Hijrah exhibition ends run at Saudi National Museum
Updated 31 December 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: A traveling exhibition about the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Makkah to Madinah has ended its run at the Saudi National Museum in Riyadh.
“Hijrah: In the Footsteps of the Prophet” attracted large crowds of visitors, including several ambassadors to the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The exhibition was organized by and started its grand tour at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). It was curated in collaboration with local and international cultural institutions.
It traces the course of the Prophet’s journey and examines its social, political and cultural impact on the world through an immersive multimedia show.
Established in 2018, Ithra is a cultural and creative hub designed to nurture self-discovery and encourage innovation and creativity.
لحظات سعيدة يعيشها الزوّار في تجربة استثنائية نابضة بالحياة في #معرض_الهجرة
Saudi Arabia’s participation aimed to highlight its unique cultural and heritage offerings
Saudi authorities believe the Kingdom has much to offer regarding adventure, culture, and heritage
Updated 29 September 2024
Arab News Japan
JAPAN: Saudi Arabia participated in the Tourism EXPO Japan 2024 on Thursday and Friday, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to boosting its growing tourism industry, particularly through international collaborations with Japan.
Tourism EXPO Japan is one of the world’s largest annual travel events that brings together countries and Japanese destinations to promote inbound and outbound tourism.
Saudi Arabia’s participation aimed to highlight its unique cultural and heritage offerings, showcasing the Kingdom’s significant cultural transformation over the years and how its presence can evoke its rich history while displaying its natural charms.
Saudi authorities believe the Kingdom has much to offer regarding adventure, culture, and heritage, especially for travelers looking to journey off the beaten track and enjoy authentic experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.
The Saudi delegation highlighted attractions such as the Nabataean ruins of Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bedouin culture, and local cuisine.
They also noted that Japanese and Saudis share common values, such as family, tradition, respect for elders, and patriotism.
Fire triggers partial collapse of Jeddah International Market building facade
Local authorities and emergency services were quickly on the scene to contain the fire
There were no immediate reports of casualties
Updated 44 min 45 sec ago
Arab News
JEDDAH: A fire broke out early Sunday morning at the Jeddah International Market building in the Al Rawdah district, causing the partial collapse of the building's facade, Al Arabiya news channel reported.
Local authorities and emergency services were quickly on the scene to contain the fire and ensure the safety of nearby residents and businesses. There have been no immediate reports of casualties.
The Jeddah International Market is a well-known commercial hub.
Saudi foreign minister, UN envoy discuss Syrian crisis
Updated 29 September 2024
Arab News
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The two discussed cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UN on the Syrian issue, the efforts of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee, and regional developments.
Saudi Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, also attended the meeting.
Abdullah Sharbatly is culinary world’s hottest rising star
Compelling content includes filming animals before cooking
Saudi, 23, has now garnered over 150m views on social media
Updated 28 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: At only 23, Abdullah Sharbatly has transformed his passion for cooking into a vibrant online presence.
The Saudi Arabia content creator has garnered more than 150 million views for his captivating and sometimes shocking videos.
Sharbatly’s content is not for the fainthearted; it might be triggering for vegans as he often films live animals including ducks, rabbits and goats before cooking them.
Abdullah Sharbatly’s content is not for the fainthearted; it might be triggering for vegans as he often films live animals including ducks, rabbits and goats before cooking them. (Supplied)
In just one year, he has carved a niche for himself by showcasing dishes using ingredients not commonly featured in everyday cooking.
“What truly boosted my followers was the unique food I prepared,” Sharbatly said.
“I became the first in Saudi Arabia to create content like this, showing live animals, and my videos stood out for being short, never exceeding 20 seconds, focusing on easy and simple cooking techniques.”
Living in a fast-paced environment taught me to keep my videos short and direct. I wanted to ensure that even people with busy livescouldsee Sharbatly is determined to how easy it is to prepare great food quickly.
Abdullah Sharbatly, Culinary content creator
This innovative approach has allowed him to condense entire recipes into quick clips that resonate with viewers, particularly those with busy lifestyles.
Sharbatly’s approach to content is based on the idea that cooking should be accessible and enjoyable. (Supplied)
Sharbatly’s journey began when he moved to the UK to study. It was there that he and his friends decided to film themselves cooking a simple pizza in an oven.
To their surprise, the video went viral, reaching 1.8 million views on TikTok. “I was always into vlogging but I used to vlog my adventures at the beach while riding jet skis. When this video hit 1 million, I decided to focus more on cooking videos.”
His early experiences in the UK not only influenced his cooking style but also expanded his horizons regarding different cuisines and ingredients.
Abdullah Sharbatly’s content is not for the fainthearted; it might be triggering for vegans as he often films live animals including ducks, rabbits and goats before cooking them. (Supplied)
“Living in a fast-paced environment taught me to keep my videos short and direct,” Sharbatly explained. “I wanted to ensure that even people with busy lives could see how easy it is to prepare great food quickly.”
One of his standout videos features him cooking a sheep’s brain, a traditional Arabic delicacy, while another highlights the preparation of a baby goat. “I love cooking,” he said. “I used to cook anywhere I traveled, but it never occurred to me to film it before.”
Despite his massive popularity, Sharbatly has not become a fulltime influencer. “Social media is a hobby for me. I don’t need to make it an income because I’ve always loved filming.”
He continues to work in business with his family, balancing his passion with his professional life.
Sharbatly’s approach to content is based on the idea that cooking should be accessible and enjoyable.
“Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming,” he emphasized. “I want my viewers to see cooking as an adventure,” he said. “Using unique ingredients creates excitement and discovery.”
His philosophy resonates with his audience at a time where attention spans are shrinking. “People appreciate content that gets straight to the point,” he observed.
By condensing his content into short clips, he effectively removes the stress often associated with cooking. “Great meals can be made quickly and easily,” he said.
Among his favorite dishes to prepare is lamb, slow-cooked with traditional spices. “It reminds me of family gatherings and celebrations,” he explained.
Another favorite is seafood, especially lobster, which he finds luxurious yet simple to cook. “These dishes allow me to honor traditional flavors while adding my own creative touch,” he said.
Transitioning from casual cooking to more dedicated content creation came with its challenges. Sharbatly had to learn the intricacies of filming, editing, and presenting his cooking in an engaging manner.
“The balance between staying true to my personal style and appealing to a broad audience was the biggest challenge,” he said. He also had to adapt to the fast-paced nature of social media, where trends change rapidly, demanding constant innovation.
Looking ahead, Sharbatly aims to expand his platform with a line of products and workshops, and inspire more people to embrace cooking. “I’m exploring potential collaborations with other chefs and influencers,” he revealed.
The most rewarding aspect of his journey has been the positive feedback from those who try his recipes. “Knowing that I’ve helped someone discover their passion for cooking, or made their day easier, is incredibly fulfilling,” he said.
Sharbatly is determined to remain grounded. “It’s all about prioritizing and managing my time effectively,” he said.
Sharbatly dreams of cooking for his late grandmother. “I’d love to share some of the dishes I’ve created using the skills I learned from her,” he said.
