Brig. Ibrahim Al-Hamzi, director of Makkah police, said the royal decree covers all people, including security personnel who operate under the Ministry of Interior. “We are very happy that the officers whose promotions have been delayed are also covered by the decree. The security personnel will, no doubt, double their efforts in discharging their duties after seeing King Abdullah’s compassion for them,” he said.

Bandar Hussein, a university student, said he is to spend a quarter of his stipend on buying presents for his parents, especially since Mother’s Day is close. “I’m going to do this as a token of my appreciation to God,” he said. Abullah Rajeh, another university student, said his stipend has been stopped because of his absence from university during the second semester. He said that this has made it difficult for him to meet expenses. “Now the new decree will make me eligible for the stipend because I believe that even if I am absent I will be paid,” he said.

Mohsen Abdullah, an unemployed graduate, said he is happy about the payments that are to be made to the unemployed and the move to Saudize jobs, something that he hopes will guarantee him a job.