https://arab.news/z6xr9
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Saudi-Iranian relations and the latest regional developments were discussed, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi officials including Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan who received Aragchi separately, earlier on Wednesday.
ALKHOBAR: A decade after Kalimat House first began its journey in the heart of Alkhobar, the initiative has returned with a writing workshop to capture the evolving essence of the city and its people.
“We’re remaking the new narrative of Saudi Arabia,” Haifa Al-Owain, co-founder of Kalimat House, told Arab News.
Founded in 2014 by cultural visionaries Anfal Al-Hammad and Al-Owain, Kalimat House was born with a mission to foster literature, arts and social impact.
Initially centered on creating a safe space for women to engage in storytelling and creative expression, Kalimat has evolved over the years, expanding its reach to embrace all genders and a broader community, while retaining its commitment to promoting intellectual exchange and fostering creativity.
The Alkhobar workshop marked a symbolic return to where it all began for Kalimat — which has since evolved toward Riyadh and online — by providing an opportunity to reflect on the past while looking toward the future.
Founded in 2014 by cultural visionaries Anfal Al-Hammad and Haifa Al-Owain, Kalimat House was born with a mission to foster literature, arts and social impact.
Hosted at the new permanent Tanafs Cultural Experiences’ space in northern Alkhobar, the ticketed workshop invited participants, some of whom were visiting from other cities, to explore their relationship with the city of Alkhobar, using writing and photography to uncover personal histories and collective memories.
Through a unique blend of creative exercises and prompts led by Al-Owain, participants were encouraged to reflect on how their personal stories were woven into the fabric of the city.
Participants shared images of Alkhobar, including the corniche and spaces like hospital rooms, taken with both old film cameras and modern smartphones. All photos were printed to provide a tangible memory connected to Alkhobar.
Red notebooks were provided for participants to write on, but a few opted to write on their laptops or phones.
People were encouraged to read aloud their snippets to be discussed among the group.
For many, these images and the writings they inspired were more than just pictures; they were windows into the past, evoking nostalgia for familiar streets, once-bustling markets.
The ever-present Alkhobar cats and the corniche made cameos in nearly every narrative.
Even if it’s the same city, we see it in different ways.
Haifa Al-Owain, Kalimat House co-founder
“Even if it’s the same city, we see it in different ways,” Al-Owain said.
For some, the workshop was a way to reestablish a connection with a city that, depending on who you ask, had either changed too much or not enough over the years.
“The Dammam I was born in is not the Dammam I live in right now,” Al-Owain said.
Dammam, a vital port located in the Eastern Province, is a prime example of urbanization, with new developments reshaping its skyline and identity.
Now mostly residing in Riyadh where she grew up, Al-Owain sees the change that has shifted over time in each city as personal to each of us.
She said: “I think it’s funny how some people found it to be a relief for a city to be the same and others found that to be disappointing. So it just depends on their ideas.”
The tension between progress and preservation became a central topic during the discussions. Participants pondered what aspects of their cities they felt should remain the same and what should evolve with time — a conversation that spoke to the larger cultural shifts happening across Saudi Arabia.
One of the workshop’s most poignant moments came through the reflections of Hussah Al-Yahya, a past participant who returned to Alkhobar four months ago after three years in London.
“I was born and raised in Alkhobar; this is my hometown,” she told Arab News. “I attended some Kalimat workshops in the past. My experience today was different from the earlier workshops that I attended. It’s different because I’m a different person.”
The workshop for Al-Yahya was not just a chance to reflect on the city; it was a journey of self-discovery and reconnection with a place that held memories of both joy and struggle.
“I have so many experiences in the city, good and bad,” she said. “But for the most part I do remember or I am grateful that even my bad experiences were amongst people and a place that is like this. I was lucky that my family had built a community here that was very loving and supporting and kind.”
For Al-Yahya, the workshop held another particular significance. “Today’s workshop was the first time that I shared something I wrote. And it was the first time that I wrote with intention,” she explained.
Writing in a room full of mostly unfamiliar faces became a way to reconnect with both the city and the people who share it.
Kalimat House’s evolution over the years also mirrors the changes in Saudi society.
“We started Kalimat 10 years ago, and now we’ve transformed into a company that deals with both business-to-customer and business-to-business experiences,” said Al-Hammad.
Al-Hammad stressed that, from the very beginning, the goal was to create a platform that welcomed people, regardless of their language or background.
“We didn’t want to feel like we were excluding a community or someone because they didn’t speak the language,” she explained. Kalimat’s bilingual approach (Arabic and English) has played a vital role in fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Khaled Almsaad, founder of Tanafs Cultural Experiences, a community-centered initiative, was present during the workshop, offering invaluable insights and showcasing updated old maps on the big screen. His street photography was hung all over the space, offering more visual guidance to the participants.
Al-Hammad said that the goal of the workshops was to create spaces for creative exploration and human connection.
“We don’t want to do any academic or systematic workshops because people are more chilled and relaxed these days,” she said, adding that the workshops had become a vital part of the cultural scene in which participants could engage in art, literature and storytelling in an informal and inclusive setting.
For Kalimat, it is not just about the writing but fostering connections and providing a space for individuals to explore their identities and narratives.
“There won’t be a Kalimat activity without networking or socializing because they go together,” said Al-Hammad.
“Honestly, this is what has helped Kalimat survive all these years.”
RIYADH: The Embassy of Indonesia on Friday hosted the Indonesia Fashion Night, an evening celebrating designs, at Riyadh’s Cultural Palace.
Sugiri Suparwan, the deputy chief of mission at the embassy, said: “Tonight we celebrate creativity, culture, and collaboration as we showcase the beauty and diversity of Indonesian fashion.”
Noesa Birama showcased collections from nine Indonesian designers, including Deden Siswanto and her line Rachana Abra; Opie Ovie with Blue Journey to Eternity; Nina M. Nata with Splendor of Abaya; Irmasari Joedawinata with Hidden; Yani Halim with Cordial Bellis; Shaza by Adelina with Bon Voyage; Althafunissa by Karina with Haneen Jeumpa; Rinnasuri with Urang Minang; and Nura Boutique by Oewi Wahyono with Floral Blooming.
Wahyono has been living in Jeddah for over 30 years and said that many of her pieces drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia.
When asked if there were any Saudi elements that inspired or impacted her design process, she referenced her love for the Saudi abaya.
She said: “I have been here in Saudi and you can see now with the outfit I am wearing, I always make my designs into dresses, but also similar to abayas.
“Abaya for me is something that I can’t live without. Everywhere I go I’m always wearing an abaya. I love abayas, maybe that’s why.”
She added: “I might change it slightly but I am always wearing and using the abaya style.”
Speaking about her fashion line, Floral Blooming, the designer said: “These designs tell the story of floral blooming. The pattern of the material displays many floral sand butterflies.”
Attending the fashion event were a variety of figures from the Kingdom, including business owners, ambassadors, fashion designers, and influencers.
The main element of the event featured a catwalk that ran through the center of the Cultural Palace’s hall with a backdrop that showcased dresses and themes.
In their mission to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, the embassy invited designers to showcase their pieces in a way that allowed visitors a close look.
The evening began with remarks from Suparwan followed by a message from Yusuf Arifin, the chairman of the fashion show.
The deputy chief of mission said that the fashion industry was one of Indonesia’s most “dynamic and growing” sectors.
Suparwan added: “In 2025, revenue from Indonesia’s fashion market is projected to reach $8.8 billion with an annual growth of 2.07 percent.
“Saudi Arabia’s fashion market, on the other hand, is expected to generate $5.1 billion by this year, growing at an impressive rate of 10.3 percent a year.”
Suparwan spoke of the “enormous potential for both markets and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The envoy said that potential alone was not enough and that it needed to be connected, expressing the hope that the fashion event could serve as a bridge between the Saudi and Indonesian fashion industries while “fostering collaboration, partnerships and mutual growth.”
Arifin described the event as “an evening that celebrates the creativity, artistry, and cultural heritage of Indonesia,” with some 18 local models adorning traditional Indonesian textiles.
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, and the Ministry of Education honored the winners of the Children’s Reading Challenge in Riyadh on Sunday.
The academy awarded SR250,000 ($67,000) to 60 winners from a total of nearly 8,000 participants across 30 countries.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, thanked the Ministry of Education for promoting the competition in Saudi schools.
He also praised the judges, schools, and institutions for their contributions toward the academy achieving its goals — enhancing classical Arabic speaking skills, strengthening its presence in education and culture, and providing a platform for talented children.
Al-Washmi highlighted the competition’s international reach, saying: “This confirms the global status of the Arabic language and the academy’s role in promoting its spread and supporting linguistic creativity among future generations.”
The event featured a theatrical performance by children which showcased their speech and skills of expression in an engaging cultural display.
The academy offered a training course on speaking skills on the sidelines, covering voice control techniques, audience interaction, expressive performance, and confidence in speech.
Maha Al-Otaibi, head of the linguistic culture sector at the academy, said that the participation of about 8,000 children from 30 countries reflected the growing global interest in the Arabic language.
Al-Otaibi said: “The competition contributes to strengthening cultural identity and consolidating Arab children’s connection to their mother tongue.
“It enhances their love for the art of the Arabic language and encourages families and teachers to support it, especially amid the challenges posed by the influence of other languages," she told Arab News.
She spoke of the programs accompanying the ceremony, such as the interactive Arabic language exhibition and the training course which helps children acquire essential skills to strengthen their Arabic proficiency and bring them closer to classical Arabic.
“Such programs contribute to promoting the spread of the Arabic language globally, building a generation aware of its culture and language, and capable of representing it with pride and distinction,” Al-Otaibi said.
RIYADH: The second phase of a project to expand Riyadh’s road network and improve traffic congestion has been announced.
The eight new projects, costing around SR8 billion ($2.13 billion), are the second phase of the Road Development Program for the capital, announced by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
As part of the works, a 20km road network surrounding King Abdullah Financial District will be developed to include three intersections and 19 bridges. Two major intersections will be constructed on Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz I Road in the northern part of Riyadh, as well as three bridges and a tunnel, increasing road capacity to 200,000 vehicles per day.
In the center of Riyadh, five intersections will be upgraded on the Thumamah Road axis, and 11 bridges and five tunnels will be constructed, also increasing road capacity to 200,000 vehicles per day.
Imam Abdullah bin Saud Road will have four main intersections, three bridges and two tunnels, increasing capacity to 200,000 vehicles daily. Dirab Road, where there will be two main intersections and nine bridges, will see an increased vehicle capacity of 340,000 vehicles per day.
Imam Muslim Road will serve as the future southern extension of the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz I axis with the construction of four main intersections and four bridges, increasing capacity to 200,000 vehicles per day. Connecting King Salman Road in the east and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Road in the north, an intersection bridge is planned to enhance traffic flow in the area.
The final project in this phase will see engineering modifications for high congestion areas, an extension of work started in the first phase which will improve congestion during peak traffic hours.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City is working with the relevant authorities to ensure seamless traffic flow during the works, which are expected to take around three years.
In the meantime, the Road Development Program for Circular and Main Axes in Riyadh will be working to support the city’s increasing population, improve connectivity, boost traffic flow, increase travel speeds and decrease travel time, and ease cross-city transportation.
Launched by the RCRC in August 2024, the first phase included four projects with a total worth of SR13 billion.
DAMMAM: A unique solfege singing workshop was held recently at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam, led by the talented Egyptian singer, music teacher, and oud player Mohamed Magdy.
A teacher at Altahtheeb School, Magdy brought his wealth of experience and passion for music to a diverse group eager to enhance their vocal skills and understanding of music theory.
Solfege, a method that uses syllables — such as do, re, and mi — to represent pitches, is crucial in developing a solid foundation in music education, according to Magdy.
He told Arab News: “The importance of solfege lies in its ability to enhance the understanding of music and improve vocal performance and sight-reading.
“Many struggle with musical notation, seeing it as impossible to learn. I aimed to create a workshop that provides a practical learning environment to help individuals develop their musical ear and confidence in singing and reading music.”
The workshop, designed to be interactive and hands-on, allowed participants to fully immerse themselves in the learning process.
Audience members displayed their talents individually, showcasing their skills in singing and performance. They practiced with each other and the workshop proved to be a supportive and collaborative environment in which everyone felt encouraged to explore their musical abilities.
Magdy added: “Solfege is vital in music education, assisting musicians of all levels in developing their auditory, reading, and performing skills.”
He listed its key benefits, including strengthening rhythm sensitivity, improving vocal performances, supporting composition, and serving musicians, from beginners to professionals.
Magdy’s passion for music is deeply rooted in his upbringing. “My love for singing started with my parents, who recognized my talent early on,” he said.
Under the guidance of his father, a doctor at the Arabic Music Institute, he pursued music wholeheartedly, graduating from Cairo University in 2016 and later from the Higher Institute of Arabic Music in 2022, with honors.
Despite initial hesitation from his family, they ultimately supported his artistic ambitions.
Magdy’s achievements include performances at renowned events such as the Arabic Music Festival at the Egyptian Opera House, alongside his roles in teaching solfege, piano, oud, and Eastern singing.
He said: “My passion for music has driven me to share it with others, providing immense joy.
“I chose to become a singing teacher to help others discover their potential, improve their performance, and build self-confidence in singing, whether as a hobby or professionally.”
The enthusiasm of those participating was evident, and the experience resonated deeply.
Audience member Samar Khadra, a pharmacist, singer, songwriter, and poet, expressed her thoughts on the workshop, telling Arab News: “It was a good experience. I enjoyed the interaction between the presenter and the participants.
“I’ve seen many talents in the Eastern Province, and it would benefit the government to support these individuals in gaining the musical knowledge necessary to become professional singers and musicians.”
Participants left the workshop with new skills, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation of the art of music.
