Al Riyadh Newspaper: August 15, 2025: Vision 2030: Riyadh’s Future Unveiled

This collection of articles from a Saudi newspaper, Al-Riyadh, addresses a diverse range of topics relevant to the Kingdom and the broader world in mid-2025. Several pieces focus on domestic Saudi initiatives, including educational reforms like the shift back to a two-semester system, efforts to secure and sustainably manage water resources, the development of a resilient “blue economy” through marine conservation and tourism, and the strategic redistribution of universities in Riyadh. Internationally, the newspaper covers geopolitical analyses, particularly concerning the “Greater Israel” concept and its impact on peace, and highlights global health concerns like the surge in whooping cough cases in Japan and Europe, alongside issues of counterfeit medicines. Economic discussions include Saudi Arabia’s dominance in regional IPOs and the negative impact of rising crime in London on British tourism, particularly from Gulf visitors. Finally, the collection features cultural and literary reflections on the symbolism of coffee in Arab poetry and prose, explorations of human psychology, and reviews of acclaimed novels.

Podcast

Saudi Vision 2030: A Kingdom Transformed

Saudi Vision 2030 is a comprehensive and ambitious strategic framework that aims to transform the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors, moving beyond oil reliance to build a diverse, sustainable, and vibrant society. It represents a pivotal shift in the Kingdom’s approach to development challenges, emphasizing human development, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.

Key aspects and initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030 highlighted in the sources include:

• Economic Diversification and Tourism
• Tourism and Entertainment are foundational pillars for diversifying income sources and creating job opportunities. The Vision targets increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 10%. This involves stimulating domestic tourism to keep capital within the local economy and fostering large-scale projects like the Red Sea Project and NEOM, which are designed with high environmental standards to ensure sustainability.
• Coastal Tourism Development is a significant focus, with the Saudi Red Sea Authority working to regulate and develop coastal tourism activities to attract tourists and investments, thereby diversifying the economy and positioning the Kingdom as a leading global tourist destination. By 2030, the Red Sea Authority aims to host approximately 250,000 yachting visitors, generating about $2.9 billion in tourism spending and creating around 28,000 jobs in the sector.
• The “Blue Economy” is projected to contribute nearly 22 billion Saudi Riyals and create approximately 100,000 job opportunities by 2030. This initiative emphasizes the sustainable utilization and protection of marine resources. The Red Sea National Sustainability Strategy, launched under Vision 2030, aims to increase the coverage of marine and coastal protected areas to 50% by 2030 and support a 50% contribution of renewable energy to the target energy mix.
• Major events such as Expo Riyadh 2030 and the World Cup 2034 are strategically aligned with the Vision, influencing policies like the academic calendar to ensure synergy between national events and the educational system.
• Water Sector Development
• Water management is a central strategic priority due to scarcity, high consumption rates, and reliance on limited non-renewable sources. Vision 2030 aims to build a robust and efficient water sector that relies on innovation and technology, involves the private sector, and ensures environmental sustainability.
• The National Water Strategy 2030 outlines efforts to unify initiatives, prioritize investments, regulate consumption, and improve water and sanitation networks. Key actions include reducing dependence on non-renewable groundwater through expanded desalination projects, reusing treated wastewater, and benefiting from rainwater harvesting.
• The establishment of the National Water Company as an independent executive entity has enhanced service quality and operational efficiency. Infrastructure projects, including large-scale desalination plants (like those in Shuaiba and Jubail) and smart water distribution networks, are being developed to meet increasing demand and reduce water loss.
• Education Reform
• The shift from a three-semester to a two-semester academic system from the academic year 1447/1448 AH (2025/2026 AD) is a strategic step reflecting a comprehensive assessment of previous experiences.
• This reform aims to enhance the efficiency of the educational process, balance study periods with longer holidays, and reduce psychological stress on students and teachers.
• It aligns the Saudi education system with most Saudi and international universities, which operate on a two-semester basis, facilitating academic transitions.
• The new system also allows for broader curriculum planning, deeper periodic evaluations, and enhances students’ mental and physical well-being. Despite the change, the minimum number of study days remains 180 per year, aligning with international standards set by organizations like the OECD and G20 countries.
• The adjusted holiday schedule also provides families with more flexibility for travel and social activities, contributing to family cohesion and reducing financial burdens related to frequent school preparations.
• Cultural Initiatives
• The declaration of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts underscores the importance of traditional crafts as a fundamental part of national identity.
• Initiatives focus on highlighting local crafts, providing platforms for display and marketing, and offering training programs to ensure these professions continue for future generations.
• The “Bisht” and “Muzand” garments are cited as examples of handicrafts with deep historical, social, economic, and cultural significance, reflecting the richness and diversity of Saudi heritage across different regions.
• Financial Markets
• Saudi Arabia is a leading market in the region for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), having captured 76% of total IPO proceeds in the Middle East and Africa during the second quarter of 2025.
• The Capital Market Authority (CMA) is developing a regulatory framework for financial investment funds to enable direct and indirect financing activities, which will support economic growth, diversify investment assets, and provide additional funding channels. This includes permitting public offerings and listings on the main and parallel markets, a significant expansion from previous private offerings.
• Urban Development and Quality of Life
• Vision 2030 supports balanced urban growth in major cities like Riyadh, ensuring the equitable distribution of services, including educational institutions.
• The strategic relocation and expansion of universities are aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, stimulating economic activity, improving the quality of life for residents, and fostering cultural interaction across different areas of Riyadh.
• The “Green Riyadh” initiative is mentioned as an artistic representation of the Vision’s transformative goals for the city, symbolizing its future prosperity and environmental harmony.

In essence, Saudi Vision 2030 is described as a dynamic and data-driven strategy that continuously assesses its outcomes, adapting to foster innovation and sustainable development across all facets of society and the economy. It aims to build a resilient and prosperous future by integrating various sectors and empowering its people.

Saudi Vision 2030: Education Reform and Calendar Transformation

Saudi Vision 2030 encompasses a significant reform of the education system, primarily characterized by a strategic shift in the academic calendar. The Kingdom is transitioning from a three-semester system to a two-semester academic year, effective from the academic year 1447/1448 AH (2025/2026 AD). This change is not merely an administrative adjustment but a fundamental transformation aimed at enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of education.

Reasons and Objectives for the Reform:

• Enhanced Efficiency and Balance: The primary goal is to improve the efficiency of the educational process and achieve a better balance between study periods and holidays. The previous three-semester system, while aiming to increase study days and outcomes, led to widespread debate and was found to cause psychological stress and fatigue for students and teachers due to its intensity and frequent exams.
• Alignment with Higher Education: The two-semester system aligns with the academic structure of most Saudi and international universities, facilitating smoother academic transitions for students between different educational stages.
• Improved Curriculum Planning and Evaluation: The new system allows for broader curriculum planning and deeper periodic evaluations, which were more challenging with shorter, more fragmented semesters.
• Student and Teacher Well-being: It is designed to reduce the psychological stress and exhaustion experienced by students and teachers, promoting their mental and physical health.
• Family Support: Longer, less frequent holidays provide families with more flexibility for planning travel and social activities, thereby contributing to family cohesion and reducing the financial burdens associated with frequent school preparations.
• Synergy with National and International Events: A key strategic reason for this shift is to align the academic calendar with major national and international events that Saudi Arabia will host, such as Expo Riyadh 2030 and the World Cup 2034. This flexibility allows for better integration of event-related activities into study plans and reduces pressure on urban infrastructure during peak event times.

Key Aspects and Implementation Details:

• Maintenance of Study Days: Despite the change in structure, the Ministry of Education has committed to maintaining a minimum of 180 study days annually, which aligns with international standards set by organizations like the OECD and G20 countries.
• Retention of Positive Initiatives: The Ministry will retain beneficial elements introduced during the three-semester trial, such as the inclusion of vital skills subjects and the enhancement of digital curricula.
• Focus on Quality and Empowerment: The reform emphasizes a focus on quality education, effective practices, teacher development, curriculum improvement, school environment enhancement, and institutional governance, rather than solely concentrating on the number of semesters.
• Increased School Autonomy: Schools in specific regions, including Makkah, Madinah, Taif, and Jeddah, will be granted greater flexibility and authority to adjust their schedules to accommodate the unique needs of Hajj and Umrah seasons.
• Community Engagement: The Ministry encourages community participation in the planning and evaluation processes of the educational system.

Impacts and Benefits Across Sectors:

• Educational Outcomes: The reform is expected to raise the quality of educational outcomes by allowing for deeper engagement with subject matter and more comprehensive extracurricular activities. It also aims to offer a “second chance” for students who might struggle in the first semester, enhancing overall success rates.
• Economic Impact: The new holiday schedule is anticipated to boost domestic tourism, keeping financial resources within the local economy. It will also create clearer commercial seasons, benefiting small businesses and traders.
• Urban Planning and Quality of Life: Beyond the academic calendar, the sources also touch upon the Vision 2030’s broader aim for balanced urban growth. This includes the strategic relocation and distribution of universities in major cities like Riyadh. This initiative seeks to alleviate traffic congestion, stimulate economic activity in various city sectors, and enhance the quality of life for residents by ensuring more equitable access to educational services.

Challenges to Implementation:

• The transition will require careful redistribution of curriculum content to fit the new two-semester structure and intensive training for teachers on in-depth teaching strategies.
• There is a need to ensure that the new assessment methods encourage critical thinking rather than rote memorization, and to establish standardized training and evaluation practices across the system.
• Successful implementation will depend on strong and sustained coordination among the Ministry of Education, schools, and the wider community.

In summary, the education system reform under Saudi Vision 2030 is a multifaceted initiative designed to create a more efficient, balanced, and responsive educational environment, closely integrated with the Kingdom’s ambitious economic and social development goals.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Water Transformation

Saudi Vision 2030 places water resource management as a critical strategic priority, recognizing its fundamental role in national security and future prosperity. Given Saudi Arabia’s desert climate and limited natural water resources, the Kingdom faces significant challenges in this sector.

Key Challenges in Water Management:

• Water Scarcity: The Kingdom’s desert climate leads to a severe scarcity of natural water resources.
• Reliance on Groundwater: There is a heavy dependence on limited and non-renewable groundwater sources, which are experiencing depletion and pollution.
• High Consumption Rates: Rapid population growth, urban expansion, and high demand from various sectors, particularly agriculture (which is the largest water consumer), exacerbate water stress.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Any imbalance in the water system can slow down development, threaten food and health security, and reduce the quality of life.

Vision 2030’s Strategic Approach to Water Reform: To address these challenges, Vision 2030 aims to build a strong and effective water sector, managed with high efficiency. This reform is not merely about providing water but ensuring its sustainable supply, improving its quality, and optimizing its use. The Kingdom’s leadership recognizes water as a key driver for achieving its grand national ambitions.

Core Strategies and Initiatives:

1. Institutional and Legislative Restructuring:

• The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture was formed by integrating these three critical sectors under one umbrella to enhance cooperation, policy coordination, and avoid duplication in projects and spending.
• The National Water Strategy 2030 was launched under Vision 2030. This strategy serves as a comprehensive executive framework to unify efforts, prioritize investments, regulate consumption, and improve the quality of services.
• A National Water Company was established as an independent executive institution responsible for managing water and sanitation networks across the Kingdom, improving service quality and operational efficiency.
• Legal and regulatory frameworks have been updated, including water conservation regulations and new tariffs to encourage efficient use.

1. Diversifying Water Sources and Advanced Technologies:

• Desalination Projects: Expansion of major desalination projects is a cornerstone of the strategy. Facilities like the Shoaiba desalination plant and the Jubail integrated project utilize advanced technologies to meet increasing demand while aiming for a reduced carbon footprint.
• Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Advanced techniques are implemented for treating and reusing wastewater for multiple purposes, including agriculture, industry, and cooling, thereby conserving fresh water resources.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Projects are underway to capture and store excess rainwater and floodwaters for use during dry periods, reducing reliance on traditional sources.

1. Efficiency, Conservation, and Smart Systems:

• The focus is on enhancing the efficiency of water usage and reducing water losses due to leaks.
• Implementation of smart networks and advanced monitoring systems to track water flow, identify leaks instantly, and manage operations remotely, contributing to network efficiency.
• Progressive tariffs and public awareness campaigns are used to promote a culture of water conservation.

1. Private Sector Engagement and Capacity Building:

• Vision 2030 encourages active participation of the private sector (local and international) in water projects, particularly in desalination and treatment, to accelerate implementation and ease the financial burden on the state.
• Emphasis is placed on developing human capabilities and training specialized technical cadres to manage and operate the sector efficiently, adopting international best practices.

Broader Impacts and Vision Integration: The water sector reforms are deeply intertwined with other national development goals, including environmental sustainability, economic diversification, and enhancing the quality of life.

• Economic Impact: Ensuring water availability and sustainability contributes to boosting investments, creating job opportunities, and supporting the local economy. It also enhances the competitiveness of cities and industrial zones. The “Blue Economy” initiative, which involves protecting marine environmental systems, is projected to contribute nearly 22 billion riyals and create 100,000 jobs by 2030.
• Environmental Sustainability: The strategy balances development with environmental protection, emphasizing sustainable use of marine resources and supporting biodiversity. This includes establishing marine protected areas and restoring natural habitats.
• Quality of Life: By ensuring stable and high-quality water supply, the reforms aim to improve the overall quality of life for citizens and residents.
• Regional Leadership: Saudi Arabia’s transformation in water management has made it a notable model for other countries with similar climatic conditions, demonstrating how challenges can be converted into opportunities for growth and development. The National Strategy for Sustainable Red Sea, for example, aims to position the Kingdom as a leader in marine sustainability.

Saudi Vision 2030: Tourism, Entertainment, and Sustainable Growth

Saudi Vision 2030 recognizes tourism and entertainment as crucial pillars for economic diversification and a driving force for national development. The Kingdom aims to transform its entertainment sector into an attractive global destination for both citizens and tourists, thereby supporting the overarching goals of Vision 2030. This ambitious vision is underpinned by strategic initiatives focused on leveraging Saudi Arabia’s natural, historical, and cultural assets, while ensuring sustainability.

Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of water resource management under Vision 2030:

• Strategic Importance and Economic Impact:
• Tourism and entertainment are identified as fundamental pillars for diversifying income sources and enhancing the local product within Saudi Arabia.
• The “Blue Economy,” which involves protecting marine environmental systems and promoting sustainable marine activities, is projected to contribute nearly 22 billion Riyals and create 100,000 jobs by 2030.
• The Kingdom aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 10%.
• Domestic tourism is a key enabler, ensuring that financial resources circulate within the local economy when Saudi citizens choose to spend their holidays domestically. This boosts local investments, creates job opportunities, and benefits small and medium-sized businesses and traders.
• Longer holidays, whether school, university, or employee vacations, are seen as a primary catalyst for stimulating domestic tourism. These periods encourage travel to diverse regions, from cooler areas like Abha and Tabuk to historical and heritage sites like AlUla and Diriyah.
• Entertainment events are also significant, generating substantial revenues and stimulating related sectors such as transportation, restaurants, and cafes.
• Yacht tourism is a specific focus, with targets to receive around 250,000 yacht visitors and generate approximately $2.9 billion in tourism spending by 2030, expected to create 28,000 jobs in the sector.
• Key Initiatives and Projects:
• The Kingdom is developing mega-projects like the Red Sea project and NEOM, which are designed with the highest environmental standards to safeguard natural resources for future generations.
• The Saudi Red Sea Authority plays a pivotal role in organizing and developing coastal tourism. In 2024, it issued 28 licenses for various marine tourism operators and established four codes for planning, designing, and operating marine tourism facilities.
• The Authority has actively promoted Saudi Arabia as a coastal tourism destination by representing the Kingdom in over 25 regional and international exhibitions and conferences.
• Strategic partnerships with international entities, such as the Monaco Yacht Club, are being forged to enhance the coastal tourism sector.
• Beyond specific tourism projects, the broader water resource management reforms under Vision 2030 aim to ensure a sustainable water supply and developed water infrastructure, which is crucial for supporting the growing tourism and industrial sectors.
• Enhancing Visitor Experience and Cultural Connection:
• The strategy emphasizes the unique appeal of Saudi hospitality, rich heritage, stunning coastlines, and diverse entertainment options.
• Efforts are made to connect new generations with the Kingdom’s heritage through direct experiences at historical sites, fostering a sense of belonging and national pride.
• Investment in human capital development includes training Saudi youth in hospitality and tourism management, ensuring a high quality of service.
• The Kingdom actively supports Saudi artists and creatives, providing platforms for various talents in singing, poetry, acting, directing, and writing.
• Major events, such as “Riyadh Season” and “AlUla Festivals,” have gained international recognition, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s image as a modern, open, and multicultural destination.
• Sustainability and Environmental Protection:
• A significant focus is placed on environmental sustainability, with the Saudi Red Sea Authority monitoring tourism activities to ensure nature protection and adherence to clean energy standards.
• The National Strategy for Sustainable Red Sea aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leader in marine sustainability, balancing development with environmental protection and supporting a sustainable blue economy. This includes establishing marine protected areas and restoring natural habitats.
• Scientific projects are underway to monitor and manage environmental threats, such as invasive marine species, to safeguard coastal ecosystems.

In essence, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 outlines a comprehensive and integrated approach to developing its tourism and entertainment sectors, transforming them into significant economic drivers while prioritizing environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.

GCC Public Offerings Market: Q2 2025 Performance and Outlook

The public offerings market in the GCC region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, demonstrated strong activity and resilience in the second quarter of 2025. This market is a key component of economic diversification efforts outlined in national visions like Saudi Vision 2030.

Here are the key aspects of the public offerings market:

• Overall Performance (Q2 2025):
• Gulf stock markets continued to attract investors and capital, raising approximately $2.4 billion.
• This was achieved through 4 initial public offerings (IPOs) in the main market and 8 listings in the parallel market.
• Despite initial fluctuations in stock markets at the beginning of the quarter, regional indicators showed a capacity for stability, reinforcing the region’s position as a financial market hub.
• Saudi Arabia’s Dominance:
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintained its leading position as the most active market, capturing 76% of all IPO revenues.
• This leadership was bolstered by prominent listings, including the IPO of Na Aviation Company, which was the first aviation IPO in the GCC in over 15 years.
• The Medical Specialization Company also conducted a significant IPO, raising over $500 million in June.
• The Nomu parallel market in Saudi Arabia also performed strongly, with 8 listings generating $128 million, an increase from $81 million in the second quarter of 2024.
• Performance in the UAE:
• In the United Arab Emirates, the listing of the Dubai Properties REIT Fund marked the first IPO for such a fund since 2014, highlighting the focus on real estate and alternative assets.
• The Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange exhibited a notable rebound, achieving gains of 15% and 7% respectively.
• Outlook and Future Prospects:
• Experts, including PwC Middle East, anticipate further economic stability across the GCC, which is expected to lead to a significant resurgence in IPO activity during the third quarter of 2025 and early 2026.
• Many major entities in GCC countries are preparing for potential listings, indicating continued strength and diversification of IPO opportunities.
• However, market performance in the GCC during Q2 2025 showed varied results, with initial turbulence affecting investor confidence. The recovery witnessed later in the quarter helped restore some of this confidence.
• Fluctuations in energy prices continue to influence market indicators, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the main market index “TASI” saw a 6% decline following a roughly 20% drop in Brent crude oil prices.

Diverse Perspectives: Geopolitics, Economy, Health, and Culture

Here are the titles of the columns found in the newspaper, along with their first two paragraphs of detail, translated into English:

column: editorial/word the discussion about ‘greater israel’ is not new; this ideological narrative has been present in the minds of extremists among the jews who dream of it, and about whom legends have been told since ancient times. what is new is discussing it now, even though netanyahu was not the first israeli prime minister to talk about it; david ben-gurion and chaim weizmann preceded him. and despite the official and popular criticisms of the mass genocide that netanyahu and his government are committing in gaza, which are still ongoing, the israeli prime minister makes his statements at a time when dozens of palestinians are falling as martyrs, and the israeli army will use the hunger that has swept them away.

the specific israeli illusions that extremists, who form the current israeli government, dream of cannot be tolerated. even if they are just statements, they clearly reveal israeli intentions, although they also involve an assault, even if verbal, on existing sovereign states that must be respected. netanyahu’s statements further complicate the situation, despite the diligent and sincere efforts being made to resolve the palestinian issue, based on the optimal arab initiative and the two-state solution, led by the kingdom, which has received unprecedented international support and aims to put an end to the longest crisis in modern history. however, the extremist israeli government wants to escape international pressure by making statements that divert attention from what is happening in gaza, and also to gain more votes from extremist israelis domestically, as a behavior reflective of its extreme politics and its inability to confront the problem constructively or a desire to ‘escape forward’.

column: escaping forward the kingdom of saudi arabia continues its efforts to protect marine environmental systems and ensure the security of the marine economy, known as the ‘blue economy,’ which is expected to contribute approximately 22 billion riyals and provide about 100,000 job opportunities by 2030.

in light of this ambitious direction, environmental challenges emerge, foremost among them the threat of invasive marine species that transfer to new environments through shipping or aquaculture activities, which puts increasing pressure on coastal environmental systems and may lead to economic losses estimated at tens of billions annually worldwide.

column: the economist – the article by ahmed ghawi in the past few months, britain has witnessed repeated theft incidents. among the strangest statistics recorded is a phone theft every seven minutes, especially in london. store robberies in britain have increased by 20% in the current year 2025, and many observers and specialists in economic affairs believe that the spread of theft and violence, and the destabilization of security across britain, especially in london, is due to the weakness of the economy, the spread of inflation and unemployment.

however, the continued spread of thefts and the absence of security on british streets will significantly impact tourism, causing the economy to worsen, and visitors to london and other british cities will feel insecure, especially in tourist streets, public places, parks, and various tourist attractions, unless strict government measures are taken to raise the level of security.

column: illusions of “greater israel” hinder peace by talha al-ansari the statements of israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu about what he calls ‘greater israel’ were not mere media stunts, but rather reflected a deep-seated ideological conviction he holds for local consumption. in a televised interview with i24news, when asked if he believed in the biblical vision of israel within its expanded borders, he replied ‘strongly,’ adding that he felt a ‘historical and spiritual mission’ to achieve it. netanyahu did not shy away from supporting a map of ‘the land of israel’ that includes vast parts of neighboring countries – from occupied palestinian territories to parts of jordan, lebanon, syria, and egypt – affirming his strong support for this expansionist vision. these statements are not a rhetorical whim; they came just about 50 days after the knesset approved a plan to annex the entire west bank to israel, indicating that netanyahu is giving practical form to his illusions about ‘greater israel’ and does not consider them mere temporary slogans.

a radical religious entity. anyone who follows israeli media, knesset debates, and politicians’ tweets will realize that the region has been afflicted with a religious nationalist entity, which has become more dependent on extremism itself as a source of its survival and cohesion. for the first time, the religious zionist movement occupies a central place in the israeli government, and netanyahu openly boasts of his alliance with the most extremist religious right-wing figures such as bezalel smotrich and itamar ben-gvir. analysts have pointed out that netanyahu was intellectually raised in a home that followed the revisionist zionist approach of jabotinsky, a theoretician who advocated for the expansion of israel, and this explains his embrace of the extremist settlers’ agenda. his recent statements about ‘greater israel’ send a clear message that the extremist ideas of his ministers are no longer exclusive to them, but are the ideology of the prime minister himself, elected by a wide segment of israelis.

column: reflection by ibrahim al-wafi al-thubaiti says in his masterpiece, ‘the migration of caravans and rain’: ‘give us more from the heat until the sun sets, and pour your bitter coffee on the heads of the people, the desired morning dew.’ coffee, those crushed dark beans that transform into a dark, thick beverage, was not merely a drink in the human psyche, but became a cultural and exclusive symbol throughout ages, especially in literature. since its spread in the arab east, coffee has been associated with gatherings, conversations, and introspection, becoming a companion to thought and contemplation, and featuring prominently in poetic and narrative texts as more than just a drink; it is a ritual of consumption, with all its temporal and spatial components. in modern arabic poetry, coffee often appeared as a symbol of intimacy, tranquility, and moments of healing, when the poet secludes himself with it or with a loved one. mahmoud darwish, for example, made it a complete poetic entity, expressing the start of the day and the warmth of affection, the anticipation of life, and the ritual of belonging. in his poems, it appeared as more than food or drink, but as a bridge between the senses and thought, and a passage from the material moment to the spiritual moment.

as for prose, many novelists have used coffee as a narrative structure, as an entry point or background for a dialogue scene, or as a symbol for the story itself. for naguib mahfouz, it serves as a means of social communication and a stage for the clash of ideas in neighborhood cafes. the cafe, where the aroma of coffee wafts, becomes an open space for exchanging opinions, and coffee almost becomes a silent character that observes events, touching on the characters’ feelings. its symbolism transcends the realistic scene to the philosophical aspect, whether in eastern or western literature, representing a moment of pause in the flow of time, a moment when one lays their worries on the table, sips, as if rearranging their thoughts and life. a cup of coffee appears to us as an invitation to contemplate the path of the self, or a window to read the other, or even a trick to prolong the modern age. from here, coffee takes on the symbolism of conscious slowness in facing life’s acceleration, and of enjoying the small details that give existence its flavor.

column: introductions of selections by dr. fahad ibrahim al-bakr to my dear brother, professor: abdullah al-hussain. the ‘sobabah al-qawl’ (essence of speech) corner in the cultural section is the thing: the beginning of any literary text, and from that, the introductions and beginnings of texts are not the same. the introduction of a technical poem differs from others in its specifications as the introduction of a story, and the beginning of a novel is not like the beginning of an article, and the first part of a play is not like the first part of a maqama, and the opening of a sermon is not like the beginning of a letter, and so on. despite this diversity and variation, the introductions of literary texts have not received much attention and care from scholars, researchers, critics, and analysts, as they were not viewed as having high aesthetic value, but rather as merely a key or a gateway through which the reader enters the text; hence, little attention was paid to studying them at both the academic and critical levels.

indeed, introductions in literary texts are a first spark that ignites emotion, awakens feeling, and the more beautiful and skillful the introduction, the more attractive and influential it becomes. therefore, ancient critics alluded to the beauty of the beginning, the opening, and the good commencement in poetry, focusing on what they described as the ‘preludes’ with their thematic diversity, which were stages for ‘atlal’ (ruined dwelling) themes. and most importantly, those poetic introductions, where critics like ibn rashiq al-qairawani (d. 456 ah) stopped beautifully, who called them ‘beginnings of explanations,’ and ibn al-atheer (d. 637 ah) also stopped at introductions, when he said: ‘the reality of this type is to make the introduction of the discourse, whether poetry or letters, indicative of the intended meaning of that discourse..’.

column: the dialectic of inclination and will by dr. najwa al-kahloot among the most common concepts where consciousness intertwines with philosophical and psychological perceptions is the concept of (the soul and the self), and despite the widespread use of both in our daily lives, delving into the subtle differences between them reveals deeper dimensions in understanding human beings’ self-awareness and responsibility for their actions.

in language, the soul denotes the spirit and the inner being of a human, carrying meanings of responsibility and divine obligation, for which one is rewarded or punished, as in his almighty’s saying: ‘every soul, for what it has earned, is a pledge’ (al-muddathir: 38). it has famous ranks: 1. the commanding self (amara): which is drawn to desires without restraint. 2. the blaming self (lawwama): its moral vigilance holds itself accountable for shortcomings. 3. the tranquil self (mutma’inna): it has settled on obedience and contentment. this conceptualization makes the soul amenable to purification and refinement, and it is the core of human striving.

column: universities and spatial balance in riyadh by dr. abdulaziz al-yousef riyadh, the capital, is witnessing unprecedented urban expansion, accompanied by an increase in population. however, this expansion, especially concerning major educational institutions like universities, is largely unbalanced, with most of them concentrated in the northern part of the city. this concentration imposes a daily traffic chokehold and creates psychological stress due to repeated commuting on the road network.

students, coming from the south, west, and east, daily cover long distances to reach their university seats, which negatively affects their mental and physical health, consuming much of their time and effort, in addition to the economic and environmental impact related to intense daily movement. yes, this concentration might be due to certain factors such as land availability in previous periods, but the current reality dictates a comprehensive review of the educational map in the capital, which must keep pace with urban and developmental transformation, especially in light of saudi vision 2030, where it is difficult for major universities in the northern region to continue their concentration while the city expands in every direction.

column: the most important investment by dr. essam aman allah bukhari i have written more than once about the most important investment in life, and of course, it goes beyond work and what brings one closer to paradise for their afterlife. and certainly, the investment in children is the most important; they are prophets, thinkers, specialists, scholars. many have pointed to this. but in our current era, amidst the rapid pace of life and the dominance of technology, direct ‘parenting’ seems closer to extinction, threatening the family structure. this neglect and irresponsibility on the part of parents, who seem unaware, is what the messenger (peace be upon him) emphasized, saying: ‘every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.’ concern for children stems from a noble educational principle, a family and social trust, and a moral duty for which parents will be held accountable for any shortcomings in raising future generations, and there is no blame except on the parents if the children fail.

it is redundant to talk about the concept of good upbringing, as logic dictates: ‘it is easy to give birth, but it is not easy to raise.’ and before anyone looks at their sons and daughters, and says ‘let this happen,’ for without it, raising children becomes like a spark that generates complex intellectual chaos for every individual, and what it carries from technologies, that threatens the structure of the family. here, the importance of the family and the urgent need for it in raising and guiding children emerge more than ever before, not to mention that some children are exposed to a continuous intellectual attack that attempts to distort their ideas and corrupt their authenticity, with hostility and distortion against everything that belongs to our nation and society.

column: does diplomacy work in management? by musaed al-otaibi years ago, during my diplomatic work in a certain arab country, one of the ambassadors, who was then leading the arab ambassadors in that country, was approached by representatives from the american administration to urge them to rebel against their country’s government. the representative of the american government said to him: ‘and what will we do if the authority takes revenge on us and our families and homes as a result of this rebellion you are calling us to?’ the american government representative replied: ‘don’t worry at all! america will never be silent about any aggression against you.’ that group of rebels was encouraged and committed violence and cruelty. as expected, the government responded strongly, and the rebels sought help from the representatives of the american government, expecting them to save them as promised. and indeed, the american government issued a statement condemning the attacks on the rebels, and confined itself to that statement. the rebels were angry and denounced it, saying: ‘we were deceived.’ the american government representative replied to them: ‘we did not deceive you; we told you we would not be silent, and that is what happened when we issued the statement. we did not promise you anything else, and it is not our problem that you understood our words differently’.

naturally, the narrator remains responsible for the accuracy of this story, but what matters to me here is how diplomacy can create so much misunderstanding through a policy of deliberate ambiguity, and at a time when diplomatic language has its presence and impact in international relations between countries, can diplomacy succeed in the work of management?.

column: 10 minutes but.. by mohamed al-haidar a typical workday, and you are immersed in your tasks, and suddenly that innocent invitation arrives: ‘an urgent meeting not exceeding ten minutes to discuss such and such.’ what quickly turns into a timeless epic extending for hours, from which another ‘urgent’ meeting emerges with new promises to everyone, of course!.

it’s a practical phenomenon, ‘an urgent meeting but…’ those magic words that open the doors to temporal hell. companies start with bright faces, and everyone is ready for accomplishment, but then their features gradually change as the tenth minute passes, reaching the peak of despair when the manager’s eternal phrase is heard: ‘i have one last point to raise.’ here, all hopes of returning to productive work collapse.

column: sleep and respiratory medicine clinic by prof. dr. ahmed salem bahammam a medical page prepared by specialized consultants concerned with health education and aims to raise the level of awareness and quality of life for the individual and society.

this column contains several sub-sections addressing specific health queries related to sleep and breathing:

• i cannot sleep at night greetings and peace be upon you. to dr. ahmed, i would like to present my problem, which is related to sleep at night. my problem is that i cannot sleep at night. i am 24 years old. when i try to sleep, i wake up after two hours at most, and i feel a headache after which i cannot sleep again until after several hours or rather until dawn. i tried sleeping early, but i couldn’t, and i have been suffering from this condition for about two years or more, knowing that i do not suffer from high blood pressure, heart diseases, or breathing problems… so, i hope you can help me, and thank you very much.
• in some individuals and in the teenage years (and sometimes the problem continues until the age of thirty), there is what is known as ‘delayed sleep phase disorder,’ where these individuals prefer to sleep during the day and stay awake at night. they may sleep for long hours during the day, which can cause them problems with discipline in school or at work. the main cause and treatment for this problem are behavioral, and the treatment depends on adjusting the sleep time according to a fixed schedule. of course, a precise diagnosis cannot be made without examining the patient, taking medical history, and ruling out other causes of sleep disorders.
• waking up a short time after falling asleep greetings and peace be upon you. i would like to ask for an explanation of a specific condition: waking up a very short time after falling asleep, accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain. i consulted many doctors in egypt and had more than one ecg, all of whom confirmed that there is no underlying cause for this condition, knowing that i am a smoker, suffer from obesity, and am going through a bad psychological state.
• waking up from sleep with shortness of breath and chest pain during sleep could be a symptom of sleep apnea, especially since you suffer from weight gain. you did not mention whether you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or snoring. i advise you to consult a sleep specialist and undergo a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis and treat it if found. another possible cause for the problem could be acid reflux from the esophagus to the stomach during sleep.
• numbness in my hand or fingers when waking up every day, when i wake up from sleep, i feel numbness in my hand or fingers, usually in one hand. do i unconsciously put my hand under me or on my stomach while sleeping? what actually happens is that i find my hand numb. sometimes, i wake up with a severe cramp in one of my legs. what should i do? are there specific tips?.
• numbness in the hands during sleep may be caused by pressure on the nerves passing through the carpal tunnel, which causes numbness in the hand and may be accompanied by pain in the hand and may extend to the arm. this problem appears more in pregnant women or those with thyroid deficiency and some other glandular diseases, so i advise you to visit a neurologist to assess the condition.
• asthma patients and herbs i am an asthma patient and have used all the medications for the disease, but i heard that some herbal plants in indonesia are used to treat this disease. is this true? and are there such herbs in the kingdom?.
• as the reader knows, asthma is a global problem that costs millions annually, and scientific institutions and specialized laboratories worldwide spend hundreds of millions of dollars to develop new treatments for asthma. therefore, the reader should not be deceived by what some promote about discovering a new treatment for this disease, because any medical treatment undergoes several experimental stages, starting with animal trials, then human trials, to ensure its effectiveness and freedom from side effects before it is approved by official bodies for use. therefore, i do not recommend using any herbs unless they have been fully studied and prescribed by a professor or a specialist doctor in medicine or herbal science.
• sleeping next to people i have a problem that some may not consider a problem, especially as it causes me some issues with my family, and i am preparing for marriage, god willing. the problem is that i cannot sleep next to people who snore, even if the person makes a slight sound when sleeping. also, i have difficulty sleeping if there are loud noises, especially since i live in a noisy neighborhood. please advise me. may god reward you, especially since i am the only one in my family who suffers from this problem, as most of my family can sleep in these conditions without problems.
• it is known that the function of hearing remains active during sleep, but the sensitivity varies. some people have high sensitivity to sounds during sleep, which causes them to wake up. you can put earplugs in your ears during sleep to reduce the effects of external noise, or have a constant sound or a single tone during sleep, or what is called white noise, which covers other sounds like the sound of an air conditioner, or set the radio dial to one end of the radio to produce a constant, single-tone sound.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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