Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Iraqi prime minister 

Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Iraqi prime minister 
Short Url
Updated 28 October 2022

Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Iraqi prime minister 

Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Iraqi prime minister 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have sent congratulatory cables to Iraq’s prime minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani previously served as human rights minister as well as minister of labor and social affairs, will lead the new Iraqi government after over a year of impasse.

Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s picks for 21 ministries passed during an Iraqi parliament vote on the Cabinet.

“On the occasion of your government’s winning of the confidence votes by the Iraqi parliament, we are pleased to send to your Excellency our sincere congratulations and best wishes for success and prosperity, and to the people of the fraternal Republic of Iraq further progress and prosperity,” King Salman and the Crown Prince’s cables said, in a report from state news agency SPA.

Sudani pledged to implement economic reforms, fight corruption, improve deteriorating government services and improve living standards, among other things. He also promised to amend the election law within three months and hold parliamentary elections within a year.


International Qur’an recitation, adhan contest underway in Riyadh

International Qur’an recitation, adhan contest underway in Riyadh
Updated 18 sec ago

International Qur’an recitation, adhan contest underway in Riyadh

International Qur’an recitation, adhan contest underway in Riyadh
  • Coinciding with the first day of Ramadan, the contest has a total prize pool of $3.2 million

RIYADH: The second edition of the “Otr Elkalam” TV show, featuring international Qur’an recitation and call to prayer (adhan) competitions, started on Thursday.

Coinciding with the first day of Ramadan, the contest has a total prize pool of SR12 million ($3.2 million).

An initiative of the General Entertainment Authority, the popular show is broadcast on MBC1 and Shahid digital platform during the holy month.

The first episode featured the 32 contestants from around the world and revisited last year’s winners of the Qur’an recitation and adhan competitions, Younes Gharbi from Morocco, and Mohsen Kara of Turkiye, respectively.

Applications to take part in this year’s contest began rolling in from Jan. 4 and contestants then went through several online stages of evaluation by 120 jury members.

More than 50,000 entrants from 165 countries were whittled down to 50 for the final stage, which is held in Riyadh. Another selection process by the main jury left 32 contestants, 16 for each competition.

Viewers were introduced to this year’s panel of judges which includes the competition’s secretary-general, Dr. Fahd Al-Andas, general supervisor, Sheikh Adil Al-Kalbani, and Moroccan president, Dr. Abdel Rahim Nabulsi.

Bahloul Abu Arqoub from Libya, Meshary Al-Afasy from Kuwait, Ahmed Mansour from Egypt, and Ahmed Nahhas from Saudi Arabia were also present.

“Otr Elkalam” is the first competition to combine Qur’an recitation and adhan and the largest contest of its kind in the world.


Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms, dust storms

Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms, dust storms
Updated 28 sec ago

Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms, dust storms

Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms, dust storms

JEDDAH: The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense has urged residents to take precautionary measures against thunderstorms and dust storms that are likely to affect some regions between Friday and Monday. 

The organization, acting on information from the National Center of Meteorology, said the Makkah region will be affected by moderate to heavy rains that may lead to torrential flows. The areas of Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Khurmah, Al-Ardiyat, Turbah, Rania, Al-Muwayh, Qia, Khulais, Al-Kamil, Al-Jumum, Bahra, Al-Lith, and Al-Qunfudhah are expected to be hit.

The Riyadh region is also expected to suffer, including the capital, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, As-Sulayyil, Afif, Al-Duwadmi, Shaqra, Al-Zulfi, Al-Majma’ah, Al-Quwa’iyah, Al-Ghat, Hotat Bani Tamim, Al-Aflaj, Thadiq, Ramah, Al-Muzahimiyah, Al-Diriyah, Dhurma, Huraymila and Al-Dalam.

Authorities stressed the need to stay away from areas where torrents gather, and not to swim in dangerous places. 

Residents have been advised to adhere to instructions announced through the media. 

The regions of Asir, Al-Baha, Jazan, Najran, Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the northern borders, Al-Qasim and the eastern borders are also expected to be affected.

Moderate rains and winds resulting in dust storms are expected in the Makkah region, including Jeddah and Rabigh.

The Civil Defense has stressed the need to stay away from areas where torrents gather, and not to swim in dangerous places.

Residents have been advised to adhere to instructions announced through the media. 

 


Jeddah authorities destroy 40 tons of ‘unsafe’ meals

Jeddah authorities destroy 40 tons of ‘unsafe’ meals
Updated 20 min 8 sec ago

Jeddah authorities destroy 40 tons of ‘unsafe’ meals

Jeddah authorities destroy 40 tons of ‘unsafe’ meals

JEDDAH: Local health authorities destroyed 40 tons of Ramadan meals in Umm Al-Salam in a building that was used to process and store food.

It came as part of the municipality’s efforts to combat health violations and improve the urban landscape, as well as monitor standards in commercial and health institutions, contributing to the safety and security of citizens and visitors.

The municipality said that inspection teams examined a building in Al-Mahameed neighborhood that was used as a warehouse to prepare and store pastries and desserts.

Inspectors found that food was processed near restrooms, and discovered insects and expired items, in addition to improper food storage practices and poor levels of hygiene. The spoiled food items were confiscated and destroyed, and legal procedures were immediately taken to close the site.

The municipality added that it carries out inspection tours to follow up on activities related to public health. 

It commended the cooperation of citizens and residents in improving services by reporting violations through the Baladi application, or the unified center, through the phone number 940. 


Islamic Development Bank Group president meets Malaysian PM in Jeddah

Islamic Development Bank Group president meets Malaysian PM in Jeddah
Updated 26 min 53 sec ago

Islamic Development Bank Group president meets Malaysian PM in Jeddah

Islamic Development Bank Group president meets Malaysian PM in Jeddah
  • Al-Jasser lauds historic agreement signed by Ibrahim and the bank in 1994

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Jasser, president of the Islamic Development Bank Group, has met Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his accompanying delegation in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Al-Jasser said that the meeting reflected Malaysia’s strong relations with the IsDB, referencing the historic agreement signed by Ibrahim — who was deputy prime minister at the time — and the bank in 1994.

He added that the IsDB’s regional office in Kuala Lumpur had become a center of excellence in offering comprehensive solutions in the fields of Islamic finance, halal initiatives, science, technology, and innovation. 

Al-Jasser reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to exploring opportunities for further cooperation with Malaysia — in line with its strategic partnership to develop and innovate Islamic financing products — as well as playing its part in strategic capital- intensive projects relating to energy, vaccine production, digital transformation, halal industry promotion, and microbusiness support.

Ibrahim praised the role of the IsDB in providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities around the world.

 


Saudi Arabia, Syria in talks to resume consular services: Saudi Foreign Ministry

Saudi Arabia, Syria in talks to resume consular services: Saudi Foreign Ministry
Updated 12 min 44 sec ago

Saudi Arabia, Syria in talks to resume consular services: Saudi Foreign Ministry

Saudi Arabia, Syria in talks to resume consular services: Saudi Foreign Ministry

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Syria are in talks to resume consular services between the two countries, Al-Ekhbariya TV said on Thursday.

“Within the framework of the Kingdom’s keenness to facilitate the provision of necessary consular services between the two nations, discussions are underway with officials in Syria to resume consular services,” the TV channel reported, citing a Saudi foreign ministry official.

The report added that the statement from the foreign ministry’s source was in response to international media reports from earlier on Thursday.

The move comes after Saudi Arabia and Iran decided earlier this month to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies in both countries, following a China-brokered deal.

In a phone call on Wednesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Hussein Amir Abdollahian, about holding a bilateral meeting in the near future.

On February 19, Prince Faisal said consensus among Arab countries was growing that Syrian isolation was “not workable”, adding that dialogue with Damascus was needed “at some point” at least with regards to the “humanitarian angle.”

He also said on March 8 engagement with Syria might eventually lead to its return to the Arab League, but that at the time, it was “too early to discuss.”