In a scene reflecting a deep connection to authentic cultural heritage, His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, crowned the winners of the top prizes in the "Mazayin" (beauty) races for the individual "Mafarid" (young camels) category in the "Sha'al" and "Shaqah" colors. This crowning took place as part of the accompanying events of the third edition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival 2026, which witnessed wide participation from the most prominent camel owners in the Kingdom and the Gulf region.

Historical background and cultural significance

Camels are an integral part of the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula, having been the lifeblood of nomadic Bedouins and a symbol of wealth and heritage. Camel beauty pageants, or "Mazayin," are a modern celebration of this rich legacy. In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to strengthen national identity and preserve heritage, specialized entities such as the Camel Club and the Saudi Camel Racing Federation have been established to organize these events on a world-class scale, transforming them from mere popular competitions into major economic and cultural events that attract investment and tourism.

Results of the rounds and confirmation of Saudi Arabia's leadership

The "Shaal" color category witnessed fierce competition, culminating in Saudi owner Nawaf Al-Shammari taking first place with his camel "Samou Al-Ghandaliyat." Fellow Saudi owner Turki Al-Sharafi in second with his camel "Janadriyat Al-Nawamis," while Qatari owner Abdullah Al-Athba finished third with his camel "Razama," highlighting the Gulf region's competitive spirit. In the "Shaqah" color category, Saudi owners dominated, securing the top three positions. Fahd Al-Mutairi Mashabeb Al-Dossari came in second with his camel "Wasm Al-Falihat," and Nawaf Al-Rashidi third with his camel "Wasayef Shaqah Al-Mamlaka."

Local and regional impact of the festival

The festival's significance extends beyond its role as a traditional sporting competition; its impact also boosts the local economy by stimulating trade and tourism in the host regions. Furthermore, it serves as a regional platform for exchanging expertise among camel owners in the Gulf countries, deepening shared cultural ties. Internationally, these large-scale festivals help to highlight the Kingdom's efforts in preserving its unique heritage and presenting it in a modern and appealing way.

Professional organization and valuable prizes

The festival's organizing committee, a joint effort between the Saudi Camel Racing Federation and the Camel Club, began accepting registration applications on January 18th, announcing cash prizes totaling 2.7 million riyals for the winners of the beauty contests. The competitions include six main camel colors: Al-Wadh, Al-Majahim, Al-Sifr, Al-Sha'al, Al-Humr, and Al-Shaqah, with strict technical and medical requirements in place to ensure the fairness of the competition and the well-being of the participating camels.

An artistic journey across continents in preparation for Ramadan 2026

Egyptian star Mohamed Imam continues his intensive filming schedule in preparation for a major drama series for Ramadan 2026, having recently arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This stop is to complete filming scenes for his new series, titled "The King," after the production team finished the first phase of filming in Malaysia. This travel between different countries and continents reflects the scale of the production and the ambition to deliver a world-class work that will satisfy the tastes of the Arab audience.

Imam shared photos from his trip with his followers on his official Facebook account, commenting on them with words expressing the great effort made: “From country to country, from continent to continent, from weather to weather… great effort and a lot of tiredness… all so that I can present you with something amazing that befits you, the best people.”.

Background on the star and his artistic career

Mohamed Imam, son of the legendary actor Adel Imam, is one of the most prominent box office stars in Egypt and the Arab world in recent years. He has successfully built a wide fan base thanks to his artistic choices that blend action and comedy, making him a force to be reckoned with in both film and television. His previous works, such as the series "Hogan" and "El Nemr" and the film "Liss Baghdad," achieved great popular success, always raising expectations for his new projects.

"The King": A distinguished team and expectations of great success

The series "The King" brings together a stellar cast alongside Mohamed Imam, most notably Hanan Motawie, Mirna Gamil, Kamal Abu Raya, and Hajjaj Abdel Azim, promising a rich dramatic experience. Written by Mohamed Salah El-Azab and directed by Sherine Adel, the series is produced by Abdullah Abu El-Fotouh. This marks a reunion for the trio of Imam, El-Azab, and Adel after their resounding success with the 2019 series "Hogan," further fueling audience anticipation for the new project.

The importance of production and its expected impact

The Ramadan drama season holds immense importance in the Arab world, with major production companies and stars vying to deliver their best work. The series "The King," with its massive production and filming in international locations, underscores the significant progress of the Egyptian drama industry and its pursuit of global standards. The series is expected to achieve widespread regional success thanks to the popularity of its star and cast, and is anticipated to be among the most prominent contenders in the Ramadan 2026 lineup.

Persistence and dedication despite the risks

It's worth noting that Mohamed Imam had previously sustained an injury while filming an action scene for the series, highlighting his strong commitment to performing dangerous stunts himself without a stunt double. This dedication reflects his seriousness in delivering a complete and exciting production, and he reassured his fans about his health at the time, emphasizing that such challenges are part of the joy of creating a great work of art.