Saudi photographer’s winning shot and the stories behind it

Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)
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Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)
Saudi photographer’s winning shot and the stories behind it
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Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)
Saudi photographer’s winning shot and the stories behind it
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Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)
Saudi photographer’s winning shot and the stories behind it
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Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)
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Updated 05 March 2024
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Saudi photographer’s winning shot and the stories behind it

Saudi photographer’s winning shot and the stories behind it
  • From hobbyist to international artist, the journey of Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki

MAKKAH: Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki, a Taif native, developed a love for photography from a young age, particularly in documenting family events, eventually earning him a reputation as the family photographer.

Al-Maliki holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Umm Al-Qura University and currently serves as an employee at the Ministry of Education.




Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)

As an active member of numerous local and international photography clubs, Al-Maliki holds affiliations with key organizations, including the International Federation of Photographic Art and the Photographic Society of America. He has showcased his talent in various local and international photography exhibitions, clinching several accolades.

His most recent recognitions came through the This Is Makkah photography competition, a part of the Makkah Brings Us Together event activities, organized by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.

HIGHLIGHT

Al-Maliki said that technological advancements have made photography easier, especially with artificial intelligence technologies inside cameras that contribute to solving many problems. ‘From my perspective, so long as there is an idea and a message, your work will reach its audience and you will maintain your position.

Reflecting on his journey, Al-Maliki shared with Arab News: “My belief in the saying, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’ is the main motivation for me to continue this hobby, especially since a picture stops a moment in time and allows people to remember what made them happy later on. What the picture means to the photographer is a noble message that must be conveyed correctly.”




Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)

He added: “I will never forget the first professional camera that my father gave me. It was like the exploration stage of a new world. At that time, I began to learn about the camera and then experimented with various types of photography. I believe that this stage was the most important in my journey because it taught me the basics of photography and allowed me to delve into its exceptional world, especially since I started taking diverse pictures and learning from my mistakes.”

Al-Maliki said that he moved on to the stage of practical application and improvement through visual nourishment, attending specialized courses and workshops, especially art exhibitions that help interact with photographers and benefit from their experiences.




Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)

“When I started participating in local and international competitions, I set several goals for myself to strive for, which became a motivation for me to continue. I have achieved some of them. I was awarded the title of ‘international artist’ by the International Federation of Photographic Art, as well as ‘golden exhibitor’ by the Asian Photographers Union.”

Al-Maliki further explained that when he started participating in competitions in 2009, he was not successful, but despite that, he did not hesitate to continue participating.




Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki

“With perseverance, attempting to capture different shots, and self-improvement, I won my first international award in 2013. I always made sure to learn and benefit from the community of photographers around me. As for the picture of ‘the domes on the roof of the Grand Mosque,’ I consider it the main player in my submissions.”

Al-Maliki said: “This picture has won more than one award at both local and international levels, including gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as honorary distinctions in several different countries, including recently Oman, China, France, and India.




Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)

“It is considered one of the closest shots due to the circumstances under which it was captured, as it was taken during the first helicopter flight operated by a security agency during the Hajj season, specifically on the Day of Arafah. This day is known for the Grand Mosque being empty of pilgrims as they stand on the plains of Arafat.

“Also, due to the windy conditions and altitude at midday, multiple rapid shots were taken until success was achieved, with only this person present on the roof of the Grand Mosque, which contributed to highlighting the domes and their size compared to the person, as well as the presence of all shades of monochromatic colors in the work and the contrast of its elements.”

What the picture means to the photographer is a noble message that must be conveyed correctly.

Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki

Speaking about what the Saudi photographer lacks to achieve international recognition, he explained that we are living in the golden age of photography, with the vision of our inspiration, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who sees us as the true force for achieving the vision.

“The Kingdom is rich in its diverse terrain and beautiful places, be it in the north, south, east, or west.

“Every photographer should seize the opportunity to capture shots that remain in the memory of viewers and leave a special mark, especially since the spread of pictures has become easier than ever through various social media platforms and the ease of access to the world. I will strive diligently to represent my country and achieve top positions because we are always at the forefront and nothing hinders our sky-high ambition.”




Raed Abdullah Al-Maliki captured an award-winning photo, main, of the Grand Mosque domes from a helicopter during Hajj season, showcasing their size in relation to a solitary figure on the roof. (Supplied)

He pointed out that technological advancements have made photography easier, especially with artificial intelligence technologies inside cameras that contribute to solving many problems. From my perspective, so long as there is an idea and a message, your work will reach its audience and you will maintain your position, regardless of the tool used in photography, whether professional cameras or even mobile phones.

“The photographer plays a large part in showing creativity because no matter how many resources are available, without the right person, you cannot impress others.”

Al-Maliki concluded by stating that artists can see their reality differently, even if they are accustomed to it. “Choosing different angles and places at different times and with new ideas will help me find subjects worthy of photography. Usually, I search for new angles photographers have not touched upon, hoping to highlight a different aspect through the picture.”

 


Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris
Updated 9 sec ago
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Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris
  • Ministers discussed recent developments in the Middle East
  • Prince Faisal headed Saudi Arabia's delegation at the AI Action Summit in Paris

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, met his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, in Paris on Wednesday.

The ministers discussed recent developments in the Middle East and efforts to achieve security and peace in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Fahd Al-Ruwaili, the Saudi Ambassador to France, and Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, the political advisor to the Foreign Minister, attended the meeting.

Prince Faisal headed the Kingdom's delegation at the AI Action Summit held in Paris this week, which gathered nearly a hundred countries and over a thousand representatives from the private sector and civil society around the globe.


Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy
Updated 12 February 2025
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Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan met with Palestine’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim on Wednesday.

During the meeting in Madinah, the two officials discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez Altemyat met with the nation’s Health and Wellness Minister Anil Kumar Bachoo in Port Louis.

They discussed ways to boost ties and topics of common interest.


Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival

Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival
Updated 12 February 2025
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Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival

Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival
  • Kingdom to showcase growing influence in global film industry
  • Commission aims to enhance cultural exchange, empower Saudi talents

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission is to participate in the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which takes place from Feb. 13 to 23.

The body is hosting a Saudi pavilion with key partners to showcase the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global film industry and its strategy to become a top destination for filmmakers and producers.

It is organizing a roundtable session at the festival called “Will 2025 be the Year of Independent Films at the Global Box Office?” This will bring together film industry leaders to discuss future challenges and opportunities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The commission also aims to enhance cultural exchange, empower Saudi talents, and develop the skills of emerging filmmakers in the Kingdom.

An official delegation from the commission — accompanied by a group of filmmakers — is set to attend the Berlin festival, one of Europe’s top film events, which is known for presenting the prestigious Golden Bear award for best film.

The festival, which was established in 1951, features a variety of films, including documentaries, experimental works, and feature films.


Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium launches in Riyadh

A large crowd of enthusiasts and professionals attend a preview event for the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium.
A large crowd of enthusiasts and professionals attend a preview event for the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium.
Updated 12 February 2025
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Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium launches in Riyadh

A large crowd of enthusiasts and professionals attend a preview event for the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium.
  • Sculptures were created during a live public exhibition last month
  • Works will be displayed across the city after event ends

RIYADH: The sixth annual Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium began in Riyadh on Wednesday with 30 works of art created during a live sculpting exhibition at Roshn Front last month.

Held under the theme “From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making,” the event runs until Feb. 24.

The annual symposium brings together local and international artists, and includes a series of workshops, educational trips and interactive talks.

Organizers have announced that all sculptures created during the event will become part of the permanent collection of Riyadh Art.

These sculptures will be placed in prominent public spaces across the city, complementing the 35 sculptures from previous editions of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, which were installed at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center.

Among the prominent additions to Riyadh Art’s permanent collection are “LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside)” by American artist Robert Indiana and “Janey Waney” by American artist Alexander Calder, both located at the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station.

Additionally, “Sun” by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone was recently installed at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center.

Riyadh Art is dedicated to installing more than 1,000 public artworks throughout the city as part of its efforts to enhance and diversify Riyadh’s cultural landscape.

The symposium showcases works created at Roshn Front during a live public sculpting phase which took place from Jan. 15-Feb. 8. The event featured artists from a range of backgrounds.

Out of more than 750 applications from around the world, 30 artists from 23 countries were selected. The artists represent a wide range of sculptural traditions and contemporary practices, with each piece reflecting this year’s theme.

Sebastian Betancur-Montoya, curator of the 2025 Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, said: “The exhibition is the culmination of weeks of dedication, artistic exchange and craftsmanship.

“These sculptures are not merely temporary installations; they are part of an ongoing cultural dialogue that connects history with modernity, contributing to the development of Riyadh’s public art scene.”

As part of the public engagement program for the live sculpting phase, which features group discussions, workshops, training sessions and guided tours, the exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to interact with the artists’ creative processes and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of contemporary sculpture.

Tuwaiq Sculpture is a key program within the Riyadh Grand Projects, an initiative launched by King Salman in 2019.


E-waste recycling — a win-win for environment and economy

Recycling e-waste supports a sustainable economy, effectively utilizes natural resources, and minimizes financial waste. (SPA)
Recycling e-waste supports a sustainable economy, effectively utilizes natural resources, and minimizes financial waste. (SPA)
Updated 12 February 2025
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E-waste recycling — a win-win for environment and economy

Recycling e-waste supports a sustainable economy, effectively utilizes natural resources, and minimizes financial waste. (SPA)
  • E-waste poses considerable health and environmental risks if not disposed of safely and responsibly
  • It also presents significant economic and social opportunities through proper recycling and investment in sustainable e-waste management

RIYADH: The expansion of the tech sector and the surge in the use of electronic devices has led to a significant increase in waste from electrical and electronic equipment, one of the fastest-growing types of solid waste globally.

E-waste poses considerable health and environmental risks if not disposed of safely and responsibly. However, it also presents significant economic and social opportunities through proper recycling and investment in sustainable e-waste management.

According to the executive regulations of the electronic and electrical waste management law, e-waste is defined as waste generated from equipment that operates via electric currents or electromagnetic fields. This includes all components, sub-assemblies and consumables associated with the product when discarded.

E-waste encompasses a wide range of electronic products including laptops, printers, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, smartphones and wearable devices such as wireless headphones. These contain harmful and toxic materials like lead, mercury and cadmium. Improper disposal contaminates the environment, including groundwater, and poses significant risks to human health.

Many electronic and electrical devices accumulate in homes, offices and other facilities, often discarded prematurely. They could be repaired, refurbished or have their parts reused; however, improper disposal methods, such as burning or heating, are prevalent. These release toxic fumes, which travel long distances, impacting public health and contributing to environmental degradation, including reduced vegetation cover, increased global warming and the rise of respiratory diseases.

Proper e-waste management is crucial, involving recycling and reusing valuable components while safely disposing of hazardous materials.

Government efforts in e-waste management

The Kingdom’s commitment to environmental sustainability, as outlined in Vision 2030, drives its efforts to recycle e-waste. This aligns with national and global goals, including reducing carbon emissions, achieving carbon neutrality and fostering a circular economy.

Recycling e-waste supports a sustainable economy, effectively utilizes natural resources, minimizes financial waste and enhances social responsibility by enabling needy families to access technology.

The National Center for Waste Management plays a pivotal role in organizing, monitoring and stimulating investment in waste management activities. It aims to significantly reduce e-waste and battery disposal in landfills, targeting a 90-95 percent exclusion rate by 2035 and achieve a reuse and recycling rate for e-waste and damaged batteries exceeding 90 percent.

At COP28, the commission announced the launch of the Developing E-Waste Management Regulations initiative, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, to implement e-waste management regulations in Zambia, Rwanda and Paraguay.

This initiative reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership in global digital sustainability efforts. By introducing regulations that promote a circular economy and offering innovative solutions, the initiative seeks to accelerate the transition to green practices. This is crucial as global e-waste generation has reached 54 million tonnes annually, of which only 17 percent is recycled.

Following a royal order, government agencies can donate used computers to the Ertiqa association.

Ertiqa Executive Director Omar Al-Shaibani told the Saudi Press Agency the association focused on collecting used computers, refurbishing them and distributing them to social and educational entities. It utilizes the Blancco program and adheres to globally approved methods to securely erase all data from donated devices, ensuring user privacy.

One of Ertiqa's notable projects is an initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide computers to students from needy families to facilitate remote learning.

This achieved significant success, with over 40 million educational and training hours logged, over 30,000 devices distributed, and over 27,000 devices recycled. A total of 1,296 entities benefited from this program.

According to Al-Shaibani, over the past ten years, Ertiqa has received over 223,000 devices of which over 97,000 were refurbished and distributed to 3,404 entities, resulting in a reuse rate of 46 percent and a recycle rate of 43 percent.

Recycling operations resulted in a reduction of 13,039,815 kg of carbon emissions, equivalent to the recycling of 2,608 tonnes of e-waste. This involved the participation of over 3,000 volunteers who contributed 57,080 hours, with an estimated economic return exceeding SR2.6 million ($693k).

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission also carried out the “Recycle Your Device” initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and MWAN.

The scheme, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, saw more than 100,000 devices, with a market value exceeding SR30 million, collected from 20,000 participants. More than 240 tonnes of e-waste were recycled and repaired, and over 120 schools and charitable associations received recycled devices.

In the investment sector, the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., a Public Investment Fund subsidiary, was established by a royal decree to spearhead investment in the Kingdom’s recycling sector, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.

The company’s strategy focuses on investing in recycling 12 waste types to significantly advance the circular economy and contribute to the national target of increasing overall recycling operations to 81 percent.

A key subsidiary of SIRC is ELECTA, which specializes in the treatment and recycling of electronic, electrical and metal waste. ELECTA further invested in the Sorting and Recycling Company for Environmental Services, SIRC’s executive arm for electronic waste and metal recycling.

Citizens and residents wishing to donate devices, which will be collected free of charge, may submit a request through the Ertiqa website at ertiqa.org/en or its app.