Thunderstorms expected across Kingdom until Sunday
Thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Sunday
Updated 53 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Sunday, leading the General Directorate of Civil Defense to urge the public to exercise caution, stay in safe areas, avoid flood-prone valleys and watercourses, and refrain from swimming in them.
It emphasized the importance of following official instructions issued through media outlets and social media platforms, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, the Makkah region will experience moderate to heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods, hail and winds, causing dust and sandstorms.
Similar conditions are expected in the Riyadh region.
The directorate indicated that the regions of Madinah, Baha, Asir, Jazan, Qassim, and the Eastern Province will also experience moderate to heavy rainfall. Moderate rain is expected in the Najran region while the Hail region will have light showers.
Saudi Arabia cracks down on foreign truck violations
Inspection teams have seized 25 trucks illegally transporting goods in cities
Updated 12 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Transport General Authority is stepping up inspections on foreign trucks in Saudi Arabia to enforce land transport regulations.
Inspection teams have seized 25 trucks illegally transporting goods in cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Each offense resulted in a SR10,000 ($2,666) fine and immediate impoundment of the vehicle, the SPA added.
In Riyadh, 86 inspections revealed 24 offenses and impoundments, while in Jeddah, one offense and impoundment were recorded from eight inspections.
The authority reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy, which results in a SR10,000 fine and a 15-day impoundment for first-time offenders.
Repeat offenses result in escalating penalties: SR20,000 and 30 days for the second offense; SR40,000 and 60 days for the third; SR80,000 and 60 days for the fourth; and SR160,000 and 60 days for the fifth. Persistent offenders face having their vehicles confiscated.
These nationwide campaigns enhance transport oversight, ensure fair competition, and support the national carrier, the SPA reported.
In collaboration with relevant bodies, the authority has set four key regulations for foreign truck operations: obtaining an electronic transport document via “bayan.logisti.sa,” limiting transport to return journeys, complying with local carrier rules, and settling offenses before entry or exit.
In Somalia’s Bay region, 1,200 packages were distributed to families
In Syria, KSrelief distributed food baskets to 600 families in Daraa governorate
Updated 14 min 18 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food baskets to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In Somalia’s Bay region, 1,200 packages were distributed to families in need as part of the Etaam Ramadan food project.
In Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh, 200 packages were distributed, while 685 baskets were given to needy families in Lebanon.
In Syria, KSrelief distributed food baskets to 600 families in Daraa governorate.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
KSrelief also distributed 1,100 baskets in Khartoum, Sudan. The project will distribute 30,000 parcels to displaced people returning to their homes.
Manga Productions looks to attract Japanese investment for Riyadh Season
New pact inked with entertainment firm Sela
Promotions to take place at Anime Japan 2025
Updated 19 March 2025
Arab News Japan
RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, has signed a new strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabia entertainment company Sela.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration with renowned Japanese companies and create new opportunities for their participation in Riyadh Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Potential collaborations will enable Japanese companies to engage with Saudi Arabia and international audiences through events and experiences in the Kingdom with the facilitation of Manga Productions, the SPA reported.
In 2022, Sela unveiled a 33-meter-tall statue of the anime character Grendizer, which set a Guinness World Record during Riyadh Season of that year.
This year, Manga Productions announced its official sponsorship of Anime Japan 2025, one of the world’s leading events in the creative industry.
During the event from March 22 to 25, the company’s booth will promote investment opportunities, according to the SPA.
Saudi Arabia condemns attempted assassination of Somali president
Updated 19 March 2025
ARAB NEWS
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
A roadside bomb exploded near the presidential residence on Tuesday shortly after Mohamud’s convoy left the palace grounds, but the head of state was unharmed, according to officials.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said: “The Kingdom reaffirms its solidarity with the Federal Republic of Somalia and its people against all threats to its security and stability, reiterating its firm stance in rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism.”
Reports said that up to four people had been killed, including a journalist who was in a nearby building that collapsed after the explosion.
Somali militant group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.
The president’s entourage was traveling to the airport to head to the frontlines in Middle Shabelle, where Mahamud is expected to oversee the military campaign against the militant group.
The Somali government has increased its effort to crush Al-Shabab in recent months in Middle Shabelle as well as other regions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack and reaffirmed the global body’s commitment to Somalia’s people and government.
The British embassy in Mogadishu denounced the attack and offered condolences to the victims.
“The UK remains a steadfast partner to the Somali Government as they fight the violent extremists behind this despicable attack,” the embassy said in a statement.
Mohamud was in the Kingdom in November to attend the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh, where he reaffirmed Somalia’s support for the Palestinian people and urged for there to be a ceasefire in Gaza.
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: Why expats love to celebrate in the ‘homeland of Islam’
Muslim expatriates blend Saudi customs with home traditions
Spiritual practices and social gatherings enjoyed by people of all nationalities
Updated 18 March 2025
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Many Muslim expatriates in Saudi Arabia, despite being away from their families and home countries during Ramadan, cherish the time spent in the “homeland of Islam” during the holy month.
“The expats spending the holy month in the homeland of Islam are fortunate, both in terms of spiritual satisfaction and piousness as well as personal experiences, and for those who are new to the Kingdom, there is a lot to look forward to for a whole new experience,” said Nafisa Usmani, an Indian homemaker who has lived in Riyadh for more than two decades.
“You can sense the Ramadan vibes here everywhere you go. The streets at night during Ramadan are packed and everything that is dull during the day comes to life in the night,” she added.
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia has become a model of brotherhood that transcends borders and nationalities, with increased gatherings among families and friends in homes. (SPA/Supplied)
“I can say from my decades of experience here that there is no other place better than Saudi Arabia to spend time in Ramadan and celebrate its spirit including the opportunity to go to the mosque and do group Taraweeh prayers,” Usmani said.
“Ramadan is a time of great significance for Muslims and it is observed with great importance in Saudi Arabia. You also have the opportunity to go to the two holy cities — Makkah and Madinah — and perform Umrah and Ziyarah during the holy month while staying here,” she added.
Echoing the sentiments, Lebanese expat Farah Fouad said that she is very excited to celebrate yet another Ramadan in Saudi Arabia due to the special significance of the holy month in the Kingdom.
I can say from my decades of experience here that there is no other place better than Saudi Arabia to spend time in Ramadan and celebrate its spirit.
Nafisa Usmani, Indian homemaker
“Being in the heartland of Islam you can sense the Ramadan spirit here everywhere you go,” she added.
Iffat Aabroo, another Indian homemaker in Riyadh, said: “It’s very nice to spend Ramadan here. Markets are open until suhoor, there is the crowd bustling in the streets keeping the night alive and those that are shopping to prepare themselves for the Eid Al-Fitr festival.
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia has become a model of brotherhood that transcends borders and nationalities, with increased gatherings among families and friends in homes. (SPA/Supplied)
“Hotels make elaborate Ramadan tent arrangements, both delicacies as well as decorations.”
She added that Ramadan is not just a religious observance, but also a cultural phenomenon, reflected by acts of spirituality and social bonding.
Sharing her experience, Ambreen Faiz, a Pakistani writer living in Yanbu, told Arab News: “I have been living in Saudi Arabia for the past 27 years.
An Indian community iftar party in Riyadh. (Supplied)
“When I first arrived in Riyadh in 1998, I was sort of mesmerized witnessing the festivities of the holy month of Ramadan in the Kingdom. Every Muslim anxiously waits for the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.”
She added: “Many women that I know of from Pakistan become as excited as I do when the holy month arrives. We do not want to go for vacation during Ramadan and in fact want to stay in the Kingdom to welcome Ramadan and enjoy the festivities that it brings along.
“We women friends chalk out our programs of iftar parties. And we prepare Pakistani delicacies of Ramadan — chole, pakore, samose, dahi barey, fruit chaat and whatnot. Such delicacies are liked and enjoyed by all ages,” she said.
Delicacies from Iftar table of a Sri Lankan expat in Riyadh. (Supplied)
“Ramadan is very much enjoyed by the kids especially when we go to Haramain to perform Umrah,” Faiz said, adding: “I am thankful to Allah that he has blessed us with the opportunity to live in Saudi Arabia and enjoy the festivities of Ramadan.
“Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is way better than it is in the sub-continent or any other country,” said Mohammed Naeem, a Pakistani expatriate.
“I always prefer spending Ramadan here because everything is so smooth and there is so much dedication to the almighty Allah during Ramadan. People actually know the true value of the holy month and they act accordingly here.”
Delicacies from the Iftar table of a Pakistani expat. (Supplied)
Ramadan for many expatriates is often marked by a mix of traditions from home and the Kingdom.
Ifthikar Ansari, a Sri Lankan working in the Eastern Province, told Arab News: “We love staying here during Ramadan and enjoy a mix of Sri Lankan and Saudi delicacies.
“In Sri Lanka, where a significant percentage of the population observes fasting during the sacred month of Ramadan, their iftar meals are characterized by a special blend of flavors and traditions.
“A customary dish on their iftar table is a porridge made with rice and coconut, often complemented by the addition of beef or chicken, along with a spicy chili chutney.
“Bringing it to our iftar table here with dates, an essential component of an iftar meal, and some Saudi delicacies are a routine thing, and the iftar spread is further enriched with other delicacies such as cutlets, and patties,” he added.
“To quench the thirst, tropical fruit juices featuring wood apple, pineapple and king coconut are favored choices, ensuring a healthy and refreshing conclusion to the day of fasting,” Ansari said.
