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RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief carried out its Saudi Noor Voluntary Project to combat blindness in Sri Lanka from Feb. 17 to 23.
KSrelief’s medical staffers examined 4,723 patients, performed 434 cataract surgeries, and distributed 967 pairs of spectacles, the Saudi Press Agency reported late on Thursday.
The initiative is a part of the humanitarian projects implemented by Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, to support healthcare systems across the globe.
RIYADH/JEDDAH: The family tradition of decorating homes for Ramadan is a way for many Muslims to embrace the spirit of the holy month and express their joy at its arrival.
Across the Kingdom, and all around the world, families take great pride and care in adorning their homes to create a warm and festive atmosphere in anticipation of the blessed occasion. Many streets and other public areas also come to life with vibrant, colorful displays featuring lanterns, stars and crescent moons.
Elham Mirza, a devoted mother and grandmother from Jeddah, exemplifies this festive spirit.
“Every Ramadan, my daughters and their children come to the house to help me decorate,” she told Arab News. “They get excited about the candies and decorations, and it’s a tradition that helps the children appreciate the significance of Ramadan.”
Her daughter, Roa, said: “I remember decorating with my mother when I was a child. Now I get to share that same joy with my own kids.”
This generational connection reflects the importance that many families place on passing down traditions. Many of the decorations Mirza and her family use come from traditional souks in Jeddah, in particular sellers in historic Al-Balad district.
“Shopping at the souk is part of the fun,” Mirza explained. “We find beautiful lanterns and intricate banners that really bring the spirit of Ramadan to life.”
The shopping trips to these local markets add to the experience, as families begin to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of Ramadan. Mirza considers the decoration ritual a fun way to instill important values in the younger generations, and the children seem to enjoy it as well.
“I love helping grandma,” said her grandson, Yousef. “It makes me feel closer to my family and reminds me of why we celebrate Ramadan.”
Majdah Abu Laban, a Saudi housewife from Jeddah, eagerly prepares her home for the holy month each year.
“I love the Ramadan vibes; it brings a special joy and gives me a wonderful feeling,” she said.
This year, she was particularly impressed by the extensive variety of Ramadan decorations in Jeddah’s stores.
“There are so many new additions, shapes and colors that are even more beautiful than in previous years, both in terms of design and materials,” she said.
“I’ve noticed a mix of Egyptian and Indian products alongside the traditional decorations, as well as new styles and color combinations, like gold with black, black with fabric on wood, and vibrant hues blended with gold, yellow, purple and blue. The options this year are more diverse than ever.”
Abu Laban enjoys decorating as a household activity that helps her family grow closer.
“I make sure to decorate my home for Ramadan not because it’s essential, but because it enhances the spiritual ambiance and brings joy to my family,” she explained.
“Each year I add new touches, whether by reusing decorations I’ve kept from previous years or introducing small, new elements without going overboard.
“My children love to participate, especially when preparing Ramadan giveaways and setting up the table for guests.”
Beyond the traditional generic decorations, such as lanterns, markets and stores now offer a vast selection of items tailored specifically to the season.
“Decorations are no longer just about lanterns; every year, more collections are released and online shopping now offers just as much variety as physical stores,” said Abu Laban.
Rather than sticking to a single decorative style, she enjoys experimenting with different looks throughout her home.
“Sometimes I dedicate a specific theme to a particular room or corner of the house, but overall I love variety,” she said. “This year, I was particularly impressed by the creativity in Egyptian Ramadan decorations, with many stunning designs.
“However, prices vary and some high-end decorations, like black-and-gold combinations with luxurious fabrics, can be quite expensive.”
Another important part of the essence of the holy month, Abu Laban said, is the fragrances that help to usher in a spiritual atmosphere.
“Beyond decorations, Ramadan wouldn’t feel complete for me without the scent of oud and incense, especially after Taraweeh prayers and iftar.” She said. “It also adds a beautifully spiritual touch to the home.”
Even after Ramadan ends, certain decorations continue to hold significance, particularly during the Eid celebrations.
“I do save some elements, like crescents, arches and stars, for Eid, and I also keep a few lanterns to use in future years, as they remain a beautiful symbol of this blessed month,” said Abu Laban.
Numra Sidiqui, a Pakistani expatriate, takes great joy in preparing for the holy month, and her mother also eagerly looks forward to the annual Ramadan decorating tradition.
“Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam, and when it arrives we feel immense happiness and pride,” Sidiqui said.
This year, in addition to her usual festive preparations, she is also planning to launch a series on her YouTube channel focusing on Ramadan, in which she will share her experiences of and insights into this special time.
ARAR: A vital pastoral shrub once widespread in the Hamad area of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region has reappeared after a decades-long absence, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Environment authorities have attributed the near extinction of the plant in the 1990s due to overgrazing.
Recently, the presence of the Salsola tetrandra shrubs had been reported in inaccessible, rocky areas, signaling the plant’s potential for recovery.
The plant is considered a crucial food source for wildlife and livestock. It also plays a critical role in preventing erosion, contributes to the sustainability of natural pastures, and reflects the Kingdom’s rich environmental diversity.
Authorities are intensifying efforts to enhance pasture rehabilitation programs and combat overgrazing, aiming to restore the plant to its previous ecological status.
National environmental protection efforts are expected to facilitate the broader return of the Salsola tetrandra in the coming years, bolstering environmental sustainability, and restoring balance to natural ecosystems in the Northern Borders.
The Kingdom has been at the forefront of a global campaign to restore the planet’s ecological balance, with an ambitious plan to plant 10 billion trees and shrubs.
Since the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, the Kingdom has planted 100 million trees and shrubs and rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of degraded land.
NAJRAN: Wheat produced in Saudi Arabia’s southern region of Najran is in high demand because of its wide use during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Among the most popular type is the Al-Samraa brown wheat, known locally as Al-Bur Al-Najrani, a staple ingredient in numerous popular dishes such as Raqsh and Wafd.
“The increased demand for Najrani wheat during Ramadan is attributed to its high quality, nutritional value, and health benefits,” the SPA reported.
This particular variety is rich in vitamins B and E, folic acid, zinc, and fiber.
Al-Samraa is one of 13 products in Saudi Arabia that have been chosen by the Slow Food organization’s Ark of Taste. Slow Food is a US-based organization that catalogs “delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction” or that need to be recognized.
“By identifying and championing these foods, we keep them in production and on our plates,” stated the website of Slow Food, which has added more than 3,500 products from over 150 countries to its International Ark of Taste.
Earlier this month, the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said Najran farmers expect to harvest their wheat crops in March.
Planting began in early October, just before the Kingdom’s winter. Farmers said their crops were cultivated without chemicals and that advancements in agricultural machinery have enhanced efficiency and product quality.
Last year, Al-Samraa was featured in the inaugural Najran Wheat Festival organized by the MEWA and Social Development Bank to showcase the region’s cultural heritage.
“This unhybridized, naturally grown wheat is a heritage we received from our ancestors,” farmer Mohammed Al-Mansour said, according to the SPA.
“We use minimal irrigation to protect it from pests, ensuring its high quality,” Al-Mansour added.
According to the Cooperative Agricultural Association West of Najran, traditional wheat cultivation involves meticulous land preparation and irrigation.
Farmers also rely on animals for land preparation and harvesting. Wheat farming has been made easier today with the introduction of modern planting methods and the use of advanced machinery.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received in Riyadh on Thursday the deputy chief of Syria’s General Intelligence Service Muwaffaq Doukhi, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The officials discussed cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking.
Director of Syria’s Anti-Narcotics Department Khaled Eid, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Marwan Al-Ali, and a number of senior officials attended the meeting.
Doukhi and Eid visited earlier the General Directorate of Public Security and the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics in Riyadh.
The Syrian officials were briefed on the work mechanism, security tasks, and the latest technologies used in the directorates.
RIYADH: Congestion is a major concern for residents of Saudi Arabia’s cities. Commuters in Riyadh alone lose an average of 52 hours in traffic annually, according to a 2024 estimate.
While projects like the Riyadh Metro, which opened the last of its lines in January, are doing their part to ease the flow of cars, the city’s population is still projected to grow from around 8 million today to 9.6 million in 2030, presenting further challenges.
The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with government entities, has developed several systems that generate vast amounts of information on road traffic, ranging from a macro, citywide level to individual streets.
One of these is the Sawaher system, a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos using artificial intelligence and computer vision, providing real-time insights. One of its key use cases is in traffic management.
Another is the Smart C platform, which leverages data and artificial intelligence technologies to monitor, analyze, and predict operational indicators, supporting decision-making in smart city management.
“Riyadh is becoming a very busy city, so we need to be innovative, we need to act fast,” Mohammed Al-Buqami, general manager of product development at SDAIA’s Estishraf, told Arab News.
The system developed by SDAIA analyzes data in detail, identifying accident hotspots and comparing seasonal fluctuations.
Areas with a high number of fatal accidents are assessed for whether or not signage or road infrastructure can be improved to cut down on collisions.
“Ramadan specifically will have different spots than any other month in the year,” Al-Buqami said, as working hours and commuting patterns shift during the holy month.
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When a recent event in Riyadh attracted a huge number of visitors, it caused a ripple effect of congestion. That is why SDAIA, in collaboration with government entities, decided to develop a new tool “to ensure that traffic at the gate does not cause congestion in the surrounding area or impact major roads,” Al-Buqami said.
Looking to the future and problems that may arise from a rising population, SDAIA is working to introduce new technologies, and recently carried out a bootcamp for budding AI experts who came up with the idea for a robot that detects cracks, potholes, and puddles on the city’s roads, as well as an automated accident response system.
While SDAIA is on the cutting edge of data analytics and automated traffic management, the Kingdom has been implementing advanced technology solutions for road safety for more than a decade.
Saher, the automated penalty system, was developed in 2009 and launched the following year by the Ministry of Interior, using a network of cameras and radars.
When cameras detect a violation such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, texting while driving, or other such offenses, the system retrieves the vehicle owner’s details from the database and automatically issues a fine sent to the driver via SMS.
“The Saher system illustrates how AI and automation can revolutionize traffic enforcement and improve road safety,” Hasan Al-Ahmadi, associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, told Arab News.
Saher operates continuously, ensuring consistent enforcement of traffic laws without relying on human oversight.
• By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia had 15.1 million roadworthy vehicles — a 6.2 percent increase from 2022.
• In 2016, the country’s road traffic fatality rate was 28.8 per 100,000 people.
• Vision 2030 reforms have cut road deaths by 54 percent, dropping to 13.6 per 100,000 from 2016 to 2023.
It can identify and track road users moving through cities, automatically recognizing number plates and allowing law enforcement officers to pinpoint stolen or wanted vehicles.
Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles.
The system uses machine learning to study driver behaviors over time, identifying trends such as habitual speeding or repeated violations. Insights from this analysis are used for educational campaigns or stricter penalties for repeat offenders, said Al-Ahmadi, who has published a number of research papers on automation and road safety in Saudi Arabia.
The professor noted that a number of studies have shown decreases of up to 30 percent in speeding violations and red-light infractions since Saher was introduced.
In Dammam, accident rates dropped by approximately 20 percent, while congestion was reduced by around 20 percent in Dammam and Jeddah.
Meanwhile, studies also show that emergency response times improved by between 20-30 percent, Al-Ahmadi said.
In 2016, road accidents were the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. A total of 21 people were killed in crashes every day — almost one every hour.
These findings spurred the government into action. By 2023, fatal accidents had fallen by 54 percent.
Data and analytics were a key part of this success, with the number of road cameras increasing by 320 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization report. Analyzing data from the country’s death registry also played a part.
Al-Ahmadi sees a future where even more advanced technology can play a part in making Saudi Arabia’s roads safer.
Drone technology could be used for real-time traffic monitoring in areas with limited camera coverage, he said. Integrating intersection management systems with self-driving vehicles could be another advanced solution.
Al-Ahmadi also suggested that monitoring technology could be upgraded to analyze drivers’ facial expressions, blink rates, and head movements to detect fatigue or distraction.
As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, Al-Ahmadi added.
While the Kingdom’s cities continue to grow at a rapid rate, the problem of congestion and road safety is not going anywhere.
However, with a combination of automated technology and continuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new infrastructure projects, officials have found early success in reducing fatalities and look poised to keep the issue at bay.
