Board game promoting Islamic values bagged top prize at Makkah Createathon

MAKKAH: The four-day Memory from Mecca Creativity competition organized by the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry was designed to bring out creative ideas for gifts and souvenirs for visitors to Makkah, particularly Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and attracted more than 100 participants. The event drew to a close on Tuesday with the winners being announced.

The team led by Alaa Zaatari won the first prize of SR20,000 ($ 5,330) for The Laden Ship, a board game designed for players of all ages that promotes Islamic values and morals.

Worth 10,000 riyals, the second prize was taken up by Sarah al-Numan and team for designing an electronic sivak or tooth cleaning stick. The team, led by Areej Abdul Majeed, won the third prize of 5,000 riyals for Memory of a Lifetime Journey, a magnetic board that allows those visiting the holy cities to record and display their memories and emotions.

Another 21 teams were honoured with rewards by the jury recongising their creativity and quality of products. Wadi Makkah Technology Company and Al-Makan, the sponsors, have announced that they will help entrants to develop their ideas, with Al-Makkan providing one month's fully equipped office space at the Makkah Center for Entrepreneurship and Business in Makkah, while Wadi Makkah will sponsor these initiatives for three months.

Hisham Kaaki, chairman of the board of directors at MCCI said that Chamber would extend support to all efforts that serve the local business community by supporting constructive partnerships and initiatives that encourage youth to develop creative ideas in various fields that help to enhance the profile and reputation of Makkah., in line with the goals of Makkah's development strategy and the country's Vision 2030 development and diversification agenda

Mohammed Burhan Seifeddine, a member of the MCCI board and general supervisor of its Studies and Research Center, said: "Integration, cooperation and collaboration between the government and private sector have resulted in this intellectual and creative event.

"All of these projects support local production and will strengthen the gifts and souvenirs sector, and emphasize our community's innovation and the patriotism shown by many academics and professionals who volunteered to participate in the guidance committees."

He assured that the three-month sponsorship of the projects by Wadi Makkah will help with their progress as they work toward a successful launch, Arab News reported.

The for four-day Createathon saw participants gaining expert advice and guidance from professionals in various fields including technology, information, design, marketing and the arts. This helped them to improve and fine-tune their designs and ideas, and transform their innovative thinking into products that are commercially viable, and are in line with the vision and work of the MCCI.

Local craftsmen were also given the opportunity to display their wares in an exhibition during the closing ceremony of the event.