Najran’s mud houses are embodiments of Kingdom’s heritage

Najran’s mud houses are embodiments of Kingdom’s heritage
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As Najran continues to evolve, preserving its mud houses remains vital. (SPA)
Najran’s mud houses are embodiments of Kingdom’s heritage
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The preservation of these cultural treasures is not just a regional priority but a collective endeavor of the community. (SPA)
Najran’s mud houses are embodiments of Kingdom’s heritage
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More than just buildings, these structures are living testaments to a way of life and cultural heritage that must be celebrated and protected for future generations. (SPA)
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Updated 16 August 2024
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Najran’s mud houses are embodiments of Kingdom’s heritage

Najran’s mud houses are embodiments of Kingdom’s heritage
  • As Najran continues to evolve, preserving its mud houses remains vital

NAJRAN: Mud houses are iconic symbols of the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region of Najran, cherished by locals for their connection to the past.

“These architectural gems have withstood the test of time, their authenticity and artistry testament to the ingenuity of generations,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The preservation of these cultural treasures is not just a regional priority but a collective endeavor of the community, the SPA stated.

Owners and local communities are working to restore these structures to their former glory, thereby safeguarding a vital part of their identity and offering future generations a tangible link to their ancestors.




As Najran continues to evolve, preserving its mud houses remains vital. (SPA)

 

“These houses are a marvel of traditional craftsmanship. They harmonize with the environment and are built with locally sourced materials including stone, clay, and wood.

 

“The intricate process of building these houses, from laying the foundation to crafting the roof, is meticulously built, showcasing the builders’ skill and dedication.”

As Najran continues to evolve, preserving its mud houses remains vital.

“More than just buildings, these structures are living testaments to a way of life and cultural heritage that must be celebrated and protected for future generations,” the SPA stated.




More than just buildings, these structures are living testaments to a way of life and cultural heritage that must be celebrated and protected for future generations. (SPA)


Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars

Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars
Updated 18 sec ago
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Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars

Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars

RIYADH: Arab and Muslim leaders will convene in Saudi Arabia for a summit scheduled for Monday that will focus on Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  

“The escalating violence in the Palestinian and Lebanese territories, including the brutal Israeli aggression, has compelled Arab and Islamic leaders to take urgent action,” read a statement on SPA.

The summit builds on the Arab-Islamic summit to be held in Riyadh will address the dangerous and unprecedented developments in Gaza and the rest of the Palestinian territories.

“This requires solidarity among Arab and Islamic nations to confront these challenges and mitigate their consequences,” SPA added.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, Indonesia, Nigeria, Palestine, and any other interested countries, along with the secretaries-general of the Arab League and OIC, to initiate immediate international action that seeks to halt the war on Gaza and pressure for a serious political process to achieve lasting, comprehensive peace based on internationally recognized principles.

The Saudi state channel Al-Ekhbariya news channel broadcast footage on Sunday of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati landing in Riyadh.


Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition

Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition
Updated 5 min 24 sec ago
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Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition

Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition
  • Method for storing dates is kept alive

Riyadh: In the heart of the palm oases in AlUla, Hailah Al-Enezi stands out for her dedication to preserving the traditional craft of shannah, an ancient method for storing dates.

Boasting over 25 years of experience, Al-Enezi has skillfully kept this heritage craft alive, reflecting the rich history of the people of AlUla, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The process of creating shannah relies on techniques that Al-Enezi learned in her childhood.

It involves the preparation and traditional treatment of natural leather to produce durable and aesthetically pleasing containers in various shapes and sizes.

While shannah is primarily used for storing dates, it has also become a symbol of heritage and a connection between generations.

This traditional craft attracts tourists and heritage enthusiasts who often purchase these handmade pieces as gifts and souvenirs when visiting AlUla.

Al-Enezi not only crafts unique bags that preserve the quality of dates, but her work also contributes to enhancing the region's cultural identity.

Her products have become a symbol of heritage that appeals to visitors seeking authentic handmade items from AlUla.

In addition, Al-Enezi goes beyond her craft by passing on her knowledge to the next generation, training young women in the traditional art, the SPA added.

Her efforts help ensure both the continuity and the revitalization of the craft.


Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language

Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language
Updated 10 November 2024
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Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language

Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language
  • Participants developed AI models for poetry, sentence parsing, and interactive language teaching

RIYADH: President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority Abdullah Al-Ghamdi recently honored the winning teams of the largest event dedicated to advancing the Arabic language, the Allam Challenge, held in Riyadh from Nov. 7-9.

The competition, organized in collaboration with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, with technical support from IBM and the National Technology Development Program, attracted 600 participants from 17 countries.

The event celebrated the achievements of talented individuals dedicated to advancing Arabic language technologies through AI, with a prize pool of SR1 million ($266,000), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The competition aimed to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, parsing sentences accurately, and teaching the Arabic language in an engaging manner.

The deputy director of the National Information Center, Mishari Almishari, emphasized the significance of developing technologies to preserve the Arabic language, especially in an era of rapid technological advancements.

The first team secured a prize of SR500,000, the second won SR300,000, and the third won SR200,000. Additionally, five teams from the National Technology Development Program were recognized for their outstanding projects, receiving a total prize of SR750,000.

More than 50 mentors and 40 judges — experts in AI and the Arabic language — oversaw the challenge, providing support to participating teams and evaluating projects based on criteria to ensure the sustainability of the proposed solutions.

By supporting such initiatives, the authority reinforces its commitment to harnessing AI to empower the Arabic language and foster innovation in the field.


Fumio Iwai honors Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili for promoting ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia

Fumio Iwai honors Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili for promoting ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia
Updated 10 November 2024
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Fumio Iwai honors Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili for promoting ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia

Fumio Iwai honors Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili for promoting ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia
  • Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili expressed appreciation for the commendation from Japanese envoy

Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Fumio Iwai hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the Commendation of Foreign Minister of Japan in honor of Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili, Executive Director of Higher Institute for Plastics Fabrication (HIPF) for his contribution to promotion of economic relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his speech, Iwai highlighted that HIPF is a symbolic project of the industrial technical cooperation between the two nations in the field of human resources development.

Since its establishment in 2007, HIPF has trained 2,500 Saudi youth under the supervision of Japanese experts as skilled plastics fabrication machine operators in the Kingdom and has sent Saudi students specialized in plastics to Japanese universities for long-term training programs.

Ambassador Iwai added that Dr. Khaled’s tireless efforts enabled many HIPF graduates to be employed at Japanese companies and be greatly engaged in the various industrial fields in the Kingdom.

In his reply speech, Dr. Khaled expressed his appreciation for the commendation from the ambassador, and his commitment to further development of the bilateral relations.

On this occasion, the Japanese ambassador also mentioned that the next year 2025 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia and promised to furthering business and cultural exchange between the friendly countries.

The ceremony was attended and witnessed by a number of businesspersons and representatives of the Japanese companies in Saudi Arabia.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Cambodian monarch on independence day

King Salman (L) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
King Salman (L) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
Updated 10 November 2024
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Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Cambodian monarch on independence day

King Salman (L) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
  • Sihamoni became the king of Cambodia in 2004 after his father, Norodom Sihanouk, abdicated the throne

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday congratulated Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni on his country's Independence Day celebration, the SPA reported.

In cable, King Salman wished the Cambodian king good health and happiness, as well as continued progress and prosperity for both the government and the people. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a similar cable.
The Southeast Asian nation declared independence from France on November 9, 1953.

Sihamoni became the king of Cambodia in 2004 after his father, Norodom Sihanouk, abdicated the throne. Sihanouk later died in 2012 of illness.