AGP Executive Report

Riyadh Airport: A new attack killed 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities. Airport operations were suspended for safety checks, disrupting travel through the capital. Film and Media: The Saudi Film Commission is preparing the fourth Saudi Film Confex, while Toy Story 5 is set to become Disney’s first film dubbed in Saudi Arabic. Fashion and Education: Saudi designer Alia Al-Salmi is taking the Kingdom’s heritage to international audiences, and Istituto Marangoni is expanding its Riyadh campus. Heritage and Travel: Visitors can experience traditional falconry at the Saudi Falcons Exhibition; Riyadh Air has also opened ticket sales for Jakarta flights.

Music and Screen: Preparations continue for the Intervision music contest in Saudi Arabia, though organisers are still working through arrangements amid regional difficulties. The Saudi Film Commission is also preparing the fourth Saudi Film Confex for 2026. Heritage and Design: Saudi designer Alia Al-Salmi is taking the Kingdom’s heritage to a global audience, while a live falconry experience is bringing traditional hunting to exhibition visitors. Creative Education: Istituto Marangoni is expanding its Riyadh campus, adding to the city’s fashion and design scene. Travel and Lifestyle: Riyadh Air has opened ticket sales for its Jakarta route, aimed at growing tourism and religious travel. Influencer Mr Faisu also shared wedding photos from his nikah in Madinah.

Film and Fashion: The Saudi Film Commission is preparing the fourth Saudi Film Confex, while designer Alia Al-Salmi is taking Saudi heritage to a global audience. Creative Education: Istituto Marangoni is expanding its Riyadh campus, adding to the capital’s growing fashion and design scene. Heritage Experiences: Visitors to the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition can experience falconry firsthand, as the event also showcases technology and robotics. Family Life: Skilled foreign workers can now arrange entry visas for eligible family members alongside their work permits.

Travel and Safety: Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport killed three people and disrupted flights; air traffic has since returned to normal, but airlines continue to cancel some Riyadh services. Entertainment: Aquarabia at Qiddiya City has won a 2026 Leading Edge Award, spotlighting the vast water park’s themed attractions and record-setting rides. Saudi Screen Culture: The Saudi Film Commission is preparing its fourth Film Confex, while Toy Story 5 is set to become Disney’s first film dubbed in Saudi Arabic. Education: More than 444,000 Saudi students have registered for the National Gifted Olympiad, a major show of interest in the kingdom’s talent programmes.

Architecture & Belonging: Qatar Museums’ “Beyti Beytak” exhibition opens October 26, bringing together more than 40 creatives to explore home, hospitality and shared responsibility. Calligraphy: Sharjah’s 12th Calligraphy Biennial runs through November 15; Saudi artist Hussein Al Mohasen won an award for modern and contemporary calligraphic art. Saudi Design & Heritage: ARTDOM Riyadh spotlights heritage in contemporary design, while the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition features a blind craftsman weaving falconry nets. Film & Entertainment: The Saudi Film Commission is preparing its fourth Saudi Film Confex, and Toy Story 5 is set to become Disney’s first film dubbed in Saudi Arabic.

Travel & Safety: Houthi attacks on two Saudi airports killed three people and injured 36, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities; a further claimed missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport had not been confirmed. Living Heritage: At the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition in Riyadh, blind craftsman Khalaf Al-Otaibi demonstrated falconry-net weaving, a family craft he has practised for nearly 40 years. Arts: Saudi calligrapher Hussain Abdulmohsen won a modern calligraphy award at Sharjah’s 12th Calligraphy Biennale for a work linking Arabic lettering with sadu weaving. Tourism & Leisure: Ajdan unveiled plans for Khobar Pier, a $1.5 billion waterfront destination combining hotels, homes, dining, retail and recreation. Gaming: Mastercard and Saudi-founded publisher Tamatem are expanding digital game payments, starting in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Saudi Screen Culture: Toy Story 5 is now streaming on Disney+ in Saudi Arabic, marking the first Disney film dubbed in the dialect. The Riyadh launch showcased a local voice cast and an adaptation shaped around Saudi humour and cultural context. Riyadh’s Global Profile: The Saudi capital ranked second among Arab cities and 50th worldwide in the 2026 Global Cities Index, entering the global top 50 for the first time. Language & Exchange: Interest in Chinese studies is growing across Arab countries, with Jeddah students among those taking part in language and cultural activities. Arts in Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Culture Ministry plans to open its Quarter Tone exhibition at Fenaa Alawwal, spotlighting music and cultural expression. Sport & Events: Kuwait is coordinating preparations to host the Saudi Super Cup, including arrangements for fan safety and event programming.

Family Life: Saudi Arabia now lets eligible skilled expatriate workers process entry visas for spouses and children alongside their own work visas, reducing delays for families relocating to the Kingdom. Sport and Investment: The Public Investment Fund says Saudi Arabia remains open to sports investment, but is shifting toward partnerships and more financially sustainable projects as it prepares infrastructure for the 2034 World Cup. Arts and Heritage: Riyadh’s Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition offers visitors close-up experiences with falconry, traditional taxidermy workshops and displays of rare objects. Culture: The Culture Ministry is set to launch a Quarter Tone exhibition in Riyadh, while a Saudi conference has called for Arabic to have a stronger place in cultural life. Community: An Indian expatriate committee in Riyadh has appointed its first two women members, reflecting women’s growing role in community leadership. Tourism: Oberoi has shared plans for a 2027 luxury resort in Wadi Safar, designed with Najdi architectural influences near Diriyah. Legal Case: Sri Lanka is seeking clemency for a 24-year-old worker sentenced to death over a Facebook comment; the case has drawn calls for a review.

Yemen Crisis & Saudi Defense: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reaffirmed full support for Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, backing efforts to end the Houthi takeover and restore state institutions, while stressing unified Makkah Alliance positions to confront attacks on Makkah and Madinah and protect maritime navigation. Human Rights & Expat Life: Growing anger in Saudi Arabia over the death sentence for a Sri Lankan migrant worker tied to a Facebook blasphemy case, with calls for clemency and international pressure mounting. Culture & Community Giving: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman kicked off Saudi Arabia’s 2026 national blood donation campaign, highlighting a push for a culture of volunteering and social responsibility. Heritage & Lifestyle: A live falconry experience at the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition brought traditional desert hunting rituals to visitors through an immersive family show. Sports: Saudi Arabia won the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, defeating the UAE 2-0 in a packed final. Arts & Museums: Six artists were shortlisted for the 2026 Richard Mille Art Prize, with the exhibition set for Louvre Abu Dhabi under a theme linking India and the Gulf. Aviation & Travel: Air India Express unveiled its Winter Schedule 2026, expanding routes and connectivity across India and international destinations.

Mecca Defense Alliance: Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to “immediately” implement collective-defense commitments and ensure rapid deployment of forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate, with officials also stressing operational details are confidential. Yemen Frontline: Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive to retake parts of the Bab el-Mandeb coast, pushing Houthis back toward the highlands; the Houthis meanwhile claimed strikes on Saudi and regional targets. Holy Sites Under Pressure: ASEAN’s “Khair Ummah” conference condemned Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting Makkah and Madinah, calling for moderation and action against extremism. Legal & Social Impact: Saudi Arabia urged clemency for a man sentenced to death over a Facebook post, while Sri Lanka’s migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa faces the death penalty for alleged blasphemy tied to social media. Culture & Lifestyle: Diriyah Company awarded major contracts to build luxury hotels and residences at Diriyah Square, reinforcing the heritage destination’s hospitality push. Business & Media: Skydance’s $110B Hollywood mega-merger closed, with Saudi-linked wealth funds among backers—another sign of Gulf influence reaching global entertainment. Tech & Society: KPMG in the Middle East appointed Islam Al Bayaa as CEO, focusing on growth and AI/governance capabilities across the region. Education & Community: Saudi-backed humanitarian and religious cooperation continued as Cambodia and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed ties, including support for Hajj/Umrah and scholarships.

Saudi Culture & Heritage: The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026 in Riyadh is drawing crowds with a Taxidermy Pavilion that pairs preserved wildlife displays with lessons on habitats and diets, plus a meteorite-inlaid sword exhibition priced at $533,000—both spotlighting heritage craftsmanship and outdoor culture through Oct. 10. Arabic Language & Culture: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language conference wrapped up in Riyadh, urging a stronger presence of Arabic across cultural, intellectual and digital spaces, including education for non-native speakers and AI-focused content work. Education & Learning Skills: A Saudi Ministry of Education official in Riyadh stressed that improving student outcomes means upgrading teacher capabilities and curricula toward scientific thinking, critical reasoning and problem-solving, aligned with PISA 2025 results. Community & Social Responsibility: Qatar joined Saudi-hosted Global CSR Forum in Riyadh, highlighting cross-sector partnerships and “commitment to impact” as governments and experts discuss how to scale social responsibility. Regional Security & Holy Sites: Saudi Arabia condemned Houthi attacks on civilians and infrastructure, while Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to rapid troop deployment under the Mecca Defence Alliance as the region’s security situation escalates. Entertainment Update: Saudi Arabia’s Joy Awards 2027 are reportedly set to be cancelled amid budget reassessments for major events.

Global CSR in Riyadh: Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family is taking part in the second Global CSR Forum in Saudi Arabia, highlighting cross-sector partnerships to turn commitments into measurable social impact. US-Saudi security ties: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington intends to “live by” its defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks continue in Yemen. Standards in Arabic: ISO launched a new quality management standard (ISO 9001:2026) with an Arabic edition, aiming to widen access to global best practices across the Arab world. Mecca defense pact talks: Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are set to meet in Riyadh to discuss how the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement should respond to escalating Houthi threats. Culture budget shake-up: Saudi Arabia is set to cancel next year’s Joy Awards amid financial strain and the Iran war’s impact on the events and entertainment push. Aviation security and culture: The flydubai cockpit attack case keeps unfolding, with reports of extremist links and how the incident was handled—an issue now echoing across regional aviation, public safety, and community reactions. Heritage hospitality win: Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla Old Town received a MICHELIN Key, spotlighting heritage-led hospitality rooted in local culture and place.

Saudi Tourism Access: Saudi Arabia expanded its streamlined tourist visa programme to citizens of Kosovo and Guyana, allowing eligible travellers to apply online or on arrival for tourism, events, exhibitions, conferences, and even Umrah. Capital Markets & Culture of Fairness: Saudi CMA’s new chief says market reforms are planned within 90 days, including a bigger retail share in IPOs and tighter oversight of trading and short selling—aimed at boosting investor confidence. Arts & Heritage: Riyadh’s Fenaa Alawwal will host the Ministry of Culture’s “Quarter Tone” exhibition (Oct 7–Nov 7), turning oud-making remnants into visual works that evoke sound, maqam, and rhythm. Women’s Stories on Stage: Jeddah theatre production “I Am a Woman” brings together sketches of mothers, daughters, working women, and stay-at-home women, spotlighting everyday female experiences. Community Safety: Interior Ministry launched “Balagh” to encourage public security reporting via 911 and the Kollona Amn app, inviting citizens and organizations to submit awareness content. International Spotlight (Aviation & Extremism): Reports say Israel had advance Flydubai crew/passenger details before the cockpit attack attempt, while Al-Qaeda-linked outlets praised the incident and urged copycat attacks—keeping aviation security and extremist propaganda in focus. Regional Security (Madinah Power): Saudi-led coalition and others reacted to claims of drone attacks on the Taibah power station supplying the Prophet’s Mosque area, with Pakistan among those condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Culture & Arts in Riyadh: The Saudi Culture Ministry is set to launch the “Quarter Tone” exhibition at Fenaa Alawwal Center in Riyadh, blending oud-making remnants with visual art that evokes sound, maqam and rhythm, with talks on sound, place, memory and identity running until Nov. 7. Arabic Language Spotlight: KSGAAL opened its fifth annual international conference on Arabic language and culture in Riyadh, bringing researchers and scholars to discuss language, identity, digital culture and cultural policy. Entertainment Budget Shake-up: Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to cancel next year’s Joy Awards as budget cuts and the Iran war pressure the kingdom’s entertainment sector. Heritage & Performance Abroad: “Yaksha Vaibhava 2026” brought coastal Karnataka’s Yakshagana to Bahrain, drawing 400+ attendees and featuring performers from India and the UAE. Lifestyle & Self-Expression: A Riyadh-based piece argues for dressing as self-acceptance—“I dress my beauty”—pushing back against age-based beauty rules. Sports Culture: Visitors at the Saudi International Falcon and Hunting Exhibition got close to the original Saudi Cup trophy, linking horse racing with Saudi heritage. Security & Society: Al-Qaeda praised a Flydubai cockpit attack attempt and called for copycat plane attacks, while reports also highlight regional security questions around the incident.

Flydubai Terror Case: Captain Smit Machchhar says his Omani co-pilot asked to pray minutes before attacking him with a cockpit crash axe, as reports link Hamam al-Hammami to extremist al-Qaeda propaganda and show he was previously removed from Oman Air flight training over radical concerns. Saudi Weather & Education: Jazan schools shifted to remote learning after moderate-to-heavy rainfall disrupted parts of the region. Saudi Integrity Drive: Nazaha launched probes into 381 employees and arrested 158 over corruption charges across multiple ministries, including Interior and Education. Gulf Diplomacy & Iran War: Scholars and students at the University of Utah hosted discussions on Iran-war diplomacy and GCC crisis de-escalation, honoring GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. Culture & Heritage Reading: A bilingual book on pre-oil Gulf architecture highlights overlooked desert and sea-era structures, aiming to broaden how students understand Gulf history beyond modern skylines. Yemen Front: Analysts say Saudi and Yemeni forces are preparing for a major offensive targeting the Red Sea corridor and Bab el-Mandeb, amid renewed US reluctance to join directly.

Aviation Security & Culture Shock: UAE prosecutors confirmed the flydubai cockpit attack as a “terrorist act,” after Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly used a crash axe to attack Captain Smit Machchhar on a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight, triggering a steep descent before passengers and crew stopped him and the plane diverted to Saudi Arabia. Background Checks Under Fire: Reports say Oman had removed al-Hammami from active flying training in 2025 over extremist concerns, raising questions about how he later got assigned to the sensitive route. Human Story in the Spotlight: Machchhar described surviving the ordeal to PM Narendra Modi, saying he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the fight to save lives. Faith, Identity & Public Debate: The incident has sparked wider arguments about religion, women’s roles, and extremist online content, with social media posts and links to al-Qaeda figures reported as investigators dig deeper. Regional Security Talks: Pakistan says Makkah Accord members will hold emergency talks in Riyadh on Houthi attacks, as Yemen vows Saudi strikes won’t stop Ta’izz operations. Community & Arts: Takreem Foundation marked its 15th anniversary in Paris with support for Lebanese children via Afel, while New York’s inaugural Muslim Film Festival aims to move beyond stereotypes with filmmakers telling their own stories.