dr issue 30

IT’S YOUR RIYADHAl Nahda Election Campaign

Saudi Little Bakers

EXPLORE BASEL

ISSUE 30 AUGUST 2015

The College Experience

Wafa Altajel Shaping Young Minds

SHAKE OFF THE SUMMER HEAT

CUTENESS OVERLOAD

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F R O M T H E E D I T O R

Editor-in-Chief Enas HashaniManaging Editor Maria MahdalyExecutive Editor Bassma Al Toaimi

Regional Editorial Manager Jou PabalateRegional Editor Johara Al MogbelAssociate Editor/Photographer Mohammed Deghaishm

Editors Sahrish AliSohila El SaadanyContributing WritersAmal Al Toaimi Anne Marie Argile Duha AlHosainy Felwa AlhudaithyHanin Al Oufi Maya DaaboulMassa BitarMohammed Mirza Reina Tejano Shoug Alsalamah Sobia JavedTharik HussainZareen Muzaffar

Art Director Reem Al Assal Studio Manager Mohamed FawzyGraphic DesignersMohammed Rashad Dina Al Amoudi Jalila Alharith PhotographersJohara Al MogbelJou PabalateMohammed DeghaishmMohamed FawzyNawaf Al Farraj Online Editor Mohammed MirzaSocial Media Agent Hurreia BalouchWeb Admin/Associate Editor Swalah Eshki

Cover PhotoNawaf Al Farraj

Editorial [email protected] Public Relations and [email protected]

Sales & Advertising [email protected]

Riyadh Office: Mob: +966-509752274 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)Jeddah Office:Tel: +966-12-6060291 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)Mob: +966-563578291 (9 a.m. - 10 p.m.)

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*Destination Riyadh Magazine is a Rumman Company Publication.

License No. 7862-8/8/1431Mob: +966-509752274P.O. Box 4113 Jeddah 21491

Enas Hashani Editor-in-Chief

WELCOME BACK, RIYADHIS!

August is proving to be the month when everyone is getting back into the grind. The school year begins, vacationers are flying back in and some people are still recovering from their post-Eid celebrations.

So for this month, we decided to ease you in with an edition that is lighthearted yet equally inspiring and relevant. This edition is carefully curated and designed to give you hopeful vibes sprinkled with a generous serving of undeniable cuteness.

Actions speak louder than words and this is most true when it comes to creating change that impacts the future generation of Riyadh. Such saying is personified by the women we have been privileged to feature this month, Wafa Altajel and Reema Al Khorayef, whose efforts are shaping the young minds in the city.

We've also had a interesting sit-down with The College Experience, a team of young entrepreneurs whose search for school pride and wit has now become a lucrative business concept.

Speaking of young talents, on our cover are Riyadh's cutest baking sisters and they are bound to melt your hearts. These young lassies started their own YouTube channel to share their love for baking and charmed everyone during their TEDxKids talk.

But wait, there's more! We've got a milkshake roundup tucked inside our dining section, our "funnest" places to go list that even the children at heart would enjoy. Oh, and we've also come up with things to do for you and your family to keep your sanity this summer.

Riyadh is full of life once more and it's just waiting for you to start living in it to the fullest. There’s no such thing as a dull city moment if you make Destination your monthly habit.

And so, dear readers, may you enjoy your trip through our pages and may you live them out with utmost enthusiasm.

DESTINATION RIYADH AUGUST 2015 4

Spirituality• Real Girl Power• Education and Knowledgein Islam• Empathy Can Transform Your Life

Dining Around Town• Dining Scoop- Elixir Bunn• Le Cordon Bleu in Paris• Funnest Food Places• The Best Shakes in Riyadh

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Healthy Living• Reema Alkhorayef: Founder of Ain Alfaras• Better Academic Performance• Fitness for the Familia

Travel Trends• Travel News:- Hyatt Regency Makkah Opens - Four Seasons Launches New App• Suppressed Swiss-Lam

Explore KSA• An Adventure on the Edge• Historic Saudi: Khamis Bin Rimthan

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Arts & Entertainment• Save Your Sanity• Khaleeji Children's Books

Style & Shopping• Fresh Up Your Playroom• Home Remedies for Glowing Skin

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Special Features• Riyadh's Little Bakers

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Business• Madarisna App• The Inspiring Wafa Altajel• Creating the College Experience

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Go on a trip to Basel, Switzerland with Tharik Hussain.

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Creating the College Experience

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C O M M U N I T Y

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Brands Join Ramadan Charity Bandwagon

Saudi Website Provides Guide to Schools

Uber Riyadh and Cavalli Café are two of a number of corporations that have unrolled creative charity campaigns to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. Uber Riyadh teamed up with Albir Organization to deliver food contributions from clients to the organization for free for one day, while Cavalli Café pledged 5 riyals from every bill to charity. The Saudi Electric Company in collaboration with the Disabled Children’s Association also participated, with their team giving out iftar starter packs to passer-bys near their headquarter building. Regardless of how small or big the gesture is, we love that companies are starting to give back to society. It heeds well for the future.

We found a couple of Saudi websites that aim to help parents by providing a searchable database of K-12 schools in Saudi Arabia. The website design is simple and easy to understand, and they made it easier by having

detailed information, in separate tabs, for every school as well as the ability to review the various institutes. Kurrasa.com is geared more towards English speakers while SaudiSchoolGuide.com is for Arabic oriented speakers.


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Saudi Team Wins Six Medals at Gulf Mathematics Olympiad

King Khalid International Airport Hosts Art Gallery

Thumbs up to Ministry of Interior Rolls Out Updated Website Rejoice, all those with official business! The Ministry of Interior have recently updated their website to a cleaner, user friendly design, which allows for easier navigation when accessing your information and applying for appointments and the like. Thumbs up for the change, as it’ll be making our lives (and the lives of all the people in HR) easier.

More genius abounds from the country! According to Mawhiba, the Saudi team won six medals in the 4th Gulf Mathematics Olympiad held in Kuwait, achieving the first six places and winning two gold and four silver medals. The six participants achieved all of the first six places out of 36 students from other Gulf countries and 18 medals, two gold, ten silver and six bronze. The winning students

In an initiative to prettify airports, Art Jameel unrolled a new art gallery in the middle of the domestic terminal. The new initiative is titled Connected: Art in Airports, and was made in collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Saudi Art Association in Jeddah. The non-profit exhibition is a series of exhibitions at airports that aims to expose the masses visiting

the city and traveling through the airport to various forms of art by young and established artists from Saudi Arabia. Art works and installations of various sizes and mediums from acclaimed local artists Abdulnasser Gharem, Ahmed Mater, Faisal Samra, Noorah Kareem, Rashed Al Shashai and Huda Beydoun. (Source: Community Jameel)

are Al Zubair Mohamed Habibullah, gold medal, Shadin Naif Al Shammari, gold medal, Omar Tawfiq Al Rabia’a, silver medal, Majid Al Marhomi, silver medal, Renad Yahya Abu Al Jamal, silver medal, Hamza Tariq Shafi, silver medal.


E V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G SE V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G SE V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G SE V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G S

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

1. Tateemat Ramadan Charity DinnerBunyan Charity held their annual charity suhoor at their headquarters on June 30. The food was prepared by the foundation’s own kitchen that employs women in need, and all proceeds went towards funding the projects Bunyan is undertaking. The event was set up by Outdoor Gatherings and Peonies Events.

3. Ana Tayyeb by Lel Kheir Lel Kheir and Fonjan Studios held a children’s fair in Kore Studios space, with a café for the mothers and activities for the children. The aim of the fair was to promote healthy development and allow children to gain decent manners. The fair spanned a weekend, from July 2 – 4.3.

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2. Sahab Exhibition in Alkhozama Hall Sahab exhibition focused mainly on clothing and jewelry. A number of notable designers were in attendance, from newbie Eme Jewels to veteran Mona Alotaishan, as well as a booth that sold karak in a clay pot. The exhibition ran from July 1 – 3.


7. APSCO Kicks off Campaign Across Social Networking SitesThe Arabian Petroleum Supply Company launched a campaign through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to encourage teenagers to interact amongst each other. The campaign started on July 17 and lasted five days. At the end of the campaign winners were selected at random to win a trip to London to watch the 2015 Super Cup between Al Hilal and Al Nasr.

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5. Mid-Ramadan Crate in Alaan ArtspaceAlaan Artspace held their most anticipated event from June 29 – July 4. The pop-up shop included a number of up-and-coming designers, from Bashayer Al Qunaybet, 83 Store, Waw Abayas, Red 2 KSA, Sallure, Loving My Bag, Sara Coture, Loomer, Gumesh, Lamb & Lu, a Diamond Story, as well as THIS Toothbrush.

6. Tasamy Hosts Resala ExhibitionTasamy for Social Entrepreneurship held an exhibition celebrating Arabic calligraphy in collaboration with six artists. Fahad Almajhadi, Ammar Almahmoud, Shaker Kashegri, Ahmed Jeddawi, Yusuf Yahya and Mazen Andejani exhibited their artworks and cultural masterpieces, as well as gave live explanations and demonstrations to the attendees.

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4. Drift Force Second Edition The second round of Drift Force screeched into Riyadh on July 2 – 3 in Dirab Park. The categories encompassed amateurs, semi-professionals and professionals. From the amateurs, first place went to Fahad Alrasheed, in second place was Bader Alsharee and in third was Talal Alasmi. In semi-professionals, Abdulaziz Bamaas placed first, Khalid Alzeid second, and Nicholas third. In professionals, Saeed Almoory placed first for the second year in a row, while second place went to Abdulhadi Alqahtani and third to Ubaid Alonezi.


SEPT. 7 – 8 KINGDOM FUTURE ENERGY SUMMITEvent dedicated to renewable energies, energy efficiency and clean technologies.

Email: [email protected]: kingdomfes.com

SEPT. 13 – 15 CINDERELLA EXHIBITIONThe exhibition will be showcasing business owners, business women, charities, productive families and will be giving them the opportunity to present their products and services.

Mob: +966-595744122Email: [email protected] 4pazar

7 13SEPT. SEPT.

SEPTEMBER 2015NEXTMONTH

AUG. 26 – 27NEUROPHYSIOLOGY AND EPILEPSY WORKSHOPDirected by Dr. Amal Mokeem; two-day workshop and lecture.

Location: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research CenterEmail: [email protected]

AUG. 26 – 30SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT COURSESix Sigma course offered by the Asian Institute of Quality Management.

Fee: SR 3,000Mob: +966-561236836 Email: [email protected]: aiqmindia.com

26AUG.

AUG. 14 RIYADH CHESS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTInternational Chess tournament.

Location: MIRA HotelMob: +966-558620750Web: saudichess.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

E V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G S

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AUG. 30 CLINICAL CODINGFamiliarizing trainees with ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS.

Location: King Saud UniversityEmail: [email protected]

AUG. 30 – SEPT. 3 DIRECTIONS EXHIBITIONExhibition for graphics and interior sections of Prince Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

Location: Prince Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityEmail: [email protected]

AUG.

AUG.


B U S I N E S S

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If you think there’s not much you can do for your community, think again, because having your say may just be a VOTE away.

In December 2015, the Kingdom will have its nationwide municipality elections. Saudi citizens aged 18 and above will have the opportunity to vote for the council leaders of their respective neighborhoods.To help you get ready for the elections, Al Nahda Charity Organization launched a Kingdom-wide Election Awareness Campaign. We sat down with their team to assist you in making the right decision and choose Riyadh’s next municipality leaders.

WHY VOTE IN THE FIRST PLACE?Voting is important for multiple reasons. One is that it is a right provided to us by the government and we should exercise it with much responsibility. Additionally, voting is a way for citizens to actively participate in the welfare of their society on issues that affect them directly, like road safety and hygiene.The process of voting is educational in its own right. Citizens will truly understand what it means to give their

By Jou Pabalate WHAT CHANGES WILL BE SEEN IN THE NEXT COUNCIL?

In terms of form:1. In the third term there will be more members in each council. Some councils will have over 100 percent increase, for example, Riyadh Council will go from 14 members to 30 members.

2. There will be an increase in the number of elected officials, from 1/2 to 2/3 of the members.

3. Women will be allowed to vote and run.

4. The voting age went down from 21 to 18 years old.

In terms of substance, the role of the council has changed. In the past two terms it was more of a consulting and observatory body. Now their role falls in four categories:

1. Decision making: They will be able to review and approve budgets and plans by the municipality (baladiya).

2. Input: They will research and provide input or advice regarding local policies and projects.

3. Oversight: This will assist in ensuring accountability and transparency in municipality dealings.

4. Consulting.

WITH THE CHANGE IN THE VOTING AGE AND THE ROLES OF THE COUNCIL, IT’S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEIR VOTE MEANS. WHERE CAN VOTERS GET MORE INFORMATION?For those who want to know about the elections, we want them to attend our workshops that will run until the end of August (to overlap slightly with the voter registration period that falls from Aug. 22 to Sept. 14). The workshops are posted on our website wataneea.com and registration is online.

If people already understand the role and are eager to vote and want to help us spread the word, they can do it in the following ways: they can volunteer with us in the workshops, events or host us at their institution where we will come and train their colleagues.

voice to someone and they will go for a candidate who reflects their values. The process of voting and learning how to do it is invaluable. It provides a sense of agency and productive community participation.

Web: wataneea.com

alnahda_ksa


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Share it with the world.

FINANCIAL PLANNING W I T H R E E M A S A A D

“Undeterred” is a book authored by Rania Habiby Anderson, founder of thewaywomenwork.com and a leading expert on the professional advancement of businesswomen in growth economies.

It offers a structured approach for overcoming obstacles via storytelling. This is how it works: a collection of real life stories and anecdotes recounted by successful (yet ordinary women) from various countries in different settings and circumstances.

In Saudi Arabia, there are tons of success stories with great entrepreneurial lessons. Sadly, they mostly go undocumented and the new generation misses out on the opportunity to bypass many hurdles had these stories been told.

The Author:Reem Asaad is an inspirational Saudi woman. She is a wife, mother, writer and financial adviser.

Asaad was ranked the third most powerful Arab Woman in 2012 by Arabian Business Magazine.

Email: [email protected] Nasi7atreem

In Nasi7atreem.org I get a lot of questions on how to start up a project/company. Often times the questions relate to regulatory, cultural or financial challenges. In startup incubators, entrepreneurs are guided and trained on how to overcome those challenges. However, when we read stories shared by successful entrepreneurs with similar experiences within the same region(s) the inspiration we feel is paramount. It helps us through our down moments and keeps us going.

According to Entrepreneur magazine, every once in a while, you read a book that changes you – inspiring your career, clarifying your goals, challenging your thinking. The right book can give you the courage to start your business, the reality check that you're not yet ready or the quiet affirmation that you're not alone in your fears or ambitions. It can set you on your path to success.

As I write this article, I am juggling a full-time job, family duties and my first start up on financial awareness. As I go, I note down the lessons and stories I learned along the way and I plan to share this with as many entrepreneurs as I can.

YOUR FINANCE STORY


THE FIRST AUGMENTED REALITY ENABLED MAGAZINE IN KSA

Download Destination KSA AR+ app Available on Google play

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Look for the Destination KSA AR+ logo on magazine pages

Open the application and point the camera to the

page with the AR+ icon and experience the magic.

Scan the QR code to download the application from the App Store and Google Play, Destination KSA AR+ Application is developed and powered by Zeedia platform.

www.zeedia.net

WHAT IS AUGMENTED REALITY? Augmented reality is an advanced technology that enhances digital information with a live video. In other words, AR utilizes an existing picture and blends new data into it. This technology can offer numerous benefits for businesses; as it helps customers experience what your product has to offer in an entertaining attractive method. Experts refer to augmented reality as an artificial environment presented through the combination of real world and digital data.

WHAT IS DESTINATION KSA AR+?Destination KSA AR+ is a mobile application through which Desitnation magazines evolved to Augmented Reality enabled magazines. We believe that through AR technologies the perception of printed media can be altered to the best.

Combining printed media with AR technologies will enhance the reader experience enormously through:- Circularity of communication - Dynamic contents

- High degree of interactivity- Active enjoyment- Multi-medialitySo enabling Destination magazines with AR technologies through the use of Destination KSA AR+ will definitely revolutionize the perception of its readers.

Follow the instructions below to download the application and enjoy a whole new experience of Destination magazines. Reality has been Updated.

DESTINATION RIYADH AUGUST 201516

Pick the Right School

MADARISNAWITH

B U S I N E S S

Finding the perfect school for our children will never be the same again with Madarisna App. Collecting all the information that parents need during their school search will no longer be a problem. Parents can now make better informed decisions regarding where to enroll their children with this easy and user-friendly mobile application.

Madarisna is a school locator platform developed by Emkan Education. It is available for download on the App store and Google Play store.

While parents can find valuable information about school services on Madarisna, they can also rate schools according to five criteria including administration, extracurricular activities and building facilities. They can post reviews about schools and view other parents comments as well.

Upon finding a suitable school, parents can add it to their list of favorites, check the links to other social media applications like Instagram and Twitter, or even share the school page with other parents they know.

Users also have the option to add a school’s name in case it is not present on the app itself. The application support team will then locate the school and get in touch with it to collect all the needed information and present it on the app. Madarisna currently has 500 schools and the database is expanding. The search can be conducted using several filters including grade, curriculum or tuition.

Let Madarisna help you on your quest to provide your child with the best education.

Web: madarisna.emkaneducation.com

madarisnaApp

Not only does it offer the location and contact information of different schools across the Kingdom, but also other details such as: • Extracurricular activities • Facilities • Tuition • Curriculums and more, enabling parents to get all the tools necessary to make the right decision.

Missing School in the App?

Rating and comments

Get there or get in touch

ADVERTORIAL


A veteran of the field, Altajel spent 21 years developing her passion for children’s education, first taking her college degree in kindergarten education and then continuing in Educational Psychology for her higher degrees. Seeking to develop herself and others more, she founded the Tarbawion Publishers and

chaired as editor-in-chief of a teacher’s periodical for 10 years. But her journey didn’t stop there. She managed to produce a number of children’s books and educational guides as well as three translated publications. Mightily inspired, we decided to sit down and benefit from all the experience Altajel has accumulated.

Wafa Altajel Writer, Editor, Bookstore OwnerA researcher, writer, and an educator with a message is how Wafa Altajel describes herself.By Johara Al Mogbel

B U S I N E S S


How do you get inspired while writing a children’s book?

Every story I write takes its due time of research. For example, Abnaa’ Alqamar (Children of the Moon) is an informative picture book that teaches children the historical definition behind the names of the Hijri months. I consulted specialists in the Arabic language as well as went back to the official dictionaries to choose the simplest explanations. For Saadoon and Maymoon, it’s a story that speaks about the tragedy of loss and the tendency for children to use rage as an outlet, so I looked into using a non-human character as a foil to present it in a lighthearted manner.

Bareed Almouallim is the only concept of its kind in Saudi Arabia. How did you come up with the concept? What motivated you while building the magazine?

While working as a trainer at King Saud University and my work with the students in the field when they took their training, I had firsthand experience with the difficulties a teacher faces, especially in private schools. The teacher is required to be a writer, an artist, crafter and educator, and very few of them have

the energy to expound all the effort it requires. So I thought of making something teachers can use as a reference for their lessons and help them plan and execute them creatively, and the magazine was born. From there, it kept developing over 75 issues.

What are the difficulties you face running an educational summer camp? And what is the nicest experience you’ve had with it?

My role in the camp is to design the program, train the employees, and supervise the execution. The difficulties are mostly centered on finding employees that are aware of the importance of their roles and believe in it. Afakir Li Akoon (I Think to Be) is a program that aims to improve the thought process of the children and to develop their set of personal and leadership skills so that they gain more confidence and ability. The nicest experience I had involves practical application and behavioral change. We had held an experiment that involved the pillars of


with a businessman or woman to take care of the commercial difficulties that I had to learn from scratch unwillingly.

Where do you get the most support in your personal and professional life?

My parents, may Allah bless them with long life, are my biggest supporters and encouragers. Their prayers and support has lasted through every stage of my life. My husband and children as well, as they’ve born my full schedule and supported it all throughout.

Islam, and talked about the importance of prayer and how it’s the foundation that holds up the religion, and then we discovered later that one of our camp goers had started teaching her little brother to pray, and we were happy that the experiment had such a profound effect.

Do you have any advice for mothers?

Don’t be miserly with your time with your children. Take the time to try to understand them and their needs, as your home is a place for nurturing, not merely a pit stop where they find food and clothes. And put effort into being a role model they can follow to obtain the values you want to see in them.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I’m currently working on designing a fun Arabic curriculum for children that can be used to build proper foundation in the language. Allah willing, I am hoping it will help generate a generation that can think for itself, instead of blindly follow.

What’s the one thing you would change in your business if you had the chance to do it again?

After trial and error, I discovered that I am an educator and a writer, not a merchant or a manager, so if I could go back in time, I would stick to being the editor-in-chief of Bareed Almouallim and co-partner


B U S I N E S S

Who’s the team behind TCE?We are a group of friends from Alfaisal University. We graduated from different colleges; Adel Helmi and Karam Hamweyah from Medicine, Ammar Awaad from Business, and Nayef Alsuwailem from Engineering. Not only are we from different educational backgrounds, but we are also quite culturally diverse as some of us have spent time living abroad. It really translates into a unique cocktail of thoughts and ideas highlighted by our distinct designs and products.

From a simple idea of building college pride, the team behind The College Experience (TCE) stumbled upon an entrepreneurial gem that’s going to change the way you view t-shirts.By Jou Pabalate

Creating the COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

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How did the idea for your business come about?We were one of the first students at Alfaisal University. We took it upon ourselves to shape what the college experience in Saudi Arabia should be like. What we noticed was a lack of pride in the college and traditions.

We started with apparels in the college colors. People loved the great quality products and the demand for something more fashionable grew. Our core founders also attracted colleagues who could collaborate to create something better. We extended our focus towards pop culture and incorporated it with the social movement we were trying to invoke.

How did you start turning the idea into an actual enterprise?College students and high school graduates patronized our products but as expected our efforts met resistancefrom the administrations. We realized we needed to stand on a more solid ground to move forward. We researched what students across campuses were looking for and produced high quality products tailored according to the students’ preferences.

The administrations took notice. We began presenting ourselves as an enterprise and held meetings with PR and marketing departments. We were now giving our

service to both universities and students. We became the official clothing sponsors for charity events like the Mount Everest climb for Breast Cancer Awareness. Now we have our characters Abu Faris and Tamra representing our enterprise.

What are the things you’ve learned since you started TCE? Nothing comes easy or free, believe you can and you will achieve. Resistance is proof that you might be on to something great. It’s best not to be too headstrong. A startup can break if the team is weak. Always aspire to fix problems to help the team move forward.


You mentioned that some of you are pursuing your careers alongside running TCE. How are you able to manage and sustain the business? Is having a 9 - 5 job helpful for startup entrepreneurs or is it a distraction?

It’s difficult and we struggle at times. The key is to set clear parameters for each one of us. Our 9 - 5 jobs are definitely important and provide us with financial stability, but they leave us with less time to focus on our own business. Those nights when we had to stay up until 3 a.m. were totally worth it.

You’d be surprised by how much your job could complement and enhance your startup. Whether it’s contacts and networking or just learning how to run a business, a 9 - 5 job may seem entirely separate but at the core it’s a learning experience.

If you were to give advice to other aspiring young entrepreneurs, what would it be?You need a committed team, you can’t do things alone. There will be mistakes and messes but you have to get through them. Once an entire batch of clothes came in the wrong color but we didn’t let it bring us down. Always be positive and enjoy what you do. The positive effect your mood has on your business is invaluable.

What’s next for TCE? We want to expand to the rest of the Kingdom. It will surely benefit us but it will also benefit the community by creating jobs and streamlining the production. We’re also infusing the Saudi culture into our products. We want to become the service people turn to.

We’re working on a few apparel lines. We plan to expand our range of products and also become a source of passion for artists and a driving force in evolving the culture enveloping our youth.

To TCE, t-shirts are more than just a piece of cloth to cover your back; they are blank canvasses and an underrated form of expression that we look to highlight for the years to come.

Email: [email protected]

TCEarabia

tcearabia


There is nothing we love more than a child with a hobby. Ten-year-old Lamar and 5-year-old Yara not only fit that bill, but have managed to take their hobby to a whole other level. By Shoug Alsalamah

Little

BAKERSRiyadh’s

Experienced bakers, the girls decided to channel their passion into, well, a literal channel by helping other children learn along with them on YouTube. And this reporter won’t lie, we learned a lot as adults too.


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1. How did you start?

Lamar: In America I studied fractions in math and I was having a little trouble with it, so my mom told me in baking they use fractions so I started to bake and I became in love with it ever since! From that I wanted to show and teach other kids how to bake and tell them cool tips in my videos.

Yara: I started baking with the help of my sister Lamar because when she would bake she told me to come and be her helper.

2. Who inspired you to learn cooking? Lamar: My mom and when I was little I loved to watch her baking and then I fell in love with cooking shows on Food Network and Fatafeet.

Yara: My mom and my sister Lamar.

3. What’s your favorite dish? Why?

Lamar: Soufflé because it's delicious and it only needs a few ingredients.

Yara: Chocolate cake because it's delicious.

As you can see both of us love chocolate!

4. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Lamar: I haven't decided because I've tried lots of things like baking and pottery that can lead to my future career but I might discover something I love even more later, you never know.

Yara: I want to be a baker when I grow up.

5. Who cooks better, your mother or your father?

Lamar and Yara: Our mother and grandma.

6. What do you do in your spare time?

Lamar: Baking of course, pottery and swimming.

Yara: Baking, painting, and playing with my dolls.

Lamar Yara



GOT INSPIRED by Lamar and Yara? Start making learning fun for your kiddos! Here’s how…

Baking a cake can easily be turned into a fantastic opportunity to allow your child to learn. For most children, if you said; “Hey, let’s learn fractions!” they would turn away in horror. What if,

though, you said; “Hey, let’s bake a cake.” Would the response be the same? Highly unlikely, but unbeknownst to your child, he WILL learn about fractions during the cake making process!

Begin by looking up a recipe on the Internet.

Create a shopping list of ingredients and ask your child to write it out.

Take your child shopping and follow their lead in sourcing the ingredients. They may struggle to find some things, but encourage them to ask a staff member for assistance if needed.

• Computing/Internet usage (You’ve already started the learning aspect of it, and you’re only on step one!)

• Handwriting practice • Reading (aisle signs)

• Social skills (approaching a staff member and making a query)

• Practice of good manners (saying please/thank you)

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STEP

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Bake-ucationBy Sobia Javed


Tell your child to compare products to ensure you’re getting the best deal, or look at the special offers in store. Also, assist them in keeping a rough running tally of prices of the products they’ve selected so far.

Once you’re home and ready to begin, encourage good hygiene practice by having them wash their hands. Assist your child in following the recipe.

When the cake is ready, have your child cut it into half, quarters, eighths and make a point of counting the number of pieces. As you eat the cake, you can discuss how much is remaining (we’ve eaten a quarter, so there are three quarters remaining, etc.)

• Discussion about the spread of germs and how it can be prevented.

• Reading practice (reading the recipe)

• Comprehension (understanding what is required from the recipe)

• Measuring, weighing, using scales, converting measurements (maths)

• Time keeping

• Math (fractions)

• Discuss healthy eating and how certain foods should be limited.

• Practice sharing by giving some cake to neighbors.

• Mental maths

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You can modify your involvement and the steps depending on the age of your child.

All this, just from baking a cake. And the best thing? Your child will not even be aware they are learning, and even better – there’s a cake to enjoy afterwards!


NAME: Mishail Ehsan Al Faqeeh

AGE: 20

COLLEGE STUDENT: Double majoring in Marketing and Project Management at AlFaisal University and one of the very first artistic embroiderers in Riyadh.

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What got you started? I started embroidering when I was 10 years old, my fourth grade teacher introduced me to the basic stitches in sewing class, and I fell in love with it ever since.

Although I had an artistic vision since childhood, it took me many years to listen to my creative soul and become an artist. In fact, I didn’t start calling myself an artist, or share my art to the world, until recently in early 2013. Why do you art?I choose art to deliver a message when words and actions fail me. Making art has always been so important to me that it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. The greatest thing about it is using mixed media and having this sense of endless possibilities.

Is your work the result of sudden inspiration, or long term planning? How do you think up your concepts?I am a self-taught artist, therefore planning and preparing ahead is not a possibility. I will “see” or dream an image that I will quickly try to capture as a small sketch. Other times I just start collaging papers, ideas and images, to support my concept. I usually get inspired

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

by an artwork or a topic I’m interested in, and try my best to come up with the desired result.

What do you think of the art scene in Riyadh? Anything you’d like to see changed?I am extremely impressed with the vast growth of artistic culture in Riyadh. There are some incredibly talented artists of all disciplines. I think everyone in Saudi felt this “artistic boom” in the last five years.

What does being creative mean to you? Being creative means that I get the privilege to make and deliver aspects of many elements in different ways to reach and touch the hearts of a variety of people.

Favorite piece of artwork by someone else? Seeing seeing - 김대현 Daehyun Kim

Mishembroidery

By Johara Al Mogbel

MEET THIS MONTH’S EMERGING ARTIST!

ARTIST’S CORNER

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WHAT’S UP QUSAI?Qusai has cemented his name into the Saudi music scene with his hit songs, successful collaborations and fresh take on melodies from all over the world. He makes sure his music is always unconventional and creative so his audience is exposed to something new and ingenious every time.

In an interview with Qusai, the artist lets us in on his work, video clips, ads and all things new.By Sohila El Saadany




FOR BEHIND

THE SCENES

Hover on the page



Qusai is no stranger to TV, not only because he cohosted Arab’s Got Talent but also because he has taken part in several ads for major companies such as Pepsi, Zain, MasterCard and recently Chrysler, the latter for which he provided the melodies and ensured that all these marvelous sounds came from the car itself.

When asked whether filming an ad and a video clip is different he replied, “The video is my child. Every time I create music, there’s already something in the back of my mind building a story behind how I see the video. I sit with the director and tell him my vision and then he turns it live, so I am more involved in there.

In an ad, I am an ambassador who is representing it. We sit collectively though, because I have a certain image that I will not shake for anybody. So far everyone I have worked with has respected that image and has even said that the reason they wanted to work with me was because of my image.”

As for his recent plans, Qusai reveals, “In 2015, I’m all over the place. I love music, writing songs and collectively working with artists I respect. I am not talking about mainstream artists; I am talking about local artists, from KSA specifically and the Arab world generally. Therefore, I released a mix tape that is available online for free, all 16 songs for my fans.”

He continues, “I am currently working on two different albums internationally. One is a solo album and the other is an album with my brother and my friend from the US, Dee Light. The name of the group is Urban Legacy and the last album we released together was 10 years ago.” He is also working on a video clip for his song “I’m Cool,” which was released through iTunes.

I experiment with my music and inject new

sounds into it as I add so many

flavors and cultures.

— Qusai




Billy BeezTake the children to Billy Beez for some fast paced fun. It’s the ultimate indoor soft play experience for thrill seekers aged 3 and up. Kids will love climbing to dizzy heights and crossing aerial walkways before descending giant slides, the tube ones are particularly fast and furious! There’s even more fun to be had with the ballistic ball shooters. Kids team up to battle it out shooting, dodging and collecting an endless supply of soft foam balls. Location: Al Nakheel Mall

HOW TO K E E P Y O U R S A N I T Y T H I S S U M M E R ?Make sure the little ones spend their summer happily.By Anne Marie Argile

Get Crafty Arts and crafts are a simple, fun and satisfying activity for all ages and abilities. Whether it’s creating a spaceship from an old cardboard tube or making a hedgehog from a paper plate, your child will love getting creative and having something to show for their hard work.

Don’t panic if you’re not a natural, there are some

great ideas online and a visit to Al Shark (Kuwaiti Souk) is the perfect place to stock up

on all things crafty.


Mishkat A visit to Mishkat is a must! An

innovative and interactive center for atomic and renewable energy,

Mishkat will inspire and enlighten all young scientists and budding inventors of the future. Children

will relish the hands on experience: the countless buttons to push,

screens to touch, levers to pull and handles to turn as they explore

the exciting possibilities of solar, wind and wave energy. A dynamic team of facilitators are on-hand to enhance the learning experience.

Location: Olaya St.

Web: mishkat.org.sa

Café CéramiqueLet young artists unleash their creativity at Café Céramique. There’s great pottery to choose from, it’s easy to do and fun for all ages. Kids get to pick their paints from an extensive color chart including some special finishes. For those requiring inspiration, there’s plenty of finished pottery on display. Alternatively, let imaginations flow and create something truly original. Staff are helpful and on-hand to explain what to do, offer advice on colors and provide overalls and extra brushes. Masterpieces are ready for collection after one week. Location: Hayat Mall

Explore Languages Learning a language has never been more fun so help your children get ahead this summer by introducing them to a new language or give them the chance to improve existing skills. Download

the innovative Premier Skills learning app from the British Council, an interactive experience that will give kids the vocabulary to talk about all things football. Courses are also running for 8 to 17-year-olds. Visit britishcouncil.sa for

full details. Alliance Française is also running summer camps to help kids learn French in a friendly and fun way. The British Council Web: britishcouncil.sa

Alliance Française Email: [email protected]



L E A R N I N G IS FUN

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How can you incorporate points of learning into everyday tasks? By Sobia Javed

Children are naturally inquisitive about the world around them, and it is up to us to ignite that spark and nurture it so that they develop a passion for learning (which is rather different than studying simply to pass an exam or to please parents). Once a child develops this love, he or she embarks on a lifelong and fulfilling journey.

Listen to your childChildren sometimes may feel overlooked in this fast paced world where an adult makes all the choices. Take the time to sit at your child’s level and listen, without interruption, to his or her thoughts, feelings, fears and interests.

Encourage them and answer their questions Children come up with some of the most interesting and weird questions (i.e. can giraffes smell their own hooves?) In order to keep their passion alive, take time to answer their questions as best as you can. Who knows, you may come away feeling like you’ve learnt more than your child.

First let’s take a look at inspiring our children to WANT to learn.


3Foster independence in your childand give them some autonomy over choices that affect them. Encourage them to do a project

Fun suggestions to try out with your kiddos:

Alphabet treasure huntPlace different objects in a room beginning with each letter of the alphabet (apple, banana, car, drum, etc.) and ask your child to run and grab the object corresponding with the letter.

Reverse rolesYou pretend to be a student and let your child play at being the teacher. Ask them to teach you what they learned at school today. Give them lots of resources – paper, pens, markers and let their creative juices flow!

on a topic that interests them. Giving your child a feeling of control over their world inspires them towards bigger and better adventures.

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AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

KHALEEJICHILDREN’S BOOKS

After much intensive research, we’ve discovered that the childhood experiences that held the longest for us were the picture books we read as children.

By Johara Al Mogbel

Funny little short book meant to encourage Aquaphobic (fear of water) kids to take regular baths. The illustrations are amusing and it’ll give you and your child a little chuckle. King Abdulaziz Public Library published it, which is one of our favorite book sources. They’re a huge support to Saudi writers and illustrators, and their books are some of the most decently priced in bookstores.Recommended for ages: 1-5ESSAM DOESN’T

LIKE BATHING

Islam goes by the lunar calendar and this book is a great introductory to the lunar months. The story follows a little girl called Ramah who meets the months, learns how they got their name and what special occasion is attached to them. Some of the information we knew and others were quite new to us. Who can say no to cute jelly kids? We can’t, that’s for sure.Recommended for ages: 3-8

This technically isn’t a Saudi book, as it’s been translated into Arabic from Japanese, but we’re including it because of the gorgeous illustrations and lovely story. It is a part of cultural folklore series, and we love learning about different cultures and traditions.Recommended for ages: 6-12

MICE WRESTLERS

Another funny short book. This is a newfound favorite because Fizo is such an awesome little guy, his antics makes you happy. He has introduced Arabic whimsy in a field where most books carry heavy moral codes.Recommended for ages: 4-10

FIZO THE RESPECTABLE

THE CHILDREN OF THE MOON


We recommend this one for children who need a little nudge towards living their childhood, and also for the ones who think setting suns look like oranges. Actually, we just plain recommend this book. Recommended for ages: 3-8

This story is about never giving up on your dreams. It follows a boy named Sultan as he goes camping with his family and somehow manages to visit the moon. We can’t say anymore without spoiling it, but we can tell you this: the ending is a great surprise! The author has a number of other titles all published through her own publishing company, and we can attest that they’re all quite good and well illustrated.Recommended for ages: 5-10

SULTAN OF THE MOON

Imagine our delight when we found an English book by a Saudi author! This book follows the adventures of a kind boy as he meets a number of mutants who aren’t too friendly in the beginning. And the story is in rhyme! Recommended for ages: 3-5

ONCE UPON A MUTANT

THAT CLOUD THAT TURNED INTO SNOW

This is another translated work, this time from English to Arabic, done by Dar Bloomsbury of Qatar. The illustrations will captivate your children (and you), and the underlying moral of the story is so heart wrenching, it’s an excellent way to introduce the kids to the history of colonialism and the damages it inflicted on the colonized people. A pretty heavy subject, but it was tackled in a smart manner. Recommended for ages: 6-12

The cover is gorgeous and the concept is top-notch, although we think the writing needs some improving. Overall it’s a very good option to introduce your kiddos to longer chapters.Recommended for ages: 7-11

THE RABBITS

ADVENTURES OF A PAPERWEIGHT

HEAD TO KAN YA MAKANOur favorite place to find all these books is the brilliant Kan Ya Makan children’s bookstore! They stock a large number of books and their prices are quite reasonable. Plus, every Friday, the bookstore holds a storytelling event, which is a nice option when you want to take the kids out somewhere useful on the weekends. They also host a number of parenting lectures for parents, and self-defense lectures for kids. Location: Hussein Bin Ali St.



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The Remix Suite - Michael Jackson

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Shine - Blitz The Ambassador

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SchoolYard - Narcy

DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH

A Collection of Wonders - BBC Oceans - BBC Tsunami: Killer Wave - National Geographic

In this little spot we’ll discuss an animator, voice actor/actress, director and even sound engineers working in KSA’s animation industry, so stay tuned as we start with Tita.P.

Tita.P is the first animation production hilled in Effat University (Jeddah) about two penguins and their love story after the Titanic hit the iceberg they lived on. The production team were the students of Visual and Digital Production at Effat University. The full short film was even nominated for Best Short Film at ZUMEFF (Zayed Universtiy Middle East Festival) in Abu Dhabi. Tita.P will be online soon.

Animation Box By Abdullah Rafa

DESTINATIONRYD.COM 41ADVERTORIAL

BOOKS

GAMES

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park. All the Bright Places is a compelling and beautiful story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die. Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

All The Bright Places By Jennifer NivenSR 54.99

Available on PS4, SR 229Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Available on PS4 and XBox, SR 299

Batman Arkham Knight Special Edition

In the explosive finale to the Arkham series, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to unite an impressive roster of super villains, including Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, to destroy The Dark Knight forever.

Available on PS3, SR 129

Rayman Origins & Rayman Legends Double Pack

Starting School By Roger PriddySR 44.99

Teachers and What They Do By Liesbet SlegersSR 59.99

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Harry Potter

Clueless

S T Y L E & S H O P P I N G

By Felwa Alhudaithy

The relationship between education and fashion. What is it?

Prep Out Your Style

It would be pretentious and a flat out lie to say that education and fashion go together likea horse and carriage. However, I do believe that if you looked close enough you’ll find that they have always had anon-off relationship.

From the dawn of time and the birth of schools and universities, uniforms have drawn a picturesque vision of perfectly assorted armies of pupils, on their way to a mecca of learning to educate themselves in everything they need to be better humans. They work hard while wearing matching outfits to ‘level the

Some labels known for their preppy Americana aesthetics, like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, have introduced the high society girl in their collections and inspired her wardrobe to classroom classics like kilts and jackets. Back to school elements have also popped up in the collections of avant-garde labels like Rag & Bone, Alexander Wang and Balenciaga. Of course, pop culture has played a critical role in the revival of the school uniform amongst the youth.

Tartan skirts and monogrammed blazers have appeared in countless films and TV shows over the past decades; from “Gossip Girl,” “Clueless,” “Harry Potter” series, “Cruel Intentions,” to “Heathers,” “The Craft” and “The Princess Diaries.” They’ve certainly made a major impact on how we all perceive this academic attire. An à la mode uniform might look like Rory Gilmore’s Chilton days, or Carey Mulligan’s personification of

field’, because apparently we are all one when we adorn the same frock. From pleated skirts and knee socks to crest-adorned blazers and striped ties, elements of the classic school uniform have inspired fashion for years and will probably still be reincarnated every other season.

Gilmore Girls

Cruel Intentions

Gossip Girl


Zara Knit Sweater

An EducationI was a model student, under the radar and always abiding. If I had to do it all over again—God forbid— I would try to sneak in some pop culture references, and once a week do the unthinkable and wear a colored shirt! Not that I’m preaching for a rebellion, but why can’t schools have a day of color, a day where students can come as they are? Rainbows can rule the world.

the innocent bookworm in “An Education.” She knows she’s looking the part but she’s not trying to. The key here is to look effortless. A plaid skirt will forever have a place in history as ‘school-y’ and let’s be honest, after the 2003’s Burberry mania; the plaid became, without a shadow ofa doubt, a wardrobe staple.

Zara Mini Bucket bag

MM6 Maison Margielawool-blend gabardine blazer

Étoile Isabel Marant Plaid-printwool-blend coat

Tibi striped jersey skirt

Stella McCartney wool wrap skirt

TopShop Leather Jacket

Nicola Kirkwoodpolka dots kitten heels

Stella McCartney Platform Loafers

Miu Miu tartanwool-tweed mini skirt



to Freshen Up Your Playroom10 SIMPLE STEPS

The most important part of building a playroom, of course, is filling your kids play area with books and toys and learning equipment. However, before all of that keep in mind how you can keep the place organized and energizing.

Make your play room your favorite area in the house by using your kids’ creativity and imagination, and help create a space for their imagination to flow freely.

A lay-down on how to make an easy-to-organize playroom.By Hanin Al Oufi, Owner of Mint Designs Studio

02 Play areas are also made for movement; a balancing bench is fun to have even for adults.

01 Personalize chairs for their story time and tea party get together. It’ll double as an heirloom later on.


Always ask your children for their opinion on choosing furniture pieces, use their imagination and innocent judgment. Perhaps they see something parents don’t see, and this contribution will build up their self-esteem and confidence.

05 Create a wall system and a storage area that is easy and accessible for your kids to reach.

09 Small storages are as important as the large ones; keep them on the table for the art and crafts equipment.

08 Finish off the playroom with an interesting and colorful pendant. You can add more than one pendant for a fun and dramatic feeling.

06 Create a small library with selective books on the side for story times.

03 Choose a neutral wall color like grey to complement the colorful pieces you’ll add in the play area.

04 Pick a rug full of graphics for the kids to interact with.

07 Design a seating area with a table and

chairs for your kids to enjoy their art and

crafts projects.

10 Corkboards and chalkboards are always a great idea to display your kids’ artistic work on the wall. Reserve one wall to paint with chalkboard paint, which will allow the kids to design their own room.


Home Remedies for Glowing Skin

Note: If problems persist or home remedies don’t suit you, please visit your dermatologist.

Sometimes the best ingredients for skin care are at home, hiding in your kitchen. Try adding them to your weekly regimen (depending on your skin type and skin issues). By Zareen Muzaffar

BAKING SODA Baking soda serves

as teeth whitener because it has natural bleaching properties.

For those with breakouts or mild acne, if you ever get a pimple or redness,

mix baking soda and water (or honey)

and create a mixture. Apply for 15 minutes

and wash off. This is one of the popular uses

of baking soda.

HONEYHoney is loaded with nutrients, antioxidants

and healing compounds that help moisturize skin, fight aging and fight bacteria as well.

You can apply honey to your face for better moisturized skin or mix honey with coconut oil and apply on face to cleanse pores. Olive oil mixed with honey can also lighten blemishes on skin that have

been caused by breakouts or mild acne. STA

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EGGS Eggs are full of protein and a source of natural conditioner for your hair.

Whip up some eggs, depending on the length and thickness of your hair, and apply graciously from root to tip. For added benefit, add some olive oil to the eggs for smooth texture.

BROWN SUGAR A mixture of brown sugar and olive oil is not just a great scrub for smoother lips, it’s a perfect body scrub you can prepare and store in the fridge for multiple uses. Mix out equal parts of brown sugar and olive oil and see the difference.

TURMERIC Turmeric is an effective exfoliating agent that can help defeat signs of aging.

Mix gram flour and turmeric powder in equal quantities and add water. You can replace water with milk or yogurt and apply. Leave on for couple of minutes and wash of with cool water. Mix turmeric with water and lemon juice for acne related issues, leave on for 15 minutes and wash.

YOGURT Yogurt is a great part of everyday nutrition needs and its equally beneficial for the skin.

It’s a great moisturizer, reduces redness and since it has anti-bacterial properties, it also helps in treating mild acne.

COFFEEPut your coffee grinds to good use by mixing them with honey and olive oil. This mixture can serve as a great scrub. Coffee contains natural ingredients that plump the skin, making it appear less wrinkled, rejuvenated and smooth.



Today’s Menu Lunch Box SR 79.99

Bring your perfect lunch, packed in your perfect box. The box has two large compartments, large reusable spoon and fork, and one small compartment with a cover so you can easily separate your bread, rice cakes, salad dressing etc. The three compartments are suitable for heating in the microwave.


Dry Erase Board SR 64.99

Never forget another appointment with the help of this Weekly Agenda Dry Erase Board that looks just like a weekly agenda calendar. The front is made out of sturdy steel and has a card backing. It can be mounted to a wall using the included 3M adhesive tape or mounted to a magnetic surface like a refrigerator using the included magnets.This dry erase board also includes one black dry erase marker.

brought to you by

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Iron Man 3 Figurine SR 1,299

Hot Toys is delighted to introduce this amazingly designed armor – 1/6th scale. It is specially crafted based on the image of Robert Downey Jr. as Silver Centurion in the movie, highlighting the detailed head sculpt, interchangeable battle damaged chest armor, forearm blades, and LED light-up functions.

iBed Lap Desk SR 74.99

Use your tablet in bed, on the couch, on a plane, while you eat and more! This sturdy non-slip surface desk has a micro-bead cushion for maximum comfort, works with most tablets. Great for students, travelers or anyone else with a tablet computer.

Pencil Wrap SR 74.99

Use these bendable pencils to organize and identify your cords! Wrap your easy to use organizers around the cords to identify and group them together. Use pencil wraps anywhere you can otherwise use a zip tie, clip or wire twist. Set of 6 reusable wraps.

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DINING SCOOP

Location: 7144 Salim Ibn Almaqil St.

The décor is very minimalist chic, and they have a record player! Which is only for display, sadly, but still very cool. The menu’s limited to espresso drinks, drip coffee, and their slow bar options. There aren’t any beverages

available for non-coffee drinkers that show up with their caffeine brethren. Overall, we liked the place and we hope more like it pop up and prettify the city.

Elixir Bunn A few months ago, we reported that a new hipster brew café was opening soon to add to the impressive repertoire of the city’s fancy coffee places. Elixir Bunn had looked very promising, from what little we’ve seen, and we’re glad to see that it has met our expectations.

D I N I N G A R O U N D T O W N


Burger shops are all over the place in Riyadh, but you rarely find good Instagram home-based burger businesses. For this month we decided to go for the burger from Bon Abittet.

The options are limited as they only provide meat burgers. What we love about the business is that it looks professional as

INST

AGRAM TRIAL BY JURY

REALITY

Price: Meat Burger SR 20 each Delivery: Depends on area. SR 60 for ours Rating Overall: 2.5

bonabittet_burger

Tucked AwayJuice Bar

You know that one shop in the neighborhood with a wonky old-looking sign that you’d never thought of going into because it seems like a money laundering business? But then

circumstances require that you do, and you find out that they make awesome juices and how could you have missed it all these years? Tsk, you. Well. It happened to us, anyway.

Healthy Juices is a little oddly decorated shop in Alnakheel neighborhood, and they make a mean lemonade lime, complete with a sealed top! We recommend this place. And if the poster they had in there was serious, they’ve, er, they have a branch opening in Paris soon?

Yet another Instagram food business

stands before a jury of taste buds.

they focused on having a logo and put some effort into the packaging. There was less effort in the food, however. We received the burger cold and the meat wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

The cheese was yummy though and the sauce was great too. Overall, we don’t think we’ll be ordering again.

expectations

Location: Between Prince Nayef St. and Prince Ahmed St. in Alnakheel Neighborhood



Le Cordon Bleu is one of the best and oldest culinary schools, and has over 50 branches worldwide. This elite school for culinary and hospitality learning was founded in 1895 in Paris. The school offers short-term courses, including yearlong diplomas, for visitors and tourists.

I had the opportunity to visit the oldest and most significant branches of Cordon Bleu in London and Paris.

The London campus is located in one of London's most prestigious neighborhoods, Bloomsbury Square opposite the British Museum. We received proper details and reception upon arrival, and each visitor was provided with his/her own apron, equipment

Looking for interesting things to do while you’re away on vacation? How about food tourism! By Ahmad Mesawa

Become a Food TouristExplore Cultures

LondonParis


European cuisine courses, including Make Your Own Bread and Homemade Sauces.

At the Cordon Bleu in Paris, the sous chef (who was also our interpreter for the day) welcomed us. Chef Olivier Boudot taught us a lot about baking and also showed us how things are done in practicality. We started applying what we learned under the supervision of the chef and sous chef.

If you want to learn how to bake French baguettes, there is no place better than the Cordon Bleu in Paris. We also learned about the different styles of making Country Style Bread and Rye Bread. You will truly enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when you hold your first baguette.

In the second session, Chef Marc Vaca taught us all about stocks and sauces, and we learned different techniques of making Duck a l’orange, Chicken Supreme, Beef Steak Bordelaise, Shrimp and Langoustines a l’Americaine.

When I stood in front of that bakery again I realized how easy it actually is to make those pastries and breads. My knowledge is what made standing in front of that bakery feel different.

In case you’re wondering, the name Cordon Bleu

is French for blue ribbon.

and tools. Anthony Boyd, the master chef for our session, taught us in a funny and informative manner which did not disrupt the professionalism that was promised.

During the seven hours of training, Chef Anthony trained us in the basic techniques of cooking and selecting European dishes. We learned how to make everything from scratch; from the dressings to curing salmon to preparing the chocolate sauce for dessert. The end result of our effort was a delicious meal for two.

The experience in Paris wasn’t much different. Early in the morning I stood in front of several bakeries and wondered how difficult it would be to make such pastries and breads. Then I attended several

Lemon pastry with red fruits.

Boeuf Bourguignon

Sea bass filet with vegetables and herbs.

The Author: Ahmad Mesawa, food critic and a member of the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ).

ahmadmesawa



Funnest Food Places TO TA K E YO U R K I D S

KitchenationThe Turkish favorite has been a big hit with Riyadhis, and it’s not hard to see why. With a clever menu that mixes both Turkish and international cuisine, and a bubbly interior, it’s the perfect casual dining option for families. Mom and Dad won’t have to give up decent dining to appease their offspring, but at the same time they won’t have to worry about the children destroying anything. Our favorite bit? Their place mats are designed to be the nostalgic paper game of Name/Animal/Thing, which will most definitely keep the little ones busy till the food shows up.

Location: Mira Hotel, Tahlia St.

kitchenation

By Johara Al Mogbel


Romano’s Macaroni GrillThe Texan pseudo-Italian franchise is the current It place in the city. With a well crafted menu that manages to be both bountiful without seeming too much, it has enough options to appease any child. And keep them busy, because their table cover is paper, and the waiters usually hand you crayons to create your own masterpiece. Call us infantile, we’re all for uninhibited artistic opportunities. Especially when it makes us feel like we’re doing something we shouldn’t be, bringing back our early memories of drawing on our living room wall.

Location: King Abdul Aziz Rd, Al Ghadir

macaronigrillksa

Stationery FantasiesFew people know this, but the café that belongs to Stationary Fantasies is actually very decent. We hold a special place in our hearts for their fries, and their pizza is our kids’ favorite. Add to that the simple fact that each activity usually takes 20 to 25 minutes, and all that adds up to the fact that you’ll be able to have a (quick) meal that’s blissfully quiet and less hectic while you watch your kids have the time of their life safely ensconced behind giant glass windows. It’s the best hidden secret for parents in Riyadh, we’ll have you know.

Location: Azizia Mall, King Fahad Road.

stationery_fantasies


Piatto It’s kind of obvious by now that we’re in love with Piatto. Their food is happy, the atmosphere chill and the service is impeccable. The branch in Panorama does not stop serving for prayer until every order is out of the kitchen, and it makes so much more of a difference when your tot is hungry and the food arrives on time instead of having to wait 30 to 45 minutes to order, then an extra 20 for your order to arrive. Also, kids get their own dough and pizza sauce to make their own pizza, and every child’s meal comes with a free gelato. Win-win all around!

Location: Panorama Mall, Takhassosi St.

piattoksa

Chuck E CheeseNo list for fun kids’ places can go without an entry about Chuck E Cheese. It’s a journalist’s rule. We’re definite. It’s not our first choice for child entertainment since it’s loud, sticky, and causes most children to go hyperactive, but we’ve got a soft spot for their pizza, and we firmly believe that every child should have at least one intensive experience in an arcade. And their pizza! It’s fun. It’s really fun.

Location: Olaya St.

chuckecheesesksa



By Jou Pabalate

Beat the summer heat with the best shakes in the city.

A big part of us believe that they pretty much buy their ice cream from Baskin Robbins, but we have to give them credit for making thick minimalistic shakes that are great, especially paired with their fries. Well it should be, right? Considering they call themselves a burger, fries and shake joint.

The newest contender in town, Steak and Shake has a lot to live up to. From what we’ve heard, the steak burgers are doing okay, but we’ve got to admit the shakes are doing better. And the diner interior is nothing to slouch at.

This franchise has a reputation to uphold. At a time when hand-scooped shakes weren’t a thing, Johnny Rockets had them. The team swears by the chocolate peanut butter concoction. In our opinion, Johnny Rockets’ shakes are best consumed in the diner ambience. Itjust adds to the whole 50’s feel.

This original Saudi café that has gone global has one of the most interesting locally gourmet menus we’ve seen. The Bateel date shake makes us happy. They’re made from vanilla ice cream, milk and rhutab dates. Sings, “I’m so fancy, can’t you taste this gold?”

SHAKE ITOFF!

Steak and ShakeIntersection of Dabbab and Thalatheen St.

BoardwalkTakhassussi St.

Johnny RocketsTahliya St.

BateelTahliya St.



Ah, how can we not put this on the list? This ice cream parlor has been around for ages. The caramel is a best seller, and while you can just choose from their shake board, we tend to mix and match flavors ourselves. If soft serve isn’t your thing and you want unadulterated thickice creamy shakes, head on here.

Meet Dave and Janet. They’re the most raved about couple on the menu. Shakeawaygives you a cool landscape to explore, having everything from localized flavors, smoothies, energy shakes and oh yes, the coveted Millionaire shake with actual gold shavings.

Herfy’s milkshake deserves a lifetime achievement award. It has survived inflation, priced at SR 8. We used to connive with the bus driver to pass by Herfy. You were playground royal if you were sipping on (the then) SR 3 melted milkshake. Now apparently, cool kids drink Starbucks. Ho-hum. Tsk.

The world knows DQ for its ice cream. Their basic flavors tends to get buried underneath all the blizzards, cookie sandwiches and whatnot but we say, don’t forego their shakes just yet. If you like slurping soft-serve, DQ is a good choice-- or you can buy soft-serve for SR 3 and leave it out in a cup for five minutes. Same result.

Why hello, Diabetes. Needless to say, consume in moderation.

ShakeawayRiyadh Gallery

Baskin RobbinsEverywhere

Herfy’s MilkshakeEverywhere

Dairy QueenTahliya St. / Um Al Hammam



By Johara Al Mogbel

A mother inspired by her own children, Reem founded Ain AlFaras, an educational center for children with special needs.

Reema Alkhorayef

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Can you tell us a little about yourself? I majored in nutrition, and I’m a graduate of King Saudi University. I was going to continue my masters in nutrition, but then I got married and came back to Riyadh. I then worked for a year at Riyadh Bank as the branch manager.

What were your experiences like before Ain Alfaras?When I got pregnant with Mansour in 2002, I was in Switzerland, and they told me he was going to be born with a condition. They said he had XYY syndrome, that he would have a low IQ, and that he’d have delayed development. We stayed in Switzerland for six months after he was born to work with the doctors on his development, and when

Activity at the center. Mansour during a fashion shoot.

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

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we came back to Riyadh I was so lost. I couldn’t find a decent place that offered the sort of services that a mother with a disabled child needs. I was going to a speech therapist in one hospital, and a physical therapist in another

hospital, and another speech therapist in Prince Sultan Hospital, and I was getting a private therapist at home.

I put him in a day school, just for the academics. I would waste my whole day driving

from one place to another, and I ended up neglecting my home, and my other children. So then we got the idea to open a center that would put all the services under one roof.

Can you tell us a little about Ain Alfaras? What was the concept behind it?When Seema, my sister, and I thought about opening the center, Seema had just volunteered in special needs centers in Canada.

She decided to bring in the curriculum we used from there, the Teach Program as well as the Pecs Communication Program and apply it in a dedicated center here. We opened it in 2008.

How was the center founded? What disabilities do you specialize in?The center opened with about 12 employees and three children. Now we have 100 employees and 63 children, and the school was accepting students with down syndrome or autism, as well as a number of other special needs. Recently, though, we had to close down our autism department so that we only focus on down syndrome and delayed mental development.

Should a teacher who would like to work in special needs education have training with the degree or will she learn via experience? And which do think is more important?Of course, for all the positions we take into consideration that the teacher either has experience or a suitable college degree, and we’ve found that sometimes we get a teacher who, regardless of her not having a degree, loves what she does so much that she excels more than the one with a college degree. Oddly, we struggle with college graduates because most come to us with weak training, and the information they have about special needs is mostly from textbooks. Lately, though, KSU and PNU have been laying

Ain Alfaras fashion show.

World Health Day


emphasis on their students training with actual special needs students, so that they can have practical experience as well as theoretical.

In either case, whether the student has more knowledge regarding plan making or academics, in presenting the programs, or whether she has more experience in handling the kids, we need both types.

Science evolves rapidly and with it new methods of teaching usually springs up. How do you manage to keep up with the changes?We have a number of contracts with specialists abroad, and we managed to entice a number of trainers from the States to train our teachers for two years and then supervise them afterwards for a month to provide an evaluation on the teachers and the children after application. We find the evaluation to be the most important part, and it’s very important for anyone working in special

needs to never stop developing themselves and to keep up with current methods and researches to help the children transition into active members of society.

How do you balance your personal life with the nature of your job as a principal and co-owner of the school?Of course, as a principal, I have to separate between being Mansour and Haya’s mother and being their headmaster during school hours. When I go to school I act and feel as the administrator to run it, but when I go home I’m their mother again. I think it’s impertinent for special needs workers to separate between their jobs and their personal lives so that a decent balance between the two is achieved.

What’s the most important change you’d like to see in Saudi society in regards to people with disabilities?The attitude. We’ve placed the first stepping-stone to change the attitude of society towards children with disabilities; the rest must be set by the members themselves. Raising awareness has become more popular recently, and I have hope in the innate goodness of the people in this country.

Email: [email protected]

ainalfaras

Hopeful Pilot

World Health Day 4

Playpen



Nutrition for better Academic Performance

Everyone agrees that nutrition plays an essential role in raising healthy children. Yet, our society struggles with the paradox of children being overfed and undernourished.

Studies show a strong link between childrens’ diet and their performance in school. Parents should start taking action to raise better generations.By Massa Bitar, MS RD Breakfast

Evidence has now established strong and consistent associations between breakfast consumption and better academic performance. A healthy breakfast improves cognitive functions (memory and neural efficiency) and reduces absenteeism and tardiness, whereas skipping breakfast may lead to difficulty concentrating, shorter attention span and memory problems.

Research has shown that the best breakfast type is based on low-glycemic-index food, ensuring slow and consistent sugar release to the blood. This would lead to improved concentration ability during the several hours between breakfast and lunch and to better cognitive functions.

Examples of good breakfasts that both parents and schools can provide include the following:

In fact, recent studies are showing that nutrition not only can influence your children’s health but also their academic performance. With life’s increasing pressures nowadays, better academic achievement can lead to better job opportunities and a generally better socio-economic status. Consequently, a good diet in childhood not only enhances health but also overall life conditions in the future.

This article explains how diet affects school children’s academic performance and gives parents helpful tips on how to improve their children’s overall diet quality.

According to a 2013 survey, 3.5 million children in Saudi

Arabia are obese.

• Low-fat yogurt with whole grain cereal and fruit.

• Vegetable-omelet and milk.

• Whole-grain, low-sugar cereal with milk and a piece of fruit.

• A piece of string cheese, a piece of fruit and a handful of pumpkin seeds.

• Steel-cut oatmeal with sliced apples, cinnamon and nuts.

• Tomato, avocado and cheese on whole-wheat toast.


Diet QualityFruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies and protects the body from diseases and infections, leading to fewer missed days of school and more time spent learning.

This might be due to the fact that poor quality diets may lack certain nutrients such as iron and zinc, which play a key role in brain development, cognitive function and behavior.

Available literature clearly suggests that having a

good quality diet that includes

fruits and vegetables, while avoiding unhealthy

Generally, findings suggest that the consumption of the following foods leads to lower grades in school:

Soft drinks

Pizza

SweetsChips

Burgers

French Fries

Hot dogs

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foods, leads to better grades in schools. Set your children up for success with a nutritious breakfast and pack them a health promoting lunch with whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and protein. This ensures they obtain the daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals and thus leads to better school performance.



We live in an era of gadgets and it has made our lifestyle sedentary. According to statistics; obesity levels have risen from 11 percent to 30 percent since 1980s in developed nations. By Amal Al Toaimi

There are various ways to improve this situation, and of course the most significant amongst them is physical activity. Let’s assume you would like to improve your family’s lifestyle by incorporating a healthy diet, and increasing physical activity.

1. Turn house chores into challenges Pick a day of the week where each member of the family cleans an area of the house/apartment. And the person who has done the best job gets a reward.

2. Buy a pedometerBuy a pedometer for each member of the family, and have a weekly or daily challenge of who’s completed the most steps. Pedometer apps like Noom Walk compare member activities.

FITNESS FOR LA FAMILIA

Here are some fun ways to motivate your family to get active!


6. Plant a gardenAssign a different member of the family each time to water the house plants.

9. Go on active tripsYou can take your family to fishing, camping, or hiking trips. There are lots of family-friendly options. Or plan vacations by the beach or mountains so you can swim, climb and enjoy the outdoors.

8. Purchase fitness video gamesThere are many options from yoga, pilates and dancing to balance, bowling and boxing.

7. Hire a personal trainerYou can have one-week sessions as a family and hold a fitness boot camp at home.

3. For pet loversPlay with your pets. You can run, walk or even play ball with your dog or cat.

4. Have a sports dayDesignate one day of the week for a sport activity. Play basketball in your yard or have swimming races in the pool.

5. Turn TV commercials into fitness breaks Play active games during commercial breaks on TV. Or do jumping jacks, spot jogging, squats, etc.

GET MOVING!



By Maya Daaboul

When stress gets the better of you, the body tends to crave high calorie sugary foods that only act as a quick fix, tricking you into feeling better. In reality, these foods subject your body to additional load of stress, only providing you with an initial short burst of energy followed by a prolonged period of fatigue.

The trick to combatting stress is to reach out for healthy foods that are jam-packed with essential nutrients to keep you calm and collected and prepare your body for any upcoming periods of stress. Here are a few stress-busters to stock up on.

FROM DISTRESS TO DE-STRESSWhat can you eat if you’re feeling down?

Oatmeal This comfort food is slowly digested in the body promoting the flow of the calm-inducing, feel-good chemical serotonin.

Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal and top it up with some blueberries (also known to be mighty stress-busters) and honey for a sweet twist.

Spinach Spinach is rich in magnesium which helps lower the stress hormone cortisol, lowers blood pressure and relaxes our muscles. Add spinach to your salads and sandwiches or have it as a side dish with your main meal to best reap its benefits.

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Fatty Fish (Salmon, Fresh Tuna, Mackerel) These contain heart-healthy omega-3, which protects you against heart disease and controls the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

To enjoy the benefits of omega-3, aim for 120g of fatty fish two to three times per week.

DatesDried or fresh, dates satisfy your sweet buds while also lowering your blood pressure with their high magnesium and potassium content.

So next time you’re craving something sweet, ditch the chocolate bar and reach out for nutrient-rich dates instead.

AlmondsAlmonds are powerful stress-busters with their high content of vitamins and the antioxidant vitamin E. Together these help bolster your immune system and help your body cope with stress.

Munch on a handful of almonds daily or add some to your salad to enjoy its benefits.

Herbal Tea Instead of opting for more cups of coffee, grab yourself a soothing cup of tea. Unlike caffeine, tea has been shown to calm the nervous system and lower cortisol levels in the body.

Oranges, Kiwi and Strawberries All of these share a high vitamin C content. Vitamin C is an antioxidant known to boost the immune system and lower the amount of the stress hormone cortisol.

Why not snack on a smoothie with a concoction of your favorite vitamin C rich fruits?

Exercise

Sweat your stress away! Smack

a tennis ball, join a Zumba or

kickboxing class or simply take a

long walk. Exercise goes a long way

towards lowering your stress levels by

releasing mood-enhancing hormones

into your system which help combat

the negative effects of stress and

prepare your mind and body to face

challenging situations.

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S P I R I T U A L I T Y

Muslim women empowerment is a topic which has been persistently discussed and debated. It is widely argued, especially in the West, that Muslim women “need liberating.” This could not be any further from the truth and is often a result of people confusing religion with cultural practices. Islam gives women the right to have an education, own property, inherit, work and be financially independent.

REAL GIRL POWER

By Sobia Javed

Girl power? Isn’t that something the Spice Girls

introduced to women? Err, no… actually, girl power

was introduced by Islam over 1400 years ago.


One of the issues almost always brought up regarding Muslim women is the hijab or covering. Yes, Islam requires Muslim women (and men) to dress modestly, but let not this modesty be mistaken for women being subservient to men. The hijab has been ordained by Allah to create an identity for Muslim women around the world. Usually magazines advise you on how to achieve flawless skin or how to lose 10 pounds, and create an ideal image in women’s minds about what beauty is, or what they should strive to look like. Often, girls at impressionable ages peg their self-worth to this idealized image. It is more than a mere coincidence that with this objectification of women, there has been a rise in eating disorders, self-harm and depression rates. So, in essence, dressing modestly for women is freedom. It allows women to freely express themselves, and to

be themselves without being subjected to predefined standards. When you’re covered, people don’t judge you for what you look like. Ultimately, women need to break free from the patriarchal shackles put by others and focus on freedom given to them by Allah.

In England, before 1870, any money that a woman made through wages, investment, or even through inheritance, automatically became her husband’s property once she married. In contrast, Islam has always given women rights to their own money.These days we need to redefine those role models and better yet, become them for future generations. Ask any group of young girls to name some women that they look up to, and there would be very few female scientists, innovators, literary figures and revolutionists on their list. Truly empowered women don’t allow themselves to be objectified to gain respect.For real role models, we should look to the genuinely inspiring women of Islam who were the true embodiment of girl power.

One such example is Aisha bint Abi Bakr, wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She was a scholar of Islam, and many of the Prophet’s senior companions would go to her after his death in order to gain knowledge.

Another model is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Any article about inspirational Muslim women would be incomplete without the mention of this businesswoman and single mother who proposed to the Prophet of Islam herself!



Being a Muslim is not just about blindly following a set of rules. We are encouraged

to ponder over the world around us and ask questions.

By Sobia Javed

EDUCATION and KNOWLEDGE

Education – one of the most important concepts in Islam. In fact, the very first verses revealed of the Qur’an were:

Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not. (Qur’an; Chapter 96, verses 5-1)

The reader is told to think about the meanings to fully appreciate them.

This is enough encouragement to gain knowledge, as knowledge is what appeals directly to the intellect. Coupled with faith, which is of course required of every believer, a greater understanding of the religion is attained.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was also reported as having said: "The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim." (Source: Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 74)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the main source of information for Muslims regarding religious affairs, as he was the Prophet of Allah through whom the Qur’an was revealed. He taught his companions and wives the teachings of Islam in a way that they were able to continue teaching others even after his death. In fact, his wife, Aisha bint Abi Bakr was a

In Islam


renowned scholar of Islam, and many companions would seek her assistance in matters of religion. Many companions also travelled the world in order to propagate the religion of Islam, and it rapidly spread far and wide.

It must be noted, however, that seeking knowledge is not limited to Islamic affairs only.

Secular education is also very important, and a brief glance at contributions of Muslims to the fields of science, math, geography, astronomy, medicine and many others attest to this. What’s more, many aspects of secular education support the numerous miracles found in the Qur’an, thus further verifying the miraculous nature of the Qur’an and proving it to be true. For example, the Qur’an states:

“He has let loose the two seas, converging together, with a barrier between them they do not break through” (Qur’an, chapter 55, verse 20-19).

This was very recently confirmed by science; when oceanographers discovered that the physical force called surface tension does not let the waters of neighbouring seas mix. How would it even be possible for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to be knowledgeable of this phenomena, in the dry desert of Madinah, over 1400 years ago?! This example reinforces that knowledge is of paramount importance to a Muslim, both religious and secular.

If anyone is still in doubt about the stance of Islam

on education or knowledge, or for inspiration,

motivation and encouragement, please

look up any of the

If anyone is still in doubt about the stance of Islam on education or knowledge, or

for inspiration, motivation and

encouragement, please look up any of

the following scholars.

Malik ibn Anas (Imam Malik) Authored a book called Al Muwatta, which contains hadiths and rulings pertaining to Islamic jurisprudence. It is still widely used by Muslims today.

Muhammad Al Bukhari Islamic scholar who compiled a collection of hadiths into a book called Saheeh Bukhari. This is one of the most extensively used books by Muslims today.

Al Khwarizmi A Persian mathematician, astronomer and geographer. He is known for having introduced the decimal positional number system to the Western world.

Fatima Muhammad Al Fihri Founder of the world’s first university, the University of Al Qarawiyin, which is still in existence today.



By Sheima Salam Sumer

The Prophet (PBUH) would always feel our suffering and is praised by Allah for his empathetic nature. “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” [Qur’an: Chapter 9, Verse 128]

The Prophet (PBUH) himself also encouraged us to feel empathy for each other; he was reported to have said: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Bukhari]

One account of the Prophet’s (PBUH) compassion in action is when he was sitting with his companions one morning, and poor members of a tribe approached. They had no shoes and their bones were visible from hunger. Immediately, he and his companions took up a collection for the tribe, generously helping them. [Muslim]

There is also the famous hadith about the Prophet’s (PBUH) empathy for mothers in mosques that was narrated by Anas bin Malik:“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘I start prayer and I want to make it long, but then I hear an infant crying, so I make my prayer short, because I know the distress caused to the mother by his crying.’” [Ibn Majah]

Definition: The ability to recognize and understand the feelings of another.

EMPATHY A Trait that Can Transform Your Life

In Islam


The next time you are feeling a negative

emotion, try being empathetic to yourself. Name the feelings that you are experiencing.

Notice how just clarifying your inner thoughts

and feelings helps you feel better.

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The Prophet (PBUH) even had care and empathy for animals. Once, upon entering a garden, he saw a camel that was just skin and bones. Upon seeing it, the Prophet (PBUH) began crying. He then put his hand on its head until it was comforted. He said to the owner of that camel, “Don’t you fear Allah in this beast that He has placed in your possession? It has complained to me that you keep it hungry and load it heavily, and that fatigues it.” [Abu Dawud]

/ProductiveMuslim

@AbuProductive

Empathy helps us make more effective decisions and shows that we care.

SociallyEmpathy transforms your social relationships because it gives you a more accurate and deeper understanding of issues and conflicts. It is a key trait to becoming a better spouse, parent, teacher and friend.

The first step is to make the intention to try to “walk in the shoes” of others.

The next step is to understand yourself and your own feelings better. Realize that your life experiences help you develop your empathy.

How It Can Transform Your Life

How To Develop Your Empathy

PersonallyYou often think you understand yourself well enough, but when you take the time to name your feelings and really clarify them, you will be amazed at the relief and inner peace you feel within yourself.

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Hyatt Regency Makkah Opens Hyatt Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of the first Hyatt Regency branded hotel in KSA, Hyatt Regency Makkah. It is only one minute away from the Holy Mosque. The hotel is comprised of 656 guestrooms, including 26 suites. It also offers a wide range of services and facilities. Another Hyatt Regency is set to open in Riyadh in 2016.

T R A V E L T R E N D S

TRAVEL NEWS

Oman’s New Sundus Rotana Hotel Sundus Investments Projects is initiating its Sundus Rotana Hotel. The four-star business hotel will be the first phase of the Sundus Airport Heights project and will open in February 2017.

from SR 1,425

RELAX IN SHARM Take a break for four days and relax in Sharm El Sheikh. Bask in the sun, swim in the sea, take a stroll on the beach and have as much fun as you possibly can. Web: kanootravel.com

The hotel will be made up of 215 guest rooms, including suites, as well as a ballroom, six meeting rooms, an executive lounge, a boardroom, and fully-equipped business center.


The First Holiday Inn in Tabuk InterContinental Hotels Group opened its first Holiday Inn hotel in Tabuk. The hotel comprises of 90 rooms and is located close to the city center. The hotel also includes an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, fitness center and a tennis court.

Saudia Introduces Onboard Chefs The service will initially operate on direct flights to and from Los Angeles International Airport where the chef will cater to the first class cabin on the flights. He will personally take orders and talk about the menu with each passenger. The chef will also monitor all dining standards and get feedback from Business and Economy guests. This will definitely ensure a memorable flight. Web: saudiairlines.com

E-information Devices Helping KSA Tourists The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is helping tourists by installing more than 350 tourism e-information devices across the Kingdom. They provide tourists with needed information from festivals, reservations to restaurants and more.

A Spanish Tourfrom SR 5,015

Spend 10 days and 9 nights in wonderful Spain. You will wander around Madrid and Sevilla. Then hop onto a train and head to beautiful Valencia. Finally, end your tour in Barcelona where you will definitely make great memories. Web: attartravel.com

Experience Indonesia and marvel at its beauty. Roam the picturesque country as you spend 11 days and 10 nights in total hopping from Jakarta, Puncak to Bali. All accommodation is accompanied by breakfast. Web: attartravel.com

Enjoy Indonesia from SR 3,750

Spend three days in Berlin and enjoy the wonders of the city. Join the “City Circle Purple Tour” and visit the lively and historic places around. You can design your day according to your preferences, using 12 stops along the way - or enjoy the whole tour non-stop in just two hours. Web: kanootravel.com

A Fast Berlin Tour from SR 525

Four Seasons Launches New App

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts launched an app

that allows its guests to customize their stay on the go. The global app enables them to make and manage

reservations, check in and out, order services whenever they need

and much more.

Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi’s Summer Packages

The resort is offering attractive summer packages tailor-made to accommodate weddings of different sizes in the majestic Roma Ballroom. Coral PackageFor a reception of 100 to 250 guests with either a buffet or a set menu, the package includes venue rental, elegant furniture, along with a stage and dance floor. Newlyweds will then spend the night in a Deluxe Room and have breakfast and a late checkout.

Emerald Package Designed for a reception of 250 to 500 guests including a spacious Executive Suite and access to the Bridal Suite featuring a professional hair and make-up station, elegant dressing room and two lounges.

Sapphire PackageFor a reception of up to 800 guests, Sapphire package combines the benefits of Coral and Emerald packages while offering the couple a choice of accommodations in premium suites for one and two nights as well as various first anniversary celebratory options.

Web: ritzcarlton.com Email: [email protected]


By Tharik Hussain

“I think it is after the tram stop.” “Mosque?”“Just carry on it is there, you will see it.”

But I couldn’t see it; in fact, I had absolutely no idea what to even look for. Mosques are not allowed to look like mosques in Switzerland ever since building minarets was banned in 2009. I was in Clara, an ethnic area north of the River Rhine in pretty little Basel,

SWISS-LAMSUPPRESSED

T R A V E L T R E N D S

Six years into a ban on building minarets, Tharik Hussain is in Basel, Switzerland hunting for a 19th century ‘convert’ with a Saudi connection.

home to Switzerland’s largest Muslim community. All around me halal shops and restaurants mingled with little independent boutiques as quaint trams trundled through the streets.

Yesterday, on a historic tour of the city, I learnt that Basel has a long history featuring religion. My guide Maria had pointed out that even the city’s coat of arms features a Bishop’s crosier - the medieval rulers of Basel. During that time, like everywhere else in Europe, Basel was suspicious of other faiths.

In the 14th century Basel Massacre, 600 Jews were burnt alive on an island in the Rhine - they had been responsible for the Plague apparently. Then, as anti-Semitism peaked at the KF Mosque mihrab


Basel Streets

Burckhardt Garden

Spalentor city gate

end of the 19th century, kosher meat was banned, a ruling that now affects Basel’s Muslim community - the largest in the country.

“Alhamdulillah, life is OK here. We have masjids and halal food,” explained Ahmad, the owner of a small shop. “Where do you get your halal meat from?” “We buy from Germany... Muslims here just want to live in peace and Basel is a good place.”

Ahmad was right; Basel is home to Switzerland’s oldest university and at the forefront of the nation’s arts culture. Rays of hope also emanate from the fact that it has long been a place of international mediation, starting with the medieval Basel Treaty right through to the 1989 Basel Convention.

I followed Ahmad’s directions and eventually found the mosque hidden up a winding metal staircase in the attic of a traditional Swiss town house. Founded by the local Turkish community, Basel’s largest Muslim group, the mosque

had one tiny sign located high above street level. The sign is easy to miss if you don’t know it is there.

Inside, the main hall was dimly lit with few windows, one of which had cleverly been turned into the mihrab to compensate for the slanted roof overhead. It lacked any real natural light and had a slightly clandestine air about it.

BASEL’S FIRST MUSLIM Mosques aren’t the only Islamic things hidden in Switzerland. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt is most famous for rediscovering Petra in Jordan, a feat that would normally demand a statue or a plaque somewhere. Yet in Basel, I found nothing. This might just be because

Burckhardt is potentially Switzerland’s first ever convert to Islam. Back in 1814, the young explorer performed the Hajj as Sheikh Ibrahim Al Barakat, having mastered Arabic and Islamic law. Of Makkah he wrote, “During all my journeys of the east, I never enjoyed such perfect ease as at Makkah.”

Burckhardt’s family deny this, claiming it was merely a disguise to travel through the east, something many Victorian explorers did. The truth remains a mystery as Burckhardt never returned home to set the record straight, dying aged 32 in Cairo.

My search for the fabled Hajji brought me south of the Rhine


to The Museum für Wohnkultur which houses examples of 18th and 19th century Swiss life and was originally where Burckhardt grew up. Predictably, the plaque outside only mentioned his father.

When I arrived, it had already closed for the day and so I went round the back and peered into a neat little landscaped garden through a beautiful wrought iron gate that had the letters JB across the top. Sadly I knew they were not Burckhardt’s initials and left with a familiar empty feeling.

THE SAUDI CONNECTIONMy final destination was Basel’s largest mosque, which like the earlier one lay hidden down a quiet residential street behind a university. Only a small sign at the gate confirmed it was the King Faisal Mosque, though it was unlike any other mosque financed by the late Saudi monarch; a small and uninteresting converted block of flats with green psychedelic patterns on the wooden shutters. Clearly the previous residents took pride in the fact that LSD had been invented in their city.

Entering the block, the familiar clandestine atmosphere returned. The main prayer hall was, again, a darkened attic. A plain white wooden mihrab stood at the front, the walls were featureless and barren and the only color in the room was the red on the carpet.

The route back took me past a small balcony where a beautiful oriental lamp hung from the

Rathaus

King Faisal Mosque

Turkish mosque


Capital: BernCurrency: Swiss FrancsOfficial Languages: French, German, Romansch, ItalianInternational code: +41

Basel

MUST HAVE

• Entry visa for Saudi nationals before travel.• The Basel Card for getting about easily.• A city map to avoid getting lost.• A copy of Burckhardt’s Travels in Syria and the Holy Lands.

The Author:Tharik Hussain is a freelance travel writer, journalist and photographer who regularly contributes

to magazines and websites across the globe. Tharik lives with his family in London, UK and also teaches Sociology and Media Studies.

Web: tharikhussain.uk

/TharikHussainUK

@_TharikHussain

GET THERE

• The best airline is Lufthansa which flies from Riyadh to Basel with one stopover in Paris and costs approx. SR 3,800.

ceiling, framed by greenery. It looked just like the ones I had seen hanging in the mosques of Cairo, where Burckhardt’s body now lies. Had he lived, Burckhardt may have brought one back, along with his intimate knowledge of Islam. But he didn’t, which is a shame really, because as much as I love this city, it could do with someone like Sheikh Ibrahim Al Barakat right now.

Turkish mosque hall

City coat of arms

Burckhardt house


AN ADVENTURE ON THE EDGEThe Edge of the World is a stellar tourist spot for every Riyadhi who loves road trips, adventures and great scenic views.

By Reina Tejano

Also known as the Escarpments of Tuwaiq, these towering sights are located 96 kilometers northwest of Riyadh and a drive that will take an hour and a half. It won’t be a smooth road trip though, as you’d have to make use of a 4x4 SUV to safely get there.

Any other car will let you run the risk of being stuck or broken down due to the rough terrain that you’d have to traverse as you enter the dessert grounds. We were humorously warned before our trip started that there was going to be a lot of “shakin’ and bakin’’ involved and we just laughed off those remarks by our funny and charismatic tour guide.

An hour later, there we were: six women enduring the bumpy and wobbly ride in the middle of the dessert with the tour guide shouting, “We’re shakin’ and bakin’ baby!” If I was feeling sleepy at the beginning of our trip, I sure was awake now! It’s a good thing that all the women in our car were in festive spirits and I didn’t hear anyone complaining. Reminder to future travelers: Know what you signed up for so you know what to expect.

We made two stops before finally making it to our destination. The first stop was at the entrance of the gates of Acacia Valley wherein we saw a dam structure and

E X P L O R E K S A


a small house for the rangers who lived there. The second stop was in the middle of Acacia Valley itself, wherein we were able to see a herd of sheep being led by a donkey and some camels with their newborns.

There were more cliffs to hike up to on the eastern part and deeper areas of the site but my friends and I were happy enough with our spot that we took numerous photos, videos and even jump shots of each other.

After we savored the moment with the view and wished on rocks as we threw them on to the plains, it was now time to head back. This, for me, was when my fears set in. Not during the climb, not out there on the cliff, but on the way down.

The cliff is completely vertical and there’s very little room to trek downwards other than to sit down on each surface to solidly plant yourself to the next one. It’s not like a flight of stairs where you can determine your next step. If it took me only less than ten minutes to get up there, it took me half an hour to make sure I don’t go tumbling my way down to the base. I was only able to let out a sigh of relief as my feet reached ground zero. What a complete experience of highs and lows!

We eventually arrived at the base of the Edge of the World. From where we were standing, I could already see the vast land ahead and I was extremely excited that I was able to hike up the vertical cliff without even thinking how dangerous it was. In just less than ten minutes, I was on the Edge of the World.

I picked one of the cliffs as my vantage point and admired the view from there. Now I knew how it got the name. I saw the glorious panoramic view of the plains of Arabia extending as far as my eyes could see, portraying an endless edge of the land.


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Words of wisdom for your visit This is not for the faint-hearted. The height of these cliffs are extremely dangerous and the terrain is rocky and trekking up and down certain parts is a risk you have to take with great care. Be sure to be in comfortable and reliable shoes that won’t easily get pierced by sharp rocks and can support you properly during the hike. Stay hydrated, alert and don’t wander off from your group because there are no signs or fences that determine the scope of the area in case you got lost.

It’s best to visit with a group of people and with those who have experience in going there because there are no deliberate road signs leading to the location. It’s all based on the GPS coordinates and of experienced drivers who have been there before. I reckon the best time to explore this area would be during winter and spring, otherwise you’ll be scorched under the merciless summer heat.

GPS Coordinates: N: 24 56’ 31.9” E: 045 59’ 31.2”


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Skilled guide, intuitive geographer and long-time employee of Aramco, Khamis Bin Rimthan is credited to have helped with the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia. By Mohammed Mirza

HISTORIC SAUDI KHAMIS BIN RIMTHAN

Born during the early 20th century in Jubail, Khamis hailed from the Ajman tribe. He was renown for his ability to assess geographical distances precisely and was soon employed by the government as a guide. Initially, he led trade caravans from Jubail to Dharan and then from Dharan to Abqaiq.

In 1938, Bin Rimthan guided an American exploration team through the Eastern Province. He guided a group

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that eventually help set up the largest oil company in the world. Then in 1942 he served as chief guide for Aramco's Exploration parties.

He served as more than just a guide for the exploration

team; he introduced them to Bedouin life and its rich traditions. He was consequently considered the guide of all guides.

Khamis knew the geography of Saudi Arabia like the back

of his hand. It is said that on numerous occasions his knowledge of the country proved to be more accurate than the maps of his time.

Aramco pioneers Tom C. Barger, geologist and later CEO of Aramco, and Khamis.Khamis, on the left, with two of Bin Mansur’s soldiers near Wadi Dawasir. The Tuwaiq Escarpement is in the background.


KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD

PRINCE MUQRIN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD

dr issue 30

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