Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs
On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Updated 05 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief completed medical programs in Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Tanzania, in line with the organization’s aim to support injured people worldwide.
The Saudi Noor Campaign, which will conclude on May 6, is tackling blindness in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The medical team examined 1,731 cases, assigned 198 prescription glasses, performed 60 operations and provided medication to 857 patients.
In Reyhanli district, Türkiye, KSrelief carried out a prosthetics and rehabilitation program.
With a team of 13 specialists, they fitted 36 individuals with prosthetics and 40 orthopedic splints.
On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The team performed 133 open-heart catheterizations and 15 open-heart operations.
How conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia aim to rescue dugongs from extinction
Saudi Arabia protects dugongs through satellite tracking, long-term monitoring, awareness campaigns, and strict anti-hunting laws
Through global agreements, research, and conservation projects, the Kingdom is making sea cow protection an environmental success story
Updated 20 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Once mistaken for mermaids by weary sailors, the dugong — shy, slow-moving marine mammals — now face a very real threat of extinction.
Their closest relative, Steller’s sea cow, vanished in the 18th century after relentless hunting. Conservationists warn that unless strong protections are put in place, dugongs could meet the same fate.
But in Saudi Arabia, herds of this elusive species are finding refuge. Along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines, dugongs graze peacefully in seagrass meadows — a vital habitat that the Kingdom is determined to safeguard.
“The presence, or absence, of dugong tells us a lot about the health of an ecosystem, its diversity and levels of pollution,” said Mirey Atallah, head of the UN Environment Programme’s Climate for Nature Branch, commenting on regional conservation efforts.
Dugongs, nicknamed “sea cows,” feed exclusively on seagrass in shallow waters. They have fusiform bodies, dolphin-like flippers, and broad tails, but their most striking trait is their reproductive pace.
Females give birth only once every three to seven years, and calves stay with their mothers for up to two years. This slow cycle makes dugongs highly vulnerable to population collapse.
Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries where their survival is being actively secured. The National Center for Wildlife has introduced satellite tracking and long-term studies to monitor dugong movements.
During Environment Week this year, it launched public education campaigns to raise awareness of their role in balancing marine ecosystems.
Red Sea Global, the developer behind regenerative tourism projects The Red Sea and AMAALA, has also made dugong protection part of its environmental commitments.
“Dugong are a threatened species and, ecologically, highly distinctive. There is no other similar species in the region,” the RSG said in a statement.
Its scientists are studying foraging grounds and migratory pathways, using drones and even testing machine-learning tools to detect dugongs in aerial surveys. With its extensive seagrass beds, the RSG believes the area could become a regional stronghold for dugongs.
The Kingdom’s coasts are among the species’ last global sanctuaries. The Red Sea offers vital feeding grounds, while the Arabian Gulf is home to one of the world’s largest populations, estimated at around 7,000 animals.
These numbers reflect the Gulf’s rich seagrass meadows and favorable conditions for seasonal migration.
To ensure their safety, Saudi authorities have introduced strict legislation: hunting or harming dugongs can incur fines of up to SR1 million ($266,465).
Saudi Arabia is not acting alone. In 2013, the Kingdom signed an international agreement in Abu Dhabi dedicated to protecting dugongs and their habitats.
DID YOU KNOW?
• A dugong can consume up to 40 kg of seagrass daily, maintaining the health of marine plants.
• Dugongs are between 2 and 3.5 meters in length and weigh 300 to 500 kg.
• They have thick skin, a dolphin-like tail, and live in small groups.
More recently, the National Center for Wildlife represented Saudi Arabia at the first Arab scientific workshop on seagrass conservation, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to monitor seagrass ecosystems — the dugong’s lifeline — while promoting regional and global collaboration.
By blending science, legislation, and education, Saudi Arabia is working to ensure that dugongs do not go the way of their extinct relatives. Protecting these gentle grazers not only secures a species, but also preserves the fragile ecosystems they help maintain.
If conservation succeeds, future generations may continue to glimpse dugongs gliding through Saudi waters — reminders of how legends of mermaids were born, and of how human care can keep myth and nature alive.
Young Saudi chef to open Qatif’s first Italian fine-dining restaurant
Ali Al-Jishi to open Osteria Dal Nonno after studying under acclaimed chef Francesco Gasbarro
A graduate of the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, Al-Jishi wants to contribute to the growth of his hometown
Updated 22 August 2025
Tamara Aboalsaud
RIYADH: Italian food aficionados in Saudi Arabia might want to consider changing their travel plans to include Qatif, the small coastal city which is about to get a major culinary upgrade as its first fine-dining restaurant prepares to open its doors.
Saudi chef Ali Al-Jishi, a 23-year-old graduate of the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, will launch Osteria Dal Nonno after studying under the acclaimed Italian chef Francesco Gasbarro in training reminiscent of scenes from TV series “The Bear.” The restaurant is expected to open in around three months at C-Front in Qatif.
Although he harbored ambitions to study at culinary school for a long time, Al-Jishi’s parents took some convincing that it could lead to a successful career, he said. After eventually winning them over, he travelled to Switzerland as part of the Kingdom’s first batch of Cultural Scholarship students in 2019.
AlJishi hosted five cooking classes for kids and one for adults, where participants learned to make dishes from scratch. (Supplied)
“I thought it was going to be easy,” said Al-Jishi. “Like, ‘We’re just going to cook and eat some food.’ But no, it’s not like that at all.”
The training encompassed every little detail of what it takes to run a restaurant — from the nutritional value of every ingredient to accounting.
Al-Jishi did his first internship in Geneva under Gasbarro, who has two Michelin-starred restaurants, and a Bib Gourmand for Osteria Della Bottega.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The training encompassed every little detail of what it takes to run a restaurant — from the nutritional value of every ingredient to accounting.
• Although he harbored ambitions to study at culinary school for a long time, Ali Al-Jishi’s parents took some convincing that it could lead to a successful career.
• After eventually winning them over, he travelled to Switzerland as part of the Kingdom’s first batch of Cultural Scholarship students in 2019.
“The first three months were very hard, he didn’t allow me to cook in the kitchen,” Al-Jishi said, explaining that he was on mise-en-place duty, meaning his job was to prepare the ingredients and ensure that all the necessary equipment was ready to use.
Osteria Dal Nonno, will be the first fine dining restaurant in Qatif and promises to deliver in both experience and quality of the food. (Supplied)
“I started downstairs in a small room under the kitchen. It was very dark,” said Al-Jishi. “He was giving me 20 kilos of cherry tomatoes to cut into cubes every day. He had me picking the leaves off of parsley stems. And if I went up to him with a tray full of leaves and he saw one small stem, he would tell me to throw them all away and do it again.”
Gasbarro tried to scare him off a culinary career, telling him that “no one” makes it to the end of the six-month internship and that most quit or fail after two or three months. He also expressed doubts about how a young Saudi would fare in a high-end Italian kitchen.
After three months of grueling training that could have come straight out of “The Bear,” Al-Jishi finally moved to the kitchen, and eventually successfully finished the six-month internship.
AlJishi opened a pop-up stand for Osteria Dal Nonno in Qatif last December as a small test run. (Supplied)
“He was very strict, but it was actually a good thing. I learned more in the internship than I did at university,” said Al-Jishi. “I entered the restaurant on my first day as someone and I left as someone else.”
Al-Jishi knew that he wanted to return to Saudi Arabia and open a fine-dining restaurant in his hometown. And he knew he wanted it to be a place where people can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and a high-end dining experience. The name of the restaurant, he said, is a nod to his school days.
“Everyone saw how obsessed I am with Italian food and Italian people, so they asked me: ‘Do you have anyone in your family that’s Italian?’ To which I replied ‘Yes, my grandfather is Italian’ as a joke.”
AlJishi hosted five cooking classes for kids and one for adults, where participants learned to make dishes from scratch. (Supplied)
And thus Osteria Dal Nonno (Grandpa’s Restaurant) was born.
Everything on the menu will be made from scratch — including 12 different kinds of pasta — and every dish has been meticulously curated. Al-Jishi gave Arab News a sneak peak of what to expect.
One feature dish is gnudi — a ricotta dumpling served with burnt onion, a butter sauce, and mushroom cream.
The chef also highlighted manzo — Italian dry-aged steak grilled on charcoal served on a bed of arugula salad and topped with parmesan and balsamic vinegar — and slow-cooked beef cheeks served with dark chocolate and smoked mozzarella on homemade focaccia.
Dessert will include a classic tiramisu, crème brulee, and “special” gelatos, including Al-Jishi’s favorite — Italian basil.
Breakfast dishes are inspired by Greek, French and local Qatifi fare. For example, the beloved Qatifi breakfast dish siwiya is getting an Italian remix and being made with angel hair pasta.
Al-Jishi has also focused on hiring mainly Saudi talent — especially Qatifis. He wants to be able to contribute to the growth of the city, and said that the restaurant is about giving the people of Qatif a place where they can celebrate marriages, graduations or just a good night out locally.
“I want people to see how Qatifi chefs can do big things,” he added.
In December, Al-Jishi opened a pop-up in C-Front in Qatif for three weeks to test out some of his food with the crowds and get a buzz going. It was a little difficult for the first few days because a lot of people were unfamiliar with real Italian dishes and kept asking for “pink sauce” or “chicken pasta,” he said. But once they tried his authentic offerings and word got out, Al-Jishi was making more than 300 servings of pasta a day with his friends.
Echoing his own internship experience, Al-Jishi wants Osteria Dal Nonno to be a place where other students and culinary graduates can spend time learning. He’s already had calls with ZADK Saudi Culinary Academy in Alkhobar to discuss future internships.
Al-Jishi is also opening the takeout-and-delivery-only Crumbs & Curry (serving katsu curry), which he said could potentially evolve into a casual dine-in spot.
As if that wasn’t enough, Al-Jishi also hosted several culinary courses in 2024, five for children and one for adults. “I want people to see how cooking can change the way you feel inside,” he said.
In that regard, Al-Jishi hopes to one day open his own academy where people can learn to make pastries, baked goods, pasta and even Arabic food.
“We should not forget about Arabic food because Arabic food is not easy,” he said. “I can’t say that I’m good at it, even now. For me, it’s harder than Italian food.”
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve: A vast ecological haven for migratory and resident birds
The reserve, covering 130,700 sq km across the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Tabuk and Hail, is a vital hub for migratory birds
Updated 22 August 2025
SPA
TURAIF: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is home to more than 290 bird species, with 88 percent being migratory and 12 percent resident.
This accounts for 58 percent of all bird species recorded in the Kingdom. The reserve also protects 26 bird species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
The reserve protects 26 bird species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. (SPA)
The reserve’s dedicated monitoring and follow-up programs work to safeguard bird species while continuously enhancing and protecting their habitats, SPA reported. These efforts underscore the reserve’s vital role as a sanctuary for resident and migratory birds alike, and highlight the importance of its ecosystems in conserving biodiversity.
SPEEDREAD
• The reserve’s dedicated monitoring and follow-up programs work to safeguard bird species while continuously enhancing and protecting their habitats.
• These efforts underscore the reserve’s vital role as a sanctuary for resident and migratory birds alike, and highlight the importance of its ecosystems in conserving biodiversity.
The reserve, covering 130,700 sq km across the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Tabuk and Hail, is a vital hub for migratory birds. It serves as the Kingdom’s first stop for flocks arriving from Asia and Europe in autumn, and their last station before departing Africa in spring.
With its rich biodiversity, balanced environment and varied landscapes, the reserve stands as a natural sanctuary, hosting remarkable species such as the steppe eagle, the eastern imperial eagle and the houbara bustard, SPA reported.
The forum aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 as part of a national initiative supporting the visual arts, a key element of the Kingdom’s cultural identity
Updated 22 August 2025
SPA
JEDDAH: The second Arabic Calligraphy Arts Forum has begun in Jeddah and features the participation of Arab and international calligraphers, along with visual artists.
The event, which runs until Aug. 28, aims to highlight the beauty and diversity of the ancient art form while supporting artists and promoting the culture of Arabic calligraphy.
Jeddah is hosting the second Arabic Calligraphy Arts Forum, featuring Arab and international calligraphers and artists. (SPA)
Saud Khan, the forum’s coordinator, said the event was one of the most prominent of its kind and featured 138 artworks by 105 calligraphers from 13 countries, and included the work of an elite group of Saudi calligraphers.
A committee of senior calligraphers oversaw a meticulous selection process to ensure the high quality of work on view.
The event also includes live art performances and specialized workshops to help young talents.
The forum aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 as part of a national initiative supporting the visual arts, a key element of the Kingdom’s cultural identity.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman donates blood to launch annual campaign
Move praised by officials as an extension of Saudi leadership’s humanitarian approach
Health minister calls on citizens, residents to follow example and donate blood as social responsibility
Updated 22 August 2025
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman donated blood on Thursday to launch the annual national blood donation campaign, in a move described as a gracious gesture and an extension of Saudi leadership’s humanitarian approach by top Saudi officials.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of voluntary donations so that the Kingdom can become self-sufficient in supplies of blood and related products, thereby ensuring the availability of safe and sustainable stocks that meet the needs of the population.
More than 800,000 donors gave blood in 2024, officials said.
The crown prince and King Salman have actively encouraged several health-related initiatives in recent years, including setting examples by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and enrolling in the national organ-donation program.
Applauding the crown prince’s gesture, the Ministry of Health posted on X: “The Leader’s Giving ... A Role Model for the Nation. The donation of His Highness #Crown_Prince is a humanitarian message to establish blood donation as a national value, support the voluntary work system in the health sector, and ensure the provision of safe blood supplies to meet the need.”
Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel thanked the crown prince for his generous blood donation and unlimited support for humanitarian work through the launch of the blood donation canpaign.
This initiative embodies a firm commitment to promoting a culture of giving and community solidarity, and to raising the rate of voluntary blood donations support the health sector, he said.
Al-Jalajel explained that the campaign is an extension of the other humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the Saudi leadership, including receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and registering in the organ donation program.
“These initiatives reflect a solid approach to healthcare and improving quality of life,” said the minister, calling on all members of society to donate blood.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, said the donation embodies the highest form of humanitarian giving and represents a noble message of compassion and solidarity, as each donation contributes to saving lives.
“This initiative is an extension of the leadership’s generosity and humanitarian approach. It is not limited to supporting the health sector alone, but rather embodies the profound humanitarian values instilled by the Kingdom’s leaders in the society. It encourages citizens and residents alike to donate blood as a noble humanitarian act.”
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar said this initiative reflects the crown prince’s special attention to humanitarian work and his commitment to instilling the values of solidarity and giving in society.
The initiative carries a noble message aimed at raising community awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and providing sufficient safe supplies to blood banks and hospitals across the Kingdom, he added.
Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Eastern Province governor, said: “The crown prince’s donation represents an inspiring example and reflects a direct interest in the health of citizens and residents. It also contributes to raising community awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and its role in saving lives.”
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh stressed that this step embodies the highest values of giving and altruism, and represents an inspiring example of humanitarian work.
He added that this annual campaign is an extension of the crown prince’s generous patronage of humanitarian work and an encouragement for all segments of society to donate blood, in compliance with the Almighty’s words: “And whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, noted that the donation not only granted life, but also redefined the relationship between citizens and the healthcare sector, making every individual a partner in building an informed, sustainable healthcare system.
He emphasized that the annual campaign reflects the generosity of the Kingdom and its leaders and embodies the values of humanitarian work, and contributes to strengthening blood banks and supplying hospitals and healthcare centers.
