AGP Executive Report

Mawlid & community culture: Yemen’s Sana’a and Amran governorates held Prophet Muhammad’s birthday events with speeches, poetry and chants, while Sa’fan district also staged a protest condemning insults to the Holy Quran and calling for a big turnout for the central celebration. Craft & heritage shift: Bahrain’s centuries-old palm weaving is getting a new audience as government-backed courses bring in students beyond traditional family lines, helping keep the craft alive. Education & daily life in Saudi: Saudi schools prepare for the new academic year as more than 4.5 million students return, with tighter attendance monitoring and new public education law steps. Regional security headlines with Saudi ties: Bangladesh signaled openness to joining the Saudi-Pak-Türkiye defense framework, saying any move will follow “Bangladesh First” national interests. Culture meets science in Saudi travel: AlUla unveiled an “Odysseus” interpretive star pattern inspired by Homer, inviting visitors to explore Greek mythology under clear night skies. Diplomacy & culture bridge: A look back at a century of Saudi–France relations highlights cooperation spanning culture, defense and investment.

Saudi-France Partnership: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman heads to Paris for talks and deal-signing on transport, health, security, and energy logistics, including alternative routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Mecca Pact Watch: The Saudi-Türkiye-Pakistan mutual defense deal keeps reshaping regional security debates, with analysts stressing it’s not simply a “Muslim NATO” and that reactions from Iran and Israel will be decisive. Palestine & Settlements: The Muslim World League condemned Israel’s E1 settlement tender (1,234 units), warning it threatens an independent Palestinian state; multiple Muslim countries also urged urgent international action. Education & Safety: Saudi Arabia tightens school-bus rules—students could lose transport access for a full year for violations, including unsafe behavior around bus doors/windows. Culture & Heritage: Saudi-French cultural ties get highlighted through AlUla’s Louvre-era momentum, showing how heritage, tourism, cinema, and events are now part of the broader economy. Riyadh Business & Design: Riyadh hosts IFAC (1–3 Sept 2026), spotlighting furniture components and sourcing for the kingdom’s fast-growing interior fit-out market. Sports & Identity: Mohamed Salah’s Trabzonspor move is framed as a fan-and-city-driven project, with the club selling local identity as part of the pitch. Islamic Milestones Abroad: Maldives plans its Hulhumalé Grand Mosque for the 900th anniversary of embracing Islam, with a Qur’an museum and community facilities.

Regional Security & Alliances: The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan may expand as Syria reviews joining and Bangladesh signals openness to a broader economic or defence framework. Middle East Tensions: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says Iran won’t interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs and backs withdrawal of foreign forces as Baghdad moves to bring militias under state control. Syria Under Pressure: Pakistan and 11 Muslim countries strongly condemn Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase, calling them an escalation and demanding withdrawal from occupied Syrian areas. Palestine Diplomacy: Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim states reject Israel’s “E1” settlement plan, warning it threatens a contiguous Palestinian state and regional peace. Saudi Culture & Lifestyle: Bear Hugs Preschool inaugurates a new Jeddah Al-Shati branch, expanding early childhood education under Vision 2030 human-capital goals. Faith & Community: A Nigerian Qur’anic scholar from Gombe, Maryam Ibrahim Dan’azumi, wins at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz International Qur’an competition, with reports noting historic female participation. Saudi-Global Spotlight: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman departs for France on a state visit focused on regional crises and strategic partnership.

Education Reform & Curriculum: Saudi Arabia removed the phrase “the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” from school textbooks, alongside revisions to some Quran and Hadith references and other Israel/Palestine-related wording, as part of ongoing curriculum modernization. Cultural Districts in Riyadh: Lift, a hybrid gallery, co-working and concept shop, opened in JAX in Riyadh, designed to support emerging Saudi and regional creatives through rotating exhibitions, workshops and a daily café. Film & Entertainment: Film Master LLC is bringing the animated adventure “LUMIVIA” to Middle East cinemas, while “7 Dogs” directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah praised Salman Khan’s on-set charisma and filmmaking instincts for the Saudi-set production. International Cultural Exchange: The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is hiring an Interpreter/Translator (SR 7,200 starting salary) for Arabic-English work tied to official delegations. Sports Culture: Riyadh’s Red Sea EDITION resort on Shura Island is set to open with a design inspired by the Red Sea’s “rock to sand to sea” landscape, adding a new luxury lifestyle chapter for visitors.

Culture & Education: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education is rolling out a new digital school experience: students get QR-code ID cards, parents and teachers can track assignments and tests via the Unified Education Portal, and school transport rules now include strict conduct penalties (up to a full-year suspension). Learning & Talent: Jeddah is set to open the Kingdom’s first specialized mathematics school for gifted students, with KAUST and Al-Aqeel Charity, plus KAUST’s Applied Mathematics School accepting applications for a fully sponsored one-week program. Public Life & Travel Comfort: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport launches its “Silent Airport” phase at Terminal 5, cutting general announcements and pushing flight updates to digital screens, apps, WhatsApp, and gate alerts. Quran & Community: South Asian Muslim contestants won multiple prizes at Saudi Arabia’s global Quran competition in Makkah, while Yemen’s Sana’a marked Prophet Muhammad’s birthday with large public celebrations and Quran-focused rallies. Heritage Spotlight: A Saudi Heritage Commission study points to the oldest known “trademark” concept in 3,600-year-old pottery from Qurayyah Oasis. Arts & New Media: Diriyah Art Futures announced Continuum 26, showcasing emerging new media artists across immersive, sound, screen-based, VR, and AI-generated works.

Diriyah Culture Move: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has relocated to new headquarters in Diriyah, strengthening the city’s role as a hub for culture and contemporary living. Heritage Discovery: A Saudi Heritage Commission study, published with the University of Vienna, traces the oldest known “trademark” concept in pottery to Qurayyah Oasis, dating back about 3,600 years. Charity Governance: A Royal Order will transform the Ehsan charitable platform into the independent Ehsan Foundation for Charitable Work, aiming to boost donation efficiency and sector innovation. Disability Rights Enforcement: Saudi Arabia has started enforcing disability rights law in the private and non-profit sectors, with fines up to SR500,000 for workplace discrimination. Inclusive Faith & Learning: Saudi textbooks remove the phrase “Muslims will never give up Jerusalem,” alongside other changes flagged by an Israeli monitoring group. Qur’an Achievement: Nigeria’s Maryam Ibrahim Dan’azumi wins the King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Saudi Arabia, a landmark win for female participation. Hospitality & Lifestyle: Banyan Tree AlUla unveils new Ashar Valley Experiences for summer, adding an in-resort “passport” style activity program. Culture on Screen: The documentary “Calcio: A Saudi Passion” explores how Serie A fandom grew in Saudi Arabia, from TV nights to stadium culture. Global Entertainment Buzz: Monica Bellucci says her action role in “7 Dogs” was a new experience, with the film set for release on Aug. 21. Sports Rumor Check: Roberto Carlos denies viral claims that he converted to Islam after his marriage.

Saudi Culture & Lifestyle: Red Sea Global says it has invested SAR 51.04bn (US$13.6bn) in Amaala phase one, highlighting a destination built around wellness concepts from Six Senses, Equinox, Rosewood, Four Seasons and more as resorts begin opening. Arts & Heritage: A new study on Bronze Age trade in Saudi Arabia argues oasis-made pottery from Qurayyah functioned like a “brand,” showing early visual identity and export culture. Education & Society: Saudi textbooks have removed the line “Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” and other antisemitic content, with reforms also tied to broader curriculum updates. Tech & Entertainment: The Official MENA Chart adds new rules for AI-generated music eligibility, aiming to protect human-led creativity on regional charts. Community & Events: HUAWEI AppGallery’s AGC Esports Carnival KSA Season 2 drew 8,000 visitors to Riyadh Park Mall with a SAR 200,000 prize pool, blending gaming and digital creativity. Religion & Culture Exchange: Maldives and Saudi Arabia discussed hosting an international Quran competition in the Maldives.

Education & Values: Saudi Arabia removed the phrase “the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” from school textbooks, alongside broader revisions to Israel/Palestine references and antisemitic content, as curriculum reviews reported progress on tolerance and religious minorities. Hajj & Culture: Turkey’s Diyanet switched Hajj fees for 2027 from Saudi riyals to US dollars, signaling rising pilgrimage costs and a new pricing approach for Turkish pilgrims. Arts & New Media: Diriyah Art Futures unveiled CONTINUUM ’26, running Sept 3–Nov 7 in Riyadh, spotlighting 16 emerging artists in new media and digital art. Tech & Learning: Saudi edtech AILA raised $3m pre-Series A to expand AI-powered personalised learning across the region. Lifestyle & Hospitality: Rosewood AMAALA opened on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, adding 110 pool villas and a wellness-led experience. Regional Security: The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (Saudi Arabia–Türkiye–Pakistan) continues to shape debate on a new regional security order. Business & Policy: A report highlighted how Vision 2030 legal and regulatory reforms helped turn Saudi Arabia into a global competitiveness knowledge hub. Sports/Entertainment Industry: EA workers voiced fears that Saudi-led ownership could influence what gets approved, reflecting culture and content concerns in the gaming world.

Saudi Education Reform: Saudi Arabia removed remaining antisemitic and extremist references from 2025–2026 school textbooks, including a Grade 7 hadith comparing minorities to maimed animals and the line “Muslims will never give up Jerusalem,” while moderating language about Israel and adding more peace-focused interfaith content. Curriculum Update: The new academic year begins Aug. 23 for most students, with Makkah/Madinah/Jeddah/Taif starting Aug. 30, and includes new enrollment for children born during the COVID-19 period. Maritime Security: The Saudi Cabinet rejected repeated Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and backed the operational activation of the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance to protect Red Sea and Hormuz navigation. Culture & Media: Effat University’s Dr. Mohamed Ghazala brings “90 Years of Animation in the Arab World” to Hiroshima, spotlighting Saudi animation talent. Lifestyle & Travel: Aroya Cruises says its Mediterranean season is strengthening distribution and demand, including new interporting operations starting in Alexandria. Heritage & Archives: Saudi visual anthropologist Ghada AlMuhanna Abalkhail’s al-Falaj directory expands access to Arabian Peninsula visual and documentary archives. Sports Business: Al Haboob Camel Racing Team signs IIB as lead partner, pushing professional branding for the Gulf’s traditional sport.

Maritime Security & Culture-Lifestyle Impact: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet backed the institutional activation of the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, aimed at protecting Red Sea and Gulf shipping routes and rejecting Iranian attacks on commercial vessels—an issue that directly shapes travel, trade, and everyday costs. Red Sea Luxury Hospitality: Red Sea Global opened Rosewood AMAALA on Saudi’s northwestern coast, a low-density wellness resort blending contemporary Arabian design with nature-led wellbeing, plus Rosewood Residences AMAALA. Education & Curriculum Reform: A new report says Saudi school textbooks have removed previously documented antisemitic content and toned down “jihad” references, while improving portrayals of religious minorities and women. Culinary Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission met Japanese officials to boost education, training, knowledge exchange, and food technology cooperation, with more Japanese participation expected in Saudi events. Tech for Daily Life: Microsoft Arabia’s new president highlighted moving AI from experiments to real deployments, alongside expanding local skills and cloud capabilities. Lifestyle & Entertainment: A Saudi woman who fled a forced marriage in 2022 is now working as a DJ in the UK, while Saudi’s InterContinental The Red Sea Resort is running a late-summer cultural entertainment programme.

Education Reform: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education says 22 subjects were updated and 50 AI learning units added for the new academic year, alongside a new Education Portal and plans to open campuses of three foreign universities. Public Art & Culture: Riyadh Art is expanding permanent contemporary installations across metro stations, bridges, parks and plazas, bringing works by Saudi and international artists into everyday city life. Curriculum Moderation: A new Impact-se report says Saudi school textbooks have removed virtually all antisemitic content, with remaining examples fully taken out and religious minorities portrayed more positively. Pilgrimage Rules: Pakistan issued a strict Hajj/Umrah warning to avoid begging and unauthorised money collection in Mecca and Medina, stressing zero tolerance and compliance with Saudi visa rules. Inclusive Access: Saudi disability rights breaches are facing SAR500,000 fines, as enforcement targets discrimination in key services. Hospitality Outlook: IHG highlights how Saudi hospitality is shifting toward connectivity, lifestyle experiences and tech-enabled guest journeys. Sports Development: Marc Canham has joined the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to lead football development, focusing on grassroots, coach education and academies.

Saudi Education Reform: Saudi Arabia is opening the public education sector wider to private and non-profit investment under a new General Education System, aiming to tighten governance and improve learning outcomes in line with Vision 2030. Football Development: Marc Canham has been appointed head of football development at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, tasked with grassroots growth, coach education, and pathways for both men’s and women’s football. Inclusive Hospitality: Vida Creek Beach in Dubai earned the Certified Autism Center™ designation, with staff training and on-site reviews to support autistic and sensory-sensitive guests. Culture & Events: Salalah’s Dhofar International Film Festival returns for a second edition (6–9 Sept 2026), featuring films from 16 countries including Saudi Arabia. Sports Lifestyle: Cristiano Ronaldo hinted his upcoming year could be his last, saying he wants to leave a “spectacular legacy” while continuing with Al-Nassr this season. Global Diplomacy (regional impact): Turkey, Saudi Arabia and others condemned Israel’s rejection of a US-backed Gaza roadmap, urging continued international involvement to keep the plan on track. STEM for Youth: PIF and Formula E launched “Driving Force” to reach 50,000 students with STEM, sustainability, and future mobility learning across Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK.

Gaza Diplomacy: US envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt to revive Trump’s Gaza roadmap, pushing “concrete, verifiable steps” on disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal, while Israel insists it won’t move until Hamas is fully disarmed. Regional Condemnations: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Türkiye, Qatar and the UAE jointly condemned Israel’s rejection of the 15-point plan and Palestinian statehood, warning it could derail peace efforts. Security Bloc Watch: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan’s “Mecca pact” is framed as a defensive, NATO-style coordination mechanism, with talks also highlighting how such alliances could reshape regional security perceptions. Maritime Red Sea Focus: A new 14-nation coalition based in Riyadh aims to protect navigation and energy routes amid Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb threats. Culture & Lifestyle: Madinah’s Culinary Arts Commission added 35 local products to the global “Ark of Taste,” spotlighting heritage foods and biodiversity. Education Spotlight: Arabian Gulf University launched a Gulf Medical Camp for 60 students, mixing lectures and hands-on experiences to spark interest in medical studies. Sports Celebrity: Cristiano Ronaldo hinted this season could be his last, saying he wants to leave a “spectacular legacy.” Travel & Safety: Pakistan’s FIA flagged a fake Netherlands visa at Islamabad airport, offloading a passenger suspected of using Saudi Arabia as a transit route to Europe.

Falconry & Heritage: European falcon breeders are in Riyadh for the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2026, underscoring how Saudi Arabia is turning a traditional pastime into a global cultural marketplace. Record Auction Buzz: One juvenile Gyr Super White sold for 1.3 million riyals—this year’s priciest falcon—while other high bids from international farms kept the auction in the spotlight. Youth & Education: Riyadh hosted a UNESCO-backed education symposium putting young people at the center of defining “quality and excellence,” with youth input gathered to shape future learning priorities. Music & Talent: MDLBEAST Foundation opened applications for XPERFORM 2026, naming Saudi creators Dhom Altlasy and SLOW MOE as judges as the region’s next vocal stars gear up for a bigger stage. Expo 2030 Planning: LAVA was appointed custodian of the Expo 2030 Riyadh master plan, moving the mega-event into detailed design and implementation. Culture in Motion: Touli launched its civic impact platform in Colombo, rewarding real community actions with redeemable local experiences—blending social good with lifestyle culture. Science Spotlight: Saudi Arabia’s informatics team won three awards at the IOI 2026 in Uzbekistan, including the Kingdom’s first silver medal. Travel & Lifestyle: Riyadh Air inaugurated direct flights to Islamabad, adding a new travel link between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Mecca Pact Explained: Turkish President Erdoğan gave a fuller public account of the “Makkah Agreement,” saying Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan would respond collectively if any signatory faces external aggression—framing it as a step toward deeper strategic coordination. Saudi Culture & Lifestyle: Doctors in Bahrain advised parents on school bags, stressing lighter loads and correct fit; wheeled bags can help on flat routes, but schools should also use lockers and shared materials. Global Sport, Gulf Reach: New Balance’s three-year deal with Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira shows how Gulf sport is pulling in global brands for culture and community influence, not just kits. Saudi-Linked Security Watch: A Saudi-led 14-state maritime coalition was formed to protect navigation routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with Riyadh set as the permanent HQ. India-Saudi Cultural Ties: India’s Independence Day “Suryapath Tiranga” global relay included Saudi Arabia among the stops, with Indian missions hoisting the tricolour as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. Pilgrimage Integrity: Nigeria’s NAHCON warned against fraudulent “special slot” Hajj 2027 scams demanding money from pilgrims.

Maritime Security & Energy Routes: Saudi Arabia is leading a new 14-state Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance based in Riyadh to protect Red Sea and Gulf of Aden navigation after threats of a Houthi blockade and wider Iran-linked tensions. Regional Tensions in Yemen: Saudi artillery reportedly hit residential areas in Yemen’s Saada province, while Yemen’s forces vowed “blockade with blockade,” warning of wider targeting if attacks escalate. Cultural Diplomacy for Independence Day: India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations reached Saudi Arabia through the SURYAPATH TIRANGA Global Relay, with Indian missions hoisting the flag as part of a sunrise-to-sunrise cultural journey. Saudi-Pak-Turkiye Defense Pact: Pakistan’s leadership highlighted the August 7 Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, stressing collective deterrence and defense cooperation as regional security dynamics shift. Education & Youth Achievement: Saudi Arabia’s Standards Team won top honors at the International Standards Olympiad in Korea, with Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education supporting the students. Travel & Community Links: Riyadh Air began operations in Pakistan, adding new connectivity between Riyadh and Islamabad.