Saudi charity drives support for mosque projects, Umrah trips and Zakat Al-Fitr
Updated 23 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The fifth National Campaign for Charitable Work, hosted on the Ehsan platform during Ramadan, continues to attract significant donations, focusing on mosque enhancements and worship services.
The campaign has funded more than 3,000 Umrah trips, built five mosques, maintained 46, and provided essential resources to 12, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Donations can be made via ehsan.sa or the donor service center at 8001247000, the SPA added.
Ehsan has also begun accepting Zakat Al-Fitr donations digitally to ensure prompt distribution to eligible recipients across the Kingdom.
This follows the approved charitable methods of Ehsan’s Shariah Committee, chaired by Royal Court Adviser Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars.
Donors can pay Zakat Al-Fitr via the Ehsan app or website, specifying the administrative region and the number of recipients. This is done in coordination with relevant authorities across all regions.
As part of the fifth National Campaign for Charitable Work, Zakat Al-Fitr distribution aims to empower the community during this season of giving and fulfill religious obligations, according to the SPA.
Supporting charitable initiatives, King Salman donated SR40 million ($10.6 million), while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman contributed SR30 million for the fifth campaign. So far, total donations have exceeded SR1 billion.
This achievement reflects Saudi society’s commitment to unity, solidarity, and compassion during Ramadan. Contributions have come from individuals, companies, institutions, and philanthropists.
The 2024 campaign has raised more than SR1.8 billion through 15 million transactions, reinforcing the Kingdom’s leadership in charitable work and sustainable development.
Ministerial delegation explores digital tools and partnerships to transform healthcare
Updated 12 sec ago
Arab News
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel attended a Saudi-French healthcare meeting organized by the Saudi-French Business Council in Paris.
The event focused on enhancing economic cooperation in key sectors, especially healthcare, biotechnology, and foreign and private investments, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It also explored partnership prospects between the Kingdom and France in digital health and advanced medical technologies, aiming to boost joint investment opportunities and support both countries’ ambitions to advance their healthcare sectors.
In his speech, the minister highlighted the depth of strategic ties between the Kingdom and France, noting that this strong partnership showed a shared commitment to advancing global health and tackling health challenges.
AlJalajel also emphasized cooperation in innovation, particularly in biotechnology and localizing the healthcare industry to enhance resilience and sustainability.
The event concluded with both sides underscoring the importance of strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation to serve mutual interests and a shared future vision.
During his official visit to France, the Saudi minister also held high-level bilateral meetings in Paris, the SPA reported.
He met with Anne-Claire Legendre, adviser to the French president, at the Elysee Palace, where they discussed strengthening the Saudi-French partnership in health, especially in system development, medical innovation, and knowledge exchange.
He also met with Minister of State for Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence technologies and their healthcare applications, focusing on improving quality and service efficiency.
In addition, AlJalajel met with Saudi scholarship students in Paris, praising their academic achievements and role in representing the Kingdom in international scientific forums.
He stressed their importance in shaping the future of the health sector through knowledge and innovation.
The Saudi minister’s visit will also include the signing of several memoranda of understanding in digital health, the pharmaceutical industry, and ambulatory services, as well as meetings with senior French officials to discuss future healthcare partnerships.
AlJalajel is accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the Public Health Authority, Seha Virtual Hospital, the Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies, and Health Holding Co.
Saudi Arabia expresses support for Jordan in the face of security threats
Jordan arrested 16 people, thwarting a plot that threatened national security, involving rockets, explosives and a factory to make drones
Updated 16 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it supported all measures taken by Jordan to thwart any attempts to undermine its security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “Saudi Arabia praises the measures taken by the security authorities in the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to thwart plots aimed at undermining Jordan's security and inciting chaos.”
Jordan said on Tuesday it had arrested 16 people who were trained and financed in Lebanon and had plotted attacks on targets inside the kingdom involving rockets and drones.
Jordanian authorities said at least one rocket was ready to be launched as part of an operation that had been under surveillance by security forces since 2021.
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Saudi FM arrives in Kuwait ahead of GCC - central Asian countries meeting
Prince Faisal is due to participate in the third meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and countries of Central Asia on Wednesday
Updated 15 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal is due to participate in the third meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and countries of Central Asia on Wednesday.
The meeting will discuss ways to strengthen relations between Gulf states and Central Asian countries in various fields and intensify multilateral coordination on several issues of common interest, SPA said.
When pixels meet fabric: How gaming is reshaping fashion culture in Saudi Arabia
Thriving scene in Kingdom inspires new fashion trends
Global brands enter Saudi market to create game-inspired clothing
Updated 15 April 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: Gaming in Saudi Arabia is shaping fashion trends, influencing consumer behavior, and redefining personal identity among the Kingdom’s youth.
With nearly 70 percent of the population identifying as gamers, what began as a digital pastime has evolved into a lifestyle — and that lifestyle is now visible on the streets.
According to a study by Power League Gaming and Ipsos, the relationship between gaming and fashion in the Kingdom is “symbiotic and fast-evolving.”
Cosplay culture has contributed to gaming’s influence on fashion. (Supplied)
Global brands are now actively entering the Saudi gaming scene. In 2023, Adidas became the official merchandise partner of Gamers8, the Kingdom’s largest gaming festival, co-branding esports jerseys and offering customizations on-site for fans.
“Gaming is culture in Saudi Arabia, and fashion is naturally blending into that culture,” said Matthew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming.
For many gamers clothing has become an extension of their in-game identity. Whether it is a hoodie inspired by a favorite title or a jersey from a national team, Saudi gamers are increasingly expressing their digital passions in real life.
Cosplay culture has contributed to gaming’s influence on fashion. (Supplied)
Norah Shobili, a longtime gamer, noted that what started as basic T-shirts with logos has transformed into something deeper.
Shobili said: “Now it’s more like game skins — rare, valuable, and connected to status. I once won the official Saudi Overwatch team shirt from the 2023 World Cup. I tried it on, then put it back — I’m planning to frame it because it’s more valuable to me that way. It was a limited-edition piece sold only at the headquarters of Saudi electronic games.”
This shift from novelty to lifestyle is especially visible in streetwear. Pickering said: “Saudi gamers tend to gravitate toward casual, sporty clothing — limited-edition sneakers, graphic tees, hoodies tied to their favorite teams or games.”
Matthew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming. (Supplied)
That style is not just for men. Nearly half of Saudi gamers are women, and many have merged modest fashion with gaming aesthetics — bold makeup inspired by game characters and culturally mindful outfits that still nod to the gamer identity.
Gamer Roaa Al-Johani echoed this blend of style and sentiment, saying: “It’s not just about playing games. A lot of gamers show their love for gaming through how they dress. It’s like wearing your passion out loud.”
Shatha Al-Yousef, another gamer, shares that view. “From my perspective I see the worlds of gaming and fashion as almost inseparable. Every gamer has some aesthetic sense that reflects who they are — whether in-game or in real life,” she said.
Ibrahem “Quartz” Alali, a member of the Saudi Overwatch esports team displaying his jersey which has become a collector's item since the team won the 2023 cup. (Supplied)
“It’s not just about gameplay. Even your appearance has become part of what defines you as a gamer.”
Still, this movement is relatively new in the Kingdom. “I believe our community is now OK with whatever you wear if it doesn’t have someone’s face on it,” said Shobili. “Other than that, dress however you like, and (you) will be stopped by someone who actually knows what you’re wearing.”
While global brands are jumping in, not all local voices are convinced of their authenticity. “I’ve never really seen meaningful collaborations between fashion brands and Saudi gamers,” Shobili added.
On the other hand, Al-Johani takes a more pragmatic view, saying: “They’re definitely commercial, but I honestly don’t mind that. I love when people get to express what they’re into — even if it’s part of a trend.”
Al-Yousef also finds value in wearing game-inspired clothing. She said: “I’ve seen a few outfits inspired by games that were really unique, though sometimes they mix characters from anime or generalize the gamer image, which doesn’t always feel accurate.
“Personally I love wearing pieces that connect me to my favorite characters — it makes me feel closer to the games I love.”
Pickering believes authenticity is the differentiator. “Successful campaigns are the ones that respect the community,” he said, pointing to projects like the Namshi x Adidas Fortnite Challenge, which generated over $1.4 million in sneaker sales and 39 million impressions. Another campaign with Maybelline New York targeted female gamers through a custom Fortnite challenge and increased conversion rates by over 3.6 percent.
What sets the Saudi market apart is its youth and energy. More than half of Saudi gamers are between 15 and 24, compared to only 29 percent in the UAE.
“It’s a young, dynamic audience that drives trends,” said Pickering. The market is also more gender-diverse than many might expect, significantly higher than in many neighboring markets.
Looking ahead, both gamers and experts agree that the next phase in the evolution will come with the upcoming Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Speaking about the Overwatch World Cup, which was won by Saudi Arabia in 2023, Shobili said: “After the OWWC, the gaming culture got more recognition by more people in the community, and with the Esport World Cup (around) the corner, many teams’ ... supporters are going to be seen wearing clans’ merchandise.
“I believe this is an opportunity for local designers to be part of this international event.”
Al-Johani shares that hope, saying: “I’d love to see more events and collaborations. It’s so great when every group — gamers, anime fans, sports lovers — gets something that speaks to their interests.”
The future of fashion, Pickering believes, may be born on gaming platforms. With the rise of AI, AR, and VR, gaming is becoming a testbed for virtual fashion — digital skins, avatar style, and virtual stores. “We expect a future where a gamer in Jeddah shops a new collection in the metaverse, tries it on virtually, and receives both the in-game skin and real-world version at home,” he said.
As lines blur between reality and virtual life, fashion brands that embrace this shift early — especially in tech-savvy, youth-driven markets like Saudi Arabia — are likely to define the next generation of style.
