Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry

Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry
Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Al-Bassami said that there were a “sufficient” number of bookings available, and called on pilgrims to adhere to their specific dates. (SPA)
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Updated 22 March 2023

Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry

Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry

JEDDAH: Pilgrims who wish to perform the Muslim Umrah ritual are now required to reserve an appointment via the Nusuk or Tawakkalna apps, the Saudi interior ministry announced on Tuesday.

“The Umrah security plan for (this) year included managing and organizing crowds and traffic, providing humanitarian services, supporting and empowering the entities participating in implementing the plan, and distributing manpower,” said Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami.

He said that there were a “sufficient” number of bookings available, and called on pilgrims to adhere to their specific dates, all of which were being organized in coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference for the leaders of the Umrah security forces on the ministry’s plans and preparations for this year’s Umrah season at the 911 Unified Operations Center in Makkah, the state-run SPA news agency reported.

“The expected densities in public transport stations at the entrances to Makkah and the vicinity of the Third Ring Road and next to the Holy Mosque of Makkah were taken into account, and the paths were reorganized to ensure crowd movement safety,” Al-Bassami said.

He stressed the importance of wearing face masks to preserve public health and in compliance with instructions for preventive measures and health regulations.

Al-Bassami said that large crowds would be directed accordingly and beggars who entered these sites would be dealt with firmly and strictly.

Director-General of Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Hammoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj said: “The General Directorate of Civil Defense has completed its preparations in all sites frequented by pilgrims and visitors to ensure readiness, fire prevention and protection, especially in areas that witness high density.”

He said that the Civil Defense had coordinated with authorities to take legal measures by applying regulations and controlling violations.

Al-Faraj said that the directorate was ready for intensive deployment around the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and important sites through safety inspectors and support forces.

He praised the fire and rescue services in Makkah, Madinah, the holy site centers, and the deployment of mobile units at specific times.

Al-Faraj also praised the creation of a number of rapid intervention teams, especially in the central area in Makkah, around the Prophet’s Mosque and other vital sites.

Maj. Gen. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, deputy director-general of the General Directorate of Passports, said that his authority had worked on early social and technical preparations and equipment for the Umrah season, developed plans and executive programs, raised media awareness, enhanced communication, and supported and assisted operating agencies for pilgrims.

He said that the directorate had completed its operational preparations by equipping ports with manpower and modern technologies to easily complete the procedures for pilgrims at all international ports, through qualified staff that spoke a number of languages to guide visitors to adhere to Umrah instructions.


International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition

International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition
Updated 2 min 32 sec ago

International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition

International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition
  • Misk Art Institute’s latest Masaha Residency art showcase features 11 global and local artists and two writers whose

RIYADH: The Misk Art Institute’s latest Masaha Residency art showcase features 11 global and local artists and two writers whose projects explore tradition in the context of social development.

The fifth cycle of the three-month cross-cultural program brought together an international cohort of artists to develop fresh, research-driven art projects. Through architecture, music, and culture, several artists discovered traces of their own homes in the Saudi landscape.

Fahdah Althonayan, director of the education department at Misk, told Arab News: “Each cycle has its own uniqueness. Within this one, we had the opportunity to experiment with dual artists … it is a new thing that we tried with (them) to work together on their artwork, which surprised us as well.

Palestinian artist Areej Khaoud, who currently lives and works in London, took to the marketplaces of Riyadh to find remanences of belonging in her piece ‘Still Hungry.’ (Supplied)

“The variety of Saudi, khaleeji, and foreigners from different continents was amazing. It is an enriching experience.”

Ilyas Hajji, a photographer, and Nastya Indrikova, a researcher, are a Russian duo who worked on reconstructing the Hajj pilgrimage route, which was often dangerous.

Although it was modernized, many still struggled to make the trip from Russia, including the Muslim population in Dagestan during and after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Aleena Khan

The pair used items brought back from Hajj to highlight the effect on millions who were free to travel after the union’s dissolution.

Palestinian artist Areej Kaoud, who lives and works in London, took to the marketplaces of Riyadh to find a sense of belonging in her piece “Still Hungry.”

“In all these spaces, they pick things. You think that the owner is just trying to sell you things but he’s also trying to heal his own uprootedness,” Kaoud told Arab News.

The exhibition, which spans a wide range of mediums, is on display at Riyadh's Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall until June 10. (Supplied)

Kaoud’s studio is the backdrop for a video documenting the offerings of a market staffed by diaspora from other countries, who preserve and share the traditions of back home.

The studio wall is covered with phrases including “Can one heal uprootedness with food?,” “Is being home a state of ‘non-hunger’?” and “Insatiable in diaspora.”

Liao Lihong, a Chinese artist living in Paris, merged an abacus with the shapes of a qanun and an oud to create a unique musical instrument.

The exhibition, which spans a wide range of mediums, is on display at Riyadh's Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall until June 10. (Supplied)

“When I studied in China in elementary school, we had a class using the abacus, but now we do not use it anymore because we have calculators,” she said. “But the sound (they make) was always in my mind. The idea is when people use the abacus to calculate numbers, it also plays music."

Aleena Khan bolsters Saudi Arabia’s historical first — a female astronaut and her colleague reaching the International Space Station last month.

Her artwork “A Calling from the Moon” toys with a popular myth in Pakistan that the Adhan, the call to prayer, was heard by Neil Armstrong on the moon.

Her work draws comparisons between the moon’s landscape and an Arabian desert.

She said: “I started to draw what the material on the moon looks like and then I sourced anything that looks similar to it and took it to the desert and shot it.

“What if these landscapes were one?”

In the fragments of Riyadh’s demolished architecture, artist Dia Mrad found hope for their new beginning in his studio. The Lebanese photographer spent months researching and photographing changes in the city’s neighborhoods to create the work “Traditions of Change.”

In line with his practice, which looks to extract narratives from a built environment, he screen-printed fallen pieces of debris with photos of homes that are scheduled for demolition in Riyadh.

“The Kingdom goes through cycles of change — every 30 or 40 years, a big change happens. The latest change that’s happening is Vision 2030, and it’s such a massive change that it’s affecting everything and it’s manifesting largely within the built environment. The history of a city is embedded within its materiality,” Mrad explained.

The exhibition, which spans various mediums including installation, textile, silkscreen and Arabic writing among others, can be viewed at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall in Riyadh until June 10.

 


Saudi speech-language pathologist colors her world with crochet

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)
The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)
Updated 1 min 22 sec ago

Saudi speech-language pathologist colors her world with crochet

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)
  • Al-Sunbul said: “Amigurumi is a more complex method than crocheting a shawl because it requires a lot more tugging and calls for a particular type of yarn

RIYADH: A Saudi speech-language pathologist with a passion for the arts has made a name for herself creating dolls for children with special hearing needs.

Marya Al-Sunbul’s interest in art began at a young age when she started drawing and painting as a hobby but initially her career path took a different route.

She said: “I did not get encouragement ... because it was during a time when most artists either became art teachers or had trouble finding a job.

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)

“So, I decided to take the medical route and studied to become a speech-language pathologist and completely stopped drawing and painting.”

Al-Sunbul had a moment of epiphany five years ago when her father passed away. She described it as being “in a state of shock,” and she asked herself, “why wait? Why don’t I go back to doing what I adore and fulfil my dreams?”

She returned to painting and joined a workshop with Saudi artist Zaman Jassim, but it was no longer the same for her. “I felt as if painting wasn’t my passion,” she added.

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)

Her admiration for handmade crafts and love of “color and creating things by hand” sparked her interest in learning how to crochet.

She said: “After scrolling through a website with the most beautiful, crocheted shawls decorated with flowers and bursting with color, I decided not to purchase anything, but instead create them myself.”

The world of crocheting became an “ocean of lessons” for her.

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)

“Every time I learned something new, before I could even finish learning it, I was anticipating the next thing,” Al-Sunbul added.

At the peak of her fascination with crochet she was learning six or seven techniques at a time.

“It took me to another dimension and all the colors were so joyful. Whenever I looked at crochet shawls, I would be amazed.”

She discovered amigurumi, a Japanese method of crocheting that is used to create stuffed dolls and animals.

Al-Sunbul said: “Amigurumi is a more complex method than crocheting a shawl because it requires a lot more tugging and calls for a particular type of yarn.

“My hands hurt for an entire week due to the intricate work, stitching, and manual strength needed, but I really enjoy making them.”

She also took an online course to improve her skills and to learn how to make specific styles of amigurumi with detail that gives the impression the dolls are drawn.

In her work as a speech pathologist, Al-Sunbul often makes dolls for her young patients.

“My focus is on children’s hearing rehabilitation using cochlear implants, so I made a doll that is wearing a cochlear implant to represent a child with hearing impairment. It made me really happy to have done that,” she added.

Al-Sunbul makes custom-made dolls for customers throughout the Kingdom, along with pieces using macrame, a type of crocheting technique that involves knotting instead of weaving.

She is currently working on expanding her collection of crocheted items and dolls for a future exhibition.

“Creating handcrafted art made me calmer and more focused. It offers a great sense of relaxation and I absolutely adore that,” she said.

For more information on her work visit Instagram at @crochetmarya20.

 


Saudi Arabia’s development program hosts Yemeni scholarship students

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber. (SPA)
Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber. (SPA)
Updated 13 sec ago

Saudi Arabia’s development program hosts Yemeni scholarship students

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber. (SPA)
  • The ceremony in Riyadh, held at the university’s headquarters, also showcased the development efforts launched in Yemen through the SDRPY, including in the education sector

RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen hosted Yemeni scholarship students at King Saud University in Riyadh to support their studies and scientific research, the SPA reported on Friday.

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber, general supervisor of SDRPY, said that the Kingdom is keen to improve the lives of the Yemeni people with the leadership of the country’s government by providing education and learning opportunities.

The university provides programs that develops students’ skills and enhances their knowledge and skill capabilities.

The ceremony in Riyadh, held at the university’s headquarters, also showcased the development efforts launched in Yemen through the SDRPY, including in the education sector.

Of SDRPY’s 229 development projects, 52 have been education initiatives, targeting improved teaching and learning opportunities, and promoting inclusive environments.

SDRPY’s projects and initiatives have distributed more than 500,000 textbooks, constructed and equipped 31 new model schools, secured buses to transport school and university students, and provided about 13,000 pieces of furniture to model schools.

The University of Aden has also been supported through several projects, including a scheme for the Faculty of Pharmacy to equip 18 scientific laboratories. The university’s Faculty of Law also had its criminal laboratory equipped with new technology, and an SDRPY initiative was launched to provide safe transportation for male and female students.

Other SDRPY projects in the education sector include a project to rehabilitate and equip universities and develop the University of Sheba Region in Marib Governorate. This project has increased the university’s capacity and improved access to tertiary education.

 

 


Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative

Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative
Updated 02 June 2023

Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative

Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative
  • Saudi-led scheme invests in young gifted, creative people
  • Initiative set up in 2021 ‘has been very successful,’ its chief says

RABAT: Arab countries have been asked to nominate students to take part in the Saudi-led “Gifted Arabs” initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The call was made during the Arab education ministers’ 13th conference, which was held recently in Rabat under the auspices of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
The initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity in collaboration with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.
“The Kingdom’s initiative has been very successful and focuses on investing in young … gifted and creative people,” said Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa, secretary-general of the foundation, known as Mawhiba.
Such investment was nurturing for gifted Arabs and empowered them to lead change and create the future, she added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Khaled Al-Sharif, director general of Mawhiba’s Center of Excellence, thanked the Arab ministers and the conference organizers in Morocco for their interest in the initiative, which was launched in 2021.
He stressed the need to invest in education in general and specific programs for gifted and creative individuals.
The ministers’ conference was organized by Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in cooperation with the National Committee for Education, Science and Culture, and in partnership with ALECSO. Its title was: “Future of Education in the Arab World in the Digital Transformation Era.”


Indian navy chief welcomes Saudi cadets during first joint training

Cadets of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces receive training onboard an Indian Navy ship off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, in May 2023.
Cadets of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces receive training onboard an Indian Navy ship off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, in May 2023.
Updated 02 June 2023

Indian navy chief welcomes Saudi cadets during first joint training

Cadets of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces receive training onboard an Indian Navy ship off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, in May 2023.
  • Trainees from King Fahd Naval Academy are India for three-week operation
  • Program is first such collaboration between the two nations

NEW DELHI: India’s navy chief said on Friday that training of Saudi naval personnel by Indian forces was testimony to the growing relationship between the two countries.
Adm. R. Hari Kumar was speaking after welcoming Saudi cadets training on board two Indian naval vessels.
Fifty-five students and five instructors from the King Fahd Naval Academy have been in India since May 18 for a three-week course with the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala.

The students, all from the main naval academy of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, are attached to India’s First Training Squadron ships INS Tir and INS Sujata.
For most of the students the course is their first experience on board a warship.
“The cadets have completed 10 days at sea aboard the Indian naval ships. During the sea sorties, they were exposed to rigorous training on practical aspects of navigation and seamanship with emphasis on navigation in pilotage waters, anchoring, coastal navigation, replenishment at sea, sea boats, firefighting and emergency drills,” the Indian Ministry of Defense said in a statement after the cadets’ meeting with Kumar.
“The directing staff expressed their appreciation of the high-quality training and exposure that they received on board the IN ships. In his address, the CNS welcomed the RSNF delegation in India, and reaffirmed that the maiden training of Saudi cadets by the Indian Navy as testimony to the growing friendship between Saudi Arabia and India, and also the two navies.”
The navy chief also voiced his appreciation for Saudi assistance in the recent evacuation of 3,000 Indian nationals from war-torn Sudan and acknowledged the increasingly strong defense ties with the Kingdom.
Experts, too, acknowledge the growing importance of India’s security relations with Saudi Arabia.
“It’s a significant gesture by the Indian naval chief,” defense expert Ranjit Kumar told Arab News.
“India seems to be taking special care of the evolving defense cooperation and partnership with a major Gulf country. India considers this relationship very important to groom in view of changing geopolitical dynamics in West Asia.”
Muddassir Quamar, a Middle East expert and associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, said there have also been efforts to develop cooperation in nonconventional defense areas, as well as the defense industry.
“The military-to-military ties are likely to develop further, with greater efforts toward interoperability and understanding each other’s security concerns,” he told Arab News.
“Both India and Saudi Arabia are G20 economies and important international actors, and greater security bodes well for security in the western Indian Ocean region.”