KSrelief launches training program for orphan supervisors in Yemen
Updated 14 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has started a training program for people supervising orphans in Yemen’s coastal area of Hadramout in coordination with the country’s ministry of social affairs and labor.
The initiative is part of the agency’s Sanad for Orphans project to “enhance the efficiency and capabilities of orphan supervisors through skills development, knowledge enhancement, and practical behavioral training,” the Saudi Press Agency said.
It will also cover practices related to orphan protection and care.
The Sanad project provides social, educational and economic empowerment programs for orphans and their families. As part of this initiative, a training program will be provided for 30 social supervisors from organizations working in orphan care in Hadramout and Taiz governorates.
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences after passing of former Jordanian PM
Al-Rifai passed away on Monday aged 87
He first became prime minister in 1973 and later served in the post for a second time in 1985
Updated 13 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince offered their condolences to Jordan’s King Abdullah on Tuesday after the passing of former prime minister Zaid Al-Rifai.
In separate cables of condolences, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prayed that God have mercy on the deceased and forgive him.
Al-Rifai passed away on Monday aged 87, Roya News reported. He first became prime minister in 1973 and later served in the post for a second time in 1985.
Saudi woman serves up tasty dishes and royal history
King Abdullah’s sunglasses, other artifacts displayed at Umm Mohammed’s restaurant in Jeddah
Updated 13 August 2024
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: A restaurant in Jeddah is serving up not only delectable Saudi dishes, but also a peek into royal history and heritage through personal effects of the Kingdom’s beloved royals.
They are part of Umm Mohammed’s collection of rare items acquired over the last 20 years out of her love for her country and her passion for national and cultural heritage.
The royal artifacts at Faseelah are part of Umm Mohammed’s collection acquired over the last 20 years out of her love for her country and her passion for national heritage. (AN photo by Saleh Fareed)
Among the treasured items at Faseelah Restaurant, which is located in the Al-Rawdah district, is a travel bag that belonged to King Salman; King Abdullah’s shoes; King Faisal’s office clock; a portrait of King Faisal drawn by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal; King Abdullah’s sunglasses; Prince Naif’s stuffed falcons; and other notable items such as silver incense burners and coffee pots.
Umm Mohammed told Arab News: “The memorabilia displayed at the restaurant holds a special connection … and allows visitors a glimpse into history.
It is necessary that we, as old members of society, introduce today’s new generation to the heritage and the culture that has helped build this great country.
Umm Mohammed, Faseelah museum founder
“My deep love for our leaders is what prompted me to search for their possessions and display them so that people can see them, specifically the present generations so that they know the greatness of our history and our heritage that the kings have not abandoned.”
She added that the artifacts in her collection were sourced in a number of ways, including from private collectors, charity associations, international auctions, royal palaces, and donations from the relatives of kings and emirs.
Faseelah Restaurant and Museum is not just limited to royal heritage, but also showcases pieces from around the world, including historic artifacts from the Ottoman era, Europe and the imperial palaces of China. (Supplied)
And she is continuing her search for more items to expand the collection.
She said: “I truly love our leaders and I’m proud to display their memorabilia.
“Our leaders have done great things for their country and people. Now, with Saudi Vision 2030, we are achieving our ambitious plan.”
The royal artifacts at Faseelah are part of Umm Mohammed’s collection acquired over the last 20 years out of her love for her country and her passion for national heritage. (AN photo by Saleh Fareed)
Umm Mohammed said she believes in not only preserving but sharing the country’s rich culture and heritage, adding that it is “a powerful force” and that the most important part of it is “making the new generations aware of it.”
Umm Mohammed’s husband Maj. Gen. Abdulhafiz Al-Rahily is also involved in collecting and has helped in the quest to present items for the public to see.
Umm Mohammed added that she has been inspired by the need to preserve Saudi history as the Kingdom’s vast heritage “has not been given its due.”
Faseelah Restaurant and Museum is not just limited to royal heritage, but also showcases pieces from around the world, including historic artifacts from the Ottoman era, Europe and the imperial palaces of China. (AN photo by Saleh Fareed)
She said: “Heritage is a combination of all things that we inherit from our ancestors and it forms the groundwork on which we build our entire lives.
“It is necessary that we, as old members of society, introduce today’s new generation to the heritage and the culture that has helped build this great country.”
She added that this heritage is preserved in the “memories and objects connected to the national narrative, each belonging to specific individuals that have had an impact on the story of the nation.”
The restaurant serves traditional Saudi food, deepening the cultural experience for its patrons. (Supplied)
Faseelah Restaurant and Museum is not just limited to royal heritage, but also showcases pieces from around the world, including historic artifacts from the Ottoman era, Europe and the imperial palaces of China.
Her son, Mohammed Al-Rahily, said that some of the items were sourced directly from their owners and relatives, adding: “King Abdullah’s possessions were given to my mother by one of the king’s sons.”
He explained that Faseelah was originally launched as a museum called Al-Mahra Heritage Museum, and was transformed into a restaurant last year.
The restaurant serves traditional Saudi food, deepening the cultural experience for its patrons.
Hilal Al-Ahmadi, the supervisor of the restaurant, said that the site contains more than 300 items, and added: “This restaurant provides a real opportunity for foreign customers and the new generation to see authentic Saudi heritage.”
Saudi crown prince offers condolences after passing of Kuwait’s Sheikh Salem
Sheikh Salem was the president of Kuwait’s National Guard
Updated 13 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered his condolences to Kuwait’s emir and crown prince on Tuesday after the passing of Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.
In separate phone calls to Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah, Prince Mohammed prayed that God have mercy on the deceased and forgive him.
Sheikh Salem was the president of Kuwait’s National Guard.
Who’s Who: Khaled Abbas, CEO of Gulf International Bank Saudi Arabia
Updated 13 August 2024
Arab News
Khaled Abbas has been the CEO of Gulf International Bank Saudi Arabia since March 2024. He assumed the role with 27 years of banking experience across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE.
Abbas has also served as a non-executive board member of GIB Capital, an investment banking and asset management business of the GIB Group, since July 2024.
Previously, he was the group wholesale banking head at GIB from 2019, with geographical coverage responsibilities across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, as well as the London and New York offices.
He also led the establishment of GIB’s branch in Oman.
Before joining GIB, Abbas held multiple senior roles at several regional banks. He was corporate banking regional head at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank from 2010 to 2018.
Before that, he served as assistant general manager leading a corporate banking unit of Samba Financial Group, where he worked from 2001 to 2010.
He started his professional career in the corporate banking division with Banque Saudi Fransi in 1997.
Abbas holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies with an emphasis on banking and finance from the Lebanese American University in Beirut.
He has completed several executive education management courses, including the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, the Leadership Development Program at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, and the Young Managers Program at INSEAD, France.
