They discussed topics of mutual cooperation and common interest
Updated 1 min 21 sec ago
Arab News
ROME: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, met Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, in the Pope’s Vatican office recently.
During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual cooperation and common interest, the Muslim World League wrote on X on Saturday.
The CEO of the league in the US and UK, Muath Alamri, wrote on X: “This meeting serves as an excellent example of religious diplomacy. Faith leaders should collaborate more effectively to promote understanding and tolerance among communities.”
Camels, kabsa, and kindness: a British influencer’s unexpected adventure in Saudi Arabia
Henry Moores walked to Riyadh from UAE ahead of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch
‘I hope to strengthen my relationship with my Saudi friends,’ says Moores
Updated 23 sec ago
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: Henry Moores, a British influencer, has made an unusual journey to Riyadh for the high-profile boxing rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, having walked across Saudi Arabia from the UAE.
Describing the trip as an opportunity he “simply couldn’t afford to miss,” Moores told Arab News: “Riyadh has long been on my radar for many years, and when the opportunity presented itself through the Fury fight, everything aligned perfectly.”
On Saturday evening the two heavyweights compete for the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles in a much-anticipated rematch from their bout last May. It is a fight of historic significance.
Henry Moores, British influencer
The response from Moores’ followers to his Saudi adventure has been “overwhelmingly positive,” he said.
“Initially, I wasn’t sure how they would react, especially as I was venturing to a place I had never visited before. However, everyone embraced the journey and truly loved the experience.”
Despite initial apprehension, Moores found reassurance through Visit Saudi, which provided him with resources and connections across the country. “I felt completely reassured about my safety.”
Saudi Arabia is stunning. I’ve met so many incredible people, and I’ve never felt safer in a country. This definitely won’t be my last time in the Kingdom.
Henry Moores, British influencer
His experiences with Saudi hospitality have been particularly memorable. “As soon as we arrived in Saudi Arabia, we were warmly welcomed by the locals with gifts, water, and offers of help and support. All my nerves were settled instantly,” he said.
“What surprised me the most was the incredible hospitality and generosity of the people,” he added. “I was actually given more bottles of water than I had purchased, and on several occasions, I was refused the chance to pay for my meals.”
One of Moores’ highlights was being welcomed into the home of the mayor of Haradh. “We shared tea, engaging conversation, and a delicious serving of kabsa,” he said.
His adventure also included a visit to a camel farm, an experience he recalled fondly. “We met a young man named Milfy, who was around my age, and he invited us to his camel farm. There, we had the unique experience of milking camels and drinking the milk right on the spot.”
Moores also addressed initial skepticism from some of his followers about his journey. “Those same individuals later apologized for their opinions and shared how much they’d love to visit Saudi Arabia now. I believe my content clearly showcased just how incredible Saudi Arabia is.”
His passion for hiking and walking, which he attributes to his mother’s influence during his childhood, was a significant part of his trip. “Reaching the heart of the Kingdom feels like a dream come true — something I never imagined I’d experience,” he said, adding that his first impressions were of a “beautiful, modern city” that captivated him.
Looking forward, Moores expressed eagerness to explore more of Saudi Arabia, particularly Diriyah, local cuisines, and Boulevard World.
He praised Visit Saudi for their support in logistics and translation. “Visit Saudi played a crucial role in connecting me, providing translation services, and facilitating the logistics of bringing a team, cameras, and a support car to make this trip possible,” he noted.
Moores also stated his desire to return. “Saudi Arabia is stunning. I’ve met so many incredible people, and I’ve never felt safer in a country. This definitely won’t be my last time in the Kingdom.
“I hope to strengthen my relationship with my Saudi friends and continue collaborating in the future, as I’m already looking forward to returning.”
Saudi farmers sow seeds of sustainability in Najran’s fertile soil
The ministry’s involvement and support is pivotal for agricultural initiatives in Najran, providing farmers with marketing help, technical advice, and promoting organic farming practices to ensure the production of safe, high-quality food
Updated 29 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The agricultural landscape of the Najran region, historically a cultural and economic anchor, now stands at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s push for food security, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality, according to a report from the Saudi Press Agency published on Saturday.
“Blessed with fertile land, a temperate climate, and diverse topography like mountainous terrain and extensive plains, Najran is a year-round agricultural hub,” the SPA stated.
Farmers in Najran cultivate crops including citrus fruits, wheat varieties such as Al-Samraa, samma, and zarai, and a range of dates including bayadh, mawakil, barhi, khalas, and rutab.
The region also yields tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, zucchini, beans, onions, and various leafy greens.
FASTFACT
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture’s provides farmers with marketing help, technical advice, and promotes organic farming practices to ensure the production of safe, high-quality food.
Through the use of innovative modern agricultural practices, local farmers have “effectively contributed to producing healthy, safe food free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers,” according to the SPA.
Hamad Al-Abbas has been an organic famer for the past six years. His farm specializes in crops strawberries and stevia, the latter harvested thrice yearly.
A standout initiative in the region is the coffee cultivation project. Ali Dhafer Al-Harith, who heads the Regional Cooperative Coffee Association, told the SPA that his passion for farming led to experimenting with coffee.
He embarked on the venture in 2022 with 4,000 seedlings. Today, the project has grown to encompass 80 farms with roughly 100,000 coffee trees, aged between three to six years, nurturing varieties including khoulani, adeni, dawairi, tuffahi, and the region-specific taisani.
Coffee planting continues year-round, except during July and August, with flowering in March and harvesting in October, he explained.
The association plays a vital role in supporting coffee farms, offering workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and handling post-harvest logistics including processing, packaging, and marketing operations.
The ministry’s involvement and support is pivotal for agricultural initiatives in Najran, providing farmers with marketing help, technical advice, and promoting organic farming practices to ensure the production of safe, high-quality food, the SPA reported.
Mureih bin Sharea Al-Shahrani, the ministry’s regional director, explained that the ministry’s support system includes helping famers cultivate local trees and rare plants, as well as “various educational programs and workshops,” through which the ministry aims to “spread awareness and expertise in sustainable agriculture.”
The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience
Updated 21 December 2024
SPA
RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said that more than 12 million people have attended Riyadh Season so far this year.
The diverse range of offerings at Riyadh Season, which began in October and lasts to March 2025, continues to captivate audiences.
Recent additions, including The Groves and Souq Al-Awaleen, have further enhanced the visitor experience.
The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience.
The anticipated Boxing Week, featuring the historic rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, attracted a significant global audience, adding a thrilling dimension to the season.
A collaborative effort with SAUDIA Group led to the recent launch of the Boulevard Runway zone, which offers a unique blend of aviation and entertainment.
Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology
Initiative seeks to provide reliable reference for researchers, journalists, and media professionals
Updated 21 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, in collaboration with the Ministry of Media, has unveiled a comprehensive glossary of media terms aimed at standardizing and clarifying media-related terminology, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
According to SPA, the initiative seeks to provide a reliable reference for researchers, journalists, and media professionals, enhancing studies related to both traditional and digital media as well as other associated fields. It is also part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to transform the media sector and promote a unified approach to media terminology.
Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, explained that the academy prioritizes the creation of digital dictionaries to support scientific research and enhance local production at both individual and institutional levels.
He emphasized that such efforts aim to build a unified database providing researchers and specialists with access to accurate sources, in addition to digital linguistic data to support developers and programmers of technical applications, whether linguistic or non-linguistic.
Al-Washmi also highlighted the academy’s past achievements in producing specialized dictionaries in partnership with various government ministries and agencies. He noted that the media terminology glossary was launched in alignment with the significant transformations taking place in the media sector, offering a crucial linguistic resource to help understand these transformations and the evolving concepts within the field.
The glossary covers a broad range of terms related to traditional media — such as print journalism, radio, and television — as well as digital media, social media, live broadcasting, podcasts, online journalism, digital marketing, contemporary media platforms, audiovisual media vocabulary, and technical terms in the media field. It also addresses emerging concepts in new media.
Containing approximately 800 entries, the glossary provides each term’s Arabic equivalent, its grammatical category, the type of entry, its meanings, and English translations.
Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations
The two-day celebration will be held under the slogan “A Melody Between Heritage and the Future”
Updated 21 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district will host events and activities to commemorate its first anniversary from Dec. 27
The two-day celebration will be held under the slogan “A Melody Between Heritage and the Future.”
It will highlight the museum’s most significant milestones since its establishment and its contributions to showcasing Saudi musical heritage while fostering national identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Events include live musical performances, guided tours within the museum, theatrical activities and a light show projected onto the museum’s facade.
The Tariq Abdulhakim Museum, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses a collection of the artist’s personal belongings, musical compositions and audiovisual materials.
It also features a music research center, providing researchers with access to an extensive music archive, with the aim of preserving intangible cultural heritage.
