Oudh, music draw visitors to Saudi exhibition at Delhi book fair

Oudh, music draw visitors to Saudi exhibition at Delhi book fair
Saudi Arabia's pavilion at the 2024 New Delhi World Book, New Delhi, India, Feb. 12, 2024. (AN Photo)
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Updated 15 February 2024
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Oudh, music draw visitors to Saudi exhibition at Delhi book fair

Oudh, music draw visitors to Saudi exhibition at Delhi book fair
  • Kingdom is guest of honor at the 2024 New Delhi World Book Fair
  • Many visitors say pavilion is their first interaction with Saudi culture

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia’s pavilion is a main attraction at the New Delhi World Book Fair, with the Kingdom showcasing its culture and heritage as the festival’s guest of honor.

Inaugurated in 1972, the fair in the Indian capital is the country’s second oldest after the Kolkata Book Fair.

Hosted at the Pragati Maidan convention center, the event runs from Feb. 10-18. This year’s edition is attended by 2,000 exhibitors from all over the world.

The Saudi exhibition of books and manuscripts stands out at the venue and is visible from afar. Illuminated and fragrant, it features calligraphy, traditional musical instruments and handicrafts.

Rajat Nayanmar, an engineering student at Indraprastha University in Delhi, said he was drawn to the pavilion the moment he entered the hall and saw it standing out among other exhibitors.

“The moment I stepped in the pavilion you get a hint of the oudh ... you feel like you are in a different place,” he told Arab News.

“You feel like you are in some place that is representing something important, something cultural ... it is very different from the other stalls.”

It was Nayanmar’s first time interacting with Saudis and their culture.

“It’s really good — it gives you a first-person perspective of what Saudi Arabia really is,” he said.

Nayanmar’s colleague, Gyatri Katoch, also an Indraprastha University student, enjoyed the experience, too.

“It’s a new introduction to some different culture,” she said. “I interacted with the people there. It was really nice and sweet.”

Shreyas Upgade, a Delhi-based professional, told Arab News that the book fair finally gave him the opportunity to talk to Saudis directly instead of hearing about the Kingdom from other people.

“That is pretty important to me ... it’s not somebody else telling me their story. I am getting to interact with the people, so that makes a lot of difference,” he said.

“It will bring them closer to India.”

The meeting of people and establishing real bonds was one of the main aims of Saudi participation in the Indian fair, especially as the nations have become increasingly close in the past few years.

“I am very happy that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the guest country in this book fair and is participating in a big way,” said Dr. Badr Al-Jabr, professor of Arabic language at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, who is part of the Kingdom’s delegation and has interacted with visitors.

“Cultural exchanges deepen people-to-people relations, and such programs, of course, play a significant role in cementing relations.”

They are also timely as bilateral ties have steadily gained prominence since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to New Delhi in 2019.

“Everyone is interested in knowing the new Saudi Arabia, the new vision of Saudi Arabia, the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Zikrur Rahman, founding director of the India Arab Cultural Center and India’s former ambassador to Palestine, told Arab News, as he also attended the book fair.

“A lot of people are visiting the place and this pavilion today has emerged as the cynosure of the eyes of Indians,” he said.

“Saudi Arabia has emerged as our strategic partner, and for the last around five years we have been strengthening, deep-rooting our relations in almost all fields — be it economic, be it commerce or commercial, or be it literary or in the media. This relationship is growing faster and faster.”


Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month
Updated 21 min 50 sec ago
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Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month
  • The organization, which nurtures the talents of gifted students, says event is a ‘global platform for talented and creative youth to collaborate in building a prosperous future’
  • It is expected to attract experts and researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation from more than 50 countries

RIYADH: Mawhiba, an organization that works to nurture the talents of gifted students in scientific fields, will hold its third international conference this month with the theme “Beyond Creative Minds.”

Its Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity will take place from Nov. 24 to 26 at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh. Khalid Al-Sharif, the organization’s acting secretary-general, described the event as a “global platform for talented and creative youth to collaborate in building a prosperous future through the exchange of ideas and expertise.”

He told the Saudi Press Agency: “The event reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting and empowering talent and promoting a culture of innovation to address future global challenges.”

The conference is expected to attract experts and researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation from more than 50 countries, many of whom will give keynote speeches, take part in panel discussions and lead workshops.

Al-Sharif said the event will include a “‘creathon’ aimed at finding creative solutions to contemporary challenges. Attendees will also have access to exhibitions and various cultural visits scheduled alongside the conference.”

He added that Mawhiba, more formally known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, will continue to develop talent, support creativity and provide resources to nurture the potential of gifted individuals. He thanked Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan for the substantial support he provides for the biennial conference.


Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation

Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation
Updated 14 November 2024
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Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation

Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation
  • Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Rachida Dati discussed cultural exchanges and cooperation relating to museums, libraries, theater, the arts, cuisine, heritage and film production

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and his French counterpart, Rachida Dati, held talks in Paris on Wednesday on cultural cooperation.

They discussed cultural exchanges between their countries and cooperation relating to museums, libraries, theater, the arts, cuisine, heritage and film production.

Riyadh and Paris are looking to strengthen partnerships, nurture talent through training programs for workers in cultural sectors, and exchange expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom’s assistant culture minister, Rakan Al-Touq, also took part in the meeting.


Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy
Updated 13 November 2024
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Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom Saimir Bala in Riyadh on Wednesday.

They discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko in Dammam on Wednesday.

Prince Saud welcomed the ambassador to the Eastern Province. During the meeting, the two exchanged friendly talks and discussed a number of topics.
 


Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future

Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future
Updated 13 November 2024
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Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future

Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future
  • The Kingdom and MENA region represent an emerging market for organic food, says organizing official

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is among the Gulf Cooperation Council nations taking significant steps to invest in developing its organic food and beverage sector, which has experienced a growth surge in recent years.

The three-day Biofach Saudi Arabia, which was held alongside Saudi Organic Food Day and concluded on Wednesday, is a key platform showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to developing its agricultural future.

Biofach was organized by 1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences in collaboration with NurnbergMesse, with support from the Saudi Ministry for Energy, Water and Agriculture and the Saudi Organic Farming Association.

Christian Beyer, manager of international events at NurnbergMesse, highlighted the potential of the Middle East and North Africa region: “The MENA region, especially Saudi Arabia, represents an emerging market for organic food that was estimated at USD 7 billion in 2022 and can expect ongoing growth.”

Recognizing the importance of organic farming for food security and environmental sustainability, Saudi authorities are focusing on enhancing rural production and improving supply chains to ensure organic products reach consumers efficiently.

The exhibition’s knowledge-exchange platform addressed local challenges, including effective water and fertilizer management, which are crucial for the region’s arid climate.

Among the exhibitors was the Saudi company Aamal Al-Andalus, which provides organic fertilizers to address soil degradation and declining fertility. Their products are said to help treat and reduce environmental stress, increase agricultural production, and improve the quality of crops to enhance export opportunities.

Youssif Abdulqader, sales manager and engineer at Aamal Al-Andalus, told Arab News: “Food around the world is increasingly going organic, particularly when all inputs in the plants come from organic and safe sources.”

He noted that this shift is largely driven by the health issues linked to consuming fruits and vegetables produced through conventional farming methods, which are often less beneficial or even harmful to human well-being.

Abdulqader explained: “Conventional farming practices are generally well-structured and effective; however, they face challenges such as the excessive use of pesticides and their persistence in the soil.”

Farmers often encounter bacterial issues within their crops that need to be addressed cost-effectively to maximize profitability.

“This is where organic alternatives can be prohibitively expensive, prompting conventional farmers to seek cheaper, often internationally banned options,” he added.

He added that the use of pesticides results in chemical residues that can remain in the plant’s environment.

These residues pose significant health risks when consumers ingest vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes.

“There is a concern that these chemicals may contain heavy metals that the human body cannot process, leading to serious health issues such as cancer, kidney failure, and liver diseases, which are frequently associated with traditional farming practices,” he explained.


Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum
Updated 13 November 2024
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Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum
  • More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views

RIYADH: The imam and khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Baijan, took part in a peace conference themed “Islam is the Religion of Humanity and Peace” during his recent visit to India

More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

As guest of honor, Al-Baijan delivered a speech in which he said that Islam was a religion of security and peace. He warned against divisions among Muslims and said that such discord threatened national unity, led to chaos and could incite wars.

Minister for Wakf and Haj in the government of Kerala Shri. V. Abdurahiman also spoke at the event, praising Saudi Arabia for its efforts in promoting Islam, peace and moderation.

Al-Baijan also joined the 35th All India Ahle Hadith Conference in New Delhi, where he commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts, led by its leadership, to promote security, peace, stability and the safeguarding of human dignity globally.