The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University

Special The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
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The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated to Umm Al-Qura University. (Supplied)
Special The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
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The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated to Umm Al-Qura University. (Supplied)
Special The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
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The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated to Umm Al-Qura University. (Supplied)
Special The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
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The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated to Umm Al-Qura University. (Supplied)
Special The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
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The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated to Umm Al-Qura University. (Supplied)
Special The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
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The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated to Umm Al-Qura University. (Supplied)
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Updated 23 January 2023

The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University

The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research concludes at Umm Al-Qura University
  • The forum, held annually between Makkah and Madinah, attracts researchers, experts, and individuals who are interested in providing the best possible pilgrim experience
  • Public Security Director Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami: Everything posted on social media platforms will be analyzed and will be linked with the security command platforms

MAKKAH: The 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research, at Umm Al-Qura University concludes today in King Abdulaziz Historical Hall, under the slogan “Towards a Distinguished Experience to Serve the Guests of AlRahman.”

The two-day forum was inaugurated by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and organized by the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, affiliated with Umm Al-Qura University.

The dean of the Institute, Suleiman Al-Amr, said the forum, held annually between Makkah and Madinah, attracts researchers, experts, and interested individuals to discuss the best services to pilgrims. “The forum also highlights successful experiences and effective initiatives in the Hajj and Umrah sector, with the participation of the public, private and non-profit sectors,” he added.

Al-Amr noted that the forum included seven scientific sessions, in which 33 speakers discussed several topics, in addition to workshops and sessions for scientific posters, through three main axes to discuss the guests’ experiences, satisfaction and the quality of the services provided to them, and understanding their needs and expectations, while applying the best local and international practices.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, revealed during his participation in the first session of the forum a huge future plan for the presidency focused on maximizing the service offered to pilgrims in terms of guidance, service, operation, governance, creativity, quality, humanization, and smart technology.

Al-Sudais stressed the presidency’s relentless efforts to complete the smart campus project, which will include at its inception 48 systems and services, out of which 29 systems will deal with facilities management, and 19 will deal with the beneficiary services system, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

He presented statistics and figures pertaining to pilgrims’ routes (tefweej) from last year until now, where more than 100 million worshipers entered and exited the Grand Mosque.

Director General of Passports Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya said that the Makkah Road initiative underwent a trial in 2017, pointing out that it is not limited to passport work only.

“(The) Makkah Road initiative is a unique, first of its kind experience in the world in completing all passenger procedures,” he added, noting that it contributed to enabling security personnel to perform their work swiftly.

Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites, said that the commission is working on developing more than 30 new neighborhoods in Makkah.

He added that the first ring road will be opened before the upcoming Ramadan season, pointing to the readiness of the distinctive Masar project being the first model for the developed neighborhoods in Makkah.

Public Security Director Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami announced that a new online platform titled Sawaher would be launched soon to ensure security control at the entrances to Makkah to identify people and vehicles.

Al-Bassami confirmed that security patrols will be equipped with systems that detect wanted persons while walking on the streets, in addition to automatic monitoring devices that help in collecting data and examining permits.

“Everything posted on social media platforms will be analyzed and will be linked with the security command platforms,” he added.

Dr. Othman Qazzaz, a member of the Executive Committee of the Scientific Forum, explained: “The forum comes within three axes, namely the guest experience culture, the governance experience, and the electronic applications and their role in the pilgrim’s experience.”

He also underlined the importance of the relationship between service providers and relevant authorities, such as in the government and charitable sectors, as well as with researchers and scientists. “These parties need to meet in order to discuss challenges and scientific experience and how to apply them in reality,” he concluded.


Ninth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

Ninth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan
Updated 17 sec ago

Ninth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

Ninth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

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. 
 


Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time

Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time
Updated 27 May 2023

Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time

Japanese calligrapher teaches her art one stroke at a time
  • She told Arab News: “Seeing how Saudis love anime and manga, I wanted to show them that we have more art forms to offer, such as calligraphy”
  • Fans of Japanese culture get the chance to learn traditional art forms at City Walk

JEDDAH: Japanese calligrapher Yoshimi Fujii is conducting workshops at the Anime Village in City Walk Jeddah, offering participants the chance to learn more about different Japanese art forms.

Fujii, who has achieved the highest level in the Japanese form of calligraphy known as suihou, is based in Dubai and is making her second trip to the Kingdom.

“I’m thrilled to receive an invitation to come here (Saudi Arabia) and teach people of Jeddah the Japanese calligraphy and art of manga (Japanese comic),” she said.

Japanese calligraphy artist Yoshimi Fujii, who has achieved the highest level in the Japanese form of calligraphy known as suihou, is hosting workshops at City Walk. (Instagram/animevillage_sa)

Fujii conducted similar calligraphy workshops and a live show during the Riyadh Season on her first trip.

With a warm smile on her face, she explained to participants how to write in Japanese using traditional calligraphy brushes and special Japanese ink.

“Each line is made with one stroke only,” she said, adding: “Don’t redo it or try to fill the gaps.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Yoshimi Fujii, a Japanese calligrapher, is conducting workshops at the Anime Village in City Walk.

• Fujii’s calligraphy workshop is conducted three times a day to allow a large number of visitors to take part.

• This week, Fujii will conduct another workshop about traditional Japanese origami, the art of making different shapes out of paper.

She told Arab News: “Seeing how Saudis love anime and manga, I wanted to show them that we have more art forms to offer, such as calligraphy.”

Fujii said she is enjoying the reactions of the participants, even when they get confused about which direction to start writing in Japanese, which is from top to bottom, unlike Arabic, which is written from right to left.

The workshop is conducted three times a day to allow a large number of visitors to take part.

Japanese calligraphy artist Yoshimi Fujii, who has achieved the highest level in the Japanese form of calligraphy known as suihou, is hosting workshops at City Walk. (Instagram/animevillage_sa)

Rana Alnemari, 21, said that she loved Japanese culture and wanted to learn to write her name in Japanese characters.

“The new characters of the Japanese alphabet really caught my interest and I really had fun learning something new today,” she said. “I might even take professional courses for Japanese calligraphy in the future.”

Wejdan Alomari, 22, said that she joined the calligraphy workshop because she was intrigued by the Japanese writing style.

Seeing how Saudis love anime and manga, I wanted to show them that we have more art forms to offer, such as calligraphy.

Yoshimi Fujii, Japanese calligrapher

“It feels more like a drawing than simple writing,” she said.

Rana Alsaimi, 22, told Arab News that these types of workshops give her an opportunity to try new things like “using traditional Japanese brush to write instead of a calligraphy pen.”

Next week, Fujii will conduct another workshop about traditional Japanese origami, the art of making different shapes out of paper.

A Pokemon origami workshop will be held at City Walk in Jeddah. (Supplied)

Participants will learn how to make Pokemon shapes using origami techniques.