in Riyadh: “Al-Shanta” by Nasser Al-Qasabi and “Maskoon Layla” by Hassan Al-Balam, both taking place on the third day of Eid. Kaif Theater has enjoyed significant success with its own Eid productions, such as “Haya Khallik” and “Majlis Al-Shoqaq,” which drew enthusiastic crowds.

“To me, theater feels like the family member who’s always traveling but returns for Eid — carrying gifts and joy,” Abdulrahman said. “It throws its doors wide open, welcoming guests with open arms and sharing wonder and happiness.”

She described the experience vividly: the presence of a live audience, spontaneous laughter, thunderous applause, and the joy of seeing art unfold right before your eyes — without the filter of a screen.

“You feel the laughter around you. You see the joy of Eid in the children’s sweets and new clothes, the smiles and elegance of the adults,” she said. “The stage becomes a living celebration.”

Unlike commercial productions driven by big budgets and special effects, Kaif Theater puts its trust in raw human energy. “A single performer, if sincere and committed, can hold the attention of an entire room,” Abdulrahman said.

The group invests heavily in nurturing local talent. Through initiatives such as Shaghaf — which was recognized by the Saudi Society for Culture and Arts in Jeddah — Kaif Theater provides intensive three-month training in all aspects of stagecraft.

“Our workshops cover everything: writing, acting, puppet theater, and production,” she said. “All led by seasoned professionals who know the field inside and out.”

The magic of theater begins with the written word — but it does not end there. According to Abdulrahman, a strong theatrical script is built from several essential elements. “It starts with the seed — the central idea or message,” she said. “Then the plot takes shape, building from beginning to climax to resolution.”

Characters are shaped by their conflicts, and dialogue becomes the lifeblood of the script. “In theater, dialogue moves the story,” she added. “It’s what makes a play feel alive.”

But these elements need a home. “Every play must be framed in a specific time and place — its setting, costumes, language and atmosphere matter just as much as its words,” she said. A theater director then oversees all aspects of staging: guiding performances, blocking movement, and ensuring the flow remains sharp and engaging.

Still, the transition from page to stage presents unique challenges. “Not every idea that works on paper succeeds on stage,” Abdulrahman admitted. “Some scenes require adjustments, others need visual reinforcement. The biggest test is finding which parts can come alive — and which need reshaping.”

Another challenge is to maintain balance. “If a play leans too heavily on dialogue, it risks becoming dull,” she said. “But if it relies too much on movement, it loses its narrative voice. The rhythm must be alive — neither too slow nor overly flashy.”

In an age of commercial entertainment, where box-office numbers often drive production choices, Kaif Theater is grounded in a different philosophy. “Creativity is what drives success,” Abdulrahman said. “When the script is strong, the performance sincere, and the experience meaningful — audiences return. And when they come back, they bring others.”

For her, the key is offering people something worth experiencing again. “If the audience trusts what you create, they’ll invest in it. Commercial success isn’t the goal — it’s the outcome of doing theater the right way.”

As the Kingdom drives its cultural transformation, initiatives such as Kaif Theater show just how vital live performance has become to Saudi life.

In the words of Abdulrahman: “Theater shares your sorrow, so it lessens — and shares your joy, so it grows.”


Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office
Updated 51 sec ago
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Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

LYON, France: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif visited Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France on Thursday where he was received by the organization’s president, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi.

During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz affirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing support for Interpol and its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in combating transnational crime.

He praised its role in supporting international security efforts and enhancing cooperation among security agencies around the world.

Interpol's current president is from the United Arab Emirates. Al-Raisi was elected at the 89th General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkiye, in November 2021. His term ends this year.

 


Saudi Arabia welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 

Saudi Arabia welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 
Updated 47 min 14 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 

Saudi Arabia welcomes 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims 
  • Number of Umrah visa holders entering Saudi Arabia this year up 30 percent from last year’s
  • Pilgrims have been able to secure Umrah permits directly through the Nusuk mobile application

JEDDAH:  Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported that more than 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah since the season launched. The faithful have traveled from 109 countries worldwide, reflecting surging international interest and the Kingdom’s enhanced service capabilities for religious visitors.

Ministry data shows a significant 30 percent jump in Umrah visa holders entering Saudi Arabia this year compared to the same period last year. Visa issuances also climbed 27 percent, while more than 4,200 partnership agreements were executed between domestic Umrah service providers and international agents, bolstering the Kingdom’s capacity to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.

The Umrah season was launched with digital visa processing handled through the government’s Nusuk platform. The scheme represents the latest advancement in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to streamline religious tourism as part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s comprehensive modernization blueprint.

Pilgrims have been able to secure Umrah permits directly through the Nusuk mobile application, which functions as a centralized digital gateway for pilgrim services. The platform offers streamlined booking and permit processing, complemented by additional digital tools designed to improve the overall pilgrimage experience.

 


Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival
Updated 31 July 2025
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Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival
  • When music is played in front of an audience, the spotlight is directly on its role as a hidden narrator that expresses emotions, enhances the plot and deepens the visual experience’
  • The event explores the scores of 4 movies in particular: ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,’ ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘The Lion King’

RIYADH: The second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival began at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University’s Red Hall Theater on Wednesday. The opening night featured a live orchestral performance that blended visuals with sound as music from “Top Gun: Maverick” was performed live on stage alongside a screening of the film.

The event, which is organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and continues until Aug. 9, features composers, directors, filmmakers and enthusiasts from the Kingdom and beyond.

The event is attracting “diverse audiences, (providing) opportunities for local talent, and (contributing) to building a thriving cultural economy in line with Vision 2030,” said Ahmed Al-Ghaith, a live-performance advisor at the commission.

Ahmed Al-Ghaith, advisor at the RCRC. (Supplied)

Talking about the powerful effects of a live performance of a film score, he added: “When music is played in front of an audience, the spotlight is directly on its role as a hidden narrator that expresses emotions, enhances the plot and deepens the visual experience.”

He explained that the festival aims to promote an appreciation of the movie soundtrack as an art form in its own right, and encourage young talent to explore the fields of musical composition and sound production.

The Riyadh Film Music Festival is taking place this year in conjunction with the hosting in the capital of the Esports World Cup, as part of the commission’s efforts to foster cultural and artistic momentum in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.

The second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival which organized by RCRC scheduled to run until August 9. (Supplied/RCRC)

The event aims to deepen the audience’s appreciation of the musical dimension in films through explorations of four movies in particular: “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Back to the Future” and “The Lion King.”

Each film is being screened accompanied by a live orchestral performance of its score, allowing audiences to experience the films in a new way and discover the power of music in cinematic storytelling.

The commission said the festival forms part of its work to enhance cultural and entertainment offerings for residents and visitors to the capital, while reinforcing Riyadh’s status as a global destination for arts and culture.

 


Mauritanian prime minister arrives in Madinah to visit Prophet’s Mosque

Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)
Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)
Updated 31 July 2025
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Mauritanian prime minister arrives in Madinah to visit Prophet’s Mosque

Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay arrived in Madinah on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

He will visit the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city and pray inside it.


How the public and private sector are navigating AI integration in the modern workplace

How the public and private sector are navigating AI integration in the modern workplace
Updated 31 July 2025
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How the public and private sector are navigating AI integration in the modern workplace

How the public and private sector are navigating AI integration in the modern workplace
  • AI is transforming how governments and businesses operate, streamlining services and boosting long-term efficiency
  • Saudi Arabia is advancing fast in AI adoption, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals for digital leadership and innovation

RIYADH: As artificial intelligence transforms the modern workplace, public and private sector organizations in Saudi Arabia are leaning into its potential to revolutionize how they operate.

From automating workflows to training digital employees, AI has moved from buzzword to backbone in national efforts to modernize systems and boost efficiency.

But with rapid innovation comes a familiar hurdle — adapting without breaking what already works.

“Every country has old systems that are doing important work. They can’t get rid of them, they need to continue, so they need to find a way to have a single pane of glass that connects them,” Casey Coleman, vice president of Global Public Sector at ServiceNow, told Arab News.

That challenge is particularly acute in government institutions, where outdated IT systems often clash with modern digital tools. Legacy infrastructure, varying data formats, and bureaucratic complexity can make large-scale upgrades difficult.

Still, Saudi Arabia is making notable progress.

ServiceNow — which has operated in the Kingdom since 2011 — has helped modernize operations in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

More than 180 automated processes now support the Ministry of Justice, while an integrated portal for public-sector employees has streamlined communication and speeded up problem-solving.

The gains are real. But Coleman notes that transformation requires more than just new code.

“It’s hard to change the way that work gets done because it becomes kind of just your muscle memory,” she said. “To change that is like an athlete learning to change their golf swing or learning to change their basketball shot.”

The key, she says, is empathy. “It calls for empathizing with people and understanding their work from their perspective. It takes a human approach. It’s not just about the systems.”

Instead of replacing legacy systems outright, ServiceNow offers a way to integrate them, preserving existing structures while cutting down inefficiencies.

One major pain point is what Coleman calls “sneaker net” — employees manually switching between platforms and reentering information. Some 40 percent of productivity is lost due to these inefficiencies, she says — and likely more in the public sector.

“People who join government are there to make a difference. They’re not there to serve data between one system to another,” Coleman said.

“They’re there to help people, and by taking away the toil of the administrative work that is just a drain on our productivity, we can liberate their time to do the public-facing work.”

That liberation is also playing out on the industrial front. In one of ServiceNow’s largest partnerships, the firm is working with Saudi Aramco to modernize its operations safely using “digital twins” — virtual models of physical systems.

The approach allows engineers to simulate changes at oil refining plants before implementation. “ServiceNow has taken some part of the value chain in helping those companies to make safe changes to their systems and safe upgrades and modernization,” said Coleman.

This year, the company opened its first regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, cementing its long-term commitment to a market it views as digitally mature and globally influential.

“Saudi Arabia has a very clear strategy, and that’s important,” Saif Mashat, area vice president for ServiceNow in the Middle East and Africa, told Arab News.

“Saudi Arabia is part of the G20, one of the biggest economies in the region, one of the biggest economies in the world. Saudi Arabia is a very influential country globally, and is very, very advanced when it comes to the digital era.”

Private tech leaders are also seeing an acceleration in AI adoption across the Kingdom.

According to IBM’s regional vice president Ayman Al-Rashed, more than 70 percent of CEOs in Saudi Arabia have already created entirely new AI-based roles — a higher figure than the global average.

“These are jobs that didn’t exist last year. These are new jobs,” he said. “This shows you that there’s a lot of interest in KSA, more than elsewhere around the globe, because the global average is between 50 and 60 percent.”

Al-Rashed explained that IBM has automated 95 percent of its internal HR functions, slashing costs by 40 percent — savings equivalent to $3.5 billion in productivity gains. That same tech, he said, is now being offered to clients.

“We came up with something we called the ‘watsonx Orchestrate,’” said Al-Rashed. “That’s a lot of agents, assistants, and tools. There are actually more than 80 enterprise applications out there, and they’re all out of the box. You can immediately go and use them and have the same experience.”

One standout example is “AskHR,” a virtual assistant that helps IBM staff navigate complex tasks like creating job requisitions or scheduling interviews.

“I used AskHR when I joined IBM. It was great. I always felt that someone was talking to me, but it was just AI,” said Al-Rashed.

These shifts align closely with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, which prioritizes digital transformation and workforce upskilling as key pillars of national development.

“What we’ve done is we’ve looked at our operations in HR, and we wanted to do things such as enhance the efficiency of it, reduce the cost of it, free up the time of the employees themselves,” said Al-Rashed.

The message is clear: As Saudi Arabia races toward its digital future, the integration of AI is not just a competitive advantage — it is a national imperative.

For now, success lies not just in smart software, but in making technology work with, not against, the systems already in place.