Source : Arab news / 08 Feb 2014

The prestigious Makkah Integrated Transport System is gaining momentum in the holy city as authorities gear up to initiate the SR25.5 billion project by processing tenders which are expected to be finalized soon.

Source : IINA / 07 Feb 2014

Many women are profiting from reserving places in the Grand Mosque for other worshippers.

These women use their handbags, personal belongings, or chairs to reserve places for worshippers who pay for the service because they come late for prayer and cannot find suitable places to pray, according to a report in Saudi Gazette.

Source : Arab news / 07 Feb 2014

The nursing profession for women is still frowned upon by almost a third of Saudi families because of customs and traditions.

This attitude is negatively impacting the majority of families who accept the profession.

Source : World Bulletin / 3 Feb 2014

The residents of Mecca are beginning to refer to their city as Las Vegas. Over the past 10 years the holiest site in Islam has undergone a huge transformation, one that has divided opinion among Muslims all over the world.

Once a dusty desert town struggling to cope with the ever-increasing number of pilgrims arriving for the annual Hajj, the city now soars above its surroundings with a glittering array of skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury hotels.

Source : Arab News / 1 Feb 2014

Muslim Science, a UK-based online magazine, has named two Saudis in its top 20 list of most influential Muslim women in the scientific field.

The two women are Samera Ibrahim Islam and Hayat Sindi. Samera Islam, the drug safety advocate, is a board member of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation and head of the medicine unit at King Fahd Center for Medical Research at King Abdul Aziz University.

Source : IINA / 28 Jan 2014

The historical factory that manufactures the Kiswa, the covering for the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, is exploring the possibility of importing state-of-the-art technology from the US, Japan, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, to upgrade its facility in keeping with modern times.

By Fadia Jiffry / 31 Dec 2013

Many Saudi female sales representatives working in shops across the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia are demanding English-speaking courses, saying that they are facing communication difficulties when dealing with foreign customers.

Generally, companies operating in the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia hire Saudis who can understand and speak English, particularly in jobs that involve interaction with expatriates.

By Irfan Mohammed / Arab news / 24 Dec 2013

Book lovers in Jeddah have reason to celebrate because one of the largest libraries in the region is set to open soon in the city.

Fulfilling a longstanding demand of Jeddah residents, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the new education minister, will open the facility on Jan. 1.

By MD Rasooldeen / Arab news / 19 Dec 2013

The average Saudi woman spends three times more on clothes than her male counterpart, a prominent Saudi fashion designer said on Tuesday.

“A Saudi woman spends nearly SR30,000 annually on clothes while a man spends SR10,000 per annum,” Aishah Al-Otaibi said, adding that this was high expenditure compared to some other countries around the world.

By  Fouzia Khan / Arab news / 18 Dec 2013

A rare piece of the Kiswa (the cover of Kaaba) dated 1354 A.H., which was given as a gift by the monarch of Al-Bohra to King Abdul Aziz, was sold for $1 million at the second auction of Arabian Wings in Jeddah.

The piece is considered to be one the rarest pieces of the Kiswa.