Saudi residents find comfort in spiritual aspect of Ramadan

Special Saudi residents find comfort in spiritual aspect of Ramadan
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For those looking to delve deeper into the customs and traditions of Ramadan, Noor Exhibition in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district provides insights into Ramadan practices worldwide. (Ramadan Season)
Special Saudi residents find comfort in spiritual aspect of Ramadan
2 / 3
For those looking to delve deeper into the customs and traditions of Ramadan, Noor Exhibition in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district provides insights into Ramadan practices worldwide. (Ramadan Season)
Special Saudi residents find comfort in spiritual aspect of Ramadan
3 / 3
For those looking to delve deeper into the customs and traditions of Ramadan, Noor Exhibition in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district provides insights into Ramadan practices worldwide. (Ramadan Season)
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Updated 27 March 2024
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Saudi residents find comfort in spiritual aspect of Ramadan

Saudi residents find comfort in spiritual aspect of Ramadan
  • From work and social commitments to worship, residents are finding ways to make time for it all during the holy month
  • Hadeel Jabrti: We host iftar at our house every year, which is a great way to catch up with some of my closest friends and family

RIYADH: In the thick of Ramadan season, Saudi residents are trying to find the balance between their busy social calendars and the spiritual journey of the holy month.

This Ramadan, Nouf Al-Dossari realized that she is more focused spiritually than in previous years, making sure to perform the five daily prayers on time and learning to interpret the Qur’an in both English and Arabic. 

She has balanced out the spiritual aspect of the month by tackling other projects at home. “I have picked up on learning how to write in Arabic, which is something I’m very proud of myself for doing. Coming from a Saudi family and not knowing how to write Arabic wasn’t great, especially as an Arabic speaker, so I finally got down to it,” she told Arab News. 

She has also made her way into the kitchen to help out her mother make iftar and sahoor, calling it an “absolute blessing.” 

Al-Dossari said: “In the past I would not dare to enter the kitchen, but now, I get so excited to create a delicious masterpiece with her,” she said.  

But Ramadan does not come without its own set of challenges. As a content creator, Al-Dossari says it is difficult for her to dedicate mealtimes to her family.  

“I’m called to do shoots during the iftar timing which causes me to miss iftar on most days. The first week, I was so disheartened because I spent it breaking my fast alone,” she explained.

After shuffling her schedule around, prioritizing herself and her family became a promise she has sworn to keep — anything else, like outings and watching Ramadan series, comes after Taraweeh prayers. 

She uses the rest of her time creating Ramadan-related content for her popular Instagram page, @saudiexplorer_, and educating her audience.

She said: “With so much growth on my page, I have both non-Muslim and Muslim viewers who have interest in learning about Islam and it gives me a chance to allow myself to learn as well. 

“This year I focused on supporting home-based business, providing daily reminders, and just being real and being myself. I also refrain from using music for my content so my viewers can enjoy the content,” she said.  

For more traditional jobs, most working hours in Muslim countries are cut down to six hours a day or 30 hours a week, to relieve the stress of commitments and leave more spare time to attend to religious practices. 

“Short office hours allow us to enjoy the spirit of Ramadan easily. Every other street has a mosque in Saudi Arabia, which makes it so easy for one to enjoy their prayers and immerse fully,” Ifrah Mahmoud, an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia, told Arab News.  

She said that trips to mosques have been so entertaining on their own that she has not needed to divert attention elsewhere. 

“I can’t wait for the last 10 days in particular where we are supposed to pray even more. It gives us a chance to put a pause to work life and enjoy spirituality,” she said. 

Hadeel Jabrti’s Ramadan strategy consists of planning ahead before the month starts. She has set herself up to read five pages of the Qur’an every prayer, in order to finish the mus’haf by the end of the month, and attend Taraweeh at least three to four times a week.  

“I’m hoping to achieve these goals, and so far, l’m doing well,” she told Arab News. “Since I don’t typically sit still and practice mindfulness, Taraweeh has quickly become the thing I look forward to at the end of the day. I love the aroma of the mosque and getting together and praying in unison.” 

In contrast, their household integrates Ramadan rituals with fun activities.

She said: “We host iftar at our house every year, which is a great way to catch up with some of my closest friends and family … I especially love it when we all get in the kitchen and cook together, chat, bicker, and play around. In my opinion, it really makes it feel like Ramadan.”

Her goal for the month is to remain mindful and make an effort to be careful with words and actions. This also includes mindfulness of consumption, whether it’s food, media, or others.  

She advises others with trouble keeping a balance this Ramadan to create a schedule or routine that allows for flexibility while enabling them to accomplish their goals.


UNESCO chair hosts translating cultures workshops

UNESCO chair hosts translating cultures workshops
Updated 10 sec ago
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UNESCO chair hosts translating cultures workshops

UNESCO chair hosts translating cultures workshops

RIYADH: The UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, supported by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, recently hosted three online workshops.

The workshops were attended by members of the Translating Cultures Lab and researchers with an interest in translating cultures.

The lab unites renowned scholars and early-career Saudi researchers to publish papers on the 2024 theme, “Rethinking Translating Cultures and its Conceptual Framework,” focusing on knowledge transfer and translation in the Global South.

At the workshops researchers presented papers and received feedback from lab members to refine them for publication.

In the first two workshops, six papers were presented, addressing issues in translating cultures, including cultural narratives, religious concepts such as “mahr” in Islam, and humor translation in modern Saudi literature.

Other topics included foreignizing and domesticating Arab culture in translation, translation as knowledge transfer, and translating Plastic Arts into Arabic.

The papers were presented by scholars from King Khalid University (Saudi Arabia), Indira Gandhi National Open University (India), Jagiellonian University (Poland), Mohammed I University Oujda (Morocco), the Catholic University of America (US), and an independent Australian researcher.

The third workshop reviewed papers for an edited volume by the Translating Cultures Lab on the theme of “Rethinking Translating Cultures.”

The UNESCO chair views “translating cultures” as a concept tied to broader debates in the humanities, regarding it as a continuous process involving translation, cross-cultural communication, and knowledge sharing. 


From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors

From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors
Updated 3 min 4 sec ago
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From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors

From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors

RIYADH: Riyadh Zoo has added a bird show to its already extensive lineup as part of Riyadh Season 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The zoo offers an exceptional experience for wildlife enthusiasts, as well as giving visitors of all ages an opportunity to learn about animal life, environmental care, and conservation awareness.

A farm area has been enhanced to provide interactive activities that promote an understanding of biodiversity and the importance of preserving nature.

One of the highlights is the Croc Cave, where visitors can safely observe crocodiles up close.

At Kangaroo Arena, visitors can enjoy a rare encounter with the Australian marsupials and capture memorable photos.

To enrich the educational experience, the new farm area provides hands-on activities that educate visitors on nature and wildlife conservation.

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors ample time to enjoy its diverse facilities, which span 161,000 square meters and house over 1,400 animals of various species.

A variety of outlets and mobile food trucks offer a wide range of food and beverages, as well as family-friendly seating areas for comfort.

In a move aimed at enhancing inclusivity, Riyadh Season offers free entry to senior citizens aged 60 and older for its entertainment areas.

The initiative was announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, as part of efforts to make the season more accessible to all.

Seniors can enter select areas by showing their Tawakkalna application at designated gates.

The areas included in the offer are Boulevard World, Boulevard Runway, and Wonder Garden, along with the standard free-entry areas such as Riyadh Zoo, Al-Suwaidi Park, and Souq Al-Awaleen. They will also have access to Boulevard City and VIA Riyadh without the need for prior tickets.

However, the offer does not cover events with reserved seating, such as concerts, plays, boxing matches, or special experiences, which require separate ticketing arrangements.

The initiative underscores Riyadh Season’s commitment to ensuring that all segments of society can enjoy its diverse offerings.


Saudi project clears 636 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 636 Houthi mines in Yemen
Updated 52 min 1 sec ago
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Saudi project clears 636 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 636 Houthi mines in Yemen
  • The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly

Riyadh: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 636 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included four anti-personnel mines, 36 anti-tank mines and 596 unexploded ordnances, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 468,067 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

Project Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help the Yemeni people, clearing routes for humanitarian aid to reach the country’s citizens.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio hosts reception to celebrate JSDF’s 70th anniversary

Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio hosts reception to celebrate JSDF’s 70th anniversary
Updated 03 November 2024
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Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio hosts reception to celebrate JSDF’s 70th anniversary

Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio hosts reception to celebrate JSDF’s 70th anniversary
  • Ambassador Iwai welcomed the enhanced cooperation in the field of defense and security between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Japan: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia IWAI Fumio recently hosted a reception at his residence on the occasion of the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ (JSDF) 70th anniversary.

H.E. Major General Shallah bin Thaar AlSalmi, Royal Saudi Land Forces, and a number of government officials and diplomats graced the occasion.

During his speech, Ambassador Iwai said the JSDF has now become a very active contributor to the international peace and stability through its participation in the international peace efforts such as counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden and the MFO in the Sinai Peninsula.

Ambassador Iwai welcomed the enhanced cooperation in the field of defense and security between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia particularly after the visit of HRH Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Japan on July 31, 2023.

He mentioned the active communication on possible defense equipment and technology, cooperation on women’s empowerment and defense training and exchange programs.


18th KSrelief plane departs Saudi Arabia carrying vital aid to Lebanon

18th KSrelief plane departs Saudi Arabia carrying vital aid to Lebanon
18th Saudi relief plane departs for Lebanon with essential aid supplies. (SPA)
Updated 03 November 2024
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18th KSrelief plane departs Saudi Arabia carrying vital aid to Lebanon

18th KSrelief plane departs Saudi Arabia carrying vital aid to Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief on Sunday sent an 18th plane to Lebanon carrying food, medical supplies and shelter kits.

The plane departed from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and landed at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut.

KSrelief chief Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah said the initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to helping people and countries in need worldwide.