Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration announces new board, advisory committee to enhance regional role

RIYADH: The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins began its 62nd operation this morning at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.

The twins, Awa (Hawa) and Kadidiata (Khadija) Dianda, first came to Riyadh on July 1 last year. They underwent diagnostic tests and screenings that revealed joining in the lower chest and abdomen, a shared pericardium (covering of the heart), liver and bowel.

A medical team of 26 specialists led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser to the royal court and general supervisor of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, began the operation in accordance with directives from the Saudi leadership.

The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins has been active for more than 34 years and has evaluated 146 cases of conjoined twins from 27 countries.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Rabeeah said that in the case of the Diandas, extensive joining in the abdomen and chest convinced plastic surgeons to place tissue expanders (balloons under the skin) to expand the skin for three-and-a-half months before the operation.

The operation will be completed over five phases.

“I am optimistic that, God willing, we will be happy to achieve the successful separation with a success rate exceeding 80 percent and we will also mark the continuation of this ambitious and global program,” Al-Rabeeah said.

The case was brought to the Kingdom’s attention after the Dianda family contacted the Saudi Embassy in Burkina Faso.

“Every year we celebrate Nov. 24 as conjoined twin international day and this is because of what Saudi Arabia has done to care for those twins,” Al-Rabeeah said.

Each case of conjoined twins is different from the last; whichever organs or connected tissue are involved determines the difficulty of each case.

Al-Rabeeah classified the cases, generally, as either joined in the head (craniopagus), the chest (thoracopagus), abdomen (omphalopagus), pelvis (ischiopagus), or joined in the back (pygopagus).

Dr. Nezar Al-Zughaibi, one of the doctors on the Dianda medical team who has about 50 separation operations under his belt, spoke to Arab News about what goes through his mind before a procedure of this magnitude.

“It’s mixed feelings, between excitement, between anxiety. But the more you do of these cases, the more comfortable you feel,” he said.

“I’m working with a great team; Dr. Rabeeah is like our godfather. He just takes care of everybody on the team. We support each other.”

Once the children are separated, the hospital erupts into a cheerful and joyous atmosphere, especially after seeing the happy tears on the parents’ faces, Al-Zughaibi said.

Twins are cared for by the program before and after the operation, as Al-Rabeeah said that follow-up care can be just as, or more important, than the operation itself.

“The first set (of twins) that we have done, we are still following them … twins who have now exceeded 35 years of age,” he said.

“It is a lifelong follow-up.”

Al-Zughaibi said that sometimes — especially for those that stay longer — patients form long-term friendships and even familial bonds with the medical staff.

Physical and psychological rehabilitation are both required, including counseling for the families.

And in some cases, prosthetic fittings with the proper physical care and cosmetic surgeries could be needed.

Amid the wait for the results of the latest operation, Al-Zughaibi and the staff are hopeful of a positive result.

“I always say each case has its own identity and its own risks and surprises. But for now, this is going smoothly and we’ll keep our fingers crossed it will continue as is,” he said.

Jeddah: Hotels in Makkah and Madinah are being adorned with decorations as they prepare to welcome millions of pilgrims, offering guests the chance to experience Saudi culture firsthand during Ramadan.

Mohammed Haris, from India, who makes it a point to spend Ramadan every year in Makkah and Madinah, said: “Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is truly unique. The atmosphere and spirit here are unlike anywhere else in the world.

“I always choose to stay in hotels that are close to the holy sites, and over the years I’ve witnessed the improvements (in them).

“Hotels are continuously striving to make guests feel at home, allowing them to focus on their prayers and spirituality.”

Elaf Al Taqwa Hotel’s location in Madinah, near the Prophet’s Mosque, offers easy access to prayer.

The hotel has introduced a range of special services for Ramadan, including dua recitations played throughout the premises, daily azan calls, and a carefully curated menu for iftar and sahoor featuring traditional Saudi and international cuisine.

Hussain Rauff, the general manager of the hotel, said: “Our goal is to create a spiritually uplifting environment in which guests feel at home while experiencing the essence of Ramadan in the heart of Madinah.

“We have also introduced exclusive Ramadan offerings, such as a Ramadan bazaar, where pilgrims can purchase Islamic books, prayer mats, dates, perfumes, handcrafted souvenirs and other local products, allowing them to take a meaningful piece of their journey home.

“A traditional seating area has also been set up, offering a space for reflection and connection over Saudi coffee and local delicacies like balilah and chai adani after Taraweeh prayers.”

In addition, Rauff added: “To ensure a balanced routine, we’ve kept our gym open throughout Ramadan, allowing guests to maintain their well-being while observing the spiritual practices of the month.”

The hotel also offers tours on the history of Madinah, including visits to Quba Mosque.

The Elaf group of hotels in Makkah, close to the Grand Mosque, is preparing to welcome an influx of guests during the holy month.

Hassan Khaleel, operation regional director for the Makkah region, said the hotels’ “goal is to provide an enriching stay and allow pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey.”

The Address Jabal Omar Makkah has recently opened a walkway directly leading to the Grand Mosque.

The hotel’s interiors celebrate Saudi culture and heritage, with a large iftar buffet and a Ramadan tent with traditional Saudi coffee, dates and holy Zamzam water.

Frontel Al Harithia Hotel in Madinah focuses on sahoor, which is especially important during Ramadan fasting.

For those seeking a deeper connection to the historic and spiritual significance of Ramadan, Ahmed Zahrani has partnered with several hotels in Makkah to offer tours that explore sacred sites in the region. Iconic locations such as Jabal Al-Rahmah, Namira Mosque, Zubayda Spring, and Muzdalifah can be visited.

Zahrani said that the tours offered “insight into the sacred landmarks of Islamic history.”

Zeyad Labban, the managing director of Maad International Hajj and Umrah Services Company, spoke about how the business is “committed to enhancing the comfort of pilgrims and visitors by providing all necessary services,” including accommodation, transport, dining, and historic tours.

Hotels in the holy cities are working to provide an environment in which pilgrims can focus on their faith and make the most of their time, with a warm welcome and respectful hospitality throughout the month.