Who’s Who: Ziad Al-Musallam, CEO of the SAMI Advanced Electronics Co. and executive VP of advanced electronics at SAMI
Updated 24 March 2024
Arab News
Ziad Al-Musallam has been the president and CEO of SAMI Advanced Electronics Co., a subsidiary of SAMI, since March 2021.
In this position, he is responsible for the overall strategic direction and financial profitability of the organization, overseeing the entire business, fiscal and operational activities of SAMI-AEC.
He has also been the executive vice president of advanced electronics at SAMI since December 2021, where he heads the division responsible for enhancing the nation’s capabilities in the local development and production of defense electronics.
As a seasoned corporate executive and technologist, he has more than 30 years of experience in the defense electronics and high-tech industry.
He began his career in 1988 as a design engineer at the National Information Center, joining SAMI-AEC’s operations department as a test engineer in 1991.
Established in 1988, the Riyadh-headquartered SAMI-AEC designs, develops, manufactures, maintains and repairs advanced systems and products in the defense and aerospace, information and communications technology, security and energy sectors.
Before his appointment as CEO, Al-Musallam was executive vice president of engineering and operations. He was senior vice president of engineering and development between 2014 and 2017, when he was responsible for managing the company’s technical and engineering operations.
He was also senior vice president and acting general manager of the energy business unit between 2015 and 2017, heading the industrial products business in the energy sector.
Following his appointment as CEO, Al-Musallam expressed his keenness to intensify the company’s role as a leading player in achieving the defense localization goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Musallam serves as board chairman of Advanced Electronics Support Services Co. and SAMI-Thales joint venture.
He is also an active member of various industry committees and councils, including the Industrial Committee at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Council at the Ministry of Industrial and Mineral Resources, the Consulting Council at the Department of Computer Engineering at King Saud University, and the Saudi Council of Engineers at Consultant grade.
Al-Musallam holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from King Saud University in Riyadh. He has also earned several management and leadership credentials from global institutions such as INSEAD.
Theme for 2025 edition is “Cinema of Identity,” exploring how film reflects and shapes individual, national and cultural identity
Updated 14 February 2025
Arab News
DHAHRAN: The 11th Saudi Film Festival will take place from April 17 to 24 at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, in Dhahran.
Organized by the Cinema Association, in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture, this year’s festival includes screenings, educational events and networking opportunities.
The theme for this edition is “Cinema of Identity,” exploring how film reflects and shapes individual, national and cultural identity.
The program will feature a mix of local and international films, with a particular focus on how these works navigate the complexities of identity in a globalized world.
The films selected for this program will examine how identity is influenced by heritage, cities and personal experiences, and highlight the challenges and transformations that individuals and societies undergo in response to these influences.
This year’s festival will honor Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, one of Saudi Arabia’s most renowned actors, whose legacy spans over three decades.
Al-Hasawi has been an influential figure in Saudi entertainment, contributing to numerous theatrical productions, TV shows like “Tash Ma Tash” and “Bayni Wa Baynak,” and films such as “Hajjan,” “Zero Distance,” and the recent “Hobal.”
The festival will celebrate his immense contributions to the arts and his significant role in shaping Saudi cinema.
In addition to the spotlight on Saudi cinema, the 11th Saudi Film Festival will feature a special program focused on Japanese cinema.
This segment will showcase a selection of independent Japanese films, offering audiences a chance to experience Japan’s unique cinematic traditions and cultural identity.
The Japanese program will further enhance the festival’s mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue and broaden the perspectives of Saudi audiences.
Throughout the festival, attendees will have the chance to immerse themselves in a wide range of activities beyond just screenings.
There will be panel discussions with industry experts, offering insights into the future of Saudi cinema and the evolving role of identity in filmmaking.
Masterclasses will be conducted by seasoned filmmakers and industry professionals, covering key aspects of the filmmaking process such as directing, cinematography and scriptwriting.
The festival will also provide opportunities for one-on-one meetings with experts, where filmmakers can receive personalized feedback and advice on their projects.
For those looking to take their work further, private pitching sessions will be available, giving filmmakers the chance to present their ideas to potential investors and distributors.
Additionally, book signings will give audiences the chance to meet authors and filmmakers who have contributed to the festival, deepening their understanding of the creative processes behind the films.
Jeddah celebrates global culinary extravaganza at Food Culture Festival
Festival heads west after successful events in Alkhobar and Riyadh
Workshops, musical performances, and global cuisine on offer
Updated 14 February 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: After successful events in Alkhobar and Riyadh, the much-anticipated Food Culture Festival is taking place at Jeddah’s Wonder District from Feb. 12 to 16.
Organized by the Culinary Arts Commission in partnership with the Quality of Life Program, the event showcases a rich blend of local and international culinary experiences.
The festival in Jeddah features four zones, each offering a different aspect of the culinary world.
Organized by the Culinary Arts Commission in partnership with the Quality of Life Program. (Supplied)
In the food exhibitors’ area, attendees can savor various cuisines, from traditional Saudi dishes to international delicacies, allowing them to embark on a gastronomic journey around the world without leaving the city.
Leo Wen, CEO and co-founder of Whoa Tea, which offers authentic Chinese drinks and sweets like Tang Hu Lu (candied fruit snack) and coconut cubes, said: “It’s exciting to introduce these unique flavors through this festival, and the response has been overwhelming.
“Our goal is not only to provide a delicious experience but also to share the rich heritage behind these drinks and desserts, showcasing the diversity of Chinese culinary traditions.”
FASTFACTS
• The festival in Jeddah features four zones, each offering a different aspect of the culinary world.
• In the food exhibitors’ area, attendees can savor various cuisines, from traditional Saudi dishes to international delicacies, allowing them to embark on a gastronomic journey around the world without leaving the city.
• The festival’s theater area features live performances, from guitar and vocal acts to Arabic music bands.
Noura Abdullah, founder of Soma, a Saudi brand known for its signature grape leaves, as well as dishes like grape leaves fatteh, musakhan, kibbeh, and fresh juices made from carefully selected ingredients, said: “Everything we serve is homemade, with our signature dish, the grape leaves, being particularly popular.
“I started in Alkhobar, then expanded to Riyadh, and now, by participating in this festival in Jeddah, I’m exploring the possibility of franchising Soma.
“The positive feedback from visitors has been incredible, especially (for) the grape leaves. Their response has been very encouraging and motivates me to bring Soma to even more people.”
Ahmed Imran, owner of My Makan, the only Malaysian restaurant in Jeddah, told Arab News: “Festivals like this bring together diverse cultures, and food is the perfect medium to unite people from all walks of life.
“It’s truly amazing to see such a celebration of global cuisines, and I’m excited to introduce authentic Malaysian dishes to the visitors. It’s also heartwarming to witness the positive response from the community towards Malaysian cuisine.”
The festival also welcomes food truck owners, offering them an opportunity to showcase their food and attract new customers.
Al-Baraa Yahy, who owns Protein Dose, a food truck based in Al-Safa district, said the festival has given her the opportunity to introduce her products to a wider audience.
“I’m grateful for the chance to showcase my offerings through such a fantastic platform,” she said.
For those eager to enhance their culinary skills, the workshops area offers hands-on experiences with activities such as sushi making, food decoration, pasta crafting, and even food photography, with a special focus on the flavors of Singapore.
Live cooking demonstrations will also allow guests to witness the magic of food preparation firsthand.
Sadellah Zakaria, an Italian chef, and Mokhtar Mahdy, an Egyptian chef, teach festivalgoers how to make pasta like fettuccine and ravioli from scratch with their workshop.
“These workshops are a great way for attendees to not only learn valuable culinary skills but also connect with the craft of making fresh pasta. Even children can join and enjoy this immersive experience,” Zakaria said.
The festival’s theater area features live performances, from guitar and vocal acts to Arabic music bands and Indian Bharatanatyam dancers.
Additionally, roaming performances like living statues, an interactive parade, and a Chinese dragon dance add to the event’s festive atmosphere.
The kids’ area offers a chance for children to get involved in cooking workshops and farm activities, participate in friendly competitions, and unleash their creativity in a safe and educational environment.
Mohammed Hussein, who came along with his family said: “It’s great that the workshops let kids get involved and try things out for themselves. Plus, the festival has this cool passport challenge where you get a stamp every time you visit a different zone.”
Ghadeer Abdullah, a visitor from Makkah, said: “The best part of the festival is definitely the weather. It’s so pleasant that we’re enjoying all the zones. The kids’ zone is especially engaging. My children spent almost an hour completing the workshop, and they loved every minute of it.”
Focus on creating books for young readers at Jazan Book Fair
The aim of the workshop was to introduce the concept of short stories for young adults, what attracts them, and how their needs vary based on their age
Updated 14 February 2025
Arab News
JAZAN: The cultural program accompanying activities at Jazan Book Fair 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, featured a special workshop titled “Writing Short Stories for Young Adults,” presented by Noura Abiri.
The aim of the workshop was to introduce the concept of short stories for young adults, what attracts them, and how their needs vary based on their age, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The workshop explored methods for writing short stories for young adults, emphasizing the need for an engaging and fluid style that balances simplicity with depth, and touches on topics close to their interests, such as selecting an appealing and impactful idea relevant to youth, including themes such as friendship, courage, achieving dreams, self-acceptance, adventures, science fiction, or even social issues such as bullying or academic pressure.
It also highlighted the importance of creating a protagonist close to the reader’s world in age or experience.
The Jazan Book Fair 2025 is at the Prince Sultan Cultural Center until Feb. 17 and provides a rich cultural program featuring poetry evenings and literary discussions.
Saudi Arabia launches first recycling program for pilgrim garments
The project is a partnership with the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., a leading waste management and circular economy company, and Tadweem, a pioneer in sustainable fashion
Updated 14 February 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: The Saudi Fashion Commission launched its innovative “Sustainable Ihram” initiative at the Islamic Arts Biennale on Friday.
The scheme is a move toward sustainable religious practices and marks a new approach to handling pilgrim garments. It aims to transform discarded Ihram clothing into new, sustainable items by collecting and sorting textile waste from Hajj pilgrims.
The project is a partnership with the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., a leading waste management and circular economy company, and Tadweem, a pioneer in sustainable fashion.
Technical support comes from textile specialist Sanko Group, working in conjunction with Re&Up, which will provide innovative recycling technology to process the garments.
Attempt to smuggle unlicensed medical pills thwarted in Asir
Authorities in Jeddah have arrested a citizen for trafficking hashish and unlicensed medical pills
Updated 14 February 2025
SPA
ABHA: Saudi Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Rabou’a sector of the Asir region have arrested an Ethiopian national for violating border security regulations by smuggling 49,350 unlicensed medical pills. Legal procedures have been initiated, and both the suspect and the seized contraband handed over to the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, authorities in Jeddah have arrested a citizen for trafficking hashish and unlicensed medical pills. Legal procedures were again initiated, and the suspect referred to the competent authorities.
Security agencies have called on the public to report any information concerning drug smuggling or promotion by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions. Members of the public can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control on 995 or by emailing [email protected].
