Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors

Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
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Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)
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Updated 31 December 2023
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Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors

Saudi calligraphy maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
  • Siraj Al-Omari is encouraging a new generation of Saudis to embrace the ancient art of writing

MAKKAH: Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari’s skills have captivated thousands as his style has impacted audiences “whether in the southern region, across the Kingdom, the Arab world and the entire globe.”

At the Al-Majaridah Winter Festival — taking place in the Al-Majaridah Governorate of the Asir region until Feb. 22 — Al-Omari is encouraging a new generation of Saudis to embrace the ancient art of writing.

Al-Omari highlighted the universal allure of Arabic calligraphy, transcending language barriers to captivate those who do not speak or understand Arabic.




Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)

He described its impact as beautiful and enchanting, adding that Arabic calligraphy is an art form governed by angles, points, and direction — a skill that requires learning rather than solely relying on innate talent.

“The foundations equally attract dedicated practitioners in Turkey, Persia and Kurdistan,” he said. Al-Omari gives live online tutorials to followers in Europe, North Africa, Pakistan and China.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Master calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari gives live online tutorials to followers in Europe, North Africa, Pakistan and China.

• A Parker 21 pen - gifted by his brother - opened up the world of calligraphy for Al-Omari.

• He received guidance from Mokhtar Alam, a renowned calligrapher celebrated for his work on the kiswa (covering) of the Kaaba.

• He is licensed in Diwani, Farisi and Jali Diwani styles.

Reflecting on his journey, Al-Omari told Arab News: “My connection with calligraphy predates formal education, with the first inklings of my bond with these beautiful letters emerging. I eagerly awaited my older brother’s return from school to appraise my scribbles.”

He fondly recalls the moment his passion for calligraphy was sparked at a young age. “One day, my older brother surprised me by gifting me a Parker 21 pen. It was the best gift I had ever received — my entry point into the world of calligraphy,” he said.




Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the mountains and forests and the shapes and colors in nature inspire his work. (SPA)

“With that pen, I could translate my fascination with letters into tangible works of beauty and precision. I loved that pen so much that I still have it to this day. It carries memories of childhood inspiration that set me on this path.”

Recalling the early stages of replicating characters from textbooks, Al-Omari underscored how this endeavor fortified his reading and writing skills. His pre-grade one immersion in calligraphy and achievement of complete literacy before starting formal education surprised teachers on his very first day of school.

I feel the talent I have does not belong to me but is a right for everyone to learn from and benefit.

Siraj Al-Omari, Saudi calligrapher

Al-Omari, who will soon turn 60, reminisced about his time in the fourth grade at Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas School in the village of Al-Muqbil. Teachers would ask him to inscribe notes in his elegant handwriting. Having mastered the graceful curves and dots of Arabic letters, his skill earned admiration and cemented his reputation as a model student.

The prominent calligrapher, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the local environment of mountains and forests filled his imagination, adding that the interplay of shapes and colors in nature translated into creative inspiration. “When you live among valleys and mountains, you are prepared for writing and creativity,” he said.

Al-Omari added: “Drawing is an advanced art that must amaze others, and Arabic calligraphy serves as its foundation. The better the foundation, the better the calligraphy, leading to captivating artwork that resonates with others.”

His foray into professionalism took shape under the guidance of Mokhtar Alam, a renowned calligrapher celebrated for his work on the kiswa (covering) of the Kaaba.

Despite lacking formal education in calligraphy, Al-Omari’s encounter with Alam in Jazan left a lasting impact, fostering a strong bond.

Regular visits to Makkah and direct interactions with prominent calligraphers like Ibrahim Al-Iraqi and Nasser Al-Maymoun led to licenses in various calligraphy styles, namely Diwani, Farisi and Jali Diwani.

Rather than keep his rare gift to himself, Al-Omari’s calling has always been to share his talent without restraint. “I feel the talent I have does not belong to me but is a right for everyone to learn from and benefit,” he said.

Al-Omari sees Arabic calligraphy as a practice intertwined with excellence in language and academics. The dedication required to master calligraphy demands focus and artistic vision. “When you devote your life to calligraphy, you practice writing and thus excel in spelling,” he said.

 


Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora

Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora
Updated 01 November 2024
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Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora

Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora
  • Taif has established itself as a distinctive hub with its specialized honey market and diverse bee products

RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia, Taif’s beekeepers are revolutionizing honey production while staying true to their craft’s ancient roots.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that these artisans meticulously oversee every step of production, from harvesting pristine honeycombs to delivering the final product, adhering to rigorous quality standards that have made Taif honey renowned throughout the region.

“The honey supply chain begins long before the first drop is collected,” beekeeper Mohsen Al-Mudaifi said in an exclusive interview with the SPA. Operating about 500 hives, Al-Mudaifi’s operation yields an impressive 70-130 kg of honey during peak flowering seasons. His production line accommodates both traditional comb honey and liquid varieties, catering to diverse consumer preferences.

According to SPA, the secret to Taif’s thriving apiculture lies in its diverse landscape. The Tihama lowlands and the Sarawat highlands create a tapestry of microclimates rich in wild flora. This natural bounty includes aromatic shrubs, traditional thorn jujube trees, and a variety of indigenous plants such as acacia tortilis, sweet acacia and Astragalus.

The area also hosts distinctive mountain vegetation and the acacia asak plants. All these florae are considered premium honey-producing species, growing naturally in their pristine environment, and each contributing to the region’s distinctive honey varieties.

Taif has established itself as a distinctive hub with its specialized honey market and diverse bee products, anchored by a vibrant weekly honey auction. The practice, deeply woven into the region’s cultural fabric, has been passed down through generations.

In an annual ritual, beekeepers from the Sarawat mountains and Ghazwan peaks prepare for their seasonal migration, SPA reported.

This carefully orchestrated movement will soon see millions of bees transported in cylindrical or square hives to warmer climates, particularly to Taif’s Tihama region. Many will find their winter home in Al-Buhaita Wild Park, a sanctuary that has become both a tourist destination and a crucial waypoint in Taif’s honey production cycle.


MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh
Updated 01 November 2024
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MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, launched the National Afforestation Season for this year on Thursday in Riyadh under the title: “We Plant for Our Future.”

Khalid Al-Abdulqader, CEO of the NCVC, expressed his commitment to raising awareness about the significance of afforestation. He emphasized the need to support efforts to enhance vegetation cover and mitigate land degradation.

Through this season, the CEO aims to promote environmental sustainability and encourage the cultivation of local plants to improve the biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is taking further steps toward achieving the ultimate goal of the Saudi Green Initiative, SGI, which is to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares.

However, it requires strengthening partnerships with multiple sectors including the public and private sectors, and promoting volunteering among the society to achieve sustainable development goals.

The planting season also seeks to increase “tree planting” culture in Saudi Arabia, improve vegetation cover, and reduce land degradation by growing more local plants.

This initiative marks a new phase in environmental protection efforts, which have already led to the planting of more than 95 million trees across the country through collaborations between public and private sectors.

Previous partnerships have successfully rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of land and protected more than 4.3 million hectares, while this year, the target is to contribute to the SGI’s goal of planting 10 billion trees.

The Kingdom has been encouraging afforestation recently to tackle several environmental issues such as the rapidly changing climate, through lowering regional temperatures and controlling the severity of drought.

Saudi Arabia called on the world’s policymakers last month to urgently address land destruction and drought, especially since the country will be hosting the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 in Riyadh in December.


Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports

Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports
Updated 01 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports

Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports
  • Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, says oversight council

RIYADH: In response to false reports, Saudi Arabia’s government has affirmed that the Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement, carried by the SPA, highlighting that work-related fatalities stand at 1.12 per 100,000 workers.

“The International Labour Organization acknowledges this progress, highlighting … that Saudi Arabia has made significant advancements in improving occupational safety and health and reducing workplace accidents at the national level,” the council stated.

“Similar commendations have been offered by other reputable international organizations, including the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and the British Safety Council.”

The council was created primarily to integrate national policies and global best practices for occupational safety and health in the workplace.

On the legislative side, Saudi Arabia’s labor laws have mandated that employers provide comprehensive health insurance including essential preventive, therapeutic and healthcare services for all employees, the council stated.

The statement added: “Regulations also restrict work under direct sunlight during the summer months and establish working hours in accordance with international standards set forth in relevant ILO agreements.

“We emphasize the importance of verifying information and sourcing it from credible outlets.”


Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive

Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive
Updated 01 November 2024
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Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive

Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive

MADINAH: Ayman bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, director general of the environment, water and agriculture branch in Madinah, has launched the “2024 National Planting Season” in the city.

The program extends the ministry’s nationwide campaign “We Plant for Our Future,” supporting sustainable environmental development and vegetation growth as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.

The regional campaign features 36 volunteer programs involving more than 1,800 female and male participants. Plans include planting 50,000 water-efficient and environmentally sustainable seedlings, comprising mesquites, thorn jujube and sweet acacia trees, alongside 20 other wild plant species, aiming to boost environmental and agricultural awareness.

The campaign’s first phase targets education facilities, Prince Sultan Military Medical City and the Saudi Authority for Industrial and Technology Zones, or Modon.

This effort focuses on expanding green spaces, streamlining planting processes, and encouraging community-wide participation in vegetation preservation and planting initiatives.
 


Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World

Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World
Updated 01 November 2024
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Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World

Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World

RIYADH: Boulevard World is offering an array of thrilling horror experiences, inviting visitors to embark on spine-chilling adventures filled with mystery and surprise.

One of its standout attractions, The Dolls' Trip, takes visitors into an abandoned doll factory hidden within an ancient Mexican pyramid. What starts as a school trip quickly turns into a nightmare as dolls come to life in the shadows, trapping visitors in dark, labyrinthine tunnels.

Along the way they encounter eerie scenes such as the abandoned bus and the doll workshop, in which the lifeless figures seem poised to awaken. This adventure accommodates groups of eight, ensuring an exhilarating experience.

In the Egypt zone, the Mystery of the Nile adventure plunges visitors into the depths of ancient Egyptian history.

Aboard a boat navigating a mystical river, guests face mummies that shake the boat violently. As they journey through narrow bridges and corridors filled with traps, hieroglyphic symbols light up the walls, accompanied by spine-tingling sounds. This experience features stunning visual and sound effects, keeping participants on high alert throughout.

Pyramid Trail, which is also in the Egypt zone, challenges visitors with puzzles and obstacles deep inside an ancient pyramid. The adventure begins in a laser-filled room in which participants must carefully maneuver to avoid detection.

They then board a conveyor belt adorned with hieroglyphic symbols, dodging moving obstacles. The journey concludes with leaps over circular trampolines above a snake-themed pit.

Meanwhile, The Vampire Hotel awaits visitors to the Italy zone, where an Italian-inspired design sets a dark and eerie atmosphere. The journey begins in a haunted elevator that leaves participants with an unsettled feeling.

As they navigate the dim corridors, visitors encounter sticky walls, with curtains and furniture moving mysteriously. The highlight of the experience is the coffin room, where guests are invited to lay inside coffins. The hotel also boasts a dining room resembling a chilling movie scene.

Boulevard World’s horror attractions promise unparalleled thrills during Riyadh Season 2024, offering visitors the chance to explore new levels of fear and excitement at every turn.