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Recycled ihrams promoting eco-friendly pilgrimage

The ihram is a critical part of the Umrah and Hajj experience, consisting of two pieces of unstitched cloth. (Anadolu via Getty Images/SPA)
The ihram is a critical part of the Umrah and Hajj experience, consisting of two pieces of unstitched cloth. (Anadolu via Getty Images/SPA)
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Updated 15 March 2025

Recycled ihrams promoting eco-friendly pilgrimage

Recycled ihrams promoting eco-friendly pilgrimage
  • Sustainable Ihram initiative launched by Culture Ministry
  • Tonnes have been recycled, says Fashion Commission CEO

JEDDAH: With the arrival of Ramadan and many Muslims from around the world performing Umrah, a compulsory garment for male worshippers is the ihram, a simple, white garment symbolizing purity, unity and devotion.

The ihram is a critical part of the Umrah and Hajj experience, consisting of two pieces of unstitched cloth.

The Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission recently introduced its Sustainable Ihram initiative, which focuses on recycling and repurposing used ihrams.




The ihram is a critical part of the Umrah and Hajj experience, consisting of two pieces of unstitched cloth. (Anadolu via Getty Images/SPA)

The project aims to not only honor sacred Islamic traditions but also contribute to the protection of the planet by embracing eco-friendly solutions.

Previously used garments are transformed into new, sustainable ihrams through a circular, textile recycling system.

The initiative is a collaboration with the Saudi Investment Recycling Co. and the eco-fashion firm Tadweem.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tadweem is a Saudi eco-friendly company focused on improving sustainability in the fashion industry through initiatives such as textile recycling.

• ֱ’s Fashion Commission and Tadweem installed 336 collection bins in Mina to gather several tonnes of ihrams, and worked with partners to transform them into new fabric.

It aims to promote sustainable practices, raise consumer awareness about fashion recycling, and support the development of a circular textile economy in ֱ.




The project aims to not only honor sacred Islamic traditions but also contribute to the protection of the planet by embracing eco-friendly solutions. (SPA)

Recognizing that millions of ihrams are manufactured and discarded annually, the commission identified an opportunity to reduce the large volume of textile waste.

Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, told Arab News: “Ihram is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of fashion, but at the same time, it’s a product that is sold and used in volumes, repeated every year, especially during Hajj.”

He continued: “We wanted to create the first circular product in the country, and what better way to start than with ihram, a textile deeply linked to ֱ’s religious and cultural heritage.”




The ihram is a critical part of the Umrah and Hajj experience, consisting of two pieces of unstitched cloth. (Anadolu via Getty Images/SPA)

“To make this possible, we installed 336 collection bins in Mina, gathered several tonnes of ihrams, and worked with partners to transform them into new fabric, creating a fully circular process,” Cakmak explained.

The collected garments underwent a meticulous recycling process: sorting, cleaning, shredding, and reweaving into fresh ihrams, which “pilgrims can use with a deeper sense of purpose.”

“There is no better way to do this than for your religious pilgrimage, where you want to focus on spirituality, the core values of purity, and ensure that the product you wear represents how pure your thoughts are as you go through that journey,” Cakmak said.

We wanted to create the first circular product in the country, and what better way to start than with ihram, a textile deeply linked to ֱ’s religious and cultural heritage.

Burak Cakmak, Fashion Commission CEO

Mustafa Bukhari, the CEO of Tadweem, told Arab News about their production process. “Currently, manufacturing is done outside ֱ, but our plans include moving the manufacturing operations inside the Kingdom.”

Tadweem is a ֱ eco-friendly company focused on improving sustainability in the fashion industry through initiatives such as textile recycling.

For this project, the ihrams were converted into raw materials in Dubai, sent to Turkiye for manufacturing, and then returned to the Kingdom.




Burak Cakmak, Fashion Commission CEO

“We have ensured that the entire product is made from recycled materials, including the packaging and bags used, with no environmentally harmful materials,” Bukhari said.

He added: “The main material is recycled cotton, which we used in the ihrams and even in the packaging, where we also made the packaging bags from recycled cotton, ensuring the environmental sustainability of the entire product.”

At the Jeddah Hajj and Umrah conference held in January this year, Tadweem showcased how the fabric from recycled ihrams was incorporated into high-quality leather bags.

Priced at SR98 ($25.98), the ihrams are currently available in Madinah, with the distribution to be expanded to Makkah, major airports, and other regions in the future.

They will also be available via a dedicated store for sustainable ihrams in the Kingdom, and at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, which runs until May 25.

Cakmak said: “The hope is that we are highlighting the importance of sustainability not just through art and creativity, but through everyday products that people can adopt.

“This is about offering a conscious choice, aligning the spiritual journey with sustainability.”


ֱ signs UN convention against cybercrime

ֱ signs UN convention against cybercrime
Updated 26 October 2025

ֱ signs UN convention against cybercrime

ֱ signs UN convention against cybercrime

RIYADH: ֱ signed the UN Convention against Cybercrime, joining 64 other countries in endorsing the first UN crime-fighting pact in more than 20 years, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Represented by Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, the Kingdom’s signing is a continuation of its role in supporting international efforts at enhancing security and stability in cyberspace, and consolidating international cooperation in combating cybercrime.

Approved by the UN General Assembly in December 2024 following five years of negotiation, CAC establishes the first worldwide framework for prosecuting online crimes, ranging from ransomware and financial fraud to the unauthorized distribution of intimate images.

At the signing ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that while technology had brought “extraordinary progress,” it had also created new vulnerabilities, according to UN News.

“Every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal livelihoods and drain billions of dollars from our economies, Guterres said.

“In cyberspace, nobody is safe until everybody is safe. One vulnerability anywhere can expose people and institutions everywhere.”

Guterres said the convention is a victory for victims of online abuse and a clear pathway for investigators and prosecutors to enable justice for transnational crimes where evidence spans jurisdictions.

This multilateral treaty — the first UN crime-fighting instrument in more than two decades — comes as cyber threats escalate rapidly.

It aims to strengthen preventive measures, international cooperation and specialized capacity building.

The convention criminalizes acts including unauthorized system access, data interference or corruption and online sexual assault of children.

The National Cybersecurity Authority, as the Kingdom’s dedicated cybersecurity entity and national reference body, works to safeguard national interests, infrastructure and state security.

The authority also represents ֱ in bilateral, regional, and international cybersecurity forums while overseeing implementation of the Kingdom’s global commitments in this domain.


Makkah Health Cluster showcases AI innovations at Riyadh expo

Makkah Health Cluster showcases AI innovations at Riyadh expo
Updated 26 October 2025

Makkah Health Cluster showcases AI innovations at Riyadh expo

Makkah Health Cluster showcases AI innovations at Riyadh expo

RIYADH: The Makkah Health Cluster is participating in the Global Health Exhibition, which is being held from Oct. 27 to 30 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme “Invest in Health.”

The event features health innovations and experts from more than 130 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The cluster is showcasing its iSelfie project, which uses artificial intelligence and photoplethysmography. The initiative speeds up patient assessments by 70 percent, cutting the time per patient from seven to two minutes in emergency departments.

The smart vital signs project will be implemented across 14 hospitals and 15 primary healthcare centers, saving SR120,000 ($32,000) a year by eliminating Dynamap devices.

It is also expected to reduce nursing costs by SR15.3 million and optimize the workforce by 50 percent through AI automation while maintaining quality care, the SPA added.

These solutions advance healthcare digitalization in line with Vision 2030, improving access, efficiency, and self-care through smart technology.

The exhibition serves as a platform for health practitioners, featuring more than 100 dialogue sessions and workshops on the future of healthcare, AI’s role, and the health investment landscape in the Kingdom.


Study finds ֱ’s eastern coastal ecosystems healthy

Study finds ֱ’s eastern coastal ecosystems healthy
Updated 26 October 2025

Study finds ֱ’s eastern coastal ecosystems healthy

Study finds ֱ’s eastern coastal ecosystems healthy
  • Wildlife center says the assessment in 2024 and 2025 considered conditions at more than 400 sites

RIYADH: ֱ’s National Center for Wildlife has declared the environment on the Kingdom’s east coast to be generally healthy after the first comprehensive assessment.

In a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the wildlife center said the assessment, conducted throughout 2024 and 2025 at more than 400 sites, examined a wide range of critical marine and coastal environments, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and mudflats.

In collaboration with international experts, the assessment used internationally recognized field methodologies, such as underwater imaging and satellite remote sensing, to create a detailed scientific database.

“Results showed that coral reefs had a healthy cover rate of 22 percent, with low levels of bleaching not exceeding 2 percent,” said the report, adding that the dominant species observed, such as Porites and Merulina, “demonstrated resilience to harsh environmental conditions.”

 

Seagrass meadows were found to be stable in most areas. (SPA)

Seagrass meadows were found to be stable in most areas, the report said, while researchers also found that mangrove forests covered an estimated 1,573 hectares and displayed healthy vegetation, particularly around the Ras Tanura and Tarout Island areas.

“Over 80,000 fish from 90 species were observed. Field records also confirmed the presence of large marine animals, including dugongs, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays, highlighting the Arabian Gulf’s importance as a major habitat,” the report said.

The study also recorded 176,836 birds from 69 species, with peak numbers occurring during the autumn migration season.

A new species for ֱ, Franklin’s gull, was observed, and Tarout Bay and Dammam Corniche were identified as key breeding and aggregation sites, the report said.

A total of 176,836 birds from 69 species were observed during the period covered by the assessment. (SPA)

NCW CEO Mohammed Qurban said the assessment reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing scientific research and its applications in protecting the marine environment, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.

Qurban said that safeguarding marine environments enhances the future of biodiversity, climate stability, and food security. The results, he added, provide a crucial scientific reference to support national plans for biodiversity protection and achieving sustainable development.


Lighting up Arab skies: Saudi innovator Reyam Alahmadi launches Astrophile to bring space science home

Lighting up Arab skies: Saudi innovator Reyam Alahmadi launches Astrophile to bring space science home
Updated 25 October 2025

Lighting up Arab skies: Saudi innovator Reyam Alahmadi launches Astrophile to bring space science home

Lighting up Arab skies: Saudi innovator Reyam Alahmadi launches Astrophile to bring space science home
  • Astrophile magazine reimagines how science could speak to readers across the Arab world
  • It reminds young Saudis and Arabs that science is not foreign, but is part of their own story

ALKHOBAR: Saudi science communicator Reyam Alahmadi is bringing the cosmos closer to home. At just 25, the Madinah-born innovator has launched Astrophile, the Kingdom’s first Arabic astronomy magazine, to make space science accessible, accurate, and part of everyday conversation across the Arab world. 

“What began as a personal fascination with the cosmos evolved into a full-fledged movement to revive Arab contributions to astronomy, and to give today’s generation the tools and language to rediscover them,” she told Arab News.

“The Arab world truly needed something like Astrophile. There wasn’t a single comprehensive Arabic astronomy platform, which left a huge gap in accurate knowledge. That gap led to misconceptions about space, and that’s what we wanted to fix.”

When Astrophile launched, the magazine did not simply translate international astronomy news, but also reimagined how science could speak to readers across the Arab world. 

Through storytelling, visual design, and educational offerings, Alahmadi built a brand that feels both modern and deeply cultural. Every article blends cosmic wonder with accessible language, transforming scientific terms into relatable concepts. 

“I believe the wonder of space belongs to everyone,” she said. “So I share what I learn in the simplest way possible, not with overwhelming numbers or formulas, but through storytelling and curiosity. My goal is to make readers feel the beauty of the universe, not the heaviness of its equations.”

In a region where complex STEM subjects often feel distant, Alahmadi’s approach bridges the emotional and intellectual, transforming astronomy into a shared cultural experience. 

For Alahmadi, Astrophile is more than a publication, it is a revival. She sees it as part of a wider effort to reclaim the Arab world’s historic leadership in astronomy, from scholars who once mapped the stars to modern-day dreamers shaping the space economy. 

“Astronomy, chemistry, and physics, many of these sciences were born from Arab minds,” she said. “Reviving that heritage isn’t nostalgia; it’s responsibility. We’re continuing what our ancestors began, adapting their legacy to today’s society.” 

By publishing in both Arabic and English, Astrophile bridges global and regional audiences. It reminds young Saudis and Arabs that science is not foreign, but is part of their own story.

Her vision, she said, is to “restore curiosity as a national habit.”

Behind Astrophile’s elegant visuals and clean scientific precision lies a deeper challenge: language itself. 

“One of the hardest parts is translation,” Alahmadi said. “Some technical terms, especially about rockets or engineering, simply don’t exist in Arabic. It can be frustrating, but also exciting; it gives us space to innovate linguistically.”

As well as science writing, each issue of the magazine also involves linguistic invention, as her team refines and localizes terminology to suit Arabic readers without losing scientific accuracy. 

“In a way, it feels like exploration on two fronts,” she said. “We explore space, and at the same time, we explore our language.”

That approach has given Astrophile a distinctive voice: poetic, informed, and proudly Saudi, blending design aesthetics with factual clarity. 

In just a few years, Astrophile has evolved from a passion project into a respected reference point for young science enthusiasts, teachers, and even regional media outlets seeking verified space updates in Arabic.

Under Alahmadi’s leadership, the magazine has tackled global milestones such as the James Webb Space Telescope, the Artemis lunar missions, and ֱ’s astronaut program, translating these topics into stories that resonate with Arab identity and vision.

Her message is consistent: Science is not distant, it is personal. 

“My vision is for Astrophile to become the leading reference for every Arabic-speaking space enthusiast,” she said. “I want it to inspire a generation who see space as part of their world, not beyond it.” 

Alahmadi’s blend of scientific precision and cultural sensitivity has positioned her as a voice for both innovation and inclusion, proving that women in ֱ are not only joining, but also shaping global scientific conversations. 

Her journey also reflects a broader transformation within the Kingdom, where young women are leading initiatives that merge research, creativity, and public engagement. 

As part of the new wave of Saudi science communicators, Alahmadi represents the next phase of Vision 2030’s knowledge economy, where education and innovation converge to build cultural and intellectual self-reliance. 

“Vision 2030 gave people like me permission to dream bigger,” she said. “It showed us that the Saudi youth can lead global conversations, not just follow them.”

Through her work, Alahmadi has made the cosmos feel closer, in both words and ownership. She believes every child who reads Astrophile could become the next scientist, engineer, or astronaut to carry ֱ’s ambitions beyond Earth. 

Looking ahead, she plans to expand Astrophile into a regional science communication hub, combining digital platforms, educational workshops, and multimedia storytelling.

Her long-term goal is simple, yet profound: to make Arabic the language of discovery again.

“Science belongs to everyone,” she said. “But when we tell it in our own language, we don’t just understand it, we own it.” 

As the night sky continues to inspire humankind, young innovators such as Alahmadi are proving that ֱ’s brightest stars are not just above, but right here, building the future.
 


Diriyah to host art book fair in November

Diriyah to host art book fair in November
Updated 25 October 2025

Diriyah to host art book fair in November

Diriyah to host art book fair in November
  • This year's edition features an expanded international presence

RIYADH: Diriyah will host the second PaperBack Art Book Fair from Nov. 6-8 in the JAX District, featuring more than 40 local and international institutions.

The event will bring together artists, publishers, and print enthusiasts to showcase the latest innovations in art books on an interactive platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

This year's edition features an expanded international presence, with participants from the Kingdom and countries including Egypt, China, the UAE, India, Lebanon, Qatar, the Netherlands, Morocco, Singapore, Italy, Switzerland, and Japan.

Hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the fair will offer workshops, sessions, and art performances, allowing the public to engage with creators and explore new techniques in art book and magazine production.