Saudi Arabia wins presidency of ALECSO’s executive council

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Zaynab Khojji

ID: 

1625758964202222900

Thu, 2021-07-08 18:48

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has won the presidency of the executive council of the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). 
Saudi representative and member of ALECSO’s executive council Hani Al-Muqbel on Thursday was elected president of the council from 2021 through 2023, winning a majority of the vote and the participation of 21 Arab countries.
Saudi Minister of Culture and chairman of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud said winning the presidency reaffirms the Kingdom’s leadership in ALECSO’s fields.
He added that it displayed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieve the principles of joint collective work, promoting the bonds among Arab countries within ALECSO.
Prince Badr added that the Kingdom works tirelessly to establish cultural bridges between Arab peoples, and that Saudi Arabia is one of the main supporters of innovation and creativity.
Al-Muqbel extended his thanks and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their approval and support throughout the whole process, from the nomination to being awarded the presidency of ALECSO’s executive council.
He also thanked the members of the council for their trust, as well as the former council for its efforts with the member states, adding that he is looking forward to working with the members of the new council to achieve the objectives of ALECSO and promote dialogue and cooperation.
Al-Muqbel has over 18 years of work experience. He graduated from Harvard Business School after completing several executive training programs, including the executive program in developing leaderships, and other programs specialized in the strategic leadership, negotiation, board of directors’ governance, building strategic partnerships, design thinking and business growth from Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and business schools in Stanford, Columbia, INSEAD, and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

Saudi representative and member of ALECSO’s executive council Hani Al-Muqbel. (Supplied)

He also holds a baccalaureate degree in business management from King Saud University.
In July 2020, Al-Muqbel was honored with King Salman’s trust to represent the Kingdom in the membership of ALECSO’s executive council, after he was nominated by the minister of culture.
He was the executive director of the King Salman Youth Center between 2014 and 2017, then as a member of its board of directors.
He also served as adviser to the secretary-general of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Charity Foundation (MiSK) for four years, and was entrusted with the executive management during the foundation phase of the MiSK Initiatives Center for two years, and has contributed in registering MiSK in UNESCO as the first Saudi non-governmental authority.
He was also appointed by the crown prince, founder and chairman of the board of directors of the MiSK foundation as a member of the foundation’s several boards of directors.
Al-Muqbel currently serves on many committees and boards. He recently worked on a project to nominate the Kingdom for membership of UNESCO’s executive board, and served as the secretary of the nomination committee of the same project in 2019.
In 2010, Al-Muqbel was selected to represent the Arab-European Young Leaders Forum.

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Saudi Arabia to license 3 international logistics companiesSaudi Arabia calls on people to sight Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent on Friday

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Saudi Arabia calls on people to sight Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent on Friday

Author: 

Zaynab Khojji

ID: 

1625752813191729800

Thu, 2021-07-08 17:06

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on people to sight the crescent of Dhu Al-Hijjah on Friday evening.
Dhu Al-Hijjah is the month during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place and is the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Anyone who sights the crescent on Friday after sunset should inform the nearest court.
This year, the first of Dhu Al-Hijjah will fall on either July 10 or July 11 depending on the sighting of the crescent. Hajj will start on Dhu Al-Hijjah 8 and end on Dhu Al-Hijjah 12.
Muslims are required to perform Hajj once in their lifetime if they are healthy and have the financial means to do so.
Around 60,000 people from the Kingdom will perform Hajj this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a dramatically reduced figure compared to the 2.5 million people who performed the pilgrimage in pre-pandemic 2019.

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Saudi Arabia confirms readiness to receive Hajj pilgrimsSaudi Arabia announces 12 more COVID-19 deaths

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Saudi Arabia confirms 14 COVID-19 deaths, 1,207 new infections

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Wed, 2021-07-07 22:18

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded 14 new COVID-19 related deaths on Wednesday, raising the total number of fatalities to 7,921.
The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,207 new cases reported in the Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, meaning 496,516 people have now contracted the disease.
Of the total number of cases, 11,952 remain active and 1,379 in critical condition.
According to the ministry, the highest number of cases were recorded in the capital Riyadh with 307, followed by the Eastern Province with 264, Makkah with 222, Asir recorded 184, and Jazan confirmed 67 cases.
The health ministry also announced that 1,195 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 476,643.

#الصحة⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (1207) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (14) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1195) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (476,643) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/zDMFOlPAeV

— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) July 7, 2021

The ministry renewed its call on the public to register to receive the vaccine, and adhere to the measures and abide by instructions.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs reopened five mosques in four regions after temporarily evacuating and sterilizing them after five people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of mosques closed and reopened after being sterilized to 1,777 within 151 days.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 185 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 4.01 million.

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Saudi Arabia investigates 13 entities for violation of competition law

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Saudi deputy defense minister holds talks with US military officials

Tue, 2021-07-06 22:05

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks with senior US military officials in Washington on Tuesday.
Prince Khalid met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who confirmed Washington’s commitment to its defense relations with the Kingdom.
The Pentagon said the US was also committed to working with Saudi Arabia to end the war in Yemen and in confronting Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.
The US Department of Defense condemned the cross-border attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia with Iranian support.
The Houthis have stepped up attacks targeting the Kingdom’s southern region since the beginning of the year, threatening vital, oil and civilian installations.
Prince Khalid is expected to hold talks with officials at the State Department on Wednesday, spokesman Ned Price said.
The White House said he met with national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

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Iran says Saudi talks progress but time needed to resolve disputesSaudi defenses intercept drone launched by Yemen's Houthi militia towards Khamis Mushait

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Muslim World League chief receives honorary doctorate

Tue, 2021-07-06 21:14

RIYADH: In recognition of his efforts as a global peacemaker, Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa was awarded an honorary doctorate by the UN's University of Peace in Geneva on Monday.

“It is the sacred duty of all of us to promote peace and harmony in this world,” Dr. Al-Issa said at the event.

“I’m greatly appreciative to receive this honor, and we must all continue striving with all our effort to build coexistence and true partnerships among the peoples of this world, for today and the next generations," he said.

Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena, the rector of the University of Peace, said the university is honored to award Al-Issa the honorary doctorate. He said Al-Issa is widely recognized as the global voice of moderation and for his commitment to educating the whole world about religious values.

He said Al-Issa has “been a trailblazer in building new partnerships among different communities, faiths, and nations,” and noted that his institution cooperates with MWL to promote interreligious dialogue with leaders in the global Jewish and Christian communities.

UN Undersecretary-General Larbi Djacta hailed Dr. Al-Issa “as a leading global voice on moderate Islam" who has "advanced constructive cooperation and counteracted extremism."

The University for Peace is an academic institution within the UN system, whose honorary president is the UN secretary-general.

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GCC, Muslim World League and Saudi Human Rights Commission chiefs meet US officialMuslim World League chief Al-Issa calls on religious leaders to play role in fight against drugs

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Saudi authorities foil bids to smuggle drugs into Kingdom

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Tue, 2021-07-06 20:31

RIYADH: Security officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday thwarted several attempts to smuggle large quantities of drugs into the Kingdom.
Lt. Col. Misfer bin Ghannam Al-Quraini, spokesman for the Border Guard, said coastal patrols in Ras Tanura in the Eastern Province had foiled a bid to sneak 495,481 amphetamine tablets into the country, while naval patrols in Khafji in the Eastern Province had stopped 241 kilograms of hashish and 419,000 amphetamine pills getting through.
Maritime security officers in Haql in the Tabuk region had also undermined a smuggling operation involving 334,000 amphetamine tablets, he added.
Al-Quraini said that legal procedures had been completed, and that the drugs seized had been handed over to the relevant authorities.
“The border guards are continuing to confront all smuggling attempts with firmness, determination, and capabilities,” he added.
Meanwhile, director of relations and media at the Ministry of Interior’s security regiment affairs agency, Col. Ahmed Al-Towayan, revealed that 56 kilograms of hashish had been seized in the Asir region.
He said the drugs had been confiscated during two security operations, and that the cases of two Ethiopian nationals arrested in connection with the seizures had been referred to the Public Prosecution.

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Saudi Arabia foils drug smuggling attempt from LebanonSaudi authorities thwart bids to smuggle hashish, khat into Kingdom

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Saudi Arabia records 15 COVID-19 deaths, 1,247 new infections

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Tue, 2021-07-06 19:16

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia confirmed 16 new COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday, raising the total number of fatalities to 7,907.
The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,277 new cases reported in the Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, meaning 495,309 people have now contracted the disease. 
Of the total number of cases, 11,954 remain active and 1,363 in critical condition.
According to the ministry, the highest number of cases were recorded in the capital Riyadh with 328, followed by the Eastern Province with 264, Makkah with 240, Asir recorded 134, and Najran confirmed 88 cases.
The health ministry also announced that 1,080 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 475,448.

#الصحة⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (1277) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (16) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1080) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (475,448) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/q9G3FeXYQK

— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) July 6, 2021

The ministry renewed its call on the public to register to receive the vaccine, and adhere to the measures and abide by instructions.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs reopened five mosques in three regions after temporarily evacuating and sterilizing them after some people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of mosques closed and reopened after being sterilized to 1,772 within 150 days.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 185 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 4 million.

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Saudi, Vietnamese foreign ministers sign political consultations agreement between the two countries

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Mon, 2021-07-05 22:26

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son on Monday.
The signing ceremony was held during an online meeting during which both sides stressed the need to strengthen bilateral ties in all fields.
The MoU seeks to boost political consultations between the two ministries on international issues of common interest and aims to strengthen ties at all levels.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan congratulated Vietnam over its candidacy for nonpermanent membership of the Security Council for the second time and its nomination for the presidency of the Security Council in April 2021.
He also assured Vietnam about the Kingdom’s support for its membership on the UN Human Rights Council.
The Saudi foreign minister also called on Vietnam to take measures to facilitate Saudi investors to increase the volume of bilateral trade.
The Vietnamese foreign minister affirmed that his country attached importance to consolidating and enhancing the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
The signing of the MoU will contribute to establishing a framework for the
enhancement of collaboration between the two ministries and countries as well, he said.

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Saudi Arabia confirms 15 COVID-19 deaths, 1,247 new cases

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Mon, 2021-07-05 21:08

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded 15 new COVID-19 related deaths on Monday, raising the total number of fatalities to 7,891.
The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,247 new cases reported in the Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, meaning 494,032 people have now contracted the disease. 
Of the total number of cases, 11,773 remain active and 1,350 in critical condition.
According to the ministry, the highest number of cases were recorded in Asir with 273, followed by the Eastern with 234, Makkah with 220, the capital Riyadh recorded 206, and Jazan confirmed 110 cases.
The health ministry also announced that 1,429 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 474,368.

#الصحة⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (1247) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (15) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1429) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (474,368) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/GtUmAvrALA

— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) July 5, 2021

The ministry renewed its call on the public to register to receive the vaccine, and adhere to the measures and abide by instructions.
The Eastern Province’s Education Department said it has intensified its programs as part of the national vaccination campaign to inoculate students aged 12-18 years.
The department said it aims to reach the maximum limit of vaccinating more than 250,000 students during the coming period against the coronavirus.
Spokesperson Saeed Al-Bahes said that the Education Department provided all means of support with the General Directorate of Health Affairs in the region and the COVID-19 vaccination centers spread across the region’s cities and governorates to provide vaccines to 258,957 students between the ages of 12 to 18, adding that they have set up permanent cooperation with families in immunizing the target age group.
He said that the demand for vaccinations is very high, which confirms the societal awareness and concern for public health and safety.
He added that the Education Department has implemented directives to limit entry to government and educational buildings, starting next month, to those who have been vaccinated, in addition to implementing precautionary measures to contribute to protecting society from the spread of the disease.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 184 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 3.99 million.

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90 outlets shut over COVID-19 violations in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia announces 13 more COVID-19 deaths

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Archaeological excavation project begins in Saudi Arabia’s Dariyah

Mon, 2021-07-05 00:29

RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Authority has launched the first stage of its archaeological excavation project at the Dariyah site in the Qassim region as part of its efforts to protect and preserve cultural sites in the Kingdom from potential threats.
This followed the directives of the Saudi culture minister and chairman of the board of directors of the Heritage Authority, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, to resume archaeological surveys and excavations in different Saudi regions.
Historical Dariyah is an ancient town that dates back to the pre-Islamic era. It gained importance and fame during the Islamic eras, where it served as an historical crossroad for pilgrims, as well as being frequently mentioned in geographical, historical and literary sources.
Through the project, which will include several other archaeological sites, the Heritage Authority seeks to get a closer look at the site’s historical sequence and find physical evidence of the extent of the civilizational prosperity experienced by the region, as well as its ties to other sites. These works aim to highlight Saudi Arabia’s cultural role in human civilization in general and Islamic eras in particular.

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Experts to resume excavation work on Saudi archaeological sitesSaudi archaeological exhibition to go on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi

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Saudi health ministry: Vaccines safe for children, will protect against delta variant

Mon, 2021-07-05 00:18

JEDDAH: Saudi health authorities are urging parents to organize coronavirus vaccinations for their children aged 12 and above to further protect the population from emerging and dangerous variants of the disease.

In a joint press conference on Sunday headed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Interior spokespersons, health spokesperson Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly warned that though it is natural for viruses to mutate, the Delta variant has become a “cause for concern.”

Despite the warning, studies have shown that vaccines are effective in protecting children from the dangerous variant, Al-Aly said.

The ministry received questions on the use of vaccines, and the spokesman confirmed the safety of jab distribution among children.

Al-Aly was asked: “Children have a strong immune system, and there has been no critical coronavirus cases among them. Why should they be vaccinated?”

He responded: “This piece of information is wrong. Yes, critical cases number less among children and the youth in general, including those 18 and under, even 12 and under. They are less susceptible to extreme complications than those in older categories, but it is not true at all that they are not exposed to critical cases.”

The spokesman confirmed that the new Delta variant has affected children in different parts of the world. “Critical cases for children have been reported around the world, and the Delta variant was registered in the younger category of patients,” he said.

Speaking at the same press conference, Ministry of Interior spokesman Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub warned that pilgrims attempting to gain access to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and other holy sites during the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage without a permit will be fined SR10,000 ($2,666) starting July 5 until July 23.

INNUMBERS

492,785 Total cases

472,939 Recoveries

7,876 Deaths

In just one week, the Ministry of Interior registered 2,0213 COVID-19 health measure violations.

A total of 1,173 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Kingdom on Sunday, meaning that 492,785 people in Saudi Arabia have now contracted the disease.

The Eastern Province topped the regional list with the highest case count with 273. It was followed by Riyadh with 227, Makkah with 222 and Qassim with 115 cases. Jouf continues to be the region with the lowest numbers, with just eight cases reported on Sunday.

The number of active cases declined to 11,970, with critical cases also falling to 1,348, a decline of 16 from the previous day.

A further 1,389 new recoveries were recorded, bringing the total number of recoveries over the course of the pandemic to 472,939. The Kingdom’s recovery rate is holding steady at 96.9 percent.

Thirteen new COVID-19-related deaths were reported, raising the Kingdom’s death toll to 7,876.

The Kingdom has administered more than 18.4 million COVID-19 vaccines so far at a rate of 148,346 doses per day. Almost 53 percent of the Kingdom’s population has been inoculated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 1.73 million people have received both doses so far as the Kingdom moves forward with second dose inoculations for people above the age of 40.

There were 85,539 PCR tests carried out in the past 24 hours, raising the total number conducted in the Kingdom to more than 22.2 million.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority-affiliated Tawakkalna app has announced the release of a new version that contains updated options, including a health passport program for easier travel.

The passport update includes information about the COVID-19 travel insurance policy, which has been approved by the Saudi Central Bank and Council of Cooperative Health Insurance.

The health passport contains traveler information regarding immunization status, the date and result of the most recent PCR test, and the insurance policy and its validity.

It also improves travel procedures by providing travel-related information as part of efforts to improve the application experience for Tawakkalna users.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority urged people to update their Tawakkalna apps to the most recent version in order to make use of the service.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dahwah and Guidance reopened nine mosques across three regions after they were temporarily evacuated and sterilized, bringing the total number of mosques sterilized and ready to enter within 148 days to 1,757.

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Saudi Arabia announces 13 more COVID-19 deathsRiyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District receives award for sustainability leadership

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Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District receives award for sustainability leadership

Mon, 2021-07-05 00:14

RIYADH: The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has received an award for leadership in sustainability from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
The award is for applying the highest sustainability standards, and KAFD also received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification in recognition of its commitment to preserving the environment and contributing to social and economic development.
The USGBC, a nonprofit organization founded in 1993, promotes sustainability in building design, construction and operation. Its leadership awards are granted to organizations and individuals that establish buildings and communities aimed at promoting sustainability and health and improving the quality of life.
Located in the heart of Riyadh, KAFD is considered the largest real estate development project in the world with more than 83 buildings, including 61 towers, and combines residential solutions, work and entertainment over a space of more than 1.6 million square meters.

HIGHLIGHT

Located in the heart of Riyadh, KAFD is considered the largest real estate development project in the world with more than 83 buildings, including 61 towers, and combines residential solutions, work and entertainment over a space of more than 1.6 million square meters.

It was developed on the principle of preserving natural resources by using treated water for irrigation and cooling systems. It has an automated system to manage waste using an underground pipeline network to automatically collect and sort material to be reused. The system contributes to recycling waste and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by not requiring the trucks traditionally used to transport waste.
The award has promoted KAFD’s regional position and value as a leading authority in applying the best international sustainability standards, which helps to reduce consumption costs for services such as the central cooling system by 50 percent, along with using ecological tools that consume less water. The sustainability-based designs correspond with local weather and help to reduce high temperatures through the air flow and indoor cooling systems.
The urban design of KACD helps to promote a healthier lifestyle with features such as the “Al-Wadi” (valley) area.  Located 5.5 meters below the ground to provide lower temperatures, it was designed for walking and other recreational services.

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Hajj journey through time depicted in Jeddah airport mural

Sun, 2021-07-04 23:49

MAKKAH: For more than a millennia, pilgrims from around the world have flocked to the holy city of Makkah to perform the sacred ritual of Hajj. The pilgrimage has been depicted by artists throughout history, with the latest round of artwork being displayed at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.

The artwork, a mural spanning 36 meters, shows the journey of pilgrims throughout history, from land arrivals from the north that passed by AlUla, docking boats alongside the Red Sea’s port cities, to modern pilgrims arriving on planes at KAIA’s Hajj terminal with its large tent-like structures that can accommodate millions of people each year.
The mural, painted by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Rabat, also showcases Jeddah’s old urban areas near the old port and old airports, some of the older Saudia aircraft fleet, the Grand Mosque’s features from various eras, along with images of civilization and prosperity captured within the Kingdom.
The mural is located in the airport’s arrival hall, where it can be viewed by both national and international travelers.
“I developed the idea after deciding to draw a mural at the new King Abdul Aziz International Airport when its construction started years ago. There were several ideas, but I chose to go with the Hajj journey and I worked on it for eight months inside my studio, where I represented the most significant stages of the Hajj journey, from the old Al-Bunt seaport to King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah,” Al-Rabat told Arab News.
“In addition, I depicted the land Hajj journeys that were carried out by the caravans of pilgrims on the back of camels, which were drawn on the large canvas using acrylic colors along with stencil and silk screen printing techniques, among others,” he added.
“In various stages, I was able to infuse some of Jeddah’s old features and its unique architectural style, which was represented by some old Rowshan windows and the city’s gates, with some of the city’s modern features seen today. I then moved on to the transportation of pilgrims to the holy sites using old means of transport, then there was an old section of the Grand Mosque and a modern image representing the changes resulting from the new expansion.”
The artist told Arab News that the last stages of the project took time and effort to finalize. Transferring the work from canvas to colored glass spanning 3 meters in height and 36 meters in width was no easy feat, he said.

HIGHLIGHT

The mural, painted by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Rabat, showcases Jeddah’s old urban areas near the old port and old airports, some of the older Saudia aircraft fleet, the Grand Mosque’s features from various eras, along with images of civilization and prosperity captured within the Kingdom.

Regarding the work’s philosophy, Al-Rabat added: “The work’s importance is not in its value, rather its historical value and the accomplishment that represents what the artist has reached after years of research, experimentation and practice.”
It is not the first time that a mural depicting the remarkable religious gathering has been put on display. Since the advent of Islam, Hajj has been seen as a wonder to many Western artists, with many searching to understand its spiritual and visual significance.
Significant works include “Abu Zayd on Hajj and the Caravan of Pilgrimage,” painted in 1237, Louis-Nicolas de Lespinasse’s detailed overview painting of Makkah in 1787, as well an extremely rare print showing a pilgrim procession carrying the Kaaba’s kiswa en route from Cairo to Makkah, drawn by Sheikh Yunus in the 13th century.
“Airports are among the essential facilities in all countries of the world. Their role is not limited to travelers arriving to the country or leaving it. Their role includes conveying an image that reflects the country’s culture,” said Al-Rabat.
Inspired by works of art showcased at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport 36 years ago, the artist said that he was inspired to come up with a concept that would fit his home city’s airport.
“These artworks were painted on different materials and spaces and showcased all the forms of life found in the Kingdom. The artworks came in addition to some traveling exhibitions that were organized at the airport. This is part of an integrated building that embodies a civilization and conveys an image of that country upon the visitor’s arrival, whether through the architectural style of these airports or through the internal facilities and various artworks they contain,” Al-Rabat added.
The journey, one that is close to the hearts of all Muslims, has and will always be a fascinating topic for artists to depict and document. From paintings, sketches and illustrations, to poetry, literature and photography, the descriptive works describing the inner spiritual journey and physical challenges can be depicted through several mediums, a window through which outsiders can observe Hajj.

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SR10,000 fine for anyone trying to access Grand Mosque, holy sites without permit during Hajj seasonSpecialist team lifts Kaaba cloth in preparation for Hajj season

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SR10,000 fine for anyone trying to access Grand Mosque, holy sites without permit during Hajj season

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Zaynab Khojji

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1625411180493535800

Sun, 2021-07-04 18:12

RIYADH: Anyone found attempting to access Makkah’s Grand Mosque, the area around it and the holy Hajj sites without a permit from Monday till the end of the annual pilgrimage will be fined SR10,000 ($2,666).
Holy sites include Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, and the fine will be doubled if the offense is carried out twice, the interior ministry said.
The ministry called on all citizens and residents to abide by instructions issued regarding the Hajj season this year and said that security personnel will carry out their duties on all roads and paths leading to the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to prevent violations and issue penalties to violators.

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Saudi Arabia announces 13 more COVID-19 deathsEmirates lays on extra Saudi flights on Sunday following suspension

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Pakistani president meets Saudi ambassador in Islamabad

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Sat, 2021-07-03 22:44

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Arif Alvi received Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Pakistan, at the presidential palace in Islamabad.

Alvi commended the solid relations between the two countries and noted they were deep-rooted and stemmed from common religious and cultural values, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He said the Pakistani government and people greatly respected King Salman and praised Saudi Arabia’s leading role in supporting regional and global security and stability. He also highlighted the special position of the Kingdom in Muslim nations. Alvi added that Pakistan was keen on strengthening relations with the Kingdom in various areas of common interest, especially energy, science, technology, agriculture and culture.

He reiterated the government and people’s gratitude to Saudi Arabia for standing by Pakistan in challenging times.

The president also commended Al-Malki’s efforts in strengthening bilateral relations and optimizing them, taking them to better levels of cooperation in various areas.

Al-Malki said the Saudi leadership gave great importance to its relationship with Pakistan, was keen on supporting the country and its people, and standing with it to be a successful and stable state.

The chairman of the Senate in Pakistan, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, met Al-Malki earlier at the Parliament House building in Islamabad. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them.

 

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Five million students aged 12 and over to be vaccinated in Saudi Arabia during July

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Who’s Who: Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Dayel, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund

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Sat, 2021-07-03 22:40

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Dayel was recently appointed CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund (CDF).

He brings to his position nearly 20 years of leadership and practical experience in the investment sector. Throughout his career, he has held many leadership roles, the most recent of which was as executive director of investment operations at Raidah Investment Company. He has also worked in the finance department at Saudi Aramco, and is on the board of directors of Alinma Bank.

He holds a master’s degree in business administration from the American University in Washington, and a bachelor’s degree in finance from George Washington University. In addition he has a number of qualifications in finance and investment management.

The fund, which is financially and administratively independent, specializes in supporting projects by private sector enterprises, nongovernmental organizations and associations working in cultural sectors and supporting fields. It also provides nonfinancial advisory services to groups and individuals working in a variety of cultural fields and contributes to the formation of effective strategic partnerships.

The decision to appoint Bin Dayel as CEO of the CDF was issued last month by the fund’s board of directors, which is headed by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan. It came as the fund plans to attract national talent, and implement development plans that support investment in cultural sectors by establishing programs to develop the cultural scene, with the support of the Quality of Life Program, one of the initiatives designed to help achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

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Crown Prince Camel Festival to begin on Aug. 8 in Saudi Arabia

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Fri, 2021-07-02 21:27

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Camel Festival will begin on Sunday, Aug. 8 at Taif Camel Square. This year’s event, the third edition, will feature 532 races and a total prize pool of SR53 million ($14.1 million).
Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and president of the Saudi Camel Federation, said that the international festival aims to celebrate the heritage of camel racing and promote it as part of Saudi, Arab and Islamic culture.
He added that the event will also help to support and develop tourism and the economy in the Kingdom in a way that encourages community participation, reinforces national heritage, and reflects the depth of the nation’s culture.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the minister of sports, president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and president of the International Camel Federation, thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on behalf of workers in the sports sector and fans of purebred camel racing, for their support and interest in the event.
The Saudi Camel Federation said the festival will include a preliminary stage for all age groups featuring 320 races, a marathon that includes eight races, and will culminate with 204 final races. It added that the full program will be announced within the next week.
More than 13,000 camels competed in the second edition of the festival, in 2019, earning the event a place in the Guinness World Records.

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Saudi airport officials foil attempt to smuggle more than 1.7 kg of cocaine in Riyadh

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Fri, 2021-07-02 19:19

RIYADH: Authorities in Saudi Arabia on Thursday have thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into the Kingdom.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority at King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh seized more than 1.7 kg of the drug, which was found hidden in a parcel imported to the Kingdom through the airport.
The authority said during an inspection, an officer suspected the contents of the parcel. When it was opened, the cocaine was found in a secret compartment under the bag.
After the coordination process with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control the parcel’s recipient was arrested.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority called on the public to help in the fight against smuggling to protect society and the national economy by contacting the 1910 number designated for security reports, or via email 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or the international number 00966114208417.
Whistle-blowers can report smuggling and customs violations through these channels in strict confidentiality, and will receive a financial reward if their information is correct.
Earlier this week, the authority in Jeddah Islamic Port seized 4.5 million Captagon pills, which were hidden in a consignment of oranges imported to the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, Maj. Mohammed Al-Nujaidi, said that two people promoting narcotic substances in videos on social media have been arrested and were found to be in possession of tablets subject to the medical regulations.
Maj. Al-Nujaidi said initial legal measures have been taken against them, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution.

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Saudi Arabia confirms 16 COVID-19 deaths, 1,338 new cases

Fri, 2021-07-02 18:44

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded 16 new COVID-19 related deaths on Friday, raising the total number of fatalities to 7,848.
The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,338 new cases reported in the Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, meaning 490,464 people have now contracted the disease. 
Of the total number of cases, 12,288 remain active and 1,374 in critical condition.
According to the ministry, the highest number of cases were recorded in the Eastern Province with 327, followed by the capital Riyadh with 279, Makkah with 208, Asir recorded 127, and Qassim confirmed 115 cases.
The health ministry also announced that 1,208 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 470,328.The Ministry of Health said that results in the Kingdom showed that 99 percent of inpatients infected with coronavirus in critical care have not received the vaccine during the period from Dec. 28 to June 7.
The ministry renewed its call on the public to register to receive the vaccine, and adhere to the measures and abide by instructions.

#الصحة⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (1338) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (16) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1208) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (470,328) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/Mp0TLz6hmu

— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) July 2, 2021

The health department in Jazan said 37 centers have been allocated to provide coronavirus vaccines for those wishing to perform Hajj this year in all its governorates.
Jazan’s health department also began providing the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 18.
The health department said among the services provided to pilgrims include meningitis and seasonal influenza vaccines to be taken on the same day, two or more days before or after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for those wishing to perform Hajj and health practitioners working to provide services to pilgrims.
Meanwhile, police in Tabuk said they arrested 23 people for flouting quarantine rules after they tested positive for COVID-19, while police in Hail said they arrested five people for violating quarantine instructions.
Penalties for individuals who violate quarantine instructions include a fine of up to SR200,000 ($53,332) and/or up to two years imprisonment, and penalties are doubled for repeat offenders. If the violation was committed by an expat, they face deportation from the Kingdom and are permanently banned from reentry.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs reopened 22 mosques in seven regions after temporarily evacuating and sterilizing them after 22 people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of mosques closed and reopened after being sterilized to 1,483 within 117 days.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 183 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 3.97 million.

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Saudi Arabia confirms 14 COVID-19 deaths, begins vaccinating children aged 12 to 18

Mon, 2021-06-28 19:48

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday started vaccinating children aged 12 to 18, following approval from the Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority based on scientific research announced on Sunday.
The health departments in Riyadh and Hafr Al-Batin said they had started inoculating children between the ages of 12 and 18 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The health department in Al-Jawf has started giving the second dose of the vaccine to individuals aged 50 and over, while it said it is continuing to provide the first dose to those who have not received it yet.
The Kingdom recorded 14 new COVID-19 related deaths on Monday, raising the total number of fatalities to 7,789.
The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,318 new confirmed cases reported in the Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, meaning 484,539 people have now contracted the disease. 
Of the total number of cases, 11,204 remain active and 1,438 in critical condition.
According to the ministry, the highest number of cases were recorded in Makkah with 345, followed by the Eastern Province with 302, the capital Riyadh with 247, Asir recorded 161, and Jazan confirmed 93 cases.

#الصحة⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (1318) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (14) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1290) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (465,546) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/FQAkHhitGj

— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) June 28, 2021

The health ministry also announced that 1,290 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 465,546.
The ministry renewed its call on the public to register to receive the vaccine, and adhere to the measures and abide by instructions.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs reopened nine mosques in four regions after temporarily evacuating and sterilizing them after nine people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of mosques closed and reopened after being sterilized to 1,693 within 142 days.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 181 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 3.94 million.

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