‘Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative’ invites local participants to join fifth edition

Ithra has announced the opening of entries to participate in the fifth annual initiative “Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative.” (SPA)
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Ithra has announced the opening of entries to participate in the fifth annual initiative “Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative.” (SPA)
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Updated 13 June 2024
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‘Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative’ invites local participants to join fifth edition

Ithra has announced the opening of entries to participate in the fifth annual initiative “Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative.” (SPA)
  • “Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative” will be held from Nov. 1-23 in the Eastern Province

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, has announced the opening of entries to participate in the fifth annual initiative “Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative,” which is centered on leveraging the rich heritage of culture and arts in the Eastern Province.

“Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative” will be held from Nov. 1-23 in several spaces within the Eastern Province, including activations at Ithra headquarters.

As in the last four iterations, local creatives in the Eastern Province will be invited to offer curated programming. This year, as in the past, they are soliciting entries from the corporate sector, education sector, culinary sectors, social sector, sports sector, arts sector, trade sector, and logistics sector.
The previous editions of the initiative surpassed 700 entities and establishments, with over 2,300 creative contributions, 55 strategic partners and five main partners.
According to the statement, the initiative seeks to strengthen the concept of social responsibility among entities and individuals to achieve integration and uplift the community and all its institutions. The initiative aims to create a qualitative shift in the creative culture and to create a welcoming environment that discovers and develops talents, helping to make the Eastern Province a destination for creativity and creative tourism in the Kingdom.
This open call seeks entries from local creatives and asks them to share their talent in a leadership role. Among the requests is to pitch an in-person workshop idea, propose a talk or any other relevant programming idea. Those who earn a spot within this initiative will become leaders during the 23-day initiative, in which the general public will be invited to attend.
Interested local leaders in the creative space are invited to apply via the online portal. Registration will remain open for the next month through the initiative’s page on the Ithra website.


Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy

Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy
Updated 7 sec ago
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Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy

Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy

RIYADH: Madinah’s central market is a key shopping destination, supplying thousands of stores and acting as a logistics hub with hundreds of trucks delivering local and imported goods.

This vibrant hub continues Madinah’s long-standing commercial heritage, dating back to the time of Prophet Muhammad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Madinah has historically been a thriving commercial center, hosting famous markets offering textiles, gold, dates, and other goods for residents, pilgrims, and Umrah performers.

Covering 160,000 square meters, the market meets the city’s growing needs, housing more than 1,100 shops, storage yards for agricultural products, cold storage spaces, and areas for displaying fruits and vegetables.

It also includes parking for refrigerator trucks, ensuring efficient handling and display of fresh produce, SPA reported.

This infrastructure allows the central market to circulate large quantities of fruits and vegetables, maintaining competitive prices under the Madinah municipality’s supervision.


New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia

New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia
Updated 11 min 22 sec ago
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New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia

New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia
  • Stockholm Water Technology has signed an agreement with Saudi company DRC-ChemTec to implement the technology over the next four years

RIYADH: New technology to purify drinking water using an electrical charge will be expanded in Saudi Arabia after an agreement to increase its use over the next four years.

The capacitive deionization technology will be used to treat around 3,500 cubic meters of water per day and provide clean drinking water.

Stockholm Water Technology has signed an agreement with Saudi company DRC-ChemTec to implement the technology over the next four years.

The Swedish company has also put forward a proposal to use the technology to treat wastewater in the Kingdom so that it can be used for agriculture.

The company said in a statement that this proposal includes a plan to remove micropollutants such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals from treated wastewater.

By passing an electrical current through water, the technology removes contaminants without the need for membrane filters or chemical treatment.

Currently, Saudi Arabia primarily uses two forms of desalination to provide clean drinking water: thermal desalination and reverse osmosis.

Thermal desalination uses fossil fuels to heat and evaporate seawater and collect the clean condensation, while reverse osmosis passes water through a filter-like membrane to remove contaminants.

Capacitive deionization has the potential to minimize waste and reduce energy consumption in water purification.

“Saudi Arabia’s water treatment market is at the forefront of sustainable practices, driven by the urgent need for clean, safe water across industries and a growing focus on water recycling and reuse,” said Karthik Laxman, CEO of Stockholm Water Technology, in a statement.

Husam Aljarba, strategic business development director at DRC-ChemTec, added: “DRC foresees strong growth in the residential and industrial segments, where the flexibility of SWT water treatment systems will provide unique value to customers.”

The Swedish company will supply 1,750 of its systems and will initially focus on providing drinking water. It will then expand into industrial and municipal wastewater treatment.

DRC-ChemTec will install and service the technology and manufacture associated parts, strengthening local production capacity.

Desalination accounts for around 75 percent of Saudi Arabia’s water supply, with the Kingdom producing more than 13.2 million cubic meters per day.


‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr

‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
Updated 31 March 2025
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‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr

‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
  • Activities focus on Islamic culture and historical landmarks

MAKKAH: A wide range of activities await both local people and visitors to the Hira cultural district of Makkah.

“Makkah Greets Us” takes place from March 31 to April 5 — the second day of Eid Al-Fitr until the seventh of the month of Shawwal.

Organized by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the event features a diverse range of recreational, cultural, and heritage activities suitable for people of all ages.

It aims to “strengthen community bonds, highlight the historical and cultural significance of Makkah, and provide a unique entertainment environment for families and children,” reported the Saudi Press Agency.

“Makkah Greets Us” will include cultural and entertainment activities with a focus on Islamic culture and historical landmarks, along with traditional folklore performances, and will be presented in 26 languages.

The event is open to the public and is free of charge.


Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources

Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources
Updated 31 March 2025
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Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources

Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources
  • The Kingdom would be the US President’s first international destination since taking office in January

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is planning to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-May on his first foreign trip of his second term, Axios reported on Sunday, citing two US officials and a source with knowledge of the president's travel.
Saudi Arabia has been taking a more prominent role in US foreign policy. The country has hosted talks between the US and Russia and Ukraine as Trump seeks a ceasefire to the war and the White House has singled out the country as a possible participant in the Abraham Accords.

Trump said earlier this month he would likely make his first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia. He said on March 6 he would probably travel there in the next month and a half. He noted the first overseas trip of his first term was to Riyadh in 2017.

One source said April 28 was discussed as a potential date for the visit but was postponed, while an official and a source familiar said the current plan is for Trump to travel to Saudi Arabia in mid-May, according to Axios.

The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while no official announcement or confirmation was made from the Saudi side regarding the potential dates of the visit.


Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans

Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans
Updated 30 March 2025
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Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans

Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans
  • The minister expressed the leadership’s appreciation for all security sectors for their exceptional efforts and dedication

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to employees of the ministry on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

The minister expressed the leadership’s appreciation for all security sectors for their exceptional efforts and dedication, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

In a meeting with senior ministry officials and security sector commanders in Makkah, Prince Abdulaziz emphasized that the support and continuous guidance from the leadership played a major role in the successful execution of security and military plans, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for Umrah performers and worshippers.