Saudi Culture Ministry Introduces Three New Fonts to Celebrate Kingdom’s Culture

Watad, the third font, was inspired by the tent peg with its letters having curved corners. Its suggested use was for text relating to festivals and sporting events. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Watad, the third font, was inspired by the tent peg with its letters having curved corners. Its suggested use was for text relating to festivals and sporting events. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Culture Ministry Introduces Three New Fonts to Celebrate Kingdom’s Culture

Watad, the third font, was inspired by the tent peg with its letters having curved corners. Its suggested use was for text relating to festivals and sporting events. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Watad, the third font, was inspired by the tent peg with its letters having curved corners. Its suggested use was for text relating to festivals and sporting events. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture on Monday launched an initiative creating three new Saudi fonts in celebration of the Arabic language.

In a statement, it said it is “introducing a unique touch that gives a Saudi identity to Arabic fonts and celebrates Saudi heritage and cultural symbols.”

The fonts, celebrating the Kingdom’s culture, will be available free of charge to individuals and organizations wishing to use them in design, artistic, and creative works.

The Masmak font has been named after the historic Masmak Fortress, characterized by its durability and strong structure. The font has been described as clear and easy to read and was developed without reference to traditional calligraphy methods.

The second new font, Al-Naseeb, resembles handwritten notes, and has been recommended for use in headlines, texts, literary works, poetry, and children’s stories.

Watad, the third font, was inspired by the tent peg with its letters having curved corners. Its suggested use was for text relating to festivals and sporting events.

“Initiatives launched by the Saudi Ministry of Culture from time to time have their significance and their discreet role in supporting the field of Arabic calligraphy,” said the Arabic calligraphy teacher at the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah, Ibrahim Al-Arafi.

Al-Arafi added that “Saudi Arabia had put forth an important set of qualitative initiatives that reflected its interest in Arab heritage and culture.”

“The various Saudi initiatives that were launched successively to support the field of Arabic calligraphy established a new qualitative shift,” he noted.

Al-Arafi encouraged expanding the nature and degree of these initiatives so that they include a larger map of aspects such as skill development and building a generation aware of the value and knowledge of this heritage.



Saudi Innovation Zones: Building a Knowledge-Based Future

Innovation zones aim to strengthen their role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a globally competitive innovation hub (SPA)
Innovation zones aim to strengthen their role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a globally competitive innovation hub (SPA)
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Saudi Innovation Zones: Building a Knowledge-Based Future

Innovation zones aim to strengthen their role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a globally competitive innovation hub (SPA)
Innovation zones aim to strengthen their role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a globally competitive innovation hub (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming into a global hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, thanks to the establishment of more than 10 Innovation Zones across the Kingdom.

The zones are key components of the national strategy for research, development, and innovation (RDI), which was launched in 2022 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Designed as integrated ecosystems, Innovation Zones aim to support innovators, develop patents, and turn theoretical ideas into market-ready solutions. They offer advanced infrastructure, tailored facilities for startups, and a range of support services such as funding, mentorship, and training. By doing so, they not only stimulate local investment but also attract international partnerships.

All Saudi Innovation Zones are officially registered with the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP). They operate under the four national RDI priorities: human health, environmental sustainability and essential needs, leadership in energy and industry, and future economies.

The zones are overseen by the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), established in 2021 to coordinate and accelerate innovation efforts across the country.

In April 2024, the RDIA launched the “Innovation Zones in Saudi Arabia” platform in partnership with existing innovation clusters. The platform seeks to strengthen support for entrepreneurs and create specialized zones aligned with national research goals.

Innovation Zones are distributed across major cities and academic institutions, including King Saud University, KAUST, University of Tabuk, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University, and King Faisal University. They also include corporate-driven hubs such as Aramco’s innovation zones in Dhahran and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh.

The zones serve a wide range of functions, from encouraging tech transfer and supporting the knowledge economy to fostering collaboration between academia and industry. By narrowing the gap between researchers and investors, they provide an ideal environment for innovation to thrive.

The impact is already visible. In 2024, the Innovation Zone at King Saud University reported notable success, transforming several research projects into economically viable ventures. The zone registered more than 16,000 scientific publications, nearly 2,000 patents, and supported over 200 startups within the year.

Looking ahead, Jeddah will host the first National Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Saudi Universities in October 2025. The event will focus on enhancing university-industry collaboration, promoting a culture of innovation in higher education, and supporting the development of a knowledge-driven economy. It will provide a platform for researchers and entrepreneurs to present their work, exchange ideas, and explore investment opportunities.