World

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Founding Day’ celebrations mix tradition with the future

Saudi Arabia celebrated its first Founding Day across the country as traditional celebrations met modern installments that dazzled the Kingdom’s citizens, residents and visitors.

The events were reminiscent of the country’s past and the subsequent growth it has seen as Vision 2030 goals continue to be realized.

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In Wadi Namar, the Governor of Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz oversaw an event that featured 3,500 performers who presented a three-century long history of the country through their art, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Minister of Commerce and Minister of Information in charge Dr. Majid al-Qasabi, and Prince Faisal bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh, were also reportedly present at the showcase.

Meanwhile, King Fahd Park in Dammam celebrated Founding Day by bringing back shops from the past displaying traditional clothing and food, according to SPA.

The market was complemented by a mini-art exhibition consisting of old photos from each of the five regions, supported by actors who were narrating stories from the past.

Park visitors reportedly witnessed cultural seminars, an exhibition specialized in Saudi coffee, fireworks and hologram displays.

‘NajNaj al-Riyadh’ had a similar series of activities.

Additionally, travelers who entered the Saudi Arabia were greeted with souvenirs and roses and had a special one-day-only entry-stamp added to their passports.

A light show, that will feature fireworks and drones, will light up the Riyadh sky on February 24.

The National Museum in Riyadh will host several interactive workshops and discussions on the Kingdom’s culture and history until February 24.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz also voiced pride in the Kingdom’s history as the country celebrated its first ever ‘Founding Day’ on Tuesday.

“Celebrating [Founding Day] is a celebration of the history of the state, the unity of its people, the steadfastness against challenges and [aspiration] to the future,” the King said on Twitter.

The UAE rulers, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and others sent their congratulations and best wishes on the occasion.

The Legacy

The first Saudi state was established by Imam Muhammed bin Saud in 1727 in the city of Diriyah, to the northwest of Riyadh.

The historic capital was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 and has been revitalized with a series of restoration projects giving visitors a glimpse of the old palaces and mosques.

Imam Muhammed bin Saud was born in 1679 in Diriyah. He oversaw, as ruler, an expansion of the state, and repelled attacks from eastern Arabian armies while also battling with an outbreak of the plague among the population, according to SPA.

Around 200 years later, his descendant King Abdulaziz unified the kingdom of Najd, centered around Diriyah, and the western kingdom of Hejaz, to form the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

This unification was made into a holiday by King Abdullah in 2005 and is now recognized as Saudi National Day on September 23.

Al Arabiya English’s Marco Ferrari contributed to this report.

Laying the foundation for Founding Day

The pioneering Mohammad bin Saud

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM