Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia
Russia, US agree to start working toward ending conflict in Ukraine
Updated 18 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Arab countries on Tuesday welcomed Saudi efforts to host talks in Riyadh between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict.
Russia and the US agreed to start working toward ending the conflict in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after the talks.
The UAE expressed “hope that the talks will serve as a significant step towards bridging differences, fostering communication and advancing dialogue to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict,” the Emirates News Agency reported.
Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia in hosting the talks “which reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international peace efforts, and achieving global stability and prosperity.”
The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promoting international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Majed Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Saudi efforts to lead the talks that “will hopefully result in peace in a struggle that has gone on for a very long time.”
Al-Ansari added: “We have called from day one for both parties to engage in a peaceful resolution of this war. This war has had huge humanitarian costs and great geopolitical (and) economic impact globally.”
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the talks and expressed the hope that they would “lead to achieving their desired goals in enhancing security and stability in the world.”
Sufyan Qudah, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, commended Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the talks and said they highlighted the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to foster comprehensive and just peace worldwide.
The Palestinian presidency said the talks were a culmination of the wise policy pursued by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, adding that it was “a policy that fosters regional and international stability and affirms Riyadh’s commitment to its effective role in achieving peace and security.”
EU embassy celebrates Saudi Founding Day in Diriyah
Updated 7 sec ago
Samia Hanifi
RIYADH: For the celebration of the Kingdom’s Founding Day, Christophe Farnaud, EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia, highlighted the long and deep relationship between the EU and the Kingdom.
“On 22 February, we pay tribute to the vision, leadership and resilience that have made Saudi Arabia a prosperous and influential nation,” Farnaud said.
“The European Union is proud to host the celebration of the Kingdom’s important national holiday, which reminds us of all the enduring and long-standing friendship between our two nations,” he said.
By working together on regional and global issues, the two sides were acting to strengthen their relationship, which continued to mature and evolve, he said.
Farnaud stressed the importance of continuing this warm and cooperative spirit, especially in the face of global challenges: “As we move forward in an increasingly complex world, it is more important than ever.”
The EU ambassador underlined the importance of the historic friendship and highlighted the values shared by both regions; peace, stability and mutual respect.
Farnaud told Arab News: “We have chosen to participate in the celebration of the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the most important dates in the country’s identity.
“It’s the ideal time to unite our efforts. I think that’s one of the reasons for this day, which is obviously a day for the Saudi people, but also a day of national reunion.
“I think for the embassies and for us who are here, it’s a way of associating ourselves with this celebration by bringing us closer to the Saudi heritage, which is actually a very important heritage.
“We’re standing in one of these old houses in Diriyah, a historic place, where the dynasty was born.
“Today, it’s also an emblematic site for one of the country’s most important projects and a place where evidence of this ancient heritage remains, which is particularly close to my heart.
“In this context, I was able to bring together my team and guests to do something together to celebrate this event and connect with Saudi heritage.
“We’re here to literally touch this local heritage. I think it’s a less formal but more engaging way to celebrate this event,” Farnaud said.
The celebration, held at Bonjour Saudi in Diriyah, allowed guests to discover local gastronomy and take part in enriching workshops.
It also provided insight into the Najdi gates, revealing their cultural significance and impact on Saudi heritage.
Jeddah museum organizes cultural spectacle to honor heritage
Tariq Abdulhakim Center Museum celebrates Founding Day with cultural activities
Updated 2 min 58 sec ago
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: The Tariq Abdulhakim Center Museum in Jeddah is among the cultural institutions celebrating Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day with style.
The three-day celebration is being held under the supervision of the Museums Commission and is offering a rich artistic and cultural experience, highlighting the Kingdom’s heritage and strengthening national identity.
The festivities began with a welcome as visitors were greeted with traditional Saudi coffee, served in four distinct varieties in alignment with Founding Day guidelines.
Tayeb Abdullh Altayeb, director of the Tariq Abdulhakim Center Museum, said: “The idea is to celebrate our nation and its cultural components, which we reflect through the museum’s various offerings. Our main focus is the preservation of Saudi music heritage and performing arts.
“Tariq Abdulhakim himself was a champion of culture, supporting the founding of the military band and winning a UNESCO award for the preservation of Saudi identity. It is fitting that during Founding Day, we highlight his efforts and align our cultural sector with Vision 2030.”
A museum official said: “We want to ensure everyone has access to Saudi Arabia’s cultural aspects, especially during Founding Day. Our mission is to be a low-cost activation center, offering programs for the public and children to educate them about our heritage and traditions.”
Officials noted that the museum also serves as a platform for traditional bands, performers, and schools to showcase their arts, and added that the museum’s spaces are designed to welcome all ages, including people with disabilities.
The celebration’s opening day included an interactive artistic parade and a performing arts workshop, blending craftsmanship with live performances. A standout feature was the traditional fashion walkway organized by Al-Mugasap, a Saudi fashion brand. The display showcased traditional clothing from the Kingdom’s major regions, offering visitors a glimpse into the history and civilization of Saudi Arabia.
Sari Salem Hariri, co-founder and general manager of Al-Mugasap, said: “We curated a selection of traditional garments representing various regions of the Kingdom. These were displayed in special boxes to highlight the beauty and elegance of their designs, adding value to our cultural heritage.”
The event also included various sections dedicated to traditional food and artisanal crafts, as well as interactive games, live musical performances, and a school choir that delivered a stirring performance of national songs, symbolizing the younger generation’s connection to the Kingdom’s heritage.
Traditional performers from across the Kingdom, including a band from Taif, where Tariq Abdulhakim was once a member, also participated.
Khalid Jammali, manager of the band, told Arab News: “This is one of the biggest celebrations in Saudi Arabia. We are here to represent the Najd region, and Tariq Abdulhakim played a major role in creating this heritage. His insights helped elevate the quality and standards of these performances.”
The celebration will conclude with a national heritage concert on Feb. 23, featuring a blend of traditional and modern national songs. This grand finale will bring together artists and creators from various fields, creating a bridge between the past and present while celebrating the Kingdom’s rich history and future vision.
Ghada Shehri, a visitor, said: “The event was not only entertaining but also deeply educational. I dressed my children in traditional Saudi attire, and they were thrilled to see others dressed similarly.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to teach them about our heritage and culture in a fun and engaging way. The traditional fashion walkway was a highlight for us, seeing the different regional clothing styles helped my kids understand the diversity of our Kingdom.”
Another visitor, Salman Mohammed, said: “The museum did an incredible job of showcasing Saudi heritage through music, food, and art. My children were particularly fascinated by the school choir performance. It was heartwarming to see them so engaged and curious about our culture.”
Nawwaf Al-Harbi, owner of Dokhan Ahjar Precious Metals and Gemstones, showcased the art of gemstone polishing, featuring stones sourced from various regions of Saudi Arabia in honor of Founding Day.
“We polish these stones to be set in gold or silver, highlighting the beauty of natural gemstones from Makkah, Madinah, and beyond. Our goal is to introduce people to this traditional craft and we are committed to passing down the skill of handcrafting to as many people as possible,” he said.
Visitors can pre-register via the WeBook platform.
Living traditions: How women have contributed to preserving Saudi crafts and heritage
Women have had prominence in establishing arts, crafts, cuisines
Updated 22 February 2025
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: Hams Al-Mureh began drawing in her childhood, largely influenced by her surroundings: intricate and colorful geometric shapes lined the walls of her grandmother’s house, the signature of the art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri.
Women in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, historically, were responsible for plastering and painting these decorative motifs for more than 300 years. They are now culturally defining elements of the rich heritage of a modern Kingdom, but women’s contributions to Saudi culture do not end there: their role was prominent in establishing arts, crafts, and cuisines that are a big part of the burgeoning nation.
Al-Mureh, now an established Saudi artist, told Arab News: “I would watch my grandmother as she painted, and I first participated with her in decorating the walls of her house in 2009. I was not just practicing a hobby, but contributing to reviving an ancient heritage.”
Saudi artist Hams Almureh incorporates elements of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri in her work, painted over a canvas of palm leaf weaving—another traditional art form. (Supplied)
She spoke about how Al-Qatt Al-Asiri “is an identity, a visual language that expresses the history and culture of women in the southern region of Saudi Arabia.”
She added: “It is also a symbol of life, beauty, and social communication, as it was traditionally painted collectively in homes to reflect the spirit of cooperation and female creativity.”
As a child she was drawn to the bold color composition and the harmonious geometric details of the murals, but what mattered most to her was the emotional connection with her family.
Her grandmother was a natural-born artist, she says, and Al-Mureh inherited this through storytelling and direct experiences. “It wasn’t a traditional way of teaching as much as it was participation in a way of life,” she explained.
Sadu weaving, which is also listed by UNESCO, is one of the most prominent traditional and creative arts in the Kingdom. (Huda Bashattah)
Al-Qatt is considered an art traditionally done by women as a means of decorating a home’s interior. The more intricate and skilled the work is, the more dignified the women of the family are considered.
The geometrical shapes, consisting of lines, triangles, diamonds, and squares, are traditionally painted with natural colors extracted from flowers, leaves, and various metals.
It was inscribed on UNESCO’s lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017 and one of its most notable figures was the late Saudi visual artist Fatima Abou Gahas, who was known for her naghash, or fresco, wall painting.
Al-Mureh now incorporates elements of Al-Qatt painted over a canvas of palm leaf weaving — another traditional form of art in Saudi. While these weaved mats and fans are now considered great gifts or decorative pieces, Bedouins once relied heavily on the weaving technique to create baskets, bowls, mats, tablecloths, brooms, and bags to be carried by their camels.
Palm leaves are dried out in the sun, then cut and soaked before being dyed, if required, and then sewn together.
Saudi artist Hams Almureh incorporates elements of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri in her work, painted over a canvas of palm leaf weaving—another traditional art form. (SUPPLIED)
Al-Mureh said: “Palm weaving art, such as palm baskets and mats, was part of daily life in Saudi Arabia, just like Asiri Qatt. I wanted to merge the two arts to make my artistic practice not only aesthetic, but also stories that carry the spirit of a place and time.”
Traditional handcrafts are considered one of the most significant aspects of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage. The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a UNESCO treaty, has focused specifically on passing on heritage from one generation to another.
Sumaiah Al-Ghamdi, the senior archaeological research officer of the antiquities sector at the Heritage Commission, told Arab News: “Women have played a major role in preserving these crafts by actively practicing them.”
Sadu weaving, which is also listed by UNESCO, is one of the most prominent traditional and creative arts in the Kingdom. It has been practiced by those living in the Arabian Peninsula since ancient times and, in turn, those living in Saudi Arabia since its inception.
Al-Ghamdi added: “As time passed by, it encapsulated an image of human and cultural heritage in the Kingdom, through the designs, its unique craftsmanship, the detailed decorative elements, and the bright colors.”
The horizontal style of weaving is made using camel hair, and was traditionally used to make desert tents that protected from the nighttime cold and the daytime sun. It is also decorative and has now made its way into many modern designs like abayas and furniture.
Al-Mureh said: “Preserving traditional arts does not mean freezing them in time but reintroducing them in contemporary ways that make them accessible to the new generations, whether through visual arts, design, or even handicraft products.
“Heritage is not just the past; it is the foundation on which we build our future.”
Palm leaf weaving a traditional form of art in Saudi. (Huda Bashattah)
The practice of applying henna — a reddish-brown dye made from dried, powdered leaves of the henna tree — to the body was recently added to UNESCO’s list.
A report from the Saudi Press Agency then said: “Henna has great cultural significance in Saudi Arabia, with the art mastered by women and passed down through generations. It represents joy and optimism and is a social tradition that strengthens community bonds.”
Saudi cuisine is also an indication of the country’s rich history, with each of the 13 regions in the country having its own unique dishes.
Al-Ghamdi said: “We have jareesh, harees, khubz ahmar, qursan. There are so many dishes depending on the region and they are being made at the same time in either winter or summer.
“Our women’s work to pass these typical dishes down to the following generations is the best form of preserving this heritage. They have innovated methods of keeping and storing food, like drying, pickling, souring, or sugaring, as a form of food preservation.”
In an artwork that celebrates women’s dual role in establishing the country’s culinary and musical heritage, artist Najla Alqubaisi presented “The Sound of Millstone” during the Noor Riyadh festival of art and light last year. The audiovisual installation featured folk songs sung by Najdi women during long hours at the millstone.
Al-Ghamdi said: “I believe that folk songs and Saudi folklore can be attributed to women because they were essentially sung for and about them, and this in itself is a preservation of the popular song.
“Another thing is that women sang and performed traditional songs at wedding parties in the past and they are still doing it today.”
The enduring legacy of the Saudi state’s first charitable institution
Sibalat Modhi was a community center that provided free education and accommodation
Its patron, Princess Modhi, wife of the First Saudi State’s founding father, was known for her devotion to teaching and philanthropy
Updated 22 February 2025
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Princess Modhi bint Sultan bin Abi Wahtan, who touched the lives of many through her charitable acts, was one of the best-known figures of the First Saudi State, renowned for her philanthropy, generosity and commitment to education.
“In the rich tapestry of the Arabian Peninsula’s history, few figures stand as prominently as Princess Modhi bint Sultan, one of the most influential women of Diriyah and Saudi Arabia,” Faisal Al-Amer, research management and validation senior manager at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, told Arab News.
“Princess Modhi’s impact during the formation of the First Saudi State in 1727 was both tangible and transformative.”
As the wife of Imam Mohammed bin Saud, the founding father of the First Saudi State, and mother of Imam Abdulaziz, its second imam, Princess Modhi’s influence extended far beyond her familial roles; her legacy and influence live on in through the history of the community center known as Sibalat Modhi, of which she was patron.
Sibalat Modhi provided charitable accommodation for merchants, pilgrims and wayfarers, complete with facilities for their livestock, including camels and horses, and secure storage for their merchandise and trading goods. All classes of society, especially travelers and the needy in Diriyah, benefited from the charity it offered, Al-Amer said.
Princess Modhi also actively contributed to educational initiatives and “was renowned for her exceptional religious knowledge and deep understanding of Islamic law,” he added.
“She played a pivotal role in early education during the First Saudi State, challenging the notion that learning was exclusively male-dominated.”
Sibalat Modhi provided charitable accommodation for merchants, pilgrims and wayfarers, complete with facilities for their livestock. (Supplied by DGDA)
Sibalat Modhi evolved into a “center of learning” that provided opportunities even for students from outside the Arabian Peninsula to study in Diriyah.
“A distinctive feature was its southern mosque, which served not only as a place of worship but also as a center for religious education,” Al-Amer said.
The center also provided resources such as books and manuscripts for students, as well as financial assistance and accommodation for the diverse group of scholars who traveled to it. Its location within At-Turaif district, the First Saudi State’s historic seat of governance and royal residence, reflected the important role it played in Saudi society.
Sibalat Modhi exemplified the “enduring values of generous giving, compassion for those in need, social cohesion, and the nurturing of strong community bonds that have characterized Saudi society from its founding to the present day,” Al-Amer said.
In addition to her charitable accomplishments, Princess Modhi was also a close confidante for her husband, Imam Mohammed.
“Her role during the state’s establishment was undeniably significant, as she provided steadfast support and valuable counsel,” Al-Amer said.
“Her position as a special advisor to Imam Mohammed bin Saud proved particularly crucial during the challenging formative period of the Saudi state.”
Her guidance “proved instrumental in molding Abdulaziz’s leadership qualities, leaving an enduring impact on his character as a ruler,” he added.
Leaders congratulate Saudi king, crown prince on Founding Day
Updated 22 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Arab leaders have congratulated Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in observance of Saudi Founding Day.
Kuwait Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of congratulations to the Saudi King and crown prince on the occasion of Saudi Founding Day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In the cable, Sheikh Meshal praised the remarkable achievements made by Saudi Arabia in various fields which has solidified its regional and global standing.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi also congratulated the Saudi leaders on the occasion, saying it holds “a special and precious place for the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is a living witness to the great legacy and impressive achievements.”
The UAE leadership has also sent cables of congratulations to the Saudi leaders on the occasion of Founding Day.
Saudi Arabia declared February 22 an official date in observance of Saudi Founding Day. It dates back to three centuries ago, when the first Saudi state was established in 1727 during the leadership of Imam Muhammad bin Saud.
