Latest news with #Makkah
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Jeddah show exhibits vibrant art from waste
JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Jeddah is holding an exhibition, at its Abdulhalim Radwi Hall, of art created from waste. Hussein Al-Buheiri, general director of technical and vocational training in the Makkah region, opened the Al-Muhmal exhibition by Saudi visual artist Mishal Al-Omari. Running until July 23, the exhibition demonstrates how damaged and discarded industrial materials can be turned into vibrant artworks, as commentary on the importance of protecting the environment. The exhibition, which attracted several culture and art enthusiasts, highlights the power of art to create beauty, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It features collages, embroidery, paintings and sculptures made from recycled plastic, paper, iron and pipes. The exhibition's aim is to raise awareness about recycling, inspire environmental protection, promote visual arts, and encourage young people to create from everyday materials.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
From Nigeria to Makkah, sereh finds a home on Saudi tables
RIYADH: Sereh, a beloved African dish rooted in Nigerian tradition, has carved out a place for itself in the culinary landscape of Saudi Arabia. Once popular as a street food in Makkah's older neighborhoods such as Al-Mansour, Al-Hafayer, and Al-Barno, sereh has grown beyond its origins to reflect a story of migration, cultural exchange, and shared taste. Traditionally, sereh — also known as tsire or suya — consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices, then roasted over an open flame. This method creates not only a flavorful dish but an aromatic experience that draws people in. 'Tamiz, or Afghani bread, was also a street food, so they were often enjoyed together,' said Rodwan Fallatah, owner of the African restaurant AfriQ in Riyadh. Sereh's journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah's openness. 'You roast the sereh until it's hot, and with tamiz nearby, you simply grab some hot bread to enjoy with it.' The dish originates from the Hausa tribe, an ethnic group with a strong presence in northern Nigeria, southern Niger, and beyond. 'As a proud member of the Hausa tribe, I take great pride in seeing our traditional dish being enjoyed far beyond Hausa land, reaching communities across Africa and even here in Saudi Arabia,' said Zainab Hawsawi, a Saudi writer and businesswoman. She noted that the typical Hausa kitchen is a treasure trove of rich and diverse flavors, featuring meat dishes like dambu nama, delicately shredded and seasoned dried beef; kilishi, thinly sliced, spiced, and sun-dried meat; and balangu, famous for its juicy, freshly grilled pieces. 'But nothing compares to the explosion of flavors you experience when eating suya, especially as you dip each piece into yaji, the signature blend of spicy suya dipping spices,' she added. The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food. Sereh gradually integrated into the local food scene, creating a fusion of flavors that captivated the taste buds of residents. 'I think the logical answer would be migration,' said Fallatah, emphasizing how pilgrims helped introduce the dish into Makkah's multicultural food scene. Makkah, long regarded as a cultural crossroads, provided fertile ground for this culinary exchange. As locals encountered new dishes, they began to experiment and adapt. Originally from Madinah, Fallatah moved to Riyadh in 1997 and opened AfriQ, where he serves sereh among other dishes. His passion for African cuisine has made his restaurant a popular spot for both locals and visitors. 'The spices are unique, and the preparation of sereh is different. Locals observe and learn, and soon they want to try it themselves,' he explained, noting that demand is especially strong in hotels catering to pilgrims and tourists. Sereh's journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah's openness and the Kingdom's growing embrace of cultural diversity through food. As it continues to evolve, sereh stands as a flavorful reminder of how Saudi kitchens are becoming more globally inspired — one skewer at a time.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
MWL chief, Uzbek Islamic leader meet in Makkah
MAKKAH: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa recently received Firdavs Abdukhalikov, president of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, and his delegation in Makkah. Al-Issa highlighted the center's vital role in promoting Islamic civilization, addressing misunderstandings, and combating negative stereotypes, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Abdukhalikov, on behalf of Uzbekistan, expressed pride and appreciation for the league's efforts in the Islamic community and its esteemed international standing. He also praised Al-Issa's representation of Muslims during his speech at the UN's inaugural International Day to Combat Islamophobia, held at the General Assembly's invitation. Also in Makkah, Al-Issa met Mohammed Samir Al-Naqshbandi, Iraq's consul general in Saudi Arabia, who paid a farewell visit at the end of his term.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi consortium launches $50 million fund to ease pilgrimage costs for Pakistanis — CEO
KARACHI: A Saudi-based consortium of travel and hospitality companies has launched a $50 million fund to reduce the cost of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages for Pakistani travelers by as early as September, the group's chief executive said on Monday. The consortium includes online Umrah booking platform Emaar Al Diyafa Group of hotels, Skyline Travel Company and other firms operating in Makkah. Its stated goal is to modernize the infrastructure and operations of Pakistani travel agencies to help them meet Saudi regulatory standards and better serve pilgrims. The consortium's CEO Mohammad Salman Arain told Arab News the main objective behind setting up the fund is to upgrade travel agencies' infrastructure and operations in every major Pakistani city. He said the fund is expected to lower Hajj costs by 20 percent and Umrah costs by 25 percent for Pakistani pilgrims. 'On average, [Umrah for one person] is Rs300,000 ($1,054) and we expect that by September, a small travel agent would be able to offer it to his customers at Rs240,000 ($844) to Rs250,000 ($879),' Arain said in a telephone interview on Monday. Arain attributed the current high costs to inefficiencies in the way many Pakistani travel agents operate: 'Once we help them operate better then Umrah will become cheaper for our pilgrims.' His company, Umrah Companions, also launched what it calls the world's first AI-powered Umrah agent this month, designed to help digitally savvy pilgrims customize their travel packages based on cost and convenience. The consortium will also help Pakistani Hajj organizers adapt to Saudi Arabia's evolving regulations. 'This should make Hajj better organized and cheaper as well,' Arain said. In a separate statement, said over 2 million Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia each year for pilgrimage and spend more than $5 billion annually, making Pakistan one of the world's largest pilgrimage markets. 'Yet despite these numbers, the sector continues to suffer from poor management,' the company said. 'More than 67,000 pilgrims missed Hajj this year alone.' That figure refers to a large portion of Pakistan's private Hajj quota that went unutilized this year due to reported delays by travel companies in completing payment and registration requirements, according to Private operators have blamed the shortfall on technical glitches, payment delays, and poor coordination between service providers. Pakistan's government fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims. The Saudi consortium's investment will be used for technology upgrades, staff training, and process improvements in small- and medium-sized travel agencies. These improvements could make the booking process 50 percent faster, said. 'We are stepping in to help change that, working closely with the government, airlines, and private sector partners,' the company added.
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia shuts down 10 offices in crackdown on travel operators
Saudi Arabia has cracked down on travel agents in the country for violating regulations, including operating without licenses and organising unauthorised Umrah and visitation packages. As part of its campaign to regulate tourism-related activities and ensure compliance with official licensing and operational standards across the Kingdom, the Ministry of Tourism has shut down 10 travel service offices in Riyadh. The ministry said it will impose legal penalties on violators, including fines of up to SAR50,000 (US$13,333), which can rise to SAR1 million (US$270,000) for repeat offenses. These offices also face closure, depending on the severity of the violations. The violations included transporting pilgrims using unlicensed vehicles and accommodating them in unauthorised hospitality facilities in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. According to the ministry, the inspections targeted travel and tourism agencies operating without the required permits or outside the scope of their approved activities. The initiative aims to protect the rights of tourists and visitors while enhancing the overall quality of services in line with Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy. The Ministry has urged all licensed tourism operators to strictly adhere to the terms and requirements of their permits, and called on the public to deal only with officially licensed agencies to safeguard their rights and ensure a safe and reliable travel experience.
