Revival of traditional arts brings Al-Dayer to life

The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
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The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
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The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
3 / 5
The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
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The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
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The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest. (SPA)
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Updated 18 February 2024
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Revival of traditional arts brings Al-Dayer to life

Revival of traditional arts brings Al-Dayer to life
  • Folk art groups emphasized the significance of heritage in tourism, providing a glimpse into the cultural tapestry of the region’s provinces

RIYADH: The vibrant colors and rhythms of traditional arts captivated those attending the Coffee Harvest, a highlight of the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024.

Organized by the Jazan Development Strategic Office in collaboration with local authorities, the event, running until Feb. 20 in the Al-Dayer governorate, featured diverse performances and exhibits, turning the area into a cultural hub.

Folk art groups emphasized the significance of heritage in tourism, providing a glimpse into the cultural tapestry of the region’s provinces. As well as providing entertainment, they connected younger generations with their ancestors’ cultural legacies.

The event showcased the agricultural and touristic treasures of the mountain provinces, with a special focus on Jazan and its renowned coffee industry. It was supported by the Social Development Bank, with 120 artisan families from the Civil Development Association in Al-Dayer taking part.

Displays offered visitors a glimpse of local craftsmanship and traditions, providing a valuable marketing platform from which to draw attention to artisanal skills.

The exhibits not only highlighted Jazan’s cultural heritage but also emphasized the pivotal role of women in the region’s socio-economic landscape. Through their contributions to handicrafts and other fields, women demonstrated their ability to shape and enrich local culture.

Those who attended immersed themselves in the region’s vibrant heritage and enjoyed discovering a wide variety of local products, from clothing and perfumes to traditional foods and accessories.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Wise Women’

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Photo/Supplied
Updated 13 min ago
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Wise Women’

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  • The book acknowledges the contribution of Angharad Wynne, a Welsh writer and storyteller known for her work on myth and women’s empowerment

Author: Sharon Blackie

Published in 2020, “Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond” has been one of my most profound reads of 2024.

The foreword begins with: “We are narrative creatures, hardwired for story.

“We make sense of the world, from childhood onwards, through the stories we find — or the stories that find us. They are the stars we navigate by; they bring us the wisdom we need to thrive.”

This captivating exploration blends folklore, myth and personal reflection, inviting women to reconnect with the wisdom of the past and find strength in their own life experiences.

The author, Sharon Blackie, a psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore, is deeply passionate about reclaiming ancient wisdom and using storytelling as a way to navigate life’s ongoing transitions.

This focus on reclamation is central to the book, where Blackie highlights archetypes of wise women who embody resilience, intuition and deep connection to Mother Nature.

The book also acknowledges the contribution of Angharad Wynne, a Welsh writer and storyteller known for her work on myth and women’s empowerment.

Blackie draws on insights from a variety of sources, including Wynne’s work, to inspire readers to embrace the myths, wisdom and stories that can guide them through midlife and beyond.

Blackie’s poetic writing weaves these themes together, offering a spiritual perspective on how wisdom can be transformative, particularly in “later” stages of life.

While the focus on mythology may appeal more to those interested in these areas, the book provides valuable insight for any woman seeking guidance in this transformative phase.

 


Karachi police deploy over 2,400 personnel for New Year’s Eve security at Seaview

Karachi police deploy over 2,400 personnel for New Year’s Eve security at Seaview
Updated 18 min 2 sec ago
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Karachi police deploy over 2,400 personnel for New Year’s Eve security at Seaview

Karachi police deploy over 2,400 personnel for New Year’s Eve security at Seaview
  • Youngsters step out on New Year’s Eve across Pakistan, where fatalities from aerial firing are common
  • Karachi police have also deployed intelligence teams, asking them to remain vigilant during celebrations

KARACHI: Police in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday announced robust security measures for New Year’s Eve at the popular Seaview area, deploying over 2,400 officers and staff to ensure public safety and maintain order during celebrations, according to an official statement.
Young people traditionally step out to celebrate New Year’s Eve across urban centers in Pakistan, often resulting in road accidents or fatalities from aerial firing. Karachi’s Seaview remains a popular destination for such festivities, where police routinely ramp up precautions.
Amid a surge in street crimes in recent years, Karachi police are also on high alert to prevent potential incidents.
“To maintain law and order, six police platoons will be stationed at Seaview and adjacent areas,” Senior Superintendent Police Mahzur Ali was quoted in the statement as saying. “A total of 2,451 officers and personnel, including intelligence staff, have been deployed around Seaview, where hooliganism or aerial firing will not be tolerated.”
The statement highlighted that the security deployment includes several senior police officials and 80 mobile units along with 106 motorcycle patrols.
Mounted police, a specialized unit of law enforcement officers who patrol on horseback, will also monitor the area. Intelligence teams have been directed to stay vigilant.
The police have further implemented traffic management plans, converting both tracks from Seaview McDonald’s to Khayaban-e-Ittehad into one-way routes to ease congestion.
“No unlawful activities will be permitted,” added Ali.
The police also emphasized their commitment to ensuring a safe environment for citizens to celebrate responsibly.


Dozens protest in Sudan as army-backed govt switches out banknotes

Protesters call upon the army-backed Sudanese government to extend the deadline to exchange Sudanese pound banknotes after autho
Protesters call upon the army-backed Sudanese government to extend the deadline to exchange Sudanese pound banknotes after autho
Updated 15 min 55 sec ago
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Dozens protest in Sudan as army-backed govt switches out banknotes

Protesters call upon the army-backed Sudanese government to extend the deadline to exchange Sudanese pound banknotes after autho
  • Army-backed government set deadline for residents of the six states under its control to swap old 500 and 1,000 Sudanese pound banknotes for new ones

PORT SUDAN: Dozens of Sudanese demonstrated outside the seat of the army-backed government in Port Sudan on Tuesday to protest against its move to enact a partial currency swap.
The army-backed government had set a Monday deadline for residents of the six states under its control to swap old 500 and 1,000 Sudanese pound banknotes for new ones.
But as dozens protested outside government offices in the Red Sea port city on Tuesday, information minister Khalid Al-Aiser announced that residents would have until Jan. 6 to replace their old notes.
The value of the Sudanese pound has plummeted during 20 months of fighting between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, from 500 to the dollar in April 2023 to 2,500 to the dollar now.
The war has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted more than 12 million and left no sector of the economy unscathed.
The army-backed government says the partial currency swap aims to “protect the national economy and combat criminal operations” by counterfeiters.
But the arrival of Monday’s deadline paralyzed transport and trade in Port Sudan, the country’s main export outlet.
Bus drivers, petrol stations and store owners refused to accept the old banknotes, while banks had only limited supplies of the new notes, AFP correspondents reported.
Many Sudanese accused the administration of placing an extra burden on the war-weary and increasingly impoverished population.
Critics have also warned that the move risks adding an economic dimension to the divide between areas under army control and those held by the RSF.
The RSF now controls nearly all the western region of Darfur and swathes of the center and south, while the army holds the north and east.
Greater Khartoum is split between the warring sides.
The RSF has already banned the use of the new notes in areas under its control and accused the army of “a conspiracy to divide the country.”


Former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister sentenced to 34 years for speech against state institutions

Former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister sentenced to 34 years for speech against state institutions
Updated 42 min 56 sec ago
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Former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister sentenced to 34 years for speech against state institutions

Former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister sentenced to 34 years for speech against state institutions
  • Muhammad Khalid Khurshid belongs to PTI and has been fined Rs600,000 by the court hearing his case
  • A PTI lawmaker slams the verdict, G-B spokesperson says ‘no one is above the law and the constitution’

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Tuesday sentenced former Chief Minister Muhammad Khalid Khurshid to 34 years in prison and fined him Rs600,000 ($2,154) for delivering provocative speeches against state institutions and inciting public unrest, according to the court judgment.
Khurshid, a prominent member of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has alleged a sweeping crackdown following Khan’s ouster and imprisonment, was removed as G-B’s chief minister in 2023 over a fake degree scandal.
On July 26, 2024, he was accused of threatening security institutions, including the chief secretary and the election commissioner, during a public rally in Gilgit. He had been evading court hearings since then, leading to his absence during the trial.
The court instructed the region’s police chief to ensure Khurshid’s immediate arrest and transfer to prison. It also ordered the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to block his identity card.
“This is purely a judicial matter,” Faizullah Faraq, G-B’s spokesperson, told Arab News while confirming the verdict. “We won’t comment on it.”
Meanwhile, Col (r) Obaidullah Baig, a PTI member in G-B’s legislative assembly, said his party respected judicial processes but noted that the verdict did not “fully reflect the true circumstances and principles of justice.”
“We are currently evaluating all legal options and discussing the possibility of an appeal to ensure that the rights of the accused are upheld and that a fair trial is conducted,” he told Arab News. “As a matter of fact, the constitution remains suspended in Pakistan and after the controversial 26th amendment, the independence of judiciary in G-B and Pakistan is questionable.”
Baig maintained that the former chief minister had always been an advocate for democratic values, free speech, and peaceful discourse.
“The allegations that his speeches incited violence or undermined state institutions are completely baseless,” he said, adding that Khurshid had only asked the security establishment and intelligence agencies about “their meddling into the region’s political matters” in the context of his government’s downfall.
He maintained that the sentence would only serve to strengthen the ex-chief minister’s resolve and further energize his supporters across G-B and Pakistan.
“It is likely to galvanize his political career, as it highlights the ongoing political struggles and the misuse of state power to target opposition figures,” the PTI lawmaker added.
G-B spokesperson, Faraq, however, emphasized it was important to uphold the rule of law.
“I just want to say that we should respect our state institutions,” he added. “Everyone should follow the law. No one ... is above the law and the constitution.”


Disappointing year ends with dismal defeat for Saudi Arabia

Mohamed Kanno scored a goal back in the 87th minute. (@SaudiNT_EN)
Mohamed Kanno scored a goal back in the 87th minute. (@SaudiNT_EN)
Updated 38 min 42 sec ago
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Disappointing year ends with dismal defeat for Saudi Arabia

Mohamed Kanno scored a goal back in the 87th minute. (@SaudiNT_EN)
  • Oman go on to face either Bahrain or Kuwait in the final

RIYADH: New Year’s Eve 2024 saw Saudi Arabia lose 2-1 to Oman to crash out of the Arabian Gulf Cup at the semifinal stage and end a below-par 2024 on a low note.

With just one win in six 2026 World Cup qualifiers that resume in March, coach Herve Renard hoped to kick-start the national team’s fortunes with success in the Gulf Cup, currently being held in Kuwait.

The Frenchman’s desire was dashed despite Oman playing the majority of the game with ten men as Rabia Al-Alawi was shown a straight red in the 34th minute for a wild lunge on Salem Al-Dawsari. As the Al-Nahda star left the pitch in the Kuwait City stadium, Saudi Arabian fans were expecting a comfortable win but despite the possession and chances, the Green Falcons were unable to take advantage of their one-man advantage.

Oman redoubled their efforts to deny their opponents time and space but Saudi Arabia, seeking a first Gulf Cup win since 2004, had the ball in the net midway through the second half. Abdullah Al-Hamdan had scored twice against Iraq three days earlier, but his close-range effort was ruled out for offside.  

It was Oman who took the lead in the 74th minute as Arshad Al-Alawi fired home a free-kick from outside the area, squeezing his shot under the Saudi wall.

Herve Renard’s men pushed forward in search of an equalizer but found themselves two goals down with five minutes remaining after Ali Al-Busaidi scored again for Oman.

It looked to be game over but Mohamed Kanno pulled a goal back in the 87th minute to cut short the Omani celebrations and give Saudi Arabian fans hope. The Al-Hilal midfielder curled home a beauty from outside the area.

It was too little too late, however. In the 10th minute of added time, Abdulelah Hawsawi was sent off to level the number of players on both sides but despite the pressure, the men from Riyadh were unable to level the scores and now have to return home with much to ponder.

Oman, meanwhile, go on to face either Bahrain or Kuwait in the final.