CPH Post Saudi Arabia Supplement 2019

COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (VISION 2030)

AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE

Dear Readers of the Copenhagen Post, It gives me great pleasure to present you this supplement on the occasion of the Saudi National Day that will be celebrated soon on the 23rd of September as the 89th Anniversary of the unification of our country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On this occasion, Saudis, men and women, old and young, remember all the sacrifices and fortitude that the founding fathers of Saudi Arabia, led by HM King Abdulaziz Al Saud, made to create our country in 1932, and the journey it has taken towards unity, nation building, and modernization.

Saudi Arabia today is a leading global powerhouse, and a significant member of the international society. In the national arena, Saudi Arabia takes its position high on the list of the UN Human Development Index 2018 in the category of the very high human development, occupying the rank of 39 out of 189 countries, with a life expectancy at birth of 74.7 and expected years of schooling 16.9. GNI per capita increased by 13.1 percent from 1990, and the total HDI value has increased by 22.4 percent – an impressive realization that Saudis are proud of and eager to continue.

During the past few years our country has been undergoing tremendous change towards more social and economic development and welfare.

The roadmap of the Saudi plan in this regard is the recently adopted comprehensive “Saudi Vision 2030”, which was launched in 2006 as a whole strategy that received a wide welcome by Saudis and has, as its key target, transformed the society towards a more sustainable development, diversified economy, and knowledge-based society.

Special care was also given to reforming and improving the public sector and the performance of governmental social services.

Vision 2030, as described by its archtect HRH Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, represents “an expression of our long-term goals and expectations, and it is built upon our country’s unique strengths and capabilities. It guides our aspirations towards a new phase of development, to create a vibrant society in which all citizens can fulfil their dreams, hopes and ambitions to succeed in a thriving economy.”

The Vision is realizing remarkable success according to its schedule, and on all levels.

At the same time Saudi Arabia continues its role on the international stage, particularly in political, economic and security fields, as an international key player and a responsible member of international society, for maintaining and promoting regional and international peace and security, and promoting values of dialogue, tolerance and cooperation among all nations and peoples.

When it comes to Saudi Danish relations, our two countries enjoy long-standing friendly ties that continue to progress – politically, economically and culturally.

On the economic side several Danish companies are helping to realize some large-scale Saudi projects, particularly in the fields of healthcare, renewable energy, water management, maritime transportation, and food and agriculture. One example of such a fruitful cooperation is the giant wind energy project that has been just launched in Dumat Al Jandal, north of Saudi Arabia, with the cooperation of a consortium of international partners, which includes some Danish input. The project was described by specialists as the biggest in the Middle East, with a preliminary value of US$ 500 million.

On a cultural level, several Saudi students continue with their higher education, including PhD and post-PhD, at distinguished Danish universities, and the number is expected to grow in the near future, since Denmark was recently added to the 20-country list where the governmental program of study scholarship will send students.

Statistics on trade shows a steady and stable growth of our trade and cooperation for the benefit of our two respective peoples, with significant potential that is worth encouraging and promoting.

Thank you Fahad Alruwaily Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Denmark

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HISTORY

FROM ANCIENT ARABIAN CIVILIZATION TO MODERN POWERHOUSE SAUDI ARABIA CAN TRACE ITS ROOTS BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND IS NOW A SOPHISTICATED MODERN STATE AND MAJOR INTERNATIONAL PLAYER

By Stephen Gadd

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rchaeologists have found evidence of human presence in the Arabian Peninsula dating back 20,000 years to when bands of huntergatherers roamed the land.

However, then as now, climate change played a decisive role. Some 15,000 years ago the peninsular became dry and plains once covered with grasslands became scrubland and deserts, and wild animals vanished. River systems also disappeared, leaving in their wake the Wadis – dry river beds – found in the peninsula today.

The people there were forced to move towards the mountain valleys and oases and develop another means of survival. As a result, agriculture evolved – first in Mesopotamia then in the Nile River Valley, eventually spreading across the Middle East.

Located between the two great centres of civilization, the Nile River Valley and Mesopotamia, the Arabian Peninsula was the crossroads of the ancient world. Trade was crucial to the area’s development. Sought-after items included almonds from Taif, dates from the many oases, and aromatics such as frankincense and myrrh from the red sea coastal plain of Tihama.

THE BIRTH OF ISLAM Around the year 610 an event of monumental significance for the future of the Arabian Peninsula and the whole world occurred. Prophet Muhammed (native from Makkah born 570) declared his prophecy as a messenger of Allah (God) and started preaching the instructions of Islam.

In 622 and Prophet Muhammed led his family and followers to the town of Yathrib, later named Madinat Al-Nabi (the Prophet’s City) and now known as Madinah, 400 km northeast of Makkah, where he and his company were warmly received, and started the foundation of the first state of Isalm. This was the Hijrah, or migration, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Over the next few years the Prophet was able to subdue the pagan of Makkah, and in 628 lead his followers into Makkah without fighting, having succeeded in unifying the tribes under the flag of Islam.

Spices were also important trade items. They were shipped across the Arabian Sea from India and then transported by caravan.

The caravans travelled from what is now Oman and Yemen, along the great trade routes running through Saudi Arabia’s Asir Province and then through Makkah and Madinah, eventually arriving at the urban centres of the north and west.

Historic site of Mada’in Salih

THE ISLAMIC EMPIRE The Islamic Empire grew rapidly and in less than 100 years after the birth of Islam extended from Spain to parts of India and China.

Muslim preachers, researchers and explorers travelled around the world, and at the same time g growing numbers of pilgrims began regularly visiting the Peninsula for Hajj, with some settling in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. These mass movements facilitated the exchange of ideas and cultures between the people of the Peninsula and other civilizations of the Arab and Muslim worlds.

During what is known as the Golden Age, the Muslim World became a centre for learning and scientific advancement. Muslim scholars made major contributions in many fields, including medicine, biology, philosophy, astronomy, arts and literature. Many of their ideas and methods became the foundation of modern sciences.

The Islamic Empire thrived well into the 17th century, when it broke up into smaller Muslim kingdoms. The Arabian Peninsula gradually entered a period of relative isolation, al-though Makkah and Madinah remained the spiritual heart of the Islamic World and continued to attract pilgrims from many countries.

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THE SECOND SAUDI STATE: CONTINUING REFORM

THE FIRST SAUDI STATE: BACK TO THE ROOTS

In the early 18th century, a Muslim scholar and reformer named Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab began advocating a return to the original form of Islam. Abdul Wahhab was initially persecuted by local religious scholars and leaders who viewed his teachings as a threat to their power bases. He sought protection in the town of Diriyah, which was ruled by Muhammad bin Saud.

The two men dedicated themselves to the task of restoring the pure teachings of Islam to the Muslim community. In that spirit, bin Saud established the First Saudi State, which prospered under the spiritual guidance of bin Abdul Wahhab, known simply as the Shaikh.

By 1788, the Saudi State ruled over the entire central plateau known as the Najd and by the early 19th century its rule extended to most of the Arabian Peninsula, including Makkah and Madinah.

Growing suspicious of the new state’s success, the Ottoman Empire dispatched a large expeditionary force armed with modern artillery to the western region of Arabia. Diriyah, then one of the largest cities in the peninsula, was besieged and Ottoman forces razed the city and made it permanently uninhabitable.

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By 1824, the Al-Saud family had regained political control of central Arabia.

The Saudi ruler Turki bin Abdullah AlSaud moved his capital to Riyadh and founded the Second Saudi State. During his 11-year rule, Turki succeeded in retaking most of the lands lost to the Ottomans. As he expanded his rule he took steps to ensure that his people enjoyed rights and saw to their well-being.

Under Turki and his son, Faisal, the Second Saudi State enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity, and trade and agriculture flourished. The Ottomans made another attempt to expand their empire into the Arabian Peninsula. Parts of the Saudi State were captured and with the support of the Ottomans, and they made an alliance with some big rival tribes, resulting in over-throwing the Saudi State.

In 1891, faced with a much larger and better equipped army, Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al-Saud was forced to abandon his struggle. He sought refuge with the Bedouin tribes in the vast sand desert of eastern Arabia. From there, Abdulrahman and his family travelled to Kuwait, where they stayed until 1902.

With him was his young son Abdulaziz.

THE THIRD SAUDI STATE: THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Abdulaziz was determined to regain his patrimony from the Al-Rashid family, which had taken over Riyadh and established a governor and garrison there.

In 1902, Abdulaziz – accompanied by only 40 followers – staged a daring and

successful night march into Riyadh to retake the Masmak Fortress.

After establishing Riyadh as his headquarters, from 1924-1925 Abdulaziz captured all of the Hijaz, including Makkah and Madinah, and in the process united the warring tribes into one nation.

On 23 September 1932, the country was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an Islamic state with Arabic as its national language and the Holy Qur’an as its constitution.

A MODERNISING VISIONARY

Abdulaziz was a remarkable leader of great imagination and vision who set Saudi Arabia on the road to modernisation. It was during his rule that the country’s infrastructure began to be established as he established roads and basic communications systems, introduced modern technology, and improved education, health care and agriculture.

King Abdulaziz was a highly sophisticated statesman who made a deep impression on foreign leaders and diplomats, who were impressed by his integrity and honesty. He was famous for dispensing with diplomatic niceties in favour of frank and candid discussion as well as being well known for keeping his promises. All these qualities enhanced his stature as a reliable and responsible leader dedicated to peace and justice.

Under his reign Saudi Arabia was one of the World’s founding members of the United Nations, the League of Arab States and several other regional and international organizations and treaties.

The newly emerging state also started a wide establishment of diplomatic relations with other nations worldwide.

Old Jeddah

CONTINUING THE LEGACY

When Abdulazis died in 1953, he was succeeded by his son Saud, who continued his father’s legacy. King Saud created the Council of Ministers and established the ministries of health, education and commerce. Under his rule many schools were established, including the first institute of higher education, King Saud University, in 1957.

Upon Saud’s death, Faisal bin Abdulaziz took over the reins of power in the Kingdom. Under his jurisdiction, the first of a series of economic and social development plans that would transform Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, especially industry, were set in motion. He also set the Kingdom on a path of rapid growth and established the first public schools for girls.

Throughout the turbulent period of the 1960s and 1970s, which included two Arab-Israeli wars and the oil crisis of 1973, King Faisal was a voice for moderation, peace and stability.

The old city of Rijal Almaa South of Saudi Arabia

PROMPT GROWTH

In 1975, Khalid bin Abdulaziz succeeded King Faisal. His reign was marked by an almost explosive growth in the country’s human development and physical infrastructure. Education and health care were given great priority, resulting in the continuous progress of human development and fast jumps in the quality of Saudi life.

On the international stage King Khalid was a prime mover in forming the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) in 1981, an organization that promotes economic and security co-operation among its six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

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of terrorism and extremism. At the International Counterterrorism Conference in Riyadh in February 2005 he called for greater international co-operation to fight this global problem. He was also a keen defender of tolerance and dialogue, and strongly supported the idea of the creation of an international center to promote these principles, which was realized by the establishment in Vienna of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue KAICIID.

KING SALMAN: REFORM AND HUMANITARIAN WORK

HM King Salman bin Abdulaziz acceded to the throne on 23 January 2015. Prior to that, he was the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

As well as his ministerial posts, since 1956 he is a lover of books and culture and an avid reader of Arab and World history. He also chaired various humanitarian and service committees aimed at providing relief from natural and man-made disasters. In recognition of his humanitarian services he has been awarded many medals and decorations, including awards from Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Morocco, Palestine, the Philippines, Senegal, the United Nations and Yemen, as well as the King Abdulaziz Medal – First Class.

CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES

King Fahad bin Abdulaziz, who ruled from 1982-2005, adopted the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. He was central to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and promote private enterprise and investment. He restructured the Saudi government and approved the first nationwide municipal elections, which took place in 2005.

In the international arena, King Fahad worked actively to resolve regional and global crises. In 1981, while still Crown Prince, he proposed an eight-point peace plan to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and bring back peace and stability to the Middle East. It was unanimously adopted by the Arab League at a summit in Fez, Morocco in 1982.

As well as his political activities, King Fahad was also concerned with humanitarian issues. During his reign, Saudi Arabia provided emergency humanitarian assistance to numerous countries around the World, bilaterally or through international and regional concerned organizations.

KING ABDULLAH, INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE AND PEACE INITIATIVE

With the death of his brother, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz became the new king on 1 August 2005.

Peace in the Middle East and the plight of the Palestinians were of particular concern to King Abdullah. His proposal for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, presented at the Beirut Arab Summit in 2002, was adopted by the League of Arab States and is known as the Arab Peace Initiative.

King Abdullah was also unwavering in his condemnation

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He is also a recipient of several honorary degrees and academic awards, including an honorary doctorate from the Islamic University of Madinah, the Prince Salman academic award, the Kant Medal from the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities in appreciation of his contributions to the field of science, and the honorary doctorate from the International Islamic University in Kuala Lampur for his international peace, dialogue and cooperation work.

On the humanitarian side King Salman ordered the creation of an international center for supervising and handling humanitarian work worldwide, which was established in 2015 under the name “King Slaman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center”. In December 2018 King Salman announced the creation of “Saudi Space Authority”, which will be in charge of scientific research and work in the field of space, and the nomination of the former pilot and astronaut HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman as its president.

THE NEXT GENERATION

The latest and most prominent entrant on the stage of this rich pageant of Saudi history is HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who became Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence on 21 June 2017.

He quickly became well-known and popular, not only in the region but worldwide, for his vigorous social and economic reformist approach.

One of his ambitious ideas was realised under the Saudi Vision 2013 project, which structured a complete strategy to diversify the Saudi economy away from dependence on oil, and to develop human resources and public sector services, as shown later in this magazine.

DOOR ART

Doors has special significance in old Saudi Arabia, and they continue to do so today.

They are supposed to give visitors a first impression of what they can expect when they enter a home.

Great attention was given to the decoration and design of the doors, which were made mostly from local wood by special makers and designers hired for that purpose.

Each region of Saudi Arabia had its own traditional door decoration that reflected its rich culture and art.

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POLITICS AND ECONOMICS

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POSITION KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ

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2019 has proved to be a dynamic year for the Saudi Arabian economy. Diversified and innovative, the Kingdom’s attractive markets are driven by more than oil and minerals; its inspired social infrastructure developments and the rapid growth of the emerging industries are underscoring exactly how advanced the country’s Vision 2030 is.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Saudi Arabia is making impressive strides in a variety of sectors, such as entertainment, energy megaprojects such as the state-owned Aramco’s Berri and Marjan oil fields, and the pharmaceutical market – the latter of which is expected to be valued at $10.74 billion by 2022.

In January of this year, Saudi officials revealed a development plan worth as much as $450 billion, which includes 300 initiatives in various sectors of the economy.

These initiatives, designed by the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), aim to turn Saudi Arabia into an industrial powerhouse and create 1.6 million jobs up to 2030.

Additionally, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced that there are currently more than 5,000 capital and construction projects in Saudi Arabia worth well over $1.6 trillion in the preexecution stage.

Saudi Arabia hosted a series of investment conferences chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other ministers and investment figures, The last conference was organized in October 2018 and sponsored the signing of more than 50 billion USD projects and deals. The next conference will be held in Riyadh for three days at the end of October 2019.

According to Saudi central bank (SAMA) foreign investment has grown in the first quarter of 2019 by 9.1 % to reach 1,63 trillion SAR (around 435 million USD).

BUILDING FOR A NEW TOMORROW

Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is responsible for the development and regulation of the Kingdom’s entertainment sector.

It is gaining momentum and loosening the reins on live events as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 commitment to creating a more vibrant society.

There are currently four major economic cities under construction in Saudi Arabia, which will stimulate economic diversification and form appealing investment platforms for foreign companies. Billions of dollars have been invested into the initiative, which per estimations will create

CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN

over a million new job opportunities, homes for 4-5 million people and boost the GDP with $150 billion.

The significance of construction in Saudi Arabia is underscored by its suite of major developments. Some of the Kingdom’s most globally renowned projects for 2019 include Neom, the Red Sea Project, the Qiddiya entertainment city (which will be twice the size of Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida), French architect Jean Nouvel’s Sharaan resort in Al-Ula, the third expansion of the Makkah Grand Mosque to raise its total capacity to 2.2 million worshippers, Riyadh Metro, Jeddah Tower, Hanergy Solar Park and the wind power plants in Tureif and Dumat Al Jandal.

In July, it was reported that the first phase of construction of the futuristic city Neom was completed.

The project is allegedly worth $500 billion, underlining how the construction sector remains a key job creator. Social infrastructure developments and skyscraper engineering continues to redefine Saudi Arabia’s modern architecture.

With an estimated height of 1km, the Jeddah Tower is the newest

addition to the city’s exciting skyline.

The building will feature more than 200 floors and approximately 750 residential units and will be the World’s tallest building.

The Government has its own initiatives in the public sector, including, for instance, the Ministry of Housing’s Sakani program, which was launched in August 2017. The program seeks to provide more than 500,000 homes to Saudi citizens and raise homeownership in the Kingdom.

The Red Sea Project has garnered additional attention because of its determination to avoid disrupting endangered species native to the area. Due to be completed in 2022, 14 luxury hotels comprising 3,000 rooms will be spread across five islands and two inland resorts.

TRSDC has stated the project will preserve 75 percent of the destination’s islands for conservation, and it designates nine islands as sites of significant ecological value.

The masterplan’s creation required several redesigns to avoid potentially disrupting endangered species native to the area.

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G20 IN 2020

RIYADH TO HOST G20 SUMMIT IN NOVEMBER 2020

By Arushi Rajput

PREPARING FOR THE FIRST G20 SUMMIT TO BE HOSTED IN THE ARAB REGION

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broadly concerning energy, climate change,

audi Arabia will host the 15 annual Saudi Arabia meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) the digital economy, trade, agriculture, healthworld leaders in November next year. care and the labour market. The overall aim is to is fully two-day forum, chaired by King Salman of discuss policies for creating a more sustainable committed The Saudi, will be held on 21-22 November 2020 in environment – an issue that calls for immediate to the G20’s the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. attention. objectives and THE G20 SAUDI ARABIA’S COMMITMENT The G20 is an international forum to promote to the stability The kingdom is looking forward to hosting the economic cooperation and financial stabil- summit and strengthening its cooperation and and prosperity ity. The prestigious organisation comprises the bilateral ties with other members of the G20. of the inter- world’s 20 most influential, economically pow- Apart from organising the large-scale summit, nations – including Saudi Arabia – who Saudi Arabia will also hold meetings for governnational erful collectively represent two-thirds of the world’s entities, member nations, international economic area, 85 percent of the global economy and 75 ment organisations and private entities. system percent of all international trade.

Concludes Saudi Press Agency 12

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THE 2020 SUMMIT

A FIRST FOR THE ARAB WORLD

Next year’s G20 agenda will focus on issues

The 2020 summit will be the first to be held in the Arab region.

The selection of Saudi Arabia as host is a reflection of the kingdom’s growing importance on a global level.

The 2020 summit will be attended by the leaders of the member countries as well as several others from guest nations. Various international organisations will also be represented.

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RELATIONS WITH DENMARK

DENMARK AND SAUDI ARABIA - EXCITING TIMES AHEAD 2

019 and 2020 will be important years for Denmark and Saudi Arabia. Rapidly changing tides and an uncertain economic development ahead requires leadership at all levels. A new Danish government have just set out a clear direction for development in Denmark in the coming years. Saudi Arabia has with Vision 2030 and the upcoming G20 chair a significant task ahead. Much attention has been and will continue to be on Saudi Arabia – especially the outcome of the G20 will potentially have a significant impact on global development. New opportunities for cooperation and interaction between Denmark and Saudi Arabia could pave the way for further political, economic and commercial ties.

REFORMS WITH RESPECT FOR DEVELOPMENT culture and tradition. You need a strong and dedicated leadership to realize Vision 2030. The reform program also requires expertise from world leading industries and for many sectors. Denmark and Saudi Arabia will most definitely be able to work closer together on the successful implementation of Vision 2030.

Key sectors such as public health, food, agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy and sustainable environmental and water solutions would be great sectors that could further strengthen the already well-established ties. Our two nations could also benefit from cooperating closer on issues such as digital government, gender equality and people-to-people contacts.

Saudi Vision 2030 is a comprehensive plan for reform of the Saudi Arabian society. I applaud the changes that look to be a major transformation of Saudi Arabia without losing the national identity or respect for an old and important

Saudi Arabia have an especially exciting year ahead. Being chair of G20 is a very important task and it will require competence and expertise to ensure a substantial outcome. We are in Den-

mark exposed to and impacted by the decisions made in the G20 despite not being a member of G20. However, if we join hands with our Nordic colleagues, we constitute an advanced and much diversified G20 economy. Denmark will closely follow the development in G20 and wish Saudi Arabia success in solving the complex issues that could lead to renewed global growth.

In 2020 Denmark and Saudi Arabia will celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations. I am looking forward to continuing the exploration of avenues for mutual dialogue, cooperation and joint trade to improve the lives of the people of Denmark and in Saudi Arabia. I wish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a happy National Day and a successful year ahead.

Ole E. Moesby Ambassador of Denmark to Saudi Arabia

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HUMAN RIGHTS

SOCIAL REFORM AND HUMANITARIAN WORK HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar, new Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the USA

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SOCIAL REFORM INCLUDING WOMEN’S STATUS HAS BEEN ALWAYS A PART OF SAUDI FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLANS, BUT THESE LAST TWO YEARS IT BECOMES MUCH FASTER AND DEEPER

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audi Arabia, a country with a long track record of social and legal reform, has over the last year taken some giant strides toward gender equality and woman empowerment.

Women have been always a main part of Saudi journey towards human development and prosperity. In the last few years women’s rights have been strengthening rapidly.

A committee was quickly formulated to assess what could be done in an area that was given the highest possible priority by the Saudi Government, as drawn particularly by Vision 2030.

Saudi girls represent today 34% of the 95,000 students who study abroad covered by the governmental generous program of scholarship. Locally in Saudi Arabia 51% percent of the 337,000 students who receive currently their high education in Saudi universities are girls.

MORE INDEPENDENT EVER In public sector women are being nominated in several high positions including the posts of Deputy Minister of Civil Service, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Deputy Minister of Education. Also this year witnessed the posting of Princess Reema bint Sultan to Washington DC as first Saudi female ambassador.

In the legislative body of Saudi Arabia, Shura Concil, 30 of its 150 members are now women, and some of the Council’s important committees are chaired by women, including the Human Rights Committee.

On the cultural level Saudi women were encouraged towards more participation in the art and music events in Saudi Arabia and abroad, either as

musician, actor, or director. Recently two Saudi cinema directors participated successfully in the Venice Film Festival. Haifa Almansour, a camera woman and movie director, was elected by the festival for the final competition on the main festival’s prize. Several Saudi women participated in different local and international sport and cultural completions and championships.

On commercia and business side new regulations were adopted to empower women presence in the economic and financial field. Women presently own about 31% of the total capital of investment funds in Saudi Arabian banks and financial institutions.

ALL PART OF THE VISION The recent reforms have been backed up by the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to lessen the economic dependence on the oil industry in Saudi Arabia and diversify the country’s industrial landscape by some considerable easing of regulations.

The Crown Prince has highlighted that the country’s huge reliance on oil is “dangerous” and has limited its potential development in the past – and according to the Saudi Embassy in Washington, there is a method behind the form.

“The Saudi Arabian government continues to evaluate the efficacy of Saudi Arabia’s laws and regulations to ensure that the kingdom continues to make strides toward greater gender equality,” it explained.

HUMANITARIAN AID LEADER Saudi Arabia has also been making a great impression in the area of humanitarian aid of late. A substantial

number of donations have helped to console many neighbouring countries’ crises.

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRELIEF) has financed since its establishment in 2015 more than 1011 humanitarian and assistance projects in 44 countries, with the value of three and half billion USD. According to documented statistics Saudi Arabia has donated in the past 20 years more than 87 billion USD to more than 81 countries.

Since the beginning of 2019 only Saudi Arabia and UAE donated together 1,25 billion USD to Yemen to alleviate the humanitarian crisis there. KSRELIEF continues it humanitarian and relief works there and in many other countries to help suffering people, and in close cooperation with international and regional concerned organizations

PRAISE FROM THE UN The efforts have not gone un-noticed.

OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) recognises that the Kingdom is a world leader in providing humanitarian assistance and development, with substantial donations amounting to more than 770 million US dollars as of 2018.

According to a KSRelief report, the country has spent 87 billion US dollars on humanitarian assistance over the last two decades.

In February, Saudi Arabia announced 500 million US dollars of aid at a UN conference dedicated to the plight of Yemen, where 80 percent of the population need humanitarian assistance and protection urgently according to the conference.

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GOING GREEN AGRICULTURAL SUCCESS

GREEN SAUDI ARABIA FROM OASIS FARMING TO LARGESCALE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

THE KINGDOM HAS INDEED MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS SINCE EMBARKING ON SERIOUS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE 1970S

By Arushi Rajput

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WATER: THE DRIVER OF GROWTH Water is the key driver of agricultural growth in the region. It enables vegetation development and livestock rearing in what is otherwise an arid land.

It has helped the nation to fulfil its ambition to feed itself rather than relying on imports.

With the help of advanced technology and innovative methods, it has been sourced way below the desert and brought to the surface. The Kingdom has set up a vast network of dams, reservoirs and desalination plants to provide vast supplies of water to achieve high yields in the agricultural sector.

ver the past few decades, many of Saudi Arabia’s arid desert lands have been turned into large oases – an indication of the Kingdom’s astounding agricultural development. For a country where it almost never rains, this is truly a miracle.

These massive accomplishments have been made possible with the help of a plethora of government programs working towards bettering the agricultural state of the country.

The overall result is that today Saudi Arabia can claim to be one of the world’s biggest exporters of food – most notably wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables – and in this age of sustainability it has garnered quite a reputation for pursuing green policies and giving away its surplus food to humanitarian causes.

The initiatives include interest-free loans; technical and support services; and incentives such as free seeds, fertilisers, low-cost water, fuel and electricity, and dutyfree imports of raw materials and machinery that have particularly aided the private sector.

SAUDI ARABIA SPECIAL EDITION

GOING GREEN And in the wake of climate change, Saudi Arabia is taking various efforts to go green.

It is now focused on reusing water to serve the agricultural and domestic needs of the country. Plants have been built in Riyadh, Jeddah and other industrial cities for the purpose of recycling water. Additionally, organic farming methods are being adopted to reduce water usage.

The company has received eight quality certificates so far, not to mention the quality checks carried out by the Guinness World Records’ delegation before awarding them with the certificate.

SOMETIMES, SIZE REALLY DOES COUNT

The nation also takes pride in the natural cultivation techniques it employs over the chemical interventions and pesticide usage, which results in a high quality yield.

Out of Saudi Arabia’s 30,000 tonnes annual consumption of olive oil, almost 50 percent comes from the Al-Jouf Company, and over the next year it plans to diversify by producing pickled olives as well as olive-oil derived body care products.

AGRICULTURAL WONDERS

The farm is also the largest olive oil production plant in the Middle East.

Saudi’s serious agricultural development began in the 1970s after roads, irrigation networks, storage spaces and export facilities were established, and investments were made into agricultural research as well as training institutions.

The farm’s managing director Al-Hussein pointed out that the company is working hard to develop plans that comply with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Today the Kingdom is home to some of the Middle East’s most modern and largest dairy farms, with its milk production being one of the highest in the world. It is also praised worldwide for its quick transformation from being an importer to becoming a fundamentally large exporter of wheat by 1984.

Saudi Arabia is among the top three global producers of dates, supplying 8.8 percent of the world’s dates – the equivalent of 94 tonnes a year. The 30 million date palms hold immense importance, as they are depicted in the emblem of Saudi Arabia, signifying the traditional, cultural and economic prominence they hold for the country.

The fruit and vegetable sector has stepped up, as watermelons, grapes, squash and tomatoes continue to be important export commodities.

Tropical fruits such as pineapples, mangoes and guavas are also grown.

Saudi grows 400 different varieties of the fruit, which has numerous health benefits and high nutritional value. The holy city of Madinah is the land to the king of dates – the ajwa date – while the Al Ahsa region is considered to have the most optimum production conditions.

Related products include date syrup, vinegar, gourmet gifts, paste as well as chocolate and coffee-flavoured dates.

The fishing industry has been on a constant rise, and better methods are underway to expand the scope. The private industry is making investments in aquaculture – fish farms, shrimp farming and water animal colonies – along the Red Sea coast.

The overall upshot is that Saudi residents have a wide diversity of foods to choose from – a status that was unimaginable decades ago.

RECORD-BREAKING OLIVES In 2018, the Al-Jouf Olive Farm, situated near the Jordanian border, was recognised as being the world’s largest modern olive farm by the Guinness World Records.

The farm comprises 7,730 hectares of land planted with approximately 5 million trees that produce olives of a very high quality.

FORGET THE SELL-BY DATE

And in recent years Saudi Arabia has chosen to give its date surplus to impoverished countries in Africa.

“The Kingdom is very keen to fulfill its humanitarian role at an international level and its commitment to humanitarian principles that focus on alleviating the suffering of all people in distress,” explains Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

Earlier this year, Saudi distributed 4,000 tonnes to 43 states through the United Nations World Food Program – making it the second largest contributor, after the United States.

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VISION 2030

VISION 2030

TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE NATION M

By Arushi Rajput

WITH THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA MOVING FORWARD RAPIDLY, A VISIONARY NEW PLAN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED THAT IS SET TO TRANSFORM THE COUNTRY 18

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ohammed bin Salman was appointed as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on 21 June 2017. This change of leadership has been fundamental for Saudi Arabia as it brought along the grand plan for the future: Vision 2030. With this new blueprint, the prince aims to diversify the country’s economy to look beyond oil and employ an expansive foreign policy.

The extensive roadmap, which was approved by the Saudi cabinet in 2016, centres on specific objectives that are all set to be achieved by the year 2030.

“It is an ambitious yet achievable blueprint, which expresses our long-term goals and expectations and reflects our country’s strength and capabilities,” contends the Crown Prince.

THREE PILLARS

Saudi Arabia’s grand vision rests on three strong pillars: solidifying its position at the heart of the Arab and Islamic Worlds; maintaining strong investment capabilities; and strengthening the nation’s strategic geographic position connected to the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.

The vision aspires to transform the country into becoming a global investment powerhouse, as well as an epicentre of trade.

“We are determined to reinforce and diversify the capabilities of our economy, turning our key strengths into enabling tools for a fully diversified future,” adds Vision 2030.

MISK Foundation, Charity Initiative including supporting young intrepreneurs and gifted youth

MULTIDIRECTIONAL FOREIGN POLICY

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The new foreign policy aims to encourage entrepreneurship and foreign investments. Major corporations are being encouraged to expand across borders and set their mark in the world market.

Great attention has been placed in the area of improving women’s rights. This year has been epoch-making already.

“We will not rest until our nation Saudi women have been given wider opportunities There’ s also a plan to privatise state-owned industries, and are allowed at public events, providing is a leader such as the oil producing company Aramco which will toit iswork within the public respected rules of Islamic in providing be transformed into a global industrial conglomerate. traditions. opportunities Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving cars CREATING OPPORTUNITIES has eased up travel restrictions allowing them for all through There is a strong focus to create opportunities for and to hold passports and travel abroad without having education and everyone, men and women, young and old, so they can to get the consent of their patriarch. to the best of their abilities – the efforts of training, as well contribute which will be co-ordinated by the recently established ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT as high quality Job Creation and Anti-Unemployment Commission.

As part of one of the main objectives of the plan, services such as More than 50 percent of the Saudi population is under 25 a new government authority for entertainment and the kingdom wants to harness this youthful energy was established in 2016 with comprehensive employment and give them more entrepreneurial and enterprising guidelines. initiatives, opportunities.

It is again possible to visit movie theatres and “One of our most significant assets is our lively and vibrant attend music concerts, and they are proving to be health, youth. We will guarantee their skills are developed and particularly popular with the young. A deal is also housing, and properly deployed,”Vision 2030 states. set in place to open a themepark in Riyadh by 2022. entertainment,” Saudi Arabia believes that a thriving economy achieved Vision 2030 has already realised several objectives boosting small businesses, supporting SME and is being led by much optimism. It has been concludes by entrepreneurship, privatisation and investments will a welcome change – especially for women and Vision 2030. provide increasingly diverse employment opportunities. youths, who have voiced strong approval.

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GOING GREEN

GOING GREEN IN SAUDI ARABIA HUGE INTEREST IN SOLAR, WIND AND DESALINATION ENERGY SOURCES AS THE KINGDOM CONTINUES TO INVEST HEAVILY IN ALTERNATIVES TO OIL Edward Owen If you were playing some kind of word association game, and you were given the phrase ‘Saudi energy’, there’s a good chance you would say ‘oil’ next. And fair enough, mineral fuels such as oil account for the largest proportion of Saudi Arabia’s exports, making the energy sector the backbone of the Kingdom’s economy.

However, Saudi Arabia is also investing in developing alternative energy sources, as it looks to address global and domestic requirements in a sustainable manner.

SKY’S THE LIMIT! With some of the most intense and enduring sunshine in the world, solar power is an incredibly important renewable energy source in Saudi Arabia.

In the summer months, sunshine can average 11 hours per day. And in the winter, sunshine still averages seven hours per day – which is not far shy of a good summer’s day in Copenhagen.

In total, this equates to 105 trillion kilowatt hours per day, which in energy terms is equivalent to 10 billion barrels of crude oil.

Furthermore, given the remoteness of some locations in Saudi Arabia with vast stretches of desert roads, solar energy is highly appropriate as a reliable source of power.

Among other things, solar energy is being used within the Kingdom to power water pumps, refrigeration, air conditioning and even communications equipment.

LONG-TERM PLAN Thanks to the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), Saudi Arabia has significantly improved its long-term goals for achieving more

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extensive use of green energy. Vision 2030 aims to maximise the potential of renewable energy by providing a roadmap for establishing and supporting a renewables industry.

With the tendering of 12 projects in 2019, an additional 3.1 Gigawatts (GW) capacity from solar and wind energy can be achieved. And by the end of 2019, the existing grid will be able to harvest up to 13.5 GW of power from renewable sources.

In the long term, the targets for 2030 are to reach a 40 GW capacity for solar power and a 16 GW capacity for wind.

RESEARCH, DEVELOP, PROSPER The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and its scientists are working on groundbreaking projects to make solar power a more economically feasible solution.

Furthermore, KACST is running programs that focus on using solar energy for water desalination, agriculture, and the generation of hydrogen. In addition to solar energy, the institute carries out research on combustion and engines, plasma applications, fuel cells and batteries, and automotive technology.

Other key aspects of research for a green and sustainable energy sector seek to improve storage and recovery. Improved storage means greater efficiency, and implementing recovery means salvaging energy that would otherwise be wasted – perhaps in the form of a by-product.

Research is also carried out on electrical power systems with the aim of making improvements to voltage stability and remote control of systems.

Solar Field in Al-Oyeynah Research Station, Saudi Arabia

GAS AND STEAM RECOVERY Saudi Arabia boasts vast reserves of natural gas that are used as an environmentally friendly energy source.

Until the 1970s, most of the Kingdom’s natural gas was allowed to dissipate at the wells of oil production. Following an ambitious project known as Master Gas System, natural gas is collected and distributed around the country.

Desalination plants are also used to recover energy. Desalination is the process of purifying water by removing salts and minerals, creating steam that is then recovered to generate electricity.

It is a long-held aim of the Saudi government that the electricity produced by desalination plants will eventually account for half of its total output.

A DOMESTIC BEGINNING Saudi Arabia has a growing population, and so the development of more sustainable and renewable energy technology is not just of interest but a necessity.

2017 Saudi Aramco erected the first wind turbine in Turaif, North of Saudi Arabia

In addition to the concerted efforts being made via programs such as NREP, bold moves have also been made to increase the domestic price of gasoline and traditional electricity, illustrating the Kingdom’s desire for change.

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Photo: KAUST University

MODERN AND FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL

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ver the past 87 years, the education sector in Saudi Arabia has undergone a great transformation. Back in 1932, when the Kingdom was established, education was only available to a niche crowd hailing from the big cities.

Today, the country has a modern education system consisting of almost 30,000 schools, 50 universities, a large number of colleges and other education institutions

SAUDI ARABIA SPECIAL EDITION

Graduation, KAUST University of Science and Technology, Jeddah

EDUCATION

By Arushi Rajput

A GROWING LITERACY RATE With a literacy rate of almost 95 percent, Saudi Arabia is well ahead of most of its Arabic and Asian neighbours.

Nevertheless, the Kingdom won’t rest until it is 100 percent. An education initiative is part of the country’s 2030 Vision, and its sole aim is eradicating illiteracy.

School level education is free and open to all its citizens, and it currently has a high enrollment ratio.

Additionally, more than 15,000 adults are enrolled at learning centers across the Kingdom where they can choose from over 680 vocational programs.

“Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all and essential in eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development and peace.” maintains the Ministry of Education.

HIGHER EDUCATION In 1975, the Ministry of Higher Education was established to set in motion a long-term strategy. The goal was to produce highly-skilled citizens with relevant knowledge in diverse industries to further accelerate the nation’s growing economy.

New institutions of higher education were set up across the country and the existing ones expanded further. Many new private colleges and vocational institutes were established as well.

A plethora of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs were introduced in multiple disciplines.

Saudi students can now obtain an education in almost any specialised field without having to go abroad.

THE MODERN EDUCATION SYSTEM The Ministry of Education, which was established in 1954, has successfully set up schools in every part of the

Kingdom. While the study of Islam forms the basis of a Saudi education, the schools also provide teachings in the fields of arts, commerce and sciences for preparing the students to face life and work in the modern world.

enrolled in 1970. In 2019, three Saudi universities ranked in the top 300 of the world, with King Abdulaziz University (KAU) – which is home to over 70,000 students, making it the Kingdom’s largest university – the top scorer.

The education system consists of kindergarten, six years of primary school and three years each of intermediate and high school. The Ministry of Education also has systems in place to provide special education for the physically challenged.

Education standards are continuously evolving with quality teachers, teaching methods, evaluation standards and technology. As a result, Saudi’s student-to-teacher ratio of 12.5 to 1 is one of the lowest in the world.

Just behind KAU are the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, which has a global reputation for being one of the best in the field, and King Khalid University. While the country’s oldest establishment is King Saud University, which has excellent engineering and medical schools.

SAUDI WOMEN GETTING AHEAD Following the establishment of the first girls-only school in 1964, progress has been rapid. By the 1990s, all-girls schools could be found in almost every locality, and girls from all over Saudi Arabia could gain access to free education. Today, female students account for over half of the 6 million students currently studying at Saudi schools, colleges and universities.

An increasing number of girls are pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses. In recent years, girls accounted for over 50 percent of the total undergraduates, and for over 80 percent of the Saudi jobseekers.

The concept of educating females is now normalised, and they are considered crucial to the country’s development. Many parents are also encouraging their daughters to go and seek degrees from universities abroad.

UNIVERSITY LEARNING About 1 million students are currently studying in the Kingdom’s many universities and colleges, which is an exponential rise from only 7,000

The Islamic Universiry at Madinah, Imam Muhammad bin Saud University and Umm Al-Qura University have highly regarded Islamic study, Islamic law and Arabic literature departments.

The Kingdom is also home to Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman, the world’s largest university for women.

SAUDI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Saudi Arabia has come a long way in terms of student mobility, and a high number of students are now opting to study overseas. This has been made possible by Saudi’s ‘Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship’.

Launched by the late King Abdullah in 2005, the multi-million dollar scheme is the largest national scholarship program worldwide.

With the formulation of a 2000 dollar study bonus for every student abroad, the government has been investing heavily in scholarship programs, and it awards the King Salman scholarship to thousands of self-sponsored students.

As a result, a very high percentage of Saudi students going abroad to acquire higher education are funded by government scholarships. Today, students from the Kingdom can be found at leading universities across the globe – including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore – specialising in a wide array of fields, such as engineering, IT, business, social studies, and medical sciences.

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TOURISM

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PALM TREE FARM The planet’s biggest palm tree farm, according to Guinness World Records, is located near Buraida in Alqassim, north of Riyadh. Its land extends more than six million square metres and it has more than 200,000 palm trees.

It is owned by Alrajhi Charity Endowment and its produce (about 1,300 tonnes annually) is entirely given as donations to needy people and charity organizations.

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RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Saudi team participating in the Race Running International Championship of Sports for Handicapped Persons, held last July in Copenhagen

S

audi Arabia was one of the first countries to join the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (in 2008), and to present its complete report on its implementation to the concerned UN Committee.

On a national level, the Saudi Government has issued numerous laws to protect the rights of this dear group of its society and allocate needed resources and support for them. They also have the right to monthly financial income depending on the severity of the handicap, in addition to having the full costs of their studies or their boarding schools covered, in Saudi Arabia or abroad.

The cost of a special helper will be covered if needed, as well as the equipment, transportation means and services necessary for each case.

According to the building regulations of Saudi Arabia it is mandatory before issuing permits to guarantee full accessibility for people with disabilities in all the building facilities and services. Additionally, the Saudi Sports Authority encourages and finances sport clubs for persons with special needs in all main cities.

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TOURISM

PIQUING THE INTEREST OF PILGRIMS AND PALAEOLOGISTS

THERE’S MORE TO SAUDI TOURISM BEYOND HAJJ

By Ben Hamilton

O

ne of the areas covered in Vision 2030 is the development of tourism to make it one of the main sustainable pillars of Saudi economic growth.

Size-wise, Saudi Arabia has an area of 2,150,000 square kilometres – around 50 times larger than Denmark.

The country is rich in diversity and has a number of cultural and archaeological sites in addition to the all-important religious ones.

THE ULTIMATE PILGRIMAGE Nearly 2.5 million people took part in Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah this year. The final tally was 2,489,406, of whom 1,855,027 came from foreign countries, and the remaining 634,379 from within Saudi Arabia. Some 1,385,234 were male and 1,104,172 female.

Some 1,157,919 pilgrims came from nonArab Asian countries, 475,831 from Arab countries outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), 190,764 from non-Arab African countries, 67,932 from Europe, 33,705 from GCC countries, 27,690 from North & South America and Australia.

In recent years, the authorities have markedly improved their control of the event. The number of pilgrims without permits originating from within

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the country fell by a third to 298,379, and more than half a million received healthcare.

Every year a huge operation requires the transport of nearly 2.5 million pilgrims from the holy site of Arafat to Muzdalifah within six hours, and to make it possible, some 20,000 buses were used. A further 360,000 took the Mashair train and 100,000 used pedestrian routes.

AN ADMIRABLE TEAM EFFORT Over a third of a million public sector workers are kept busy by the pilgrimage: 120,000 security personnel, 200,000 from various sectors and 30,000 health workers – along with 35,000 volunteers.

In total, 26 million meals were distributed under the supervision of the Makkah Region – all made possible thanks to charitable donations. And the authorities pumped 41 million cubic meters of water into the region and other holy sites to help the pilgrims wash the food down.

The World Health Organization (WHO) commended the successful efforts of the authorities during Hajj.

“We saw that hospitals were well prepared and we saw their desire to serve the pilgrims. We also saw different sectors working together to support the pilgrims,” observed Dr Ibrahim El-Ziq, the

WHO Representative in Saudi Arabia.

“All in all it has been a very successful season. We congratulate the Ministry of Health on a successful Hajj. There is no reporting of any infection or serious issues related to the public health.”

LIHYANITE AND ROMAN TRACES One of Saudi Arabia’s leading archaeological locations is Mada’in Saleh (also known as Al-Ḥijr or Hegra), a preIslamic site located in the Al-Ula sector in the northwest of Saudi Arabia.

Most of the ruins date from the Nabatean kingdom (1st century BC). Traces of Lihyanite and Roman occupation before and after the Nabatean rule can also be found, while accounts from the Qur’an tell of an earlier settlement of the area by the tribe of Thamud in the 3rd millennium BC. The site encompasses a collection of 111 spectacular tombs carved into rocky outcrops.

OTHER WORLD HERITAGE SITES Saudi Arabia’s largest tourist magnet is the city of Jeddah, a cosmopolitan port on the Red Sea with a rich history and ancient ruins from Islamic and Pre-Islamic times. It was also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, followed shortly afterwards in 2015 by rock art near the northern city of Hail.

By Ben Hamilton

Diriyah, a town located on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh, was the historic capital of the First Saudi State from 1744 to 1818. The Tureif district in the town was approved by UNESCO in 2009.

In the Eastern Provence, another site was approved by UNESCO this year as a World Heritage Site: Alhasa Oasis. This is a large historic oasis that is considered to be the largest in the world, with more than 3 million palm trees.

SITES WITH GREAT POTENTIAL Archaeological surveys have also identified other areas with future tourist potential.

The old town of Al-Ula is beautifully preserved with lots of history and charm.

The Royal Commission for Al-Ula, which was established in July 2017 to drive the development of the touristic site, is optimistic that up to 1.5 million tourists will soon visit it annually.

And looking to the future, Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman and the government announced a decision in October 2017 to launch a giant project: a transnational city and economic zone of 30,000 sq km on the shores of the Red Sea near the city of Tabuk close to the SaudiEgyptian borders at a total cost of USD 500 billion.

The country also has its share of natural beauty, with mountains rising to 3,000 metres, affording spectacular highland scenery. The Saudi Arabian climate is also extremely beneficial to tourism, with nice weather all the year round.

Publisher: CPH POST • Editor: Hans Hermansen • Journalist: Ben Hamilton, Christian Wenande, Stephen Gadd, Arushi Rajput, Edward Owen, Robert Eyfjord, Roselyne Min, Dave Smit • Layout: CPH POST • Info: hans@cphpost.dk Tel: +45 2420 2411

Photo: Pixabay

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CULTURE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT TOURISM

TANTORA WINTER FESTIVAL

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In May 2016 the Government created the General Authority for Entertainment (GEA) to be responsible for the expanding entertainment sector and investing in its potential – incooperation with public and private sectors. The new authority started very actively, organizing a lot of events and tendering contracting for the construction of facilities, concerts and entertainment villages.

The GEA announced recently that an entertainment academy will be opened before the end of 2019 in Riyadh, which will be in charge of education and training in the field of the entertainment industry. Additionally, it has launched a program of international scholarship for students who are interested in studying entertainment and relevant arts.

In December 2018 the GEA hosted the first Tantora Winter Festival in Al Ula, north-west of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of many world-class singers, musicians and composers. The festival will be organized annually, with fresh ideas and new participants every year.

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SPORT

FROM FALCONRY TO FOOTBALL

INCREASINGLY INCLUSIVE OF ALL, MOST NOTABLY THE DISABLED, THE KINGDOM IS BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY

By Ben Hamilton

surrounding the trophy presented to the winners of the country’s premier knockout tournament champions, the King’s Cup (also known as ‘The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques Cup’), which was first contested in 1957. Al-Ahli leads the way – with 13 titles.

BEFORE FOOTBALL, FALCONRY Football displaced falconry as the nation’s most popular sport. Its practice pays homage to the country’s Bedouin history. Other traditional sports include camel racing, horse racing, and hunting with hounds.

He ran 69 metres. He beat five players. And then from a pile of bodies, he superbly clipped the ball into the top left corner to earn his country a stunning upset against a mighty European footballing nation. Saeed Al-Owairan wrote himself into immortality when he scored the only goal in Saudi Arabia’s defeat of Belgium in the 1994 World Cup to take them into the knockout stage – the first of four back-to-back appearances at the finals.

Despite Saudi Arabia never again matching their 1994 exploits – their fifth and latest appearance, in 2018, ended in the group stage, despite a heartening defeat of Mo Salah’s Egypt – football continues to be the nation’s most popular sport, and since the advent of professionalism in 2007, the Saudi league has gone from strength to strength, attracting a host of wellknown players, including Brazilian World Cup stars Bebeto, Rivelino and Serginho, as well as Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov.

Nevertheless, despite the relatively young age of the league, which started in 1976 and has been won 15 times by Al-Hilal, there is a great deal of prestige

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Participants hunt for wild quarry with a trained hawk, which itself was ritualistically captured during the migration season. Preparation for the trapping season begins early in June and July. Training a falcon requires a great deal of time and patience, but it is a communal affair. Children are even encouraged to carry a falcon so that the proud tradition can be passed on to the next generation.

Passionate falconers are ready to pay a high price up to SR 500,000 and more for a rare breed. The price is linked to the colour and the size of the bird. Female falcons are considered the best because they are bigger and thus bring bigger prey.

GOLDEN GOLF IN THE GULF Saudi Arabia has a number of first-class golf courses.

American expats introduced golf to Saudi Arabia in the late 1940s when they created a course in the sand near Dhahran, and today the country has a number of first-class golf courses. Some are lush green and look as like they belong in the tropics, while others are played on sand mixed with oil to stop the course from blowing away.

Saudi Arabia’s extensive sports program has brought about not only a quantitative growth in participation in sports, but also a dramatic qualitative improvement.

The performance of Saudi athletes has improved

steadily since the Kingdom joined the International Olympic Committee in 1965.

In addition to football, golf and athletics, volleyball, gymnastics, swimming and basketball are also popular.

A FEAST OF FACILITIES Participation in sport has increased hugely, though every level of the Saudi educational system – from kindergarten through university – at the hundreds of facilities established throughout the Kingdom so that all Saudis can exercise regularly or enjoy popular spectator sports.

Huge sports complexes, Sports Cities, are located in highly-populated areas. Each complex has a stadium that can seat between 10,000 and 60,000 people, an indoor stadium seating 5,000, Olympic-size swimming pools, indoor and outdoor courts, playgrounds, conference halls, and sports medicine clinics.

Smaller-scale neighbourhood sports facilities and playgrounds have also been built in large urban areas so that young Saudis can play sports like basketball and volleyball near their homes. These centres offer parks, open spaces, and facilities for indoor activities.

Local sports clubs are located in all cities and towns. They offer a range of facilities for different sports, including soccer fields, indoor and outdoor courts, swimming pools, playgrounds, recreational areas and accommodations for youth camps.

These clubs organize local events throughout the year.

PARADISE OF PASTIMES

The Kingdom has established a network of national parks and preserves so that visitors can observe protected wildlife and ecosystems.

In the cities, people can relax in hundreds of urban parks. Riyadh alone – which means ‘garden’ in Arabic – has 50 public parks. The waterfront corniches of Jeddah and Dammam are also popular places for picnics, swimming, fishing and other watersports.

Camping is a popular activity among Saudis. Families pitch tents in the middle of the desert, along the coast or in one of the Kingdom’s parks, and enjoy the beauty of nature. These camping trips are popular during the Eid holidays and for family reunions – especially after the rainy season when the desert blooms.

EMPOWERING THE DISABLED About 10 percent of the Saudi population has some form of disability, according to a survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics.

In recent years, the Commission for Sports – along with the Health Ministry, Education Ministry and Civil Service – has played a large role in establishing institutions and programs that provide specialised care to physically and mentally disabled children to increase their chances of leading productive lives as adults.

In 2017, the country unveiled a national strategy featuring 23 initiatives for people with disabilities.

The ministry operates 38 centres, 44 specialised associations and 347 daycare centres to serve all age groups and disabilities – and sport is a major element of the empowerment program.

Saudi Arabia has a proud record at the Paralympics, which it first entered in 1996, going on to won its first gold medal in 2008. It also competes in the INAS World Football Championship.

Saudi Football Team

Photo: http://www.agsiw.org

Long stretches of coastline and spectacular coral reefs along the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf make water sports such as snorkeling, sailing and wind surfing easily accessible.

Additionally, some of the world’s best deep-sea fishing conditions can be found in the Red Sea.

The crown jewel is the 1.1 million acre Asir National Park, a cool, green paradise where visitors can hike, camp, climb hills and take part in other outdoor activities. The largest preserve, meanwhile, is Al-Khunfah, where visitors can take in spectacular views and observe antelopes such as gazelles and oryx in their natural habitat.

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