Latest news with #Al-Harbi
Arab News
09-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Saudi horse breeder saddles up to defy the odds
MAKKAH: In Jeddah, where the desert meets the sea, Sultana Al-Harbi is a trailblazing Saudi woman pursuing her dream — establishing a stable for horses. In a traditionally male dominated field, the horse breeder's story begins with a love of both all things equine and nature. 'Horses aren't just animals,' she told Arab News with a smile. 'They're reflections of the soul and, without them, mine feels incomplete.' Horses, Al-Harbi believes, 'win hearts effortlessly.' She recalled: 'From the very first moment I approached a horse, I felt something stir inside me, as if we were old friends. It wasn't the beginning of something new, but the awakening of something that had always been there, quietly waiting.' The realization set her on a path that has been far from easy, requiring determination, resilience and patience. Lacking experience and initial support, she encountered many obstacles but committed to learning on her own, embracing a path of trial and error despite moments of fear and hesitation. And no matter what the setbacks, she always found her way back to horses. She fondly recalls the first mare she ever cared for. 'Her name was Araska. She was strong-willed and resistant at first, but I loved her from the moment we met,' said Al-Harbi. 'With her, I learned that patience is not just a virtue, it's a necessity; and that love, when it's real, is the most powerful key to unlocking the hearts of these noble creatures.' Al-Harbi also reflected on the deep bond she shares with horses. 'Horses give me a comfort I've never found anywhere else. Just looking into their eyes and listening to their movements is enough to make the weight of the world disappear,' she said. Her day begins only after a visit to the stables, where she checks on each horse's well-being and observes their behavior, greeting each mare like an old friend. Every horse has a distinct personality, she explained, and treating each one with respect and sensitivity is not just important — it is essential. When it comes to training, Al-Harbi insists cruelty has no place in her philosophy. She believes each horse has its own language, emotions and needs. Understanding them requires patience, empathy and a foundation of trust. 'When a horse feels safe and confident with you, it gives you everything it has. Nervous horses don't frighten me — they challenge me to listen more closely, to uncover the source of their unease. I respond with time, space, and tenderness,' she added. When speaking of her dream to establish a stud farm, her voice carries a quiet conviction: 'I dream of a place that's not just for housing horses, but a fully integrated learning environment where people can truly connect with horses on a deeper level.' Al-Harbi believes a meaningful bond with a horse requires more than expertise; it calls for an intentional space, a compassionate team, and a philosophy founded on love. This is necessary long before any commercial or competitive ambitions come into play. While horses occupy a special place in her heart, the sea is an equally powerful presence in her life, offering a sense of calm. 'The sea grounds me and horses empower me. Between the two, I find myself,' she said. She is appreciative of the Kingdom's support of the equestrian world, highlighting the hosting of world-class festivals and races in recent years. Such developments have opened new doors for Saudi women, she feels, paving the way for greater inclusion and inspiring a new generation of girls to pursue their passion for horses with confidence and purpose. Al-Harbi's message is that this is not a path for anyone chasing glory, but for those who lead with patience, dedication and genuine love. 'Horses are incredibly sensitive beings,' she explained. 'When they trust you, they give a love that's pure and beyond description. That bond is the greatest reward a horse breeder can ever receive.'
Arab News
11-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Waqf Khair Madinah provides 619,000 meals
MADINAH: Waqf Khair Madinah continues to provide iftar and suhoor meals to Madinah's visitors. Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Harbi, vice president of the council of NGOs in the Kingdom, said that during the first third of this year's Ramadan, 619,619 people were provided meals, with a daily average of 61,961 people across various locations. The scheme distributed 398,693 iftar and suhoor meals, 46,740 cups of juices and tea, 165,270 water bottles and 6,550 kg of fruits and vegetables. Al-Harbi said that the distribution operations extend across a wide network of locations, with the Prophet's Mosque and its courtyards being the primary sites due to the large number of worshipers and visitors. The distribution operations also included the Quba and Al-Qiblatain mosques, as well as hospitality centers at the Haramain Train Station, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and Sayed Al-Shuhada site, where a large number of people benefited from the program, particularly visitors and Umrah pilgrims arriving in Madinah. Additionally, meals were provided to fasting patients and their companions at hospitals, as well as five labor housing sites, to support the most vulnerable groups and ensure that Ramadan iftar meals reach them. Waqf Khair Madinah is operating under a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth and efficient meal distribution while adhering to the highest standards of food quality and safety. This is achieved through the efforts of a supervisory team of nine supervisors, and an executive team of 74 members working around the clock to ensure that the meals reach all designated locations. About 100 female and male volunteers, organized into seven volunteer teams, are taking part in the organization of the iftar distribution and communication with beneficiaries to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for fasting individuals. The program is implemented in collaboration with official and charitable bodies in the region, reflecting Madinah's values of social solidarity.
Arab Times
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches 'Excellence Award for School Libraries'
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: The Ministry of Education announced the launch of the "Excellence Award for School Libraries" in collaboration with the Kuwait Libraries and Information Association. In a press statement, Acting Director of the Libraries Department, Adel Al-Harbi, explained that the award is open to all educational stages, ranging from kindergarten to high school, including public and religious schools, as well as special education schools. Al-Harbi further clarified that the award is based on specific criteria set by the arbitration committee. Registration for the award will remain open until March 3, and the arbitration process will take place from April 2 to 20. One outstanding library from each educational stage will be selected to receive recognition during a special ceremony, which will be held under the patronage of Education Minister Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei. This ceremony will honor the libraries' efforts in providing cultural services and supporting community activities. The goal of the award is to foster a competitive environment that encourages school libraries to enhance and improve the quality of their services and activities, which support educational curricula.
Arab News
15-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi expat remittances surge to three-year high $38.5bn, SAMA reveals
RIYADH: Expatriate remittances from Saudi Arabia surged to SR144.2 billion ($38.45 billion) in 2024, a 14 percent increase over the preceding year, according to recent data. Figures from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, revealed that this figure is the highest in three years. In December alone, non-Saudi transfers totaled SR14.02 billion, a 31.7 percent increase on the same month last year. Remittances sent abroad by Saudi citizens reached a two-year high in 2024, totaling SR68.61 billion — a 10.74 percent increase compared with 2023, according to SAMA data. In December, these transfers surged to their highest monthly value in more than seven years, reaching SR7.66 billion. Thamer Al-Harbi, an expert on remittances, told Arab News that this significant surge can be largely attributed to the robust growth of the Saudi economy, driven by Vision 2030 projects. He flagged up the 'high demands to get (laborers) from different levels and skills and from many parts in the world,' adding that the statistics underline an increase in non-Saudi workers. As these projects continue to expand, they require skilled and unskilled workers from all over the world, leading to a significant increase in the foreign workforce. He also explained that expatriates sending money 'to their loved ones' during the holiday season largely drove the 31.7 percent annual surge in December. Reflecting on how economic and regulatory trends in Saudi Arabia and the recipient countries affect remittance fluctuations, he said: 'It is playing a role. For example, the stability of their currency will reflect on remittance through banking channels as they trust the currency and they get a good rate.' The expert said that the top destinations for remittances from Saudi Arabia align closely with the largest expatriate communities in the Kingdom. Remittances sent abroad by Saudi citizens reached a two-year high in 2024, totaling SR68.61 billion — a 10.74 percent increase compared with 2023, according to SAMA data. Citing data from the General Authority for Statistics, he noted that the five largest expatriate groups in Saudi Arabia are from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines. These same countries are among the primary recipients of remittances, particularly for person-to-person transfers. The strong presence of these communities, coupled with family obligations and economic ties, continues to drive significant money flows to these destinations. 'The fintech post-COVID played a role in easing the customer experience, speeding up the movement of money to global bank accounts, and saving time by allowing senders to use the service at home without visiting centers or waiting in long queues,' Al-Harbi added. 'Today, most of the apps even provide the service in different languages, which gives customers the confidence to do this by themselves,' he said. To explain the surge in transfers by Saudis, Al-Harbi said that the Kingdom's citizens usually transfer to relatives abroad in Europe or the US to pay for tuition and bills related to their properties. Advances in blockchain technology and compliance solutions driven by artificial intelligence are enhancing the efficiency and security of cross-border transactions, according to a report by IBS Intelligence released in July. These innovations are crucial for improving financial inclusion and supporting the growth of the digital economy in the Middle East. Several fintech companies are driving this transformation, particularly in the realm of cross-border payments. These include Careem Pay, a digital wallet service from the popular ride-hailing app, which facilitates peer-to-peer and bill payments, and international money transfers. Other companies operating in this space are Mamo, a Dubai-based financial services company; PayMe, a fintech based in Egypt; and Saudi company urpay. Al-Harbi said that, in general, the Kingdom offers lower transfer fees compared ith other GCC countries and regions such as Southeast Asia and Africa, particularly for major remittance corridors. This can be attributed to the high volume of transactions and the presence of numerous remittance service providers, which create a competitive market and help keep costs relatively low for expatriates sending money abroad. Al-Harbi said that economic and regulatory trends in Saudi Arabia and recipient countries play a crucial role in shaping remittance flows. One key factor is currency stability. When a local currency is stable, expatriates are more likely to send money through official banking channels, because they trust that their funds will retain value and that they will receive favorable exchange rates. Additionally, regulatory policies in Saudi Arabia and recipient nations influence remittance trends. Policies that allow smooth and secure money transfers encourage more transactions through formal channels, while stricter regulations or economic instability in recipient countries may push some expatriates to seek alternative methods.
