Latest news with #Al-Ruwaili
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Nassr awarded win in Rafea Al-Ruwaili case, final AFC Elite spot now up for grabs
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center has ruled in favor of Al Nassr in the eligibility case involving Al Orobah goalkeeper Rafea Al-Ruwaili, awarding Al Nassr a 3-0 victory and three points for their disputed February fixture in the Saudi Pro League. The ruling, issued Sunday, overturned the original 2-1 result in favor of Al Orobah. Al Nassr had filed an official protest over Al-Ruwaili's participation, presenting what the arbitration panel deemed compelling evidence of ineligibility. The decision carries major ramifications ahead of the final round of fixtures on May 26. Al Nassr's points tally rises from 67 to 70, moving them into third place and keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite — Asia's top-tier continental competition. Al Orobah, on the other hand, drop to 27 points and are now mathematically relegated, even if they win their final ruling has set up a dramatic final-day showdown between Riyadh rivals Al Hilal and Al Nassr, with only two direct qualification spots to the AFC Elite League up for grabs through league Hilal, second with 72 points, can secure qualification by defeating Al Qadsiah or drawing — provided Al Nassr do not win.A loss by Al Hilal would open the door for Al Nassr to leapfrog them, should they beat Al Fateh and reach 73 Nassr, now third, must win and hope Al Hilal either draw or lose to claim second place and Elite Qadsiah, currently outside the top four, can qualify only by winning the King's Cup final or beating Al Hilal combined with an Al Nassr Arabia will send three teams directly to the AFC Champions League Elite, while a fourth team will compete in the newly created AFC Champions League final day promises high-stakes drama as Al Hilal and Al Nassr fans follow their team's match — and their rival's — with every whistle potentially rewriting the both clubs boasting historic rivalries and huge fanbases, the tension is set to reach fever Hilal controls its own fate, but Al Nassr — boosted by the arbitration ruling — has renewed belief that their season could end on a high the ruling effectively ends Al Orobah's short-lived campaign in the top flight, with relegation now confirmed following the point deduction.
Shafaq News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Trump in Saudi Arabia: A strategic move to shield the region from escalation
Shafaq News/ US President Donald Trump's arrival in Saudi Arabia is a calculated message of support for Riyadh's rising geopolitical influence amid ongoing turbulence in the Middle East, a Saudi analyst said on Tuesday. International Relations Expert Mutair Al-Ruwaili explained to Shafaq News that the trip is 'a reflection of the Kingdom's pivotal role' in navigating regional conflicts and representing Arab concerns on the global stage, pointing out that Trump's decision to begin his first Middle East tour in Riyadh signals 'a recognition of Saudi Arabia's ability to balance competing interests and maintain strategic stability.' Among the visit's priorities, he added, are economic and defense agreements likely to be unveiled during meetings with Gulf leaders. Yet beyond formal deals, Al-Ruwaili emphasized the broader goal: 'to push back the shadow of crises and prevent further Israeli escalation in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon.' The analyst also pointed to Saudi Arabia's diplomatic posture as a key asset. 'Riyadh maintains equal distance from all sides—East and West. That neutrality gives it unmatched leverage in Washington's regional calculus.' Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning, kicking off a regional tour that also includes the UAE and Qatar. According to the US State Department, the visit focuses on regional security, defense, energy, investment, and ongoing cooperation to tackle shared challenges. The visit coincides with critical regional developments—including the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, Israeli strikes on Iranian proxies, and stalled nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. 'There's growing speculation about potential US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites,' Al-Ruwaili said, suggesting that Trump's presence may be intended to defuse rising tensions.
Arab News
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Ramadan through the lens of art
RIYADH: The holy month month of Ramadan offers profound creative inspiration with its themes of faith, renewal and introspection, three Saudi artists have told Arab News. Norah Al-Ruwaili, Manar Al-Otaibi and Sultan Al-Qahtani discussed how Ramadan shapes their artistic expression. For Al-Ruwaili, the holy month allows her to engage with her work more deeply. 'Ramadan naturally slows everything down, creating space for reflection and intentionality,' she said. 'That shift influences my art. I become more mindful of the themes I explore and the emotions I want to convey.' Al-Otaibi echoed this sentiment, describing how Ramadan transforms her approach to creativity. 'Ramadan deeply influences my artistic process by bringing a sense of stillness, introspection and spirituality,' she said. Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth. Sultan Al-Qahtani For Al-Qahtani, a photographer, Ramadan shifts his focus to nighttime settings and the beauty of lights in the holy month. 'Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth,' he said. Al-Ruwaili finds herself 'drawn to themes of stillness, spirituality and inner transformation. 'Patterns, calligraphy and elements inspired by prayer mats or architecture often appear in my work, like in my Mihrab paintings. 'I also love incorporating symbolism, whether through floral elements that represent spiritual blossoming or color choices that evoke serenity and depth,' she said. Al-Otaibi uses 'vibrant colors and intricate patterns' to express the emotions of the holy month. For Al-Qahtani, Ramadan photography records the community spirit; he captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements. Al-Ruwaili said that spirituality and creativity are inseparable during Ramadan: 'Creativity and spirituality aren't separate for me, they intertwine. My artistic process becomes quieter and more intentional during Ramadan, almost like a form of meditation.' But balancing creative work with fasting and responsibilities is a challenge, Al-Otaibi said. 'It can be challenging, especially with work and other responsibilities. However, I often feel refreshed and inspired after iftar, which helps me reconnect with my creative flow,' she added. Al-Qahtani experiences creative moments spontaneously, often between prayers and meals: 'Creative moments are not planned but sometimes it can be harnessed late at night between prayers and meals.' Representing the true spirit of Ramadan in visual art is not always easy. For Al-Ruwaili, moving beyond traditional imagery like lanterns and crescents to capture the feeling of Ramadan is her biggest challenge. 'Ramadan is deeply personal and spiritual, so visually representing its essence without being overly literal can be challenging,' she said. 'I try to move beyond traditional symbols like lanterns or crescents and focus more on the feeling of Ramadan: The sense of peace, renewal and contemplation.' Al-Otaibi also struggles to visually depict the intangible elements of the holy month. 'One challenge is translating the atmosphere of Ramadan into visual art, through key elements like the moon, fanous lights and family gatherings. For Al-Qahtani, the challenge lies in capturing aesthetic nighttime lighting without overexposing the image: 'Since most of the pictures I take are in the night, (I need) proper lighting — aesthetically pleasing lights, not just lots of lights.' Al-Ruwaili's Mihrab digital paintings hold a deep personal meaning: 'My Mihrab digital paintings are probably the clearest example. They were inspired by the patterns found in prayer mats, which hold so much significance in daily spiritual practice. 'To me, they represent a sacred space; a personal retreat where stillness and connection meet,' she said. Al-Otaibi created a painting of a family gathering during suhoor, which 'represents togetherness, tradition and the quiet beauty of Ramadan nights.' Al-Qahtani's photography showcases Ramadan's lights and the communal spirit. Through painting, photography and digital art, the three artists capture the essence of the holy month, reflecting a period that is both personal and universally meaningful.
