A deliciously artistic trend sweeps Saudi Arabia’s X breakfast community

People from all over the Kingdom contribute their carefully crafted breakfast plates with artistic flair on platform X, making breakfast a celebrated moment every day. (X/Supplied)
People from all over the Kingdom contribute their carefully crafted breakfast plates with artistic flair on platform X, making breakfast a celebrated moment every day. (X/Supplied)
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Updated 05 October 2024
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A deliciously artistic trend sweeps Saudi Arabia’s X breakfast community

A deliciously artistic trend sweeps Saudi Arabia’s X breakfast community
  • Arab News looks at the evolution of an online community taking breakfast to new levels
  • The evolution of a vibrant online group

RIYADH: In the age of social media, where trends are born in an instant and entire communities form around shared passions, one unique and wholesome movement has emerged on X to celebrate the most important meal of the day: breakfast.

What began as a simple space for users in Saudi Arabia to share their daily meals has quickly evolved into a vibrant online community where creativity, health, and aesthetic presentation come together.




Photo by Shoroog Al-Ghamdi

People from all over the Kingdom contribute their carefully crafted breakfast plates with artistic flair, making breakfast a celebrated moment every day.

Khaled Saud, the creator of the community, has reflected on how far it has come, saying: “Watching the community grow from fun and lighthearted posts to a space where people take pride in their breakfast creations has been incredibly rewarding.

HIGHLIGHTS

• For some participants the online community has sparked a new motivation to take breakfast more seriously.

• In addition to creativity, health is also a significant focus within the community.

“I’m happy to see how much participation has increased and how creative the presentations have become.”

For some participants the community has sparked a new motivation to take breakfast more seriously.




Photo by Mashael Omar

Wafa Al-Qahtani shared how the group helped her stay consistent with her meals, saying: “The reason I love this community is the interaction from the people. Honestly, it has motivated me to maintain a daily breakfast routine, and I try to get creative so I can post it in the community.”

This sentiment is echoed by Ameera Al-Dossari, who has embraced the idea of breakfast as a shared experience and said: “This is such a beautiful concept; it motivates me to wake up early and participate.

Seeing everyone’s posts encourages me to be more thoughtful with my breakfast choices. Honestly, I’ve started taking more care of my meals.

Ameera Al-Dossari, Community member

“Seeing everyone’s posts encourages me to be more thoughtful with my breakfast choices. Honestly, I’ve started taking more care of my meals.”

The community, for many, is not only about the food but about the relationships and connections formed through a shared love for breakfast.




Photo by Khansa Al-Omari

It has also had an unexpected effect on some members’ sleep schedules. One user joked that they had been trying and failing to wake up at 7 a.m. for two months but after joining the community were happy to wake up at 5:30 a.m.

“For me, breakfast is one of the best moments of the day. I don’t just see it as a meal; it’s more like a ritual where we begin a new day,” said Rahaf Tareq, for whom breakfast has become a cherished time.

That sentiment captures the essence of why so many in Saudi Arabia are drawn to the movement — it provides a moment of mindfulness and self-care at the start of each day.




Photo by Khansa Al-Omari

In addition to creativity, health is also a significant focus within the community.

Ram Wael highlighted the importance of breakfast as a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle, saying: “The reason I participate is that breakfast is an essential and necessary meal that needs to be healthy.




Photo by Ram Wael

“However, many people have neglected its importance, and I love how this community has sparked a sense of competition and enthusiasm for creating and sharing breakfast.”

Wael’s participation is driven by a desire to bring attention to the value of a nutritious breakfast, encouraging others in the Kingdom to see it as more than just a quick meal.




Photo by Rahaf Tareq

Sahar Khojah, who believes the breakfast community has ignited a love for cooking and sharing with others, said: “I’ve always loved cooking and I constantly take pictures of my breakfast.

“I was really happy when I found this breakfast community because now I can share my meals, not just for myself but for people who appreciate them and can see my work.”

This sense of shared appreciation has turned a solitary activity into one that brings joy to others, showcasing how food can be a powerful tool for connection.

Khansa Al-Omari shared her excitement over the group’s influence on her creativity, saying: “It’s really nice when someone gets excited, prepares breakfast, and gets creative.

“Even though I don’t post often, when I see the shared posts I get inspired to make myself a neat breakfast. The community encourages even those who don’t often participate to step up their game and bring a sense of artistry into their everyday routines.”

Shoroog Al-Ghamdi, a software engineer, uses an analogy from her field to describe how breakfast fits into her life. She said: “In software we have something called eager loading, which loads all the data we need in advance.

“Breakfast is my way of loading my energy and booting up my brain cells!”

For Al-Ghamdi, breakfast is not just fuel for the body but also a mental preparation for the day ahead, tying it to productivity and well-being.

Layan Sultan reflected on how breakfast helps her start her day. She said: “The reason I show my breakfast specifically is that it’s one of the reasons I wake up excited every morning.

“There’s something good in every day, even if it’s just a meal. This meal makes my body, mind, and soul awake and ready to face every single thing that day brings.”

This collective enthusiasm across Saudi Arabia ensures that the community continues to grow, inspiring others to prioritize breakfast and add a personal, artistic touch to their meals.

Mashael Omar summed it all up, saying: “Breakfast gives energy for the rest of the day, improves the mood, and is part of practicing the hobby of cooking.”

 


Obesity prevention begins at home, says authority

Obesity prevention begins at home, says authority
Updated 06 March 2025
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Obesity prevention begins at home, says authority

Obesity prevention begins at home, says authority
  • Saudi Food and Drug Authority targets fast food, sugary drinks

RIYADH: Parents should be mindful at all times of the food they give their children, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority has said, as it emphasized the critical role of families in healthcare.

In a statement carried on the occasion of World Obesity Day on March 4, the SFDA urged parents “to encourage children to replace sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, with water and natural fruit juices.”

Families should also “significantly reduce fast-food consumption, a key contributor to weight gain and related health issues,” said the statement carried by the SPA.

Rather than frying food, the SFDA further advocated healthier cooking methods such as grilling and roasting.

“Recognizing the alarming global rise in obesity rates, the authority emphasizes the necessity of higher community awareness to address this growing challenge.
 

“Obesity is a complex disease that has reached pandemic proportions worldwide, tripling in prevalence since 1975. This surge is widely attributed to the adoption of increasingly sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets.

In response to the health and social implications of the obesity problem, the government has implemented a wide range of policies under its Vision 2030 plan, aiming to create a healthier population and improve quality of life.

A study published in 2022 by the Global Obesity Observatory revealed that approximately 60 percent of Saudi Arabia’s adult population is overweight, with 20 percent classified as obese.

Among children, 10.5 percent are overweight and 4.1 percent are obese.

Recent data from the Kingdom’s leading health bodies indicate an increase in childhood obesity, while the number of obese adults has decreased compared to a decade ago.


Homes, businesses in Jeddah compete to capture spirit of Ramadan

Homes, businesses in Jeddah compete to capture spirit of Ramadan
Updated 06 March 2025
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Homes, businesses in Jeddah compete to capture spirit of Ramadan

Homes, businesses in Jeddah compete to capture spirit of Ramadan
  • The scheme invites the public to create a memorable Ramadan experience, sparking creativity with diverse decorations
  • Winners of the competition will be announced after Ramadan

JEDDAH: Homes and businesses in Jeddah will capture the festive spirit of Ramadan as part of a decoration competition launched by the city’s municipality.

The scheme to decorate the facades of homes and shops was launched in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority.

It invites the public to create a memorable Ramadan experience, sparking creativity with diverse decorations — from colorful lanterns and Islamic designs to twinkling lights — and adding unique charm to the festive atmosphere.

Mohammed Al-Bugami, the spokesperson of Jeddah Municipality, told Arab News that the competition will recognize the efforts that residents, restaurants, cafes and shops put into their festive lights and ornaments.

“The Ramadan Home and Shop Decoration Competition is a great opportunity to showcase the spirit of the holy month and bring joy and happiness to the community,” he said.

“Ramadan has a special place in the hearts of Muslims and is a time for reflection, worship and social interaction,” he added. “By decorating homes and shops, everyone can participate in creating a festive environment that expresses the values ​​of generosity and hospitality.”

The scheme is a celebration of the holy month and reflects Jeddah’s commitment to its society, Al-Bugami said.

The competition invites Jeddah residents to decorate their homes and highlight the Ramadan atmosphere through creative designs that reflect the spirit of the holy month.

Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, the use of heritage elements, lighting and environmental sustainability.

Winners of the competition will be announced after Ramadan.


Saudi foreign trade authority chief meets Rwanda’s ambassador

Saudi foreign trade authority chief meets Rwanda’s ambassador
Updated 06 March 2025
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Saudi foreign trade authority chief meets Rwanda’s ambassador

Saudi foreign trade authority chief meets Rwanda’s ambassador

Mohammed Abdul Jabbar, acting governor of the Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade, met with Rwanda's Ambassador to the Kingdome Segore Kayihura in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the officials discussed ways to enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries, the Embassy of Rwanda in the Kingdom wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeirmet with the recently appointed Ambassador of Egypt to the Kingdom Ihab Abu Sarea in Riyadh, wishing him success in his new role, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.


Baha’s stone building craft thriving as local artisans embrace heritage

Baha’s stone building craft thriving as local artisans embrace heritage
Updated 06 March 2025
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Baha’s stone building craft thriving as local artisans embrace heritage

Baha’s stone building craft thriving as local artisans embrace heritage
  • Building using stone, a cornerstone of the region’s heritage, remains integral to Baha’s cultural fabric, with locals working to adapt the practice to meet contemporary demands

RIYADH: The natural environment profoundly shapes the architectural heritage of Saudi Arabia’s Baha region, where the traditional craft of stone building has thrived for generations, with local artisans skillfully utilizing the region’s abundant stones and trees.

Building using stone, a cornerstone of the region’s heritage, remains integral to Baha’s cultural fabric, with locals working to adapt the practice to meet contemporary demands, a Saudi Press Agency report highlighted.

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, a seasoned builder in Baha, highlighted the labor-intensive nature of the building process, which lasts several months and involves using various types of stones, including cornerstones, long stones and the supporting Al-Mateen or Al-Dahr stones, which are essential for erecting a room.

Saleh Al-Zahrani, another local builder, highlighted the process of finishing a building with mud plastering, using juniper trees for doors and windows, and embellishing them with decorative carvings. The houses are further adorned with white quartz stones, creating a distinct look.

The architectural similarities among buildings in Baha are notable. Dwellings are closely arranged, and villages feature narrow streets and a central square for social activities.


Online registration for itikaf at Two Holy Mosques begins

Worshippers pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
Worshippers pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
Updated 06 March 2025
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Online registration for itikaf at Two Holy Mosques begins

Worshippers pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
  • Itikaf is the act of remaining in seclusion at a mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan
  • An applicant must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the Kingdom, or hold valid residency status

RIYADH: Authorities are now accepting online applications for itikaf at the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque.

Itikaf is the act of remaining in seclusion at a mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan. While doing so, individuals devote themselves to the worship of God during what Muslims consider to be the best 10 nights of the year.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque urged those who wish to perform the ritual to choose a mosque, submit an application, watch an awareness video to familiarize themselves with the service, and review the conditions that must be fulfilled during the period of seclusion, which runs from Ramadan 20 until the end of the Isha prayer on the night before Eid Al-Fitr.

An applicant must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the Kingdom, or hold valid residency status. Itikaf permits are free and registration requests can be submitted at eserv.wmn.gov.sa.