Saudi Princess Reema bint Bandar presented her credentials as the Kingdom’s ambassador to the US on Thursday, more than two months after she was appointed to the key post.

She has arrived earlier on Wednesday in Washington, DC to begin her assignment as the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States.

‘Princess Reema will immediately begin her mission to strengthen the historic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States,’ said Fahad Nazer, embassy spokesperson. ‘The Ambassador will bring a fresh perspective on a rapidly changing Saudi Arabia to Washington, continuing to build on key areas of cooperation between our two countries.’

“Honored to present my credentials today to @StateDept. Looking forward to starting this chapter of my life in Washington DC the journey begins with a wonderful team @SaudiEmbassyUSA,” she wrote on her official Twitter account.

Honored to present my credentials today to @StateDept. Looking forward to starting this chapter of my life in Washington DC🇸🇦🇺🇸 the journey begins with a wonderful team @SaudiEmbassyUSA

— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) July 3, 2019

Princess Reema was nominated to the post back in February and she later took her oath in April before King Salman in Riyadh, making her the first Saudi female ambassador and the 11th Saudi diplomatic representative to Washington.

The number of graffiti artists in Jeddah is increasing, and they are all contributing in adding more colors to their city, with their amazing skills that can be spotted all over Jeddah’s walls.

The art that was once perceived as vandalism is now helping brighten up the city. One of the artists contributing in this colorful trends is Elias Tashkandi, the 19-year-old Saudi student is turning his passion for art into coloring the city of Jeddah.

His passion started off in France where the art there inspired his own, and now, the artist has participated in several important festivals in the Kingdom, including the XJED, Common Ground and the Jeddah Food Festival.

“I saw the artworks on the trains and in the streets,” he said. “I then began replicating them, but on paper. I started experimenting in graffiti and its basics on a deeper level in 2016.”

Another talented group is Dhad, the young artists are leaving their incredible mark on different walls and projects, and their latest work was for Mirkaz JED.

Their page on Instagram speaks out their work, and is as colorful as their accomplished work.

View this post on Instagram

الجزء التاني من جدار مركاز ٢…🔥 Part2 of Mirkaz Vol.2 wall with @mirkaz.jed @az_designer @enzo.594 @deyaaone @mb0ne1 @giotwo #mirkaz #graffiti #mural #mickeymouse #oldschool #jeddah #supportyourlocalartist

A post shared by DHAD ضـــاد (@dhadstore) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:07am PST

Besides graffiti, the group also does professional digital art.

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Is orange related to basketball 🏀? Artist: @deyaaone Using ipad: @procreate #jordan #basketball #ball #art #digitalArt #orange

A post shared by DHAD ضـــاد (@dhadstore) on Aug 20, 2018 at 10:53am PDT

“Once the artist uncages his potential, no canvas is too big and no idea is too small. Just put that first brush stroke to paper and let your creativity guide the free flow of your expressions.” Deyaa Rambo, one of Dhad’s founders.

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Deyaaone x Spark Big thank to @spark_official and my man who behind the camera @big.o.c Much love and respect 🤜🤛

A post shared by DEYAA RAMBO (@deyaaone) on Mar 21, 2018 at 8:29am PDT

Hanan Kamal, a 26-year-old Saudi project manager, is yet another graffiti artist; because a feminine touch is always needed. Her art has been displayed in several events, the most recent one was the Jeddah Book Fair that was held back in January.
“Graffiti — and drawing in general — is my passion, not just a hobby,” she said.

“It evolved into freelance work that appealed to many people and I was encouraged, especially by women, as they are a minority in this field.”

Abdulkareem Jeyad, the 23 year old is a freelance graphic designer from Indonesia, art for him runs in his genes; as he was born into an artistic family. His mother was an abstract artist and his father a calligraphy artist. Which makes perfect sense for him to grow with such a talent, and passion for colors.

“I have been in the graffiti field for more than 9 years and counting.”

Art can speak out many things, it is a way to express opinions, thoughts and things that can not simply be put into words. The same goes for a country, and so it is just a delight to see this kind of self expression spreading across the city of Jeddah.

Haila Al-Farraj just got appointed as sports commentator on the Gulf women’s soccer tournament, making her the first Saudi Woman commentator.

Al-farraj will sit in the commentary box on Friday at the Gulf women’s soccer tournament, that will take place at the Green Hall in Dammam.

Around 200 female football players will be taking part in the competition, with 16 teams from five GCC member states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE and Oman.

Haila Al-Farraj is a radio presenter with a B.A. degree in anthropology, in addition to being an instructor accredited by the Public Corporation for Social Communications and Electronic Marketing. Which is exactly what made her a perfect fit to be chosen as the official commentator of the GCC women soccer competition, chosen by the organizing committee.

“It was by a stroke of luck that I was chosen to be the official commentator of a major GCC women’s event, which will include football players, coaches, referees and others,” she said.

She further explained that she had acquired her love for sports from her father and brother, who always talked about sports which provided her with the terminologies.
“My father is a big fan of Al-Nasr Club while my brothers support Al-Hial,” she added.

She expressed her pride to be the first Saudi woman sports commentator, and that she wishes to carry on with the career because of this time of women empowerment and gender equality.