Grand Mosque welcomes young visitors for educational tours

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, organized on Saturday a large social participation events, where children of the Al-Fikr and Al-Mawaheb Center were received in the Grand Mosque. (Supplied)
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The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, organized on Saturday a large social participation events, where children of the Al-Fikr and Al-Mawaheb Center were received in the Grand Mosque. (Supplied)
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, organized on Saturday a large social participation events, where children of the Al-Fikr and Al-Mawaheb Center were received in the Grand Mosque. (Supplied)
2 / 2
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, organized on Saturday a large social participation events, where children of the Al-Fikr and Al-Mawaheb Center were received in the Grand Mosque. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 January 2023

Grand Mosque welcomes young visitors for educational tours

Grand Mosque welcomes young visitors for educational tours
  • Children learn about mosque etiquette, visit Kaaba, perform Tawaf
  • Trips designed to boost partnerships between communities

MAKKAH: Groups of children took part in a tour around the Grand Mosque on Saturday organized by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

The youngsters, from the Al-Fikr and Al-Mawaheb Center and Al-Abna Al-Nujabaa School Center, were shown the Kaaba and performed Tawaf.

According to Noof Housawi, from the presidency’s media affairs agency, the tour was designed to be an educational experience for the children.

“The sessions include etiquette for entering the Grand Mosque, stories about the prophets and interactive activities to enrich the children’s knowledge and advance the educational system for females.”

The female reciter of the Book and Sunnah led sessions on the recitation of Surat Al-Fatihah, while mentioning its virtues and importance, as well as listening to the recitation of the Surah by the students.

“The General Department of Women’s Public Relations is contacting external entities to achieve community partnership, strengthen relationship bonds and build communication bridges … as well as introduce children to the features of the Grand Mosque,” Housawi told Arab News.

“Children are being taught simplified lessons on the etiquette of entering all mosques in general and the Grand Mosque in particular, the stories of the prophets, how to take the sermon notes and the lesson behind each story,” she added.

“They are also provided with information on Islamic ethics and how they were glorified by the Prophet and his companions. The students are also encouraged to take part in interactive activities designed to develop their skills.”

Ibrahim Obeidan, professor of student activities in Makkah education, said the community partnerships were a great way for young people to learn.

“The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques provides valuable models in teaching male and female students diverse supreme Islamic morals and values,” he said.

While schools conduct field trips to mosques, museums and historical sites, Makkah students have the chance to participate in activities related to the service of pilgrims and Umrah performers, he added.

“They will also get to serve them and benefit from the sanctity of the place, the greatness of responsibility and the honor of carrying voluntary work. Thus, they directly contribute to the service of the country and the King.”


Saudi astronauts conduct space kite experiment with students

Saudi astronauts conduct space kite experiment with students
Updated 32 sec ago

Saudi astronauts conduct space kite experiment with students

Saudi astronauts conduct space kite experiment with students

RIYADH: Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni on Sunday conducted a second educational experiment with school students in the Kingdom live from the International Space Station.

The space kite experiment involved 12,000 middle school students from 47 schools across the Kingdom. They directly communicated with the astronauts through a live video feed.

The Saudi Space Commission organized the experiments in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, Riyadh Schools and Misk Schools.

Through education, the commission hopes to inspire a new generation of Saudi leaders, explorers and scientists in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Students communicated with the two astronauts, asked questions and compared research results. They were directed to compare the aerodynamic behavior of space kites on the ground and in the microgravity environment of the ISS.

The series of student experiments also aim to enhance the Kingdom’s role in developing the space sector and boost its position in the global space science research community.

The first experiment that the two Saudi astronauts conducted with students was held on Saturday. The pair, together with elementary students in the Kingdom, examined the behavior of colored fluids on Earth and in space.

The experiment focused on changes in speed and shape while liquids were stirred in both environments.


Ninth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

The ninth Saudi plane carrying aid for the Sudanese people arrives at Port Sudan International Airport on Sunday. (SPA)
The ninth Saudi plane carrying aid for the Sudanese people arrives at Port Sudan International Airport on Sunday. (SPA)
Updated 28 May 2023

Ninth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

The ninth Saudi plane carrying aid for the Sudanese people arrives at Port Sudan International Airport on Sunday. (SPA)
  • On Sunday, the Kingdom and the US called on warring sides in Sudan to extend a fragile cease-fire due to expire on Monday

RIYADH: The ninth Saudi plane carrying aid for the Sudanese people arrived at Port Sudan International Airport on Sunday.

The plane was carrying 30 tons of food and medical supplies, and is part of a Saudi initiative to provide $100 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan.

On Sunday, the Kingdom and the US called on warring sides in Sudan to extend a fragile cease-fire due to expire on Monday, as weeks of fighting reached a stalemate in the capital and elsewhere in the country.

“While imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people,” the statement said.


Saudi technical team arrives in Syria to discuss reopening of embassy in Damascus

Saudi technical team arrives in Syria to discuss reopening of embassy in Damascus
Updated 28 May 2023

Saudi technical team arrives in Syria to discuss reopening of embassy in Damascus

Saudi technical team arrives in Syria to discuss reopening of embassy in Damascus
  • During the meeting, the head of the Saudi technical team expressed gratitude to the Syrian side for the warm welcome extended to the team


RIYADH: A Saudi technical team arrived on Saturday in Syria, to discuss the reopening of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Damascus, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The reopening the Saudi embassy in Damascus comes after the Kingdom’s foreign ministry announced in April the decision of resuming diplomatic mission work in Syria.
The Saudi technical team, headed by Minister of Plenipotentiary, Ghazi bin Rafi Al-Anzi met with assistant foreign and expatriates Minister Ayman Sousan at the Syrian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Damascus.
During the meeting, the head of the Saudi technical team expressed gratitude to the Syrian side for the warm welcome extended to the team.
The decision comes after the Arab League welcomed back Syria’s government, ending a more than decade-long suspension.


Saudi climate envoy meets Panama deputy environment minister

Saudi climate envoy meets Panama deputy environment minister
Updated 28 May 2023

Saudi climate envoy meets Panama deputy environment minister

Saudi climate envoy meets Panama deputy environment minister

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s envoy for climate affairs met Panama’s deputy environment minister, the Saudi foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Saudi Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir held discussion with Domilluis Dominguez on Saturday. 
They discussed environmental and climate change cooperation and ways to enhance them. The minister outlined the Saudi efforts in this regard, including  plans such as the Saudi and Middle East green initiatives.
The meeting was attended by the non-resident Saudi ambassador to Panama, Dr. Hassan Al-Ansari, and the Director General of the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ambassador Khalid bin Musaed Al-Anqari.
Al-Jubeir met senior Panamanian ministers on Friday as he continued his South American tour.
 


Saudi Arabia, US urge Sudan’s warring parties to discuss truce extension

Saudi Arabia, US urge Sudan’s warring parties to discuss truce extension
Updated 28 May 2023

Saudi Arabia, US urge Sudan’s warring parties to discuss truce extension

Saudi Arabia, US urge Sudan’s warring parties to discuss truce extension
  • The truce is set to expire on May 29
  • Protection of humanitarian assistance urged

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the US are urging Sudan’s warring sides to work to work on extending a short-term truce currently in force in the country.

“Saudi Arabia and the US call on the Sudanese Armed Forces & the Rapid Support Forces to continue discussions to reach an agreement on extending the ceasefire that is set to expire on May 29,” the Saudi foreign affairs ministry said in a statement early on Sunday. 

The statements said while imperfect an extension would allow for humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people. 

Saudi Arabia and the US, who brokered the current ceasefire, urged the sides to continue to adhere to their obligations even if an extension deal isn’t reach before May 29. The parties signed a Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan agreement in Jeddah, safeguarding humanitarian assistance and access.

Hundreds of people have died after intense urban warfare and thousands have either been injured or have fled for safety since the conflict began in April as the army faced off against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.