Cuban-Khaleeji Project keeps Dhahran clapping

Cuban-Khaleeji Project keeps Dhahran clapping
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On a cool, breezy Dhahran night, the Cuban-Khaleeji Project brought its fusion of musical cultures to Ithra on Thanksgiving. (Supplied)
Cuban-Khaleeji Project keeps Dhahran clapping
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On a cool, breezy Dhahran night, the Cuban-Khaleeji Project brought its fusion of musical cultures to Ithra on Thanksgiving. (Supplied)
Cuban-Khaleeji Project keeps Dhahran clapping
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The final performance at the Ithra Theater will take place on Nov. 25. (Supplied)
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Updated 26 November 2023
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Cuban-Khaleeji Project keeps Dhahran clapping

Cuban-Khaleeji Project keeps Dhahran clapping
  • The musical fusion is playing for three nights only, Nov. 23-25
  • This marks the first time the ensemble has performed outside of NYC and the UAE

DHAHRAN: On a cool, breezy Dhahran night, the Cuban-Khaleeji Project brought its fusion of musical cultures to Ithra on Thanksgiving.
Originally commissioned by The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi in early 2019, this is the first time an audience has heard the ensemble play live outside of New York and the UAE. The final performance at the Ithra Theater will take place on Nov. 25.
“The show is a rediscovery of friendships, roots, and relationships that have their source in ancient realities — and in the future. And I can prove this because when I first met Ghazi Al-Mulaifi, I could have sworn I’d known him my whole life,” Grammy-winning jazz musician Arturo O’Farrill told the crowd on opening night.
O’Farrill was referring to the Kuwaiti-American professor of music and his all-male jazz band Boom.Diwan — named after ‘The Boom,’ an important Kuwaiti ship used for pearl diving — who helped him bring some of the sounds of the sea to life on the Ithra stage.
O’Farrill, born in Mexico and raised in NYC, brought a flair and consistency to the sounds throughout the evening. He has been a fierce advocate for the preservation of Afro-Cuban culture for decades — following in the footsteps of his Havana-born father. Together with the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, the younger O’Farrill has worked to push the boundaries of the sounds of Cuba to bring them to the world.
The show, which lasted almost two hours, was followed by a Q&A session hosted by Energy Radio. Bill Bragin, who is the first artistic director of The Arts Center at NYUAD was on the panel.

Bragin told the crowd how the project originated. While in NYC some time ago, he said, he was immersed in the music of the region and was introduced to Al-Mulaifi’s music.
“A few years later, I went to Kuwait to see the group and, right around the same time, I was going to Cuba for the first time and I was reading a book by an author named Ned Sublette, called ‘Cuba and its Music.’ And, usually, you think a book like that is going to start in Africa, but actually it started talking about Arabic music and poetry and the influence around Andalusia, and then into Africa,” he explained. “And I started thinking, ‘There’s something here.’”
Bragin recognized that the music from various areas — including Cuba and Kuwait — were, in essence, sounds that were extracted from nature, especially the sea. He then started to assemble a way to create a unique sound through which he could channel the sonic connections which have been there for centuries. His challenge was to bring them to a contemporary audience in a cohesive way.
The Ithra performance included Yazz Ahmed, the Bahraini trumpeter and composer, who was clearly at ease on stage, nodding to her fellow musicians, part-conductor part-player. Her graceful movements and slick sounds could not be ignored.
But the undoubted star was Emirati oud player Ali Obaid, from Fujairah. His elegant performance captivated the crowd, and was complemented beautifully by the other musicians, who elevated his playing, but never competed with it.
The award-winning Moroccan ‘enchantress’ Malika Zarra completely shifted the show’s energy, the audience instantly became livelier and more spirited in response to her wild hair, infectious smile, dainty dance and powerful voice. The clapping was constant as her singing turned to scat and she seamlessly transitioned from faster to slower melodies.
The grand finale was when the show’s Cuban sounds were fully highlighted. All of the performers returned to the stage for the final song, “Desert,” which expertly showcased the talents and strengths of each of them and left the audience thirsty for more.
Tickets for the show start at SR100 ($26) and can be purchased on the Ithra website or app.


Sudanese cultural festival begins at Suwaidi Park

Sudanese cultural festival begins at Suwaidi Park
Updated 08 November 2024
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Sudanese cultural festival begins at Suwaidi Park

Sudanese cultural festival begins at Suwaidi Park

RIYADH: A cultural festival at Suwaidi Park is inviting visitors to explore the rich heritage and traditions of Sudan.

Part of Riyadh Season, the event takes place until Nov. 17 and features Sudanese music, dancing, food and crafts.

Content creator Hamoud Waleed said cultural festivals played a key role in building connections and understanding.

“Events like this are very important because sometimes you can’t go to see their tradition and culture. But when these cultures come to us here … it lets us know more and more about other people, how they live, what their interests are, and how we can engage with them,” he said.

“When we talk about Sudanese culture, it’s beautiful and comes from a very old history and nice heritage, and when it comes to us, it lets us know more about it, and this is exactly what we are seeing here in Suwaidi Park.”

Sudanese nationals make up 6.1 percent of the Kingdom’s population, according to the Saudi Census, so such exhibitions are important in promoting mutual respect and harmony between communities.

Sudanese singer Youssef Khairy highlighted the diversity of his culture, explaining how sharing traditions strengthened bonds between different people.

“Music unites us all, regardless of colors, shapes, languages, religions, or ways of thinking,” he said. “I am here to represent Nubian music, Nubian heritage and the Nubian civilization.”

Live music and dance performances during the festival are bringing Sudanese heritage to life and offering audiences an authentic cultural experience.

Visitor Olaa Abdulnaaem said these, along with the lively atmosphere, and engaging children’s activities, were standout features for her.

Hiam Othman, a Sudanese attire designer, said the festival had significantly promoted her business. “Our products have been well-received, and they reflect our Sudanese culture,” she said.

Riyadh Season 2024 has already drawn 4 million visitors from around the world, according to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. He believes the surge in attendance reflects a growing appetite for cultural exploration and new experiences.

The festival is part of the Global Harmony initiative by the Ministry of Media and the General Entertainment Authority, which is aligned with the goals of the Quality of Life Program. The scheme celebrates the Kingdom’s multicultural landscape by highlighting the lives, contributions and cultural integration of its residents.

In the coming weeks, Global Harmony will celebrate a variety of cultures. After the Sudanese festival there will be a Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian event from Nov. 17-19, Bangladeshi from Nov. 20-23, and Egyptian from Nov. 24-30. 

Launched on Oct. 17, the initiative began with music and dance honoring the culture of Indian expatriates.


KSrelief delivers winter aid and dates to Yemen’s vulnerable

KSrelief delivers winter aid and dates to Yemen’s vulnerable
These packages form part of the emergency shelter project in Yemen. (SPA)
Updated 08 November 2024
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KSrelief delivers winter aid and dates to Yemen’s vulnerable

KSrelief delivers winter aid and dates to Yemen’s vulnerable

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has delivered dates and winter shelter to vulnerable people in Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported late Thursday.

KSrelief’s volunteers distributed 100 winter bags in Thamud district, Hadhramaut governorate, for 600 individuals from 100 vulnerable families.

These packages form part of the emergency shelter project in Yemen. (SPA)

The aid is a part of the agency’s emergency shelter project in the country.

Meanwhile, 2,459 cartons of dates were delivered in Al-Wadi district, Marib governorate, for the benefit of 14,754 people.


KSrelief continues international relief efforts in Chad, Pakistan

KSrelief continues international relief efforts in Chad, Pakistan
Updated 08 November 2024
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KSrelief continues international relief efforts in Chad, Pakistan

KSrelief continues international relief efforts in Chad, Pakistan

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered aid to people most in need in Chad and Pakistan, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Some 201 food parcels, benefiting 1,206 people, were distributed in the village of Sharkaya, in Hajar Lamis province, as part of the 2024 Food Security Support Project in the Republic of Chad.

Aid has also been given to 10,500 vulnerable people in flood-affected areas of Pakistan as part of the fourth phase of KSrelief’s initiative to provide shelter materials and winter bags to the country.


Saudi agency KSrelief delivers food, hygiene kits in Syria

Saudi agency KSrelief delivers food, hygiene kits in Syria
The aid is a part of KSrelief’s projects to support earthquake-affected people in northern Syria. (SPA)
Updated 08 November 2024
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Saudi agency KSrelief delivers food, hygiene kits in Syria

Saudi agency KSrelief delivers food, hygiene kits in Syria
  • The aid is a part of KSrelief’s projects to support earthquake-affected people in northern Syria

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed food and hygiene kits to thousands of vulnerable people across Syria, the Saudi Press Agency reported late Thursday.

The agency’s volunteers delivered 750 food parcels and 750 hygiene kits in Al-Hasakah, Syria, benefiting 4,500 people.

The aid is a part of KSrelief’s projects to support earthquake-affected people in northern Syria. (SPA)

Meanwhile 745 Syrian families, comprising 2,652 people, in Al-Dana, Idlib governorate, received food and hygiene kits.

The aid is a part of KSrelief’s projects to support earthquake-affected people in northern Syria.


How Google aims to bridge the AI skills gap in Saudi Arabia and the wider region

How Google aims to bridge the AI skills gap in Saudi Arabia and the wider region
Updated 08 November 2024
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How Google aims to bridge the AI skills gap in Saudi Arabia and the wider region

How Google aims to bridge the AI skills gap in Saudi Arabia and the wider region
  • Backed by local partners, Google will boost AI upskilling for women, youth, migrants, and rural communities
  • The AI Opportunity Initiative aims to equip half a million people across the MENA region with AI skills

DUBAI: As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes industries, job roles and skill requirements, the Middle East and North Africa region is actively embracing advanced technologies and collaborating with tech giants to bridge the skills gap in an evolving labor market.

One such collaboration is with Google’s newly launched AI Opportunity Initiative, which offers training and education opportunities to make AI technologies more accessible and inclusive across the region.

By collaborating with local organizations, the AI Opportunity Initiative seeks to “train half a million people in the next two years,” Anthony Nakache, managing director of Google MENA, told an audience at the recent AI Connect MENA event at Dubai’s Etihad Museum.

To achieve this, Google “will give a grant of $15 million to fund local organizations,” Nakache said.

Najeeb Jarrar, regional director of marketing at Google MENA, told Arab News: “We are very excited about this AI Opportunity Initiative, especially since we are seeing the Saudi community is fully embracing AI both on the consumer side and on the developer and resource side.

“This is an initiative that we have launched globally and we now are bringing to the region. One of the aims of this initiative is how we are leveling the playing field for AI and AI education and skilling across the entire region,” he added, noting that students will learn to use AI more productively, including skills such as prompt engineering.

To bridge the digital divide in the labor market, Google’s AI Opportunity Initiative aims to upskill underserved workers in AI by offering tailored training materials in Arabic, in partnership with the non-profit Manarat, online course provider Coursera, and other organizations.

Google’s largest AI project in the region, the AI Opportunity Initiative will focus on four key areas: AI skills development, research, products, and infrastructure.

DID YOUKNOW?

• The new AI Opportunity Initiative is Google’s largest AI project in the region.

• It aims to equip 500,000 people in the MENA region with AI skills within two years.

• Google is granting $15 million to local organizations between 2024 and 2027.

• The Saudi government is reportedly creating a $40 billion fund to invest in AI.

“We also worked with local NGOs and local players in the market to ensure that we are also reaching out to different partners,” Jarrar said.

Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, has announced plans to contribute $15 million between this year and the end of 2027, providing funding to organizations across the region to ensure accessibility to AI opportunities.

The AI Opportunity Initiative also aims to equip 500,000 people in the MENA region with AI skills in the first two years. This includes students, academics, developers, entrepreneurs and underrepresented groups.

Speaking about the issue of accessibility, Jarrar said: “We wanted to ensure first that this local initiative does not feel like an initiative that is hard to get for the average user.”

Google’s largest AI project in the region, the AI Opportunity Initiative will focus on AI skills development, research, products, and infrastructure. (Supplied)

He pointed out that both language and local partners, such as Injaz and Raspberry Pi Foundation, play a major role in improving accessibility.

“The content is all in Arabic, we have local examples that we are actually able to showcase,” he said. “We are partnering with local partners that know the market and the community very well and are able to reach more people that are beyond what we can initially reach to.”

The AI Opportunity Initiative enables Google to expand the Maharat min Google program, which targets high school and university students, by introducing a new AI curriculum in Arabic.

As part of its mission to support underserved communities, Google.org is funding Village Capital, a non-profit that supports entrepreneurs tackling environmental, social and economic challenges.

Village Capital will equip business support organizations to offer AI upskilling opportunities to underserved workers. 

The program targets women, youth, migrants and rural communities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Bahrain and Iraq. 

The Raspberry Pi Foundation will use grant funding from Google.org to train teachers in AI literacy, equipping students aged 11-14 in the region with AI safety skills to better understand and navigate the challenges of AI technologies.

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Speaking at the Google AI Connect Event, Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer for Alphabet and Google, said: “AI is estimated to contribute $320 billion in economic growth for the Middle East by 2030.

“Google is working to ensure that people and communities throughout the region have the skills needed to capture the upside of this emerging technology.” 

She added: “Our local non-profit and university partners will help bring this program to people and communities throughout the region, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the opportunities that AI can deliver.”

 Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer for Alphabet and Google, speaking at the Google AI Connect event. (Photo courtesy of Google)

Since 2005, Google has invested more than $400 million in academic research globally.

The tech giant also announced during its Dubai event the launch of new Arabic AI products, including Gemini Live in Arabic, Gemini for Teens, Imagen3, and Gems on Gemini in Arabic. 

“For the previous year, we have worked hard with partners, with experts globally and from the region, to understand what are the constraints that we need to implement to make this product safer for teens, teens aged 13 to 18,” Jarrar said.

“We worked tirelessly to make sure we have the right guardrails to ensure that we had the right controls and the proper Q and A and testing, and today we are happy to say that Gemini for Teens is available for users and teens here in the region.”

These efforts are expected to support Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become an AI leader, ensuring its population stays aligned with the latest developments in the labor market.

A September report by the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence showed that 75 percent of the Saudi population is familiar with the concept of AI, and 64 percent are aware of its applications.