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RIYADH: No sooner had FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday confirmed that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 World Cup, than messages of congratulation began to pour in from around the region and beyond.
The unopposed Saudi bid had just been rubber-stamped by more than 200 FIFA member federations that took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich.
Leading the way was the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, which greeted the news by posting a message from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on its official X account.
“We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing out strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world,” the message said.
From the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, posted his congratulations.
“Arab, Gulf and Islamic pride and joy. Congratulations on the Kingdom hosting the 2034 World Cup … We congratulate my brother King Salman bin Abdulaziz … and his (Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman … and the brotherly Saudi people with their great ambition … and strong will …,” the vice president and prime minster of the UAE wrote.
“I also congratulate my brother King Mohammed VI on Morocco winning the bid to host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The World Cup will be in our region for two consecutive tournaments. Arabs are living today the joy of the great Saudi and Moroccan achievement … and we expect the best World Cup tournaments, God willing.”
Herve Renard, recently reinstalled as Saudi Arabia’s national team coach, on his account said: “Thrilled for Saudi Arabia and its wonderful people on securing the honor to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup!
“A true reflection of the country’s outstanding vision, remarkable leadership, and unmatched warmth. Get ready for an extraordinary and unforgettable experience ahead.”
Several foreign players plying their trade in the Saudi Pro League were vocal in their support, including Cristiano Ronaldo, whose signing opened the door for the influx of many top players.
“Congratulations to all my friends in Saudi, I know how proud you all are today and I am sure @Saudi2034 will be historic #WelcomeToSaudi34,” he posted.
In an accompanying video, Al-Nassr’s Portuguese superstar said: “It’s amazing, the infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I’ve seen, I’m more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever.
“The country is unbelievable, the Saudis are very good people. Every year they do big events, football matches, boxing, entertainment is very high,” Ronaldo added. “The future is very bright in my opinion, and I’m happy to be part of this success of the country and I will be here for sure to see the World Cup.”
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi minister of sport and president of the Kingdom’s olympic and paralympic committee, and SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal were presented with the FIFA World Cup 2034 hosting certificate from FIFA.
At the special presentation from Riyadh, Prince Abdulaziz said: “We will host the best version of the World Cup in history and we will achieve our dream of hosting this tournament on our land.”
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh, who has been nominated as a member of Saudi 2034 Supreme Committee, said: “A new achievement for our beloved Kingdom. On this occasion, I congratulate my leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Highness, the Crown Prince, the sponsor of the vision, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on winning the bid to host the 2034 World Cup. Congratulations to all of us on this great achievement.”
Al-Hilal and Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Dawsari, scorer of the Green Falcons’ winner against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, had this to say on his X account: “The dream has become reality. We thank God for the blessing of our dear homeland.”
Al-Dawsari’s former Al-Hilal colleague and current Saudi First Division club NEOM player Salman Al-Faraj greeted the news with this post: “Thanks to our wise leadership. With you we grow and achieve our dreams. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia doesn’t write history. It is history.”
Former Saudi Arabia midfielder Sami Al-Jaber, arguably the country’s finest footballer to date, also congratulated the Kingdom’s leadership on securing the hosting rights.
“I congratulate my leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Highness (Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman, on winning the bid to host the 2034 World Cup,” Al-Jaber wrote. “Congratulations to the Saudi people for achieving this dream. The impossible is not Saudi.”
Retired French forward Bafetimbi Gomis, who achieved cult status during his stay at Al-Hilal, commented: “History in the making #congratulation #SaudiArabia #2034.”
One of Gomis’s successes at Al-Hilal, Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr., congratulated the country with a short message that said simply: “Yalla yalla @Saudi2034 #WelcomeToSaudi34.”
There were also messages of support from around the region, particularly Gulf countries.
The Kuwait Olympic Committee’s official X account posted: “The Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Olympic Committee congratulate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, on the occasion of the Kingdom’s approval of the Kingdom’s winning bid to host the 2034 World Cup, wishing it further progress and success.”
The Qatar Football Association, who hosted the World Cup two years ago, commented: “Congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on being awarded the hosting (of) the #WorldCup2034.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan, president of the UAE Football Association, congratulated the leadership and people of the Kingdom by highlighting Saudi Arabia’s resources and experience in hosting major sporting events and describing the achievement as “a victory” for Arab sports.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is qualified in all respects to host the 2034 World Cup, because of its cumulative experience, and it has the capabilities and human resources capable of organizing the largest international events,” he said on the Emirati association’s website.
“We are happy with the return of the World Cup to the Arabian Gulf, as our countries are places of coexistence and tolerance, and fields of creativity.”
RIYADH: Experts at the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language are leveraging artificial intelligence to advance machine interactions with Arabic — one of the most widely spoken languages on the planet, yet one largely neglected by the tech world.
A key initiative is the Artificial Intelligence Center for Arabic Language Processing in Riyadh, which focuses on driving innovations in language technology.
The first of its kind dedicated to Arabic natural language processing, the center utilizes and advances AI techniques to develop cutting-edge scientific tools, research methodologies and computer applications that enhance interactions with the Arabic language across various platforms and technologies.
Natural language processing, or NLP, is a subfield of AI that bridges the gap between human communication, spoken or written, and machine understanding. It enables computers to understand human languages and generate text and speech in a natural way by combining computational linguistics with statistical modeling, machine learning, and deep learning.
Abdullah Al-Fifi, head of the linguistic computing department at KSGAFAL, said the Arabic Intelligence Center aims to empower researchers and developers to harness advanced technologies for processing the Arabic language. It also seeks to create applications, tools, and programs that contribute to preserving and advancing the Arabic language.
The center, launched in late April, comprises five advanced labs that work on developing AI applications tailored to Arabic, he told Arab News.
Among these is the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies like language assistants, which are smart tools designed for precise interaction with languages. It also focuses on enhancing the abilities of intelligent systems to analyze and comprehend Arabic texts with high accuracy.
The Data Preparation and Linguistic Resources Building Laboratory collects, classifies and labels linguistic data to serve as a primary resource for improving Arabic language processing in intelligent systems. It employs various techniques to ensure the data’s quality and reliability for research and technical applications.
Another key lab, the Virtual and Augmented Reality Laboratory, advances innovative technologies to enhance the Arabic language learning experience. It develops educational and entertainment software using virtual reality, enabling unconventional applications of Arabic in modern digital environments.
The Audio and Visual Laboratory develops speech recognition and pronunciation technologies. It focuses on recording, processing, storing and classifying audio data using advanced techniques to ensure precise voice interaction with the Arabic language.
A key aspect of the Arabic Intelligence Center is also the Researchers’ Laboratory, which provides a comprehensive research environment with dedicated spaces for computational linguistics researchers. It is designed to support advanced research focused on developing AI technologies specialized in the Arabic language.
Researcher Abdullah Al-Maadi told Arab News that “the Arabic Intelligence Center has had a significant impact on my training journey at KSGAFAL” and added: “It provided me with a supportive environment for growth, in addition to offering real-world data that could be tested. The center also enabled the development of products to be applied to actual robots.”
Raghad Al-Rasheed, who is also a researcher, said the center gave her the opportunity “to capitalize on the expertise of specialists, helping me enhance my knowledge and develop my research skills.”
“The center actively contributed to supporting our research by providing the necessary equipment and data to complete the work,” she told Arab News, adding that it also offered her a dedicated space to meet all her needs while working on her project, Areeb.
The Arabic Intelligence Center is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global leader in these fields.
It seeks to pioneer the use of AI for the Arabic language and provide integrated services that empower users to enhance its global prominence.
The establishment of this center underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to employing AI and data-driven strategies to strengthen the prominence of the Arabic language in an age of advanced technologies, said KSGAFAL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi.
He added the center has strengthened Arabic’s global position by using modern technologies that help the language adapt to ongoing developments through its advanced labs.
The Arabic language is spoken by around 422 million people worldwide, including 313 million native speakers, according to the International Center for Language Studies. It is the fifth most widely spoken language globally and the fourth most used online, according to Internet World Stats.
RIYADH: The Quality of Life Program’s CEO Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr recently received in Riyadh the UN-Habitat’s Deputy Executive Director Michal Mlynar.
The officials discussed the program’s mission to achieve the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.
Al-Bakr and Mlynar also focused on boosting cooperation in developing quality of life indicators globally, and shared experiences in sustainable urban development.
DAMMAM: Syrian artist Emar Nedal Hmeidi has opened her first solo exhibition, “Nook,” at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam.
“I am a lively person who loves life — and you can peek into my world over the last three years here,” Hmeidi, who is based in Saudi Arabia, shared with Arab News on the opening night.
Featuring 53 paintings of various sizes, the exhibition reflects Hmeidi’s deeply personal exploration of her space and its transformation — and translation — into works of art.
Hmeidi’s vibrant, melancholic yet playful works depict intimate interior scenes, capturing how her personal nook— a modest corner a short drive away from SASCA — served as her creative sanctuary. It is her place to rest, create and be the most authentic version of herself.
These paintings, created entirely within that space during the past three years, represent a fusion of reality and imagination, with her use of color serving as an emotional language to convey her inner world.
Reflecting on her move from Syria to Saudi Arabia, she added: “Coming from Syria to Saudi Arabia, I live in a perpetual and permanent state of discovery. Art is an ongoing search for unity in contrasts.”
Her work draws inspiration from Fauvism, evident in the bold and instinctive use of vibrant colors. Hmeidi describes her creative process as one where colors resonate with her emotions, evolving instinctively to match her state of mind. This approach allows her to create uniquely emotive shades that are nearly impossible to replicate.
The paintings showcase her ability to transform static spaces into dynamic sanctuaries through light, mood and creativity. They often depict solitary, reflective moments, such as a woman reading or sipping tea, surrounded by plants and shifting light.
Hmeidi’s journey from Syria to Saudi Arabia brought a profound change to her art and life. Having endured the hardships of life in Syria, where basic needs often overshadowed artistic endeavors, she found stability and peace in Saudi Arabia. This shift in location allowed her to focus on introspection and creativity, channeling her experiences into deeply personal art.
Color plays a central role in Hmeidi’s artistic expression, serving as a medium to communicate her emotions.
“I’m a person who prefers to communicate with colors rather than with words. I love color deeply. For me, it’s not just about putting together shades and tones, but about how colors resonate with me in the moment. I enjoy mixing them instinctively, following the natural flow of my feelings,” she said.
“Sometimes, when people ask how I achieve a specific shade, I could tell them the combination, but it won’t ever come out the same. The color can feel. It always comes from the heart and it has my own personal touch,” she said.
Through her paintings, Hmeidi creates a dialogue between reality and imagination. “It’s about how these elements come together — walls, plants, furniture and light — interacting to form a space where reality and imagination converge. It’s almost as if the corner, the nook, becomes a meeting point for these worlds,” she said.
Hmeidi’s journey to Saudi Arabia profoundly influenced her creativity.
“It wasn’t my choice to come here to Saudi Arabia at first, but over time, I realized that it was the best decision. It empowered me,” she said. “This place gave me more than I ever had before — notably, stability, comfort and peace of mind,” she said.
Reflecting on her past, she said: “Back in Syria, I had to worry about basic needs — electricity, water, safety. Life there was exhausting, and it was hard to focus on creating art with so many external pressures. But here, in Saudi Arabia, I feel an inner peace that I never had before. This change in my surroundings has also brought a change in me and my work.”
Isolation, for Hmeidi, became a source of inspiration. “That solitude can also be a positive state for an artist. It allows immersion into oneself and opens a window for others to explore their own dimensions through art. It’s a journey of documenting personal experiences while discovering the relationship between place and self, color and light, and isolation and creativity,” she said.
Commenting on the recent news from Syria, Hmeidi offered a note of optimism. “This recent burst of joy in Syria was so brief— only about 12 hours. But during that time, we felt a heightened sense of belonging to our homeland, a deep connection. It was a sense of ‘Syria for the Syrians,’ just as Saudi Arabia is for the Saudis.”
She hopes to pick up a paintbrush soon and dedicate the next nine months to creating an entirely fresh set of paintings inspired by the ever-morphing and evolving journey she is experiencing.
For now, Saudi Arabia is home. Visitors to the Dammam exhibition are encouraged to purchase the for-sale paintings, and perhaps hang pieces of Hmeidi’s Nook in their own nooks.
The exhibition will remain on display until at least Dec. 20.
JAZAN: Border patrols in Al-Aridah, Jazan, arrested a man for transporting nine people from Ethiopia and Yemen who illegally crossed the Saudi border in his vehicle.
After preliminary legal procedures, the violators have been referred to the relevant authorities and, subsequently, to the Public Prosecution.
Saudi authorities have warned that anyone facilitating the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, including providing transportation, shelter or other assistance, could face 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to SR1 million ($266,000). Their vehicles and property could also be confiscated and they could face public defamation.
Meanwhile, authorities in the same region arrested a resident for selling qat. Legal procedures have been completed and the person referred to the competent authorities.
Members of the public with information on drug smuggling or selling are urged to call 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. They can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email [email protected].
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday spoke on the phone with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
During the call, Prince Faisal extended his congratulations to Kallas on her new appointment, which she took up on Dec. 1, and expressed his best wishes for her success in her role, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two leaders also discussed recent regional developments and ongoing efforts to address key issues.
The exchange underscored the importance of Saudi-EU collaboration in promoting stability and addressing shared challenges.
