Saudi MMA fighters make waves in world of combat sport
Al-Saif and Al-Qahtani reflect on their career journeys
Updated 18 July 2024
HUSSAM AL-MAYMAN
RIYADH: Two trailblazing Saudi mixed martial arts fighters making waves in the Professional Fighters League praised the development of the sport in the Kingdom.
Hattan Al-Saif and Abdullah Al-Qahtani, the most recent guests on “The Mayman Show” by Arab News, recalled their journeys in the world of combat sports.
“Combat sports were unknown in Saudi Arabia, but thanks to the Ministry of Sports, everyone was really pushing, pushing in different ways in Saudi Arabia to develop the sports in a really good way,” Al-Saif said. “We have Saudi games ... we have a lot of tournaments, I’m really proud to be Saudi and I feel like I’m prouder day by day for being a sports person from Saudi in Saudi.”
Al-Saif, 22, a pioneering female fighter, has already made history with her gold-medal win at the 2023 International Federation of Muay Thai Associations World Championships.
Professional fighter Al-Qahtani said: “When I got the contract I was the first in Saudi Arabia, and then I go there and have a good record and … you know, they love it, and they gave me more of what I need,” he said.
“They push me to be the best, and now I’m in the league, I’m in the PFL MENA League, before it was just two or three fights on the global (stage).”
Of his PFL victories, Al-Qahtani said the contests “made me like a star, because the fights were crazy, and I did something no one can do, you know.”
Both fighters agree that their trailblazing efforts should make the Kingdom proud.
“I’m gonna represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And it’s not an easy country to represent and they’re not easy people to make them satisfied with what you are doing. But I’m quite sure that I’m a good person to do it, and I am so proud to be this person to do it,” Al-Saif said. “So, I’m always pushing myself. I’m always doing the best.”
She added that she is glad to have Al-Qahtani and others who support her.
“I have my team, I have my coach. And also half of Saudi Arabia are in love with me and they are helping me and they are pushing me,” she said. “I see a lot of comments. I see a lot of DMs. I see a lot of messages of Saudi people telling me they believe in me. They are proud of me.”
Al-Qahtani said much of his success is down to the influence of his mother.
“My mom, you know, she wanted me to be a world champion, but which sport? We didn’t know. Just a world champion, in a combat sport.”
Besides combat sports he said he also likes extreme sports such as dirt biking.
“But, when I grew up, I liked Muay Thai, MMA … kickboxing. I know what this sport is, this is a combat sport. I just saw my mom who wanted to push me. I needed to be a world champion … and so, yeah, I just started that.”
At PFL MENA 2 on July 12, when Al-Saif beat Egypt’s Eman Baraka at Riyadh’s Green Halls Auditorium, she had Al-Qahtani, currently the Kingdom’s biggest MMA star, in her corner.
Young falcon fetches record $56,000 at Riyadh auction
Updated 4 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: A young peregrine falcon fetched a record price of SR210,000 ($56,000) on the 18th night of this year’s Saudi Falcons Club auction near the Saudi capital.
The event is being held at the club’s headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Nov. 15.
Starting at SR50,000, the bidding was intense, ultimately leading to the impressive final sale price of SR210,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Saudi Falcons Club offers extensive services to falconers throughout the hunting season, including housing and transporting birds to the auction site from various regions.
The auction is broadcast live on television and social media, making for fast-paced, competitive bidding, the SPA reported.
It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural, economic, and historical heritage in line with Vision 2030.
The event supports falconry activities and aims to develop the local falcon auction market, positioning it as a global hub for enthusiasts.
Moreover, it seeks to regulate the buying and selling of falcons in the Kingdom, while protecting endangered species.
Translation bridges cultures, fuels Vision 2030, Riyadh forum told
Experts discuss translation’s role in fostering global relations, driving growth
Updated 12 min 26 sec ago
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: Translation is the “backbone” of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, building bridges with the world, and supporting Vision 2030, an international forum in Riyadh has been told.
The International Translation Forum, which concluded in Riyadh on Saturday, explored how translation can foster cultural exchange, improve global dialogue, and attract investment.
Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the two-day summit attracted professionals, scholars and industry leaders from around the world.
The forum highlighted translation’s crucial role in building international relations, attracting investment, and promoting Saudi culture worldwide.
It also covered the latest developments in translation, showcased new practices and technologies, and addressed local and international challenges for translators.
Notable speaker Amer Qobti, a Ph.D. candidate at Kent State University in Ohio, emphasized translation’s essential role in the nation’s transformation.
“Translation is actually the backbone of this transformation. The country’s vision is actually built on opening to other cultures, attracting outside interests, and all of these initiatives need translation,” Qobti said.
“Without translation, there is no international dialogue, no contact with other investors to come to Saudi Arabia, and without it, foreign companies won’t explore Saudi culture. I would say for any success in the country’s transformation, translation should be part of it.”
The forum featured over 10 panel discussions, seven “Translation Tales” sessions, and six discussion circles, allowing participants to explore various translation specializations and strategies.
With contributions from over 45 local and international experts, the event highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing translation industry and its alignment with the Kingdom’s ambition to become a cultural and economic powerhouse.
The Publishing Association, under the Ministry of Culture and the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector, introduced initiatives to support Saudi publishers, launched during the Riyadh International Book Fair in October 2023.
Aimed at Saudi publishing houses, the association seeks to strengthen industry ties, provide essential resources, and advocate best practices in publishing. These initiatives empower local publishers to expand their reach and connect with international markets.
In addition to talks, the forum offered interactive translation experiences and specialized workshops on topics such as “Digital Presence and Translators’ Professional Identity” and “Integrating GenAI into CAT Tools,” equipping participants with practical skills and insights into the latest tech advancements.
A unique feature of the forum was its focus on fostering both competition and collaboration among translation professionals. It aimed to give translators and publishers an opportunity to share insights, engage in high-level discussions, and explore innovative solutions to enhance professional standards.
The forum included an exhibition featuring about 30 entities specializing in translation, showcasing the latest technologies and tools to support the sector.
The exhibition offered opportunities to enhance cooperation and build strategic partnerships with academic institutions, technology companies, and media outlets, aiming to develop and modernize translation methods.
Virtual, AI-powered Saudi travel companion impresses visitors at travel exhibition in London
The new app, called SARA, offers users insights and advice about the Kingdom’s tourist attractions in a natural and seamless conversational style
Updated 09 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Tourism Authority unveiled the beta version of SARA, its new travel companion app for visitors to the Kingdom, at the World Travel Market exhibition in London this week.
It allows users to interact with a digital female guide, powered by AI, who is deeply knowledgeable about Saudi Arabia and offers insights and advice about the country’s tourist destinations, historical landmarks, archaeological sites, cultural diversity, international events, and anything else a visitor might be interested in.
SARA was on show in the Visit Saudi pavilion at the World Travel Market, which began on Monday and concluded on Wednesday. Officials said she interacted directly with attendees, who were captivated by her engaging stories about the Kingdom’s tourist attractions and experiences, and the extensive information she was able to provide.
The app reflects the nation’s progressive approach to smart tourism, they added, and leverages the latest developments in AI so that it can respond to questions, understand visitor needs, and offer personalized information and suggestions in a natural and seamless conversational style.
How Saudi Arabia’s wild lotus shrub was brought back from the brink of extinction
The wild lotus shrub thrives in streams, blooming with small red flowers during the hot summer months
Afforestation and land reclamation efforts under the Saudi Green Initiative were key to the plant’s revival
Updated 16 min 56 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: After coming to the brink of extinction, the wild lotus shrub has been rediscovered in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region. This revival is owed in large part to the afforestation and land reclamation efforts of nature reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Protecting and preserving wild areas, along with restoring trees and plants to the environment, such as this annual shrub with its vibrant red flowers, are key components of Saudi Arabia’s sustainable development agenda.
The wild lotus is native to areas stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in arid regions and dry shrubland biomes, found in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and the Sinai Peninsula.
Nasser Al-Majlad, president of Aman Environmental Society, told the Saudi Press Agency that the wild lotus shrub has been found thriving in streams in the valleys of the Kingdom’s Northern Borders region.
Locally known as “Hamar Ward” or “Harbith,” the shrub blooms during the hot summer months, producing small, red flowers. Its scientific name is Lotus lanuginosus.
“Wild Lotus, or Hamar Ward, is an herbaceous perennial wild plant, branched, extending vertically to 40 cm or 20 cm, and its leaves are compound with five leaflets and their dimensions are from 1.3 to 0.5 cm,” Obid Aloni, an environmental activist and member of Al-Yusr and Desert Plants Association, told Arab News.
Echinops, an erect branching spiny-leaved herb that is one meter high and has very pale blue flowers in spherical heads. This flower is found in Diriyah and other parts of the central region of Saudi Arabia. (Shutterstock photo)
Herbaceous perennial plants complete their life cycle over a period of more than two years. They have non-woody stems, allowing them to reach their full height and produce flowers year after year.
Aloni, who has specialized in plants and agriculture for 30 years, told Arab News that the wildflower serves as a stunning embellishment in both cultivated and rocky landscapes.
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“It is planted usually at the beginning of winter — for those who want to plant it — like spring flowers,” he said, adding that the species had almost reached extinction if not for the efforts of royal reserves in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to the wild lotus shrub, Saudi Arabia’s wilderness is home to a diverse array of flower species — including the Convolvulus buschiricus. Native to Hegra in the Madinah province, this shrubby plant has hairy stems that can grow up to 1 meter in height. It also has pink, scentless flowers measuring 2.5 cm in width.
Retama raetam, a shrubby plant with thin and flexible branches, is found in Hegra in Madinah province. (Shutterstock)
Also found in Hegra is the Retama raetam, a shrubby plant with thin, flexible branches. Its small flowers, measuring one cm in width, are accompanied by simple, narrow leaves that are 10 mm long.
Other Saudi wildflowers include the Lavandula dentata in Asir’s Jabal Soudah, Echinops in Diriyah and Teucrium oliverianum in Tumair, Riyadh province. Teucrium oliverianum, commonly known as “ahneh,” is also found in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, located in the Kingdom’s northern provinces.
DID YOUKNOW?
• The lotus flower is a traditional herb used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
• The plant’s tea has been promoted as a weight-loss aid and a drink for reducing body lipids.
• Nelumbo nucifera is known for its anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Afforestation and the preservation of natural habitats in the Kingdom have advanced significantly in recent years, driven by environmental protection schemes like the Saudi Green Initiative.
One of the key goals of the SGI is to rehabilitate more than 74 million hectares of land by planting 10 billion trees nationwide, while also restoring the Kingdom’s natural greenery.
Teucrium oliverianum, commonly known as "Ahneh," thrives in Riyadh province as well as in the Kingdom's northern provinces. (SPA)
Through extensive planting efforts, the Saudi government aims to restore vital ecological functions, improve air quality, and, ultimately, reduce the frequency of sandstorms.
Since 2021, more than 49 million trees and shrubs have been planted, and 94,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated, according to the SGI website.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental protection extends beyond its borders, making a significant impact at both a regional and global level.
Officials and representatives of government entities and associations along with locals participate in the greening activity at the King Abdulaziz Protected Pasture in Al Hanakiyah governorate. (SPA photo)
The Kingdom launched the Middle East Green Initiative in 2021 to help mitigate the impact of climate change in the wider region and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in global sustainability efforts.
The MGI also promotes afforestation with the aim of planting some 50 billion trees across the Middle East.
Also contributing greatly to the restoration of nature in Saudi Arabia is the NEOM giga-project taking shape on the Kingdom’s northwestern coastline. In collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification, NEOM has been implementing its own regreening initiative since 2022.
Lavandula dentata, a flower native to Asir that reaches up to 60 centimeters and has leaves with toothed edges and a slightly woolly texture. (Shutterstock)
Khaled Al-Abdulqader, the center’s CEO, highlighted in a NEOM report that the regreening initiative will significantly support efforts to protect the environment, in addition to “directly contributing to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative.”
Through dedicated afforestation efforts, wildflowers like the wild lotus and other native plants may have the opportunity to grow and thrive, even in some of the most arid regions of the world.
The Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining a healthy environment and balancing its ecosystem is a key goal of its Vision 2030 agenda, aimed at ensuring sustainable development while creating a thriving society.
Makkah royal commission showcases city’s cultural, tourist offerings at World Travel Market
Saudi minister of tourism speaks of Kingdom’s investment in sector
Updated 08 November 2024
Arab News
LONDON: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites this week showcased key projects that highlight the Saudi city’s rich cultural and historical significance, as part of the Saudi delegation at the World Travel Market 2024 in London.
Major initiatives featured by the RCMC included the Hira Cultural District, the Revelation Exhibition, the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Kaaba, and the Institute of Manuscripts and Revival of Islamic Heritage.
The RCMC pavilion also provided insights into major infrastructure developments, such as Makkah’s public transportation system.
This system, with 12 bus routes covering all neighborhoods, is designed to ensure seamless, reliable travel and improve the quality of life for both residents and visiting pilgrims.
This year’s World Travel Market event, which finished on Thursday, also saw Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Saudi minister of tourism and chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, launch the Kingdom’s participation with the Saudi Land Pavilion.
The pavilion included the Visit Saudi exhibition, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority for the fourth consecutive year and supported by more than 70 partners in the sector, including destinations, hotels, airlines and travel companies.
Al-Khateeb said: “Saudi Arabia, the fastest-growing tourist destination globally, seeks to solidify its leadership in world tourism, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals by highlighting unique destinations, new projects, and significant investment opportunities.”
He added: “Saudi Arabia is the largest global investor in the tourism sector.”
