Mohammed bin Salman named crown prince

Mohammed bin Salman named crown prince
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
Updated 26 June 2017

Mohammed bin Salman named crown prince

Mohammed bin Salman named crown prince

JEDDAH: Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been appointed as crown prince, replacing Prince Mohammed bin Naif, a royal decree carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Wednesday.
The SPA report said Mohammed bin Salman was chosen as crown prince by 31 out of 34 members of the Kingdom’s Succession Committee during a meeting at Al Safa Palace in Makkah during the early hours of Wednesday.
The new crown prince serves in a concurrent capacity as defense minister and chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs.

The decree issued by King Salman also appointed Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif as interior minister, a post held by the former crown prince.

Born Nov. 4, 1983, Prince Abdulaziz is the youngest ever to serve as interior minister in the Kingdom.
SPA said King Salman appointed the following as advisers to the Royal Court with the rank of minister: Abdul Rahman bin Ali Rubaiaan, Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawoud, Bandar bin Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sudairy was named adviser to the Royal Court with excellent rank.
Also appointed were: Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Salem, deputy interior minister with the rank of minister; Prince Bandar bin Faisal bin Bandar, assistant to the President of the General Intelligence; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, vice chairman of the General Authority for Sport Management; and Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, deputy to the Emir of Al-Jouf.
Appointed as the Kingdom’s new ambassadors were Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz, to Italy, and Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, to Germany.
In a viral video that has been circulated on social media, Prince Mohammed bin Naif, former crown prince, pledged allegiance to the newly appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Safa Palace on Wednesday.


Congratulatory messages pour in
The new appointment received a broad support in the national, Islamic and international spheres.
The highest religious body, Council of Senior Scholars, pledged allegiance to the newly appointed Crown Prince in a series of tweets hailing the leadership’s wise choice.
Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the choice by King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Prince Muhammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz as crown prince and vice chairman of the Council of Ministers, while continuing in his role as defense minister.
OIC Secretary General Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen expressed his congratulations to King Salman over this choice, given Prince Muhammed’s experience, wisdom and vision in the management of the affairs of the Kingdom, his dedication to the service of his religion, nation and ummah, and his commitment to taking far-reaching steps on joint actions in the interest of the Islamic world.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League, described the appointment of the new crown prince as successful and promising given the national and international prestige Mohammed bin Salman enjoys.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Issa said Prince Mohammed bin Salman had always served his religion first, and his country, king and nation second.
Head of the Council of Pakistanis Scholars, Sheikh Al-Hafiz Mohammad Taher Mahmoud Ashrafi, backed the royal decree and said that the appointment is a wise step taken by King Salman and Saudi Arabia’s Allegiance Council, as Prince Mohammed is known for his ethics and leadership, as seen in Vision 2030.
On the international scale, the United States President Donald Trump called the newly-appointed crown prince and congratulated hims on new promotion, saying it “strengthens” the United States partnership with the Kingdom.
The Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, sent a letter congratulating Mohammed bin Salman on his appointment as Saudi’s Crown Prince and vice chairman of the Council of Ministers.
“This choice is a recognition of the great effort you have made throughout the years to enhance the importance and centrality of your country’s role in achieving delicate balances for the region,” the letter read.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s ruler, whose country is facing a boycott by some of its neighbors over allegations of supporting terrorism, has congratulated Mohammed bin Salman on his appointment as crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the state news agency QNA said.
QNA said the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, sent a cable to Prince Mohammed “wishing him success ... for the good of the kingdom under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques ... and for more progress for brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his congratulations to prince Mohammed bin Salman on his new post as Saudi Arabia’s new crown prince.


Saudi stock market soars
The Saudi stock market index on Wednesday jumped by 5.5 percent to an 18-month high, following news that King Salman has placed his 31-year-old son next in line to the throne.

-With input from Reuters


Winners of the 12th Makkah Award for Excellence honored by governor in Jeddah

Winners of the 12th Makkah Award for Excellence honored by governor in Jeddah
Updated 10 June 2021

Winners of the 12th Makkah Award for Excellence honored by governor in Jeddah

Winners of the 12th Makkah Award for Excellence honored by governor in Jeddah
  • The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) won the award for its work during the COVID-19 pandemic

RIYADH: The recipients of the 12th Makkah Award for Excellence were honored by the region’s governor, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, during a ceremony on Wednesday, at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) won the award for its work during the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing digital support and assistance to the authorities managing the crisis, state news agency SPA reported. 

The launch of the “Tawakkalna” and “Tabaud” applications — released three weeks after development — contributed significantly to helping the relevant authorities combat the epidemic, by providing services necessary for citizens, residents and visitors.

Prince Khaled said the Makkah Excellence Award is a “civilizational landmark” and a source of pride for everyone who participated in the national achievement.


Muslim World League hosts ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’

Muslim World League hosts ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’
Updated 10 June 2021

Muslim World League hosts ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’

Muslim World League hosts ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’
  • Scholars of Afghanistan and Pakistan meet to discuss reconciliation and peace

The Muslim World League hosted on Thursday in Makkah, the conference “Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan”, with scholars of Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss achieving reconciliation between the warring factions, under the auspices of Saudi Arabia.

The conference includes five sessions, in which more than 20 key speakers from senior scholars will speak on; peace, tolerance, moderation and reconciliation in Islam.

The opening session will be attended by Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, President of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Noor Al-Haq Qadri, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Tolerance of Religions in the Republic of Pakistan, and Sheikh Muhammad Qasim Halimi, Minister of Hajj, Endowments and Guidance in the Republic of Afghanistan.

Senior scholars of the two countries will also attend this session, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Bilal Akbar, Ambassador of the Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Ahmed Javed Mojadidi, Ambassador of the Republic of Afghanistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Pakistan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Ambassador Dr. Shafiq Samim, Permanent Representative The Republic of Afghanistan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.


Jeddah hosts first major exhibition since COVID-19 outbreak

Jeddah hosts first major exhibition since COVID-19 outbreak
Updated 10 June 2021

Jeddah hosts first major exhibition since COVID-19 outbreak

Jeddah hosts first major exhibition since COVID-19 outbreak
  • Makkah Region Digital Projects Exhibition is also the first event at the Jeddah Super Dome, the biggest pillarless dome in the world

JEDDAH: The first major event held in Jeddah since the exhibitions industry shut down in March 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, opened on Wednesday.

The week-long Makkah Region Digital Projects Exhibition, organized by the Emirate of Makkah Province, features digital presentations showcasing the accomplishments of the province and its development projects.

It is the first event held at the Jeddah Super Dome, which with a diameter of 206 meters is said to be the biggest pillarless dome in the world.

Under the theme of “Building Man and Developing Place,” the exhibition highlights projects in the region that focus on intellectual and cultural aspects of life. It also features competitions in which the people of the region and its affiliated governorates can participate.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and his deputy, Prince Badr bin Sultan, accompanied by a number of ministers and businessmen.

The event, which runs until June 15, includes presentations about more than 100 development projects in the region over the past 14 years. These focus on the use of technology to improve city life in a number of areas, including environmental quality, safety, education and community development.

The exhibition features discussions of subjects such as the effect of the technology boom on projects in Makkah, and advances in the fields of services, development and artificial intelligence. It also showcases examples of digital projects that aid the understanding of key factors that can make sustainable, equitable and smart initiatives a reality.

Public and private universities in the region are taking part in the event. More than 90 participants will focus on the development of plans and programs that support digital transformation in fields such as Hajj and Umrah, tourism and entertainment through dialogue and training.

During the inauguration ceremony, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal also honored nine winners of the Makkah Excellence Awards. A number of health teams from the region were also honored in appreciation of their heroic role in countering the coronavirus pandemic.

Visitor numbers at the exhibition will be limited and social-distancing measures enforced to safeguard public health, and hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout the venue, organizers said.


Muslim World League to host ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’ conference in Makkah

Muslim World League to host ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’ conference in Makkah
Updated 10 June 2021

Muslim World League to host ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’ conference in Makkah

Muslim World League to host ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’ conference in Makkah
  • Senior scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan set to gather for historic, unified landmark on the path to reconciliation and peace

MAKKAH: The Muslim World League (MWL) will host in Makkah on Thursday the Islamic Conference on the Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan.

The event will bring together, under the auspices of Saudi Arabia, senior scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan for a historic, landmark event on the path toward reconciliation between warring factions, in an effort to end the fighting and bring peace to the country.

Organizers said the conference stems from belief in the MWL’s role in resolving all conflicts and disputes within the societal fabric of the Islamic world, coupled with the great support and care provided by Saudi Arabia. It comes at a time when the long-running conflict in Afghanistan is feeding on extremism, ignorance, racism and intolerance, they added, and should therefore be confronted with science, awareness, illumination of thought, and the revival of the pure feelings of belief and the noble principles of Islam that strive to promote good.

They said the work of the conference will reflect the MWL’s sense of historic responsibility as a representative of all Muslims, and its desire to achieve unity, solidarity and harmony, the security of its societies, and the safety of its citizens.

The opening session will feature Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, secretary general of the MWL; Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, the Pakistani minister of religious affairs and interfaith harmony; and Mohammad Qasim Halimi, the Afghan minister of Hajj and religious affairs. They will be joined by senior clerics from both countries.

Also in attendance will be Lt. Gen. Bilal Akbar, the ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia; Ahmed Javed Mujadidi, the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia; Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); and Shafiq Samim, Afghanistan’s permanent representative to OIC.

The conference will include five sessions with more than 20 keynote speakers, mostly senior scholars. They will discuss topics such as peace, tolerance, moderation, reconciliation in Islam, Islam’s approach to preserving human dignity and life, building peace in light of Islamic principles, the importance of peace and regional security, and the role of scholars in resolving regional conflicts and supporting peace-building efforts.

The event will conclude with the recital of a final statement and a declaration of peace in Afghanistan.


Mango crop flourishes in Saudi Arabia's western region

Mango crop flourishes in Saudi Arabia's western region
Updated 10 June 2021

Mango crop flourishes in Saudi Arabia's western region

Mango crop flourishes in Saudi Arabia's western region
  • Ministry promotes organic agriculture by supporting farmers to produce safe food

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s western province is best known for its high humidity and hot weather from its proximity to the Red Sea coast, which helps to grow an array of delicious tropical fruits, including mango.
The Kingdom is known for growing mango in many cities in the southern region such as Jazan city, where the soil is more likely to be fertile than other regions due to heavy rains. However, this fruit found its way to being grown in vast orchards in western and northern regions of the Kingdom, including Qunfudhah and Umluj city.
With more than 400,000 mango trees in Qunfudhah, the city crop is ranked second in terms of significance in the Kingdom after Jazan.

FASTFACTS

• Qunfudhah mango production has reached 40,000 tons per year.

• The number of mango farms in Qunfudhah exceeds 2,700.

There are more than 2,700 mango farms in the Qunfudhah governorate, and the annual yield exceeds 40,000 tons. The crop season begins in May and lasts for three months.
Saeed bin Jarallah, director general of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s Makkah branch, said: “Our branch is working to spread quality and economically feasible crops among farmers, by reinforcing its efforts to support agricultural festivals in the region for produce such as mango, rose and honey.”

He added: “The ministry is working to support the cultivation of mango and tropical fruits by providing technical support to farmers in the region.
“It is working to bring tropical fruits specialists from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and many universities which will contribute greatly to the development of mango production and cultivation.”
Mango cultivation began in Qunfudhah 50 years ago, and 10 mango festivals have been held in the governorate since 2010. These festivals are held to support farmers in marketing their products, introducing them to visitors from around the Kingdom, and encouraging them to develop and grow.
Ali Al-Abdali, mango farmer and owner of Al-Jawaher mango farms in Qunfudhah, has 12 years of experience in the field.
He told Arab News: “Traditional agriculture, such as growing grains and vegetables, was a source of living for my ancestors. However, after the government development in the agricultural sector and the spread of awareness programs, we got to know that this fruit and weather conditions of our region are considered ideal for tropical fruits, especially mangoes.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mango festival has been held in Qunfudhah since 2010.

• The main factors for growing mangoes are good watering, high humidity, and hot weather.

• Mango trees in the Kingdom are considered a great natural destination for visitors and tourists.

Al-Jawaher mango farms include over 30,000 mango trees on 3,200,000 square meters of farmland in Al-Ahsa Valley.
The farmer said that the abundance of desalinated water, the quality of soil, the weather, and constant attention and follow-up are the main factors affecting the cultivation and production of mangoes.
According to Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture is furthering organic agriculture by supporting organic farmers to produce safe, high-quality food, which will preserve the environment and natural resources.
“Our farms have been officially registered in the organic transformation program and we are now under the supervision of a specialized company in organic transformation that has been nominated by the ministry to supervise our farm,” said Al-Abdali. “Now, we will be reaching the stage of being a fully organic production during the upcoming period.”
Some of the mangoes are fully green with different bright colors ranging from golden yellow and reddish to orange blush. The farm produces 60 tons of mango crop per year of different types, including Hindi, Jalan, Tomi Atkins, and the sensation mango. These types come with a strong aromatic mango scent, a sweet taste and smooth pulp.
Products of Al-Jawaher farm are witnessing a “huge success” he said, as it is being distributed domestically in large cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim, Makkah, Taif, Hail and Madinah, and can be found in many fruits and grocery shops in these cities.
 

Mango trees in Umluj
Arab News visited one of the most famous mango farms in Umluj, Muhammadiah farm, owned by Marwan Al-Juhani and his brother Nawaf, who said that they inherited mango growing from their grandfather.
“We still have the very first mango tree on this farm that was planted by my grandfather over 65 years ago,” Al-Juhani told Arab News, noting that each mango tree has to be at least four years old to start to produce crops, and the older it gets the better crop it gives.
Al-Juhani’s farm is only 10 minutes away from the Red Sea shores of Umluj city. Throughout the years, the farm has become a popular destination for visitors and tourists, who enjoy having a walk through the trees, picking mangoes and eating them on site.
With good watering crucial to mango growing, Al-Juhani has an artesian well to support watering their trees throughout the year. His farm has over 400 mango trees and they have participated in several previous mango festivals.