American singer Alicia Keys joins Saudi trailblazers in ‘Women to Women’ initiative in Jeddah

American singer Alicia Keys joins Saudi trailblazers in ‘Women to Women’ initiative in Jeddah
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Cosmicat, Mishaal, Alicia, Huda and Noura. (AN Photo)
American singer Alicia Keys joins Saudi trailblazers in ‘Women to Women’ initiative in Jeddah
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Cosmicat, Mishaal, Alicia, Huda and Noura. (AN Photo)
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Updated 09 March 2024
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American singer Alicia Keys joins Saudi trailblazers in ‘Women to Women’ initiative in Jeddah

American singer Alicia Keys joins Saudi trailblazers in ‘Women to Women’ initiative in Jeddah
  • Organized by MDLBEAST on International Women’s Day, the event aimed to unite female leaders and focus on how they can drive cultural progress both in Saudi Arabia and globally
  • The diverse group of women shared their experiences in their respective fields, while looking at the challenges they overcame for success

JEDDAH: American singer Alicia Keys took her place in the recent third “Women to Women” initiative in Jeddah, alongside influential Saudi women such as DJ Cosmicat (Nouf Sufyani); Mishaal Ashemimry, aerospace engineer and commercial pilot; visual artist Huda Beydoun; Noura bin Saidan, a street artist; and Raha Moharrak, the first Saudi woman to scale Mount Everest.
Organized by MDLBEAST on International Women’s Day, the event aimed to unite female leaders and focus on how they can drive cultural progress both in Saudi Arabia and globally.
The diverse group of women shared their experiences in their respective fields, while looking at the challenges they overcame for success.
They looked at what it means to be a woman challenging norms and overcoming obstacles, sharing the inspirations that drove their remarkable accomplishments.
Keys said: “(I’m) so excited to be together. What inspires me is humanity, people; real-life experiences inspire me. Those are the things I write songs about, those are the things that connect me and us.
“It’s all about experiencing life. Meeting new people in this event is such an inspiration (and) to be able to engage in the conversation. My journey has been unique: raised by a single mother who is a rock to me. The will to achieve and discover, to keep going, can happen by trusting yourself.
“The biggest lesson that I would like to share is to keep going. Learn from failure and grow from it.”
She added: “I always keep telling myself to keep trying, and even if it doesn’t work out, at least I tried. I would like to avoid the pressure that I placed on myself and instead believe in personally deciding what is important to me and what success means to me.
“Success, to me, is being an authentic, genuine person who is good-natured, good-hearted, and kind to people, bringing positivity to others. Even if I can positively impact just one person, that is most important to me. It’s all about spreading positivity.”
Keys, who has won 15 Grammys and sold 90 million records worldwide, is renowned for her achievements in music and her dedication to activism, entrepreneurship, and wellness initiatives. She is actively engaged with her beauty brand, Keys Soulcare.
Ashemimry, who draws inspiration from her birth city of Qassim and her childhood fascination with the stars, also shared her journey and insights during the event.
She said: “I wanted to learn deeper about space and the only way to do it was to build rockets. When you are a child, you don’t understand, and breaking stereotypes was very challenging.”
Encouraging others to pursue their own dreams, Ashemimry spoke about her unexpected path to becoming the first Saudi female aerospace engineer and commercial pilot. She added: “In my case, when I had inspiration, I never thought I would be the first. I had the passion to just follow it. When I knew that I was the first Saudi, I felt huge responsibility on my shoulders toward the public.
“So I started social media accounts talking about space and technology development. I had difficulty in Arabic. I had a fear that I wouldn’t be able to explain myself better. But, later on, I started to talk about space by simplifying it in Arabic ... when I spoke about my inspiration, hardships I went through, being away from my family, the struggles, sacrifices to be a rocket scientist, and the history of rockets.
“The impact I left with the content I created was really inspiring to the audience, which motivated me to keep encouraging people to aspire.”
Moharrak, reflecting on her journey and the challenges she faced, said: “The emotional and mental challenge that you don’t fit in is very challenging, and that’s something no one teaches.
“I am so proud that now more and more women are breaking the norm. In my story, the challenge was mentality and (that was) also the biggest driver. If we don’t change the narratives and the story, then who will?
“Yes, I have climbed Mount Everest, but every single woman has an Everest to climb in daily life. It’s about continually proving to yourself that you are capable of achieving extraordinary things and overcoming challenges. So don’t let anyone make you feel that you cannot climb your Everest.”
Other members of the panel shared their sources of inspiration and the paths they took to achieve success, while also discussing strategies for overcoming the negative opinions of others and people’s perceptions.
Rozana Al-Banawi, an entrepreneur specializing in professional training and coaching, conducted sessions with her team to engage the audience, facilitating activities focusing on leadership skills and self-development, creating an interactive and enriching experience for those attending.


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.