300 family businesses showcase traditional skills and wares at Al-Baha Summer Festival

More than 300 family businesses and artisans are showcasing their skills and selling their wares during Al-Baha Summer Festival. (File/@BahaPrincedom)
More than 300 family businesses and artisans are showcasing their skills and selling their wares during Al-Baha Summer Festival. (File/@BahaPrincedom)
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Updated 10 July 2024
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300 family businesses showcase traditional skills and wares at Al-Baha Summer Festival

More than 300 family businesses and artisans are showcasing their skills and selling their wares during Al-Baha Summer Festival.
  • They include vendors offering traditional food, handicrafts, weaving, embroidery, clothes, decorations and crops from the region

RIYADH: More than 300 family businesses and artisans are showcasing their skills and selling their wares during Al-Baha Summer Festival.

They include craftspeople who are preserving local culture and heritage by preparing traditional food, practicing handicrafts, weaving and embroidery, or making clothes, decorations and items for the home. Others are farmers who grow and sell seasonal fruits from the region.

Ali Al-Sawat, the mayor of Al-Baha Region and chairperson of the festival’s executive committee, told the Saudi Press Agency that regional authorities have established more than 40 incubators as part of their efforts to empower small and family businesses by organizing activities at permanent and mobile marketplaces covering a wide range of products including food, textiles and handicrafts. The outlets are strategically placed in parks and other high-traffic public spaces, he added, and the fees for sellers are affordable to ensure they are accessible to everyone.

Municipal authorities, in particular the Public Health Department of the Services Agency, conduct regular monitoring to ensure sellers meet all health requirements, Al-Sawat said.

This year’s festival, the theme for which is “A Summer in Al-Baha: Embrace Serenity,” is attracting a large turnout of local residents of all ages, organizers told SPA. It began two weeks ago and continues throughout the summer.


King Salman Global Academy advances Arabic education in India

King Salman Global Academy advances Arabic education in India
Updated 28 July 2024
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King Salman Global Academy advances Arabic education in India

King Salman Global Academy advances Arabic education in India
  • Month-long July event featured scientific programs and events in collaboration with educational entities to develop Arabic language curricula

RIYADH: King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language recently concluded the Arabic Language Month in New Delhi and Kerala, India.

The month-long July event featured scientific programs and events in collaboration with educational entities to develop Arabic language curricula, improve teacher performance, and enhance the language’s value in the country.

Activities included visits and meetings with Jawaharlal Nehru University, Kerala University, other Indian universities offering Arabic programs, and associations dedicated to teaching Arabic, as well as a visit to the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi.

The event featured panel discussions on evaluating Arabic teachers for non-Arabic speakers, using technology in education, identifying effective tools and applications, designing modern teaching programs, and addressing issues related to Arabic teaching and learning.

A scientific symposium was also held to discuss Saudi Arabia’s efforts in teaching Arabic to non-speakers, the current state of Arabic education in India, bilingualism, and the challenges of teaching Arabic to non-speakers.

During the month, four courses were conducted to develop the skills of Arabic teachers for non-speakers, focusing on modern teaching strategies and methods. Additionally, four courses for learners focused on reading comprehension and listening skills for non-native Arabic learners.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, said that the event contributed to achieving the academy’s goals by showcasing its activities in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in promoting Arabic globally, training teachers, improving their competencies, and enhancing learning outcomes for students.

The academy has previously implemented similar activities in Brazil, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and China.

Al-Washmi said that Arabic Language Month in India highlighted the academy’s strategic role in promoting projects related to Arabic education for non-speakers and strengthening cooperation with entities dedicated to teaching Arabic outside Saudi Arabia.


Camel Caravan: a journey through time at Summer of Hira

Camel Caravan: a journey through time at Summer of Hira
Updated 28 July 2024
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Camel Caravan: a journey through time at Summer of Hira

Camel Caravan: a journey through time at Summer of Hira
  • This immersive experience aimed to celebrate the enduring importance and value of Saudi heritage

RIYADH: The Camel Caravan, a captivating component of the Summer of Hira activities held in Makkah until Aug. 10, drew significant crowds and strong interaction among residents and visitors.

This immersive experience aimed to celebrate the enduring importance and value of Saudi heritage by spotlighting the pivotal role camels played in Arab history, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Camels have been integral to Arab life for centuries, serving as companions in every aspect of life. The Camel Caravan sought to instill a deep appreciation for this heritage and a connection to ancestral traditions.

Visitors to the Summer of Hira event were transported back in time through the Camel Caravan, learning about the significance of camels in past eras.

By observing camel riding and caravan journeys, and learning about camel care and breeding, attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of these remarkable creatures.

The caravan showcased the camel’s vital role in transportation, trade, and survival in the desert, as well as its cultural and symbolic importance.

By recreating an authentic desert environment and demonstrating traditional camel-related practices, the Camel Caravan offered a unique and entertaining experience. The event both highlighted national identity and contributed to the local tourism industry.

The camel, a symbol of resilience and adaptability, continues to hold a special place in Saudi culture, even as the nation embraces progress and modernization.


Project Masam clears 1,390 Houthi mines in Yemen

Project Masam clears 1,390 Houthi mines in Yemen
Updated 28 July 2024
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Project Masam clears 1,390 Houthi mines in Yemen

Project Masam clears 1,390 Houthi mines in Yemen
  • The project has now cleared 4,230 mines in Yemen since the beginning of July

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,390 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included five anti-personnel mines, 47 anti-tank mines, 1,337 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

The project has now cleared 4,230 mines in Yemen since the beginning of July.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 453,298 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.

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

Project Masam 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.


Finest, hottest chile pepper to make star appearance at 4th Shaqra Pepper Festival

Finest, hottest chile pepper to make star appearance at 4th Shaqra Pepper Festival
Updated 28 July 2024
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Finest, hottest chile pepper to make star appearance at 4th Shaqra Pepper Festival

Finest, hottest chile pepper to make star appearance at 4th Shaqra Pepper Festival
  • Shaqra accounts for approximately 78% of Saudi’s pepper production
  • Hot pepper, also known as ‘Habhar Shaqra,’ is considered one of the finest and most popular in the Kingdom and Gulf markets

RIYADH: The very best and hottest types of peppers can be found at the fourth Shaqra Pepper Festival, which runs from July 28 to Aug. 6.

As well as various varieties being on display, farmers from the area will be on hand to talk to and educate members of the public about their crops.

Shaqra produces around 78 percent of Saudi Arabia’s peppers and the festival will include experts offering guidance to entrepreneurs and farmers on the best practices for both high-quality crop production and processing methods.

There will also be competitive classes to determine the best model pepper farm, product, and largest pepper tree.

Of particular interest will be the hot pepper, also known as “Habhar Shaqra,” which is considered among the finest and most popular variety in Saudi and Gulf markets.

The hot pepper can be grown both in open fields and greenhouses, with large, high-quality yields offering the best economic returns.

Key times for pepper farming in the Kingdom are April, October and November, while greenhouse growing takes place from late August to early September. The peppers can be harvested after around 120 days, with annual production amounting to some 119,700

According to the report, harvest time comes after 120 days. The Kingdom’s annual pepper production is 119,700 tonnes.

A total area of around 3,167 are given over to pepper production in various provinces. Riyadh leads the way with an annual yield of 65,796 tonnes in Shaqra, followed by Tabuk (10,484 tonnes), Qassim (9,045 tonnes), Eastern Province (8,871), Jazan (7,347), Najran (5,548), Makkah (4,675), Madinah (3,198), Al-Baha (2,331), Hail (1,155), Asir (773), Al-Jouf (357) and the Northern Borders (100).

Chile peppers are a widely used ingredient in many recipes and also a popular snack. Capsaicin, an extract of the plant, is used in the manufacture of pain relief and offers health benefits such as helping to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is also used to make pepper spray, such as that used in tear gas.


AI model will help doctors with radiology diagnoses

AI model will help doctors with radiology diagnoses
Updated 28 July 2024
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AI model will help doctors with radiology diagnoses

AI model will help doctors with radiology diagnoses
  • The versatile model has been trained on a range of images, including X-rays, CT scans and is tailored for medical applications

RIYADH: A new artificial intelligence model introduced by the Center of Excellence for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will help doctors make radiology diagnoses quickly and accurately.

Dr Ahmed Alsinan, the center’s AI advisor and head of the scientific team at SDAIA, said the MiniGPT-Med was capable of tasks such as generating medical reports, answering visual medical questions, describing, locating and identifying diseases, and documenting medical descriptions based on supplied images.

The versatile model has been trained on a range of images, including X-rays, CT scans and is tailored for medical applications.

Dr. Alsinan said the MiniGPT-Med had been developed collaboratively by AI specialists from both SDAIA and KAUST. The model exhibits advanced performance in generating medical reports, with 19% higher efficiency than previous models. It serves as a general interface for radiology diagnosis, enhancing diagnostic efficiency across various medical imaging applications.