Prince Abdulaziz visits Saudi athletes at Olympic Village, emphasizes historic participation
Ten athletes, seven men and three women, will be competing in four sporting codes
Updated 27 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and head of the delegation to the 33rd Summer Olympic Games, visited the nation’s athletes at their accommodation on Thursday.
Ten athletes, seven men and three women, will be competing in four sporting codes — athletics, equestrian, swimming and taekwondo, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Addressing the athletes, Prince Abdulaziz emphasized that their first Olympic participation marks a significant step in their careers.
He was confident that they would perform well for Saudi Arabia on the world stage.
White House thanks crown prince for facilitating Russia, Ukraine talks
Updated 26 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The White House has thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating talks with Russia and Ukraine about safe navigation in the Black Sea.
A statement said: “The United States expresses gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in once again facilitating these important discussions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The US reached separate agreements with Russia and Ukraine in Riyadh to keep the waterway — a vital route for agricultural goods — secure.
The two parties visited the Kingdom to discuss, along with US and Saudi officials, first steps on settling crucial issues in the hopes of reaching a wider resolution to the conflict.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has annexed parts of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the talks, calling them early steps toward a peaceful settlement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “We will need clear guarantees. And given the sad experience of agreements with just Kyiv, the guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to Zelensky and his team to do one thing and not the other.”
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel attack in Syria that killed civilians
Updated 26 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday an Israeli attack on Syria that killed civilians.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of the continued attempts of the Israeli occupation authorities to undermine the security and stability of Syria and the region through their blatant and repeated violations of relevant international laws.
Syrian authorities said the attack on the village of Kuwayya killed at least 6 civilians.
The Syrian foreign ministry in a statement condemned “the continued Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, which saw a dangerous escalation in the village of Kuwayya” in the southern Daraa province.
Israel has continued its bombing campaign in Syria even after the ouster of Bashar Assad, whose rule came to an end last year after a swift rebel advance led to him fleeing to Russia.
Themes of faith and introspection reflected in artwork
Updated 25 March 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: The holy month of Ramadan offers profound creative inspiration with its themes of faith, renewal and introspection, three Saudi artists have told Arab News.
Norah Al-Ruwaili, Manar Al-Otaibi and Sultan Al-Qahtani discussed how Ramadan shapes their artistic expression.
For Al-Ruwaili, the holy month allows her to engage with her work more deeply. “Ramadan naturally slows everything down, creating space for reflection and intentionality,” she said.
An artwork featuring floral patterns and Arabic calligraphy. (Supplied/@noras.scribbles)
“That shift influences my art. I become more mindful of the themes I explore and the emotions I want to convey.”
Al-Otaibi echoed this sentiment, describing how Ramadan transforms her approach to creativity.
“Ramadan deeply influences my artistic process by bringing a sense of stillness, introspection and spirituality,” she said.
Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth.
Sultan Al-Qahtani
For Al-Qahtani, a photographer, Ramadan shifts his focus to nighttime settings and the beauty of lights in the holy month. “Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth,” he said.
Al-Ruwaili finds herself “drawn to themes of stillness, spirituality and inner transformation.
“Patterns, calligraphy and elements inspired by prayer mats or architecture often appear in my work, like in my Mihrab paintings.
A vibrant mihrab-inspired artwork adorned with red floral elements. (Supplied/@noras.scribbles)
“I also love incorporating symbolism, whether through floral elements that represent spiritual blossoming or color choices that evoke serenity and depth,” she said.
Al-Otaibi uses “vibrant colors and intricate patterns” to express the emotions of the holy month.
For Al-Qahtani, Ramadan photography records the community spirit; he captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements.
Al-Ruwaili said that spirituality and creativity are inseparable during Ramadan: “Creativity and spirituality aren’t separate for me, they intertwine. My artistic process becomes quieter and more intentional during Ramadan, almost like a form of meditation.”
But balancing creative work with fasting and responsibilities is a challenge, Al-Otaibi said. “It can be challenging, especially with work and other responsibilities. However, I often feel refreshed and inspired after iftar, which helps me reconnect with my creative flow,” she added.
Al-Qahtani experiences creative moments spontaneously, often between prayers and meals: “Creative moments are not planned but sometimes it can be harnessed late at night between prayers and meals.”
Representing the true spirit of Ramadan in visual art is not always easy. For Al-Ruwaili, moving beyond traditional imagery like lanterns and crescents to capture the feeling of Ramadan is her biggest challenge.
“Ramadan is deeply personal and spiritual, so visually representing its essence without being overly literal can be challenging,” she said.
“I try to move beyond traditional symbols like lanterns or crescents and focus more on the feeling of Ramadan: The sense of peace, renewal and contemplation.”
Al-Otaibi also struggles to visually depict the intangible elements of the holy month. “One challenge is translating the atmosphere of Ramadan into visual art, through key elements like the moon, fanous lights and family gatherings.
For Al-Qahtani, the challenge lies in capturing aesthetic nighttime lighting without overexposing the image: “Since most of the pictures I take are in the night, (I need) proper lighting — aesthetically pleasing lights, not just lots of lights.”
Al-Ruwaili’s Mihrab digital paintings hold a deep personal meaning: “My Mihrab digital paintings are probably the clearest example. They were inspired by the patterns found in prayer mats, which hold so much significance in daily spiritual practice.
“To me, they represent a sacred space; a personal retreat where stillness and connection meet,” she said.
Al-Otaibi created a painting of a family gathering during suhoor, which “represents togetherness, tradition and the quiet beauty of Ramadan nights.”
Al-Qahtani’s photography showcases Ramadan’s lights and the communal spirit.
Through painting, photography and digital art, the three artists capture the essence of the holy month, reflecting a period that is both personal and universally meaningful.
Al-Rajhi highlighted the event as a milestone in advancing global dialogue on occupational safety and health and improving compliance with standards at regional and global levels
Updated 25 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The 7th Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference will be held in Riyadh from May 4 to 6, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The event will gather local and international leaders from governments, the private sector, and academia, to discuss the future of occupational safety and health, as well as challenges and opportunities in global labor markets.
Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Human Resources and Social Development Minister. (SPA)
The conference aims to promote a culture of safety by fostering dialogue on the latest trends, innovations, and best practices while sharing essential knowledge, the SPA reported.
It will focus on developing policies and preventive measures to enhance occupational safety and health, with an emphasis on the role of technology in improving workplace environments.
Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources and Social Development Minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi said: “The conference will address critical issues impacting work ecosystems and work on developing optimal frameworks.”
Al-Rajhi highlighted the event as a milestone in advancing global dialogue on occupational safety and health and improving compliance with standards at regional and global levels.
Governor opens new Altanfeethi Lounge at Madinah airport
Spanning 1,200 sq. meters, the lounge can accommodate over 240,000 passengers annually
Updated 25 March 2025
Arab News
MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz has opened the new Altanfeethi Lounge at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport.
Spanning 1,200 sq. meters, the lounge can accommodate over 240,000 passengers annually, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The inauguration was attended by the General Authority of Civil Aviation’s President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, and Mohammed Alkhuraisi, the chairman of the Altanfeethi Company’s board of directors, along with regional civil and military officials.
