Who’s Who: Saudi exec Faisal Al-Zahrani wins new term as board member of international PR group

Faisal Al-Zahrani. (Supplied)
Faisal Al-Zahrani. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 March 2023

Who’s Who: Saudi exec Faisal Al-Zahrani wins new term as board member of international PR group

Faisal Al-Zahrani. (Supplied)

Faisal Al-Zahrani was recently re-elected to the board of the London-based International Public Relations Association for the Middle East.

Al-Zahrani, a Saudi computer engineer, worked in various related posts in Saudi Aramco for more than 20 years, joining Aramco’s public relations department in 2006.

He also served as an engineering consultant, an assistant to executive heads, a performance improvement consultant, and a director of the continuing excellence department.

For four consecutive terms, he was elected president of the International Public Relations Association’s Gulf Chapter, where he served from 2008 to 2015.

During his tenure, he hosted the Public Relations World Congress in Dubai in 2012 for the first time in the Middle East and the Public Relations Golden World Awards in Doha in 2014, also for the first time in the region.

He also served as general director of media and public relations at the Saudi Ministry of Health, former adviser to the ministry, and official spokesman for the ministry from 2015-2016.

Al-Zahrani received the Public Relations Excellence Award from Abdullah Badawi, former prime minister of Malaysia, in 2013 for his outstanding contributions to public relations services.

During his high school days, Al-Zahrani feared public speaking and avoided any engagement where he might have to speak to a group.

In 1999, however, he joined Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills.

Within six months of joining, not only he had overcome his fears of public speaking, but he also won the first-place award in a speech contest at the annual Toastmasters convention in Manama, Bahrain, before a large audience.

Following this achievement, he served as an MC, a moderator of Saudi Aramco corporate events, and a speaker at several local, regional and international conferences.

Al-Zahrani holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, US.

 

 


Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
  • The initiative aims to increase public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques

RIYADH: Al-Jubail Mosque, which is three centuries old and is located in the center of Thaqif in Taif governorate in Makkah, is to be the focus of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques.

The initiative aims at reviving the architecture of Al-Jubail Mosque and increasing public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques.

The area of the site will reach 310 sq. meters after renovation, while it will maintain its capacity for 45 worshippers.

The reconstruction of the mosque will utilize methods that maintain its main component, stones from the Sarawat Mountains, in addition to local wood which is to be used in ceilings, pillars, windows, and doors.

Following its refurbishment, the mosque will maintain its narrow openings, for which its unique architectural style is famous.

Originally built with juniper wood, which is known for its durability, Al-Jubail Mosque will be reconstructed using granite stones instead of cement to revive the old Sarat architectural style.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman project focuses on 30 mosques across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.

The renovation project strikes a balance between integrating modern and ancient building standards to achieve sustainability and development, while preserving the historical characteristics of the mosques.

Saudi companies specializing in old structures, along with engineers from the Kingdom, are involved in helping to preserve each mosque’s authentic architectural identity.

The project’s first phase involved the restoration of 30 mosques in 10 regions.

The project has four strategic objectives: restoring the buildings for worship and prayer; giving an urban authenticity to historical mosques; highlighting the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia; and enhancing the religious and cultural status of the locations.

It also contributes to highlighting the cultural depth of the Kingdom by helping to preserve the country’s urban characteristics.
 


KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
Updated 30 March 2023

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
  • Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries

RIYADH: Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah received the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the Kingdom, Dr. Benigno-Pedro Matute Tang, at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, topics of mutual interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs were discussed.

The Guinean ambassador stated appreciation for the center’s efforts exerted in the field of humanitarian work and its efforts to help people and countries in need around the world.

Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries.

The center’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, humanitarian and emergency relief coordination, logistics, nutrition, and emergency telecommunication.

The countries and territories that benefited the most from the center’s various projects were Yemen ($4.2 billion), Palestine ($369 million), Syria ($342 million) and Somalia ($232 million).
 


Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah
Updated 30 March 2023

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Manal Hashem Al-Bar was recently appointed director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah.

The hotel is the UAE-based chain’s first to open in Saudi Arabia and one of its biggest to date.

Spread across four towers it houses a variety of food and beverage venues, more than 90 retail outlets, a gym, executive lounge, and meeting facilities.

Al-Bar will be responsible for leading the marketing team and overseeing integrated marketing and public relations campaigns for hotel rooms, restaurants, and all other facilities.

With more than 13 years’ experience in hospitality leadership roles in Saudi Arabia, she was previously the marketing director for the Venue Jeddah Corniche Hotel.

Al-Bar also worked as director of marketing at the Bonyan Group where she managed Al-Rashid malls in Abha, Madinah, and Jazan, in addition to Marriott hotels in Madinah and two properties in Jazan.

As marketing manager for the Marriott International group in western Saudi Arabia, she oversaw the opening of several hotels, including the Courtyard, Residence Inn Jazan, and Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott.

After joining Hyatt, she was part of the opening of the Jabal Omar Hyatt Makkah, the company’s first branded hotel in Makkah and first Hyatt Regency brand in Saudi Arabia where she developed the marketing plan and introduced the brand and hotel offerings.

Al-Bar gained a bachelor’s degree in English language from King Abdulaziz University and successfully completed several courses to build her marketing foundational skills and techniques.

She also attended a Misk leadership program to obtain on-the-job experience.
 


Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan
Updated 30 March 2023

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan
  • King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has also delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan

RIYADH: The Muslim World League has launched a program for distributing Ramadan food baskets in Pakistan as part of its humanitarian efforts, and to complement the role of Saudi relief institutions around the world.

A celebration at the MWL office in Islamabad marked the event, with Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, and  Dr. Jamal Nasir, caretaker minister of health in Pakistan’s Punjab province, in attendance, along with a number of officials.

Saad bin Masoud Al-Harthy, the MWL’s regional director in Pakistan, said that the program would distribute 3,500 food baskets, each weighing 33 kg, covering a family’s needs for a month.

Al-Harthy added that the program was part of humanitarian efforts the MWL provides in all fields across Pakistan to meet the needs of its people.

He said that the program would benefit thousands of poor and impoverished people and widows in the country.

Nasir expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Pakistani government and the nation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also thanked MWL’s members for their support of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. It was handed over by Al-Malki in the presence of a number of senior Pakistani officials.

The gift comes within the relief and humanitarian programs being offered by the government of King Salman to reach families in need in different areas of the world.
 


Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases

Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases

Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases
  • Total number of cases in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic grew to 833,245

RIYADH: Saudi authorities reported 270 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. As a result, the total number of cases in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic grew to 833,245.

Of the new infections, 100 were recorded in Riyadh, 29 in Jeddah and 16 in Dammam. Several other cities recorded fewer than 10 new cases each.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed that the Kingdom’s death toll from COVID-19 reached 9,630.

It said that 125 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic to 818,920.

The ministry said that 4,695 COVID-19 cases are still active, adding that 6,610 PCR tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to more than 45 million.

The ministry said of the current cases, 78 patients were in critical condition.

More than 69.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began, with over 25 million people fully vaccinated.