TheDajjah (2025)

27/08/2025

Riyadh’s metro just pulled off a headline moment, welcoming its 100 millionth passenger in less than nine months. The city’s sleek, driverless train network has gone from futuristic promise to everyday essential faster than most of us expected.

The numbers tell the story. The Blue Line along Olaya Road takes the crown with over 46 million riders. The Red Line on King Abdullah Road accounts for 17 million, while the Orange Line adds another 12 million. The remaining three lines bring the total over the 100 million mark with ease.

Performance has been just as impressive. With an on-time rate above 99 percent, the metro is delivering reliability that commuters can actually plan their days around. It has turned major stations into mini landmarks in their own right, with Qasr Al-Hukm, the Financial Center, STC, and the National Museum stops moving nearly a third of all traffic.

What makes this milestone bigger than just a number is the way it reflects a shift in how Riyadh moves. The metro isn’t an isolated system. It’s connected to a growing network of buses and transport links that allow residents to ditch traffic, hop on a train, and glide through the city.

This is more than transport infrastructure. It’s a glimpse of Riyadh’s future urban rhythm, where public transit is as much a part of daily life as morning coffee. The first 100 million rides are in the books, and the next hundred million are already on the horizon.

26/08/2025

Saudi Arabia’s SFDA just made waves in Washington, where its CEO Hisham Aljadhey called the shots at a roundtable with US business leaders. The big idea? Showing how the Saudi Food and Drug Authority is doing more than just regulating—it’s shaping a thriving, local food and drug economy that global companies want in on.
With top execs from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American firms in the room, the conversation wasn’t just polite protocol. It was about deepening ties and turning talk into tangible investment and cooperation, while positioning Saudi as a destination with serious economic muscle, strategic location, and digital-first infrastructure.
Aljadhey made it clear the SFDA isn’t just enforcing standards. It’s laying down a welcome mat for innovation, R&D, and market growth. And by reinforcing a vision focused on sustainability and expansion, the authority is positioning the Kingdom as one of the world’s fastest-growing and future-ready markets.
Here’s the bottom line: this is about more than rules. It’s a push to place Saudi at the center of the global food and drug stage and to make sure the local economy reaps the rewards.

25/08/2025

: Suhail Emerges at Dawn, Offering Promise of Cooler Days
The Jeddah Astronomical Society says that at dawn on Sunday, August 24, the star Suhail will rise above the southern horizon across the Arabian Peninsula. Long awaited, its appearance marks the shift away from the oppressive summer heat toward more temperate days ahead.
In traditional Arab understanding, Suhail’s emergence aligns with the sun’s rays gradually weakening, nights starting to draw longer, and temperatures easing at nightfall. Suhail—also known as Canopus—holds the title as the second brightest star after Sirius, glowing in soft white-yellow tones from the Carina constellation.
It’s important to note that Suhail itself doesn’t change the weather. Instead, its arrival simply matches the Earth’s seasonal tilt toward the autumnal equinox. Visible only in regions south of about 33° north latitude, the star peeks into view before sunrise on August 24. Over the coming weeks, it climbs higher in the sky, appearing at midnight by late September, as daytime temperatures ease toward the equinox on September 23.
For centuries, Suhail has served as a living calendar for desert life—guiding planting, animal migrations, travel, and hunting. It’s woven into poetry and Bedouin sayings, marking a natural and cultural turning point. This year, its rise brings a welcome sigh of relief—and a reminder of how celestial rhythms still shape life on Earth.

25/08/2025

: Over 6 Million Students Return as Classes Begin in 11 Regions
Classes in public schools across 11 Saudi regions began on Sunday, August 24, launching the 1447–1448 AH academic year. Students in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Madinah will start a week later, on August 31.
The Ministry of Education chipped away at the prep work behind the scenes. They rolled out 75 new infrastructure projects worth SR 920 million. On top of that, more than 15,000 school buildings and 884,000 air-conditioning units received maintenance, coming in at over SR 2 billion. The ministry also restored and rehabilitated more than 1,400 educational buildings at a cost of SR 782 million. All of this is geared toward launching the year in a safe and focused environment, reinforcing national values and discipline while aligning with Vision 2030’s goal to build a strong and competitive generation.
There’s a lot happening across the regions. Riyadh alone is welcoming more than 2.84 million students in 6,873 schools. The Eastern Province is getting ready for over 700,000 students. Qassim, Asir, Tabuk, Northern Borders, Hail, Al-Jouf, Jazan, Najran, and Al-Baha are all standing by—each with hundreds of schools waiting for their students. These efforts underscore the ministry’s commitment to giving every student a positive, well-organized start to the year.

25/08/2025

: Dust and Sandstorm Events Drop 53% Through July 2025
The Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms says Saudi Arabia saw a 53 percent drop in dust and sandstorm activity between January and July 2025, compared to historical averages for that period.

The numbers vary by month: January led the way with an 80 percent dip, followed by a 75 percent decline in March. Other months clocked in at 40 percent in February, 41 percent in April, 40 percent in May, 59 percent in June, and 41 percent in July.
This improvement is credited to a range of coordinated national efforts—from the Saudi Green Initiative and cloud-seeding campaigns to expanding vegetation, enforcing stricter grazing rules and using royal reserves to safeguard ecosystems. On top of that, smarter air mass patterns appear to be helping pull dust out of the picture.
This trend signals early success for Saudi Arabia’s environmental strategy. Cleaner air and fewer storm events are practical wins for cities and farms, showing that long game policies are starting to pay off in real time.

24/08/2025

: 5,000 Group Housing Licenses Issued Under New City Initiatives
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has issued over 5,000 licenses for group housing during the first half of 2025 through the Balady platform. These approvals aim to meet rising demand for shared residential spaces while improving living standards across the Kingdom.
As part of the wider More Beautiful Cities program, authorities also rolled out initiatives focused on city beautification, monitoring visual blight, and expanding smart surveillance systems. Municipalities have been equipped with upgraded tools to manage debts and accelerate public response services, making urban management faster and more efficient.
Residents are already seeing results. Response times to objections have dropped from 30 working days last year to just 9. Visual blight monitoring now covers more than 90 percent of major cities, supported by thousands of inspectors using intelligent tracking systems.
Updated guidelines for group housing were also introduced, ensuring stronger health, safety, and technical standards. Together, these efforts mark a step toward safer, cleaner, and more vibrant urban communities in line with Vision 2030 goals.

24/08/2025

: Non-resident foreigners cleared to buy property using digital identification

Saudi Arabia has approved the use of digital identification for non-resident foreigners seeking to own property in the Kingdom. The decision, announced by the Cabinet, allows individuals without Saudi residency to use their digital ID as official documentation when purchasing real estate.
Until now, property ownership was mostly restricted to Saudi citizens and residents with permits. The new policy broadens access, giving international buyers and investors a pathway into the Kingdom’s real estate market without the need for local residency.
The digital ID system is designed to verify identity securely through online platforms, cutting down paperwork and easing compliance with regulations. Officials have stressed that verification protocols will remain strict to safeguard the integrity of property transactions.
This step is part of wider reforms reshaping the real estate sector, which has seen a wave of regulatory updates aimed at boosting transparency, increasing foreign participation, and aligning with Vision 2030 goals to diversify investment. The move signals Saudi Arabia’s ambition to make property ownership more accessible to a global audience while tightening its position as a regional real estate hub.

23/08/2025

: Mayoralty clears 4.4 million sqm to polish Jeddah’s streets and smile

Jeddah got a serious deep clean in July. The Mayoralty cleared around 4.4 million square meters of vacant land, sending a clear signal that urban pride matters.
Crews swept 313,000 kilometers of streets and squares by hand, and another 109,000 by machine. They disinfected over 48,000 trash containers, freshened up more than 2,000 park facilities, washed 2,000 kilometers of sidewalks, and cleaned a staggering 21,000 kilometers of highways.
The city also tackled visual clutter. More than 7,500 illegal billboards and posters were pulled down, graffiti was scrubbed off over 3,000 square meters, 550 street vendor hotspots were moved, 2,000 concrete blockades were cleared, and 877 tons of algae removed. Beaches got attention too—370 kilometers scrubbed. To wrap it up, they hauled away 118,000 cubic meters of bulky waste and disposed of 1,700 used tires, plus lent cleanup support to 11 community events.
It’s a big leap toward a cleaner, safer, more sustainable city. With improved sanitation and a tidier landscape, Jeddah’s residents get a better urban experience—exactly what great city living should be.

23/08/2025

: Visual Arts Commission launches Art Bridges in Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain

The Visual Arts Commission is taking Saudi creativity global with the launch of its Art Bridges cultural programs in four countries: Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain. The initiative is designed to connect Saudi artists with international audiences through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects that spotlight contemporary Saudi art on the world stage.
Art Bridges gives Saudi artists the chance to present their work abroad while engaging in joint exhibitions, residencies, and professional development. Each host country will feature a tailored program that blends local context with Saudi creative voices.
In Scotland, the focus will be on collaborative exhibitions and artist talks. Japan will highlight cross-cultural workshops and interactive installations. Korea’s program is set to showcase digital art and host panel discussions, while Spain will stage public art interventions and educational sessions aimed at building community dialogue.
By creating new platforms for Saudi artists overseas, the Visual Arts Commission is reinforcing cultural exchange as a central pillar of Vision 2030. Art Bridges isn’t only about showing art abroad—it’s about forging lasting connections, amplifying Saudi voices, and embedding the Kingdom in global conversations around culture and creativity.

23/08/2025

: Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Warns Against Lingering at the Black Stone
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reminded pilgrims not to stop at the Black Stone during Tawaf. Lingering at the corner of the Kaaba, officials warned, can disrupt the movement of worshippers and create unnecessary risks in an already crowded space.
Instead of attempting to kiss or touch the stone, pilgrims are encouraged to gesture toward it while keeping their pace steady around the Kaaba. Authorities stressed that the essence of Tawaf lies in spiritual focus and remembrance, not physical contact that could compromise safety.
The guidance comes as part of broader crowd management measures, particularly important during peak pilgrimage seasons when millions of people enter the Grand Mosque. Even small interruptions can cause cascading effects, slowing down rituals and creating potential hazards for worshippers.
The message is clear: order and safety go hand in hand with devotion, ensuring that every pilgrim can perform Tawaf with both reverence and ease.

22/08/2025

: Prince Faisal Engages Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain on Regional Issues

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held phone conversations with his counterparts from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, regional developments, and areas of shared concern.
The talks reflect Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation within the Gulf, emphasizing open dialogue and coordination with its closest neighbors. By maintaining consistent communication, the Kingdom continues to position itself as a central player in advancing regional stability and joint action.
For the Gulf states, this kind of engagement helps strengthen diplomatic ties and ensure a unified approach to pressing challenges. It also reinforces the importance of collective decision-making in shaping the region’s political and economic future.

21/08/2025

: Foreign Online Store Blocked for Selling Fake Bullion

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has shut down a foreign online store that was attempting to sell counterfeit gold bullion to local consumers. The fake bars, made of copper and coated with a thin layer of gold, were being marketed at unusually low prices to lure buyers.
Authorities acted swiftly to block the platform and reinforce the Kingdom’s consumer protection framework. The action comes under the enforcement of Saudi Arabia’s E-Commerce Law, which aims to ensure trust and transparency in digital transactions.
Shoppers are being urged to verify online sellers through official platforms such as the Saudi Business Center before making purchases. The Ministry has reminded consumers to avoid unknown or unlicensed online stores, especially when buying high-value items like gold.
This move highlights Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to protecting its growing digital economy and maintaining confidence in online marketplaces. It also signals a zero-tolerance approach toward fraud as the Kingdom continues to expand its e-commerce sector under Vision 2030.

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