Saudi Arabia launches iftar programs in Kenya, Senegal

Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
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Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia launches iftar programs in Kenya, Senegal
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Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
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Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia launches iftar programs in Kenya, Senegal
4 / 4
Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
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Updated 29 March 2023

Saudi Arabia launches iftar programs in Kenya, Senegal

Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
  • Al-Faridi praised the ministry’s efforts on behalf of Muslims worldwide, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support

RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in cooperation with the Kingdom’s embassies, is extending the King Salman program that has seen the distribution of food to needy people in 60 countries around the globe.

The religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Kenya inaugurated the dates and iftar distribution project, with Nasser bin Mohammad Al-Faridi, Saudi deputy ambassador to the country, and other key officials attending the event.

Al-Faridi praised the ministry’s efforts on behalf of Muslims worldwide, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support.

Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people.

The Islamic Higher Institute, in the Louga region of Senegal, has also initiated the iftar project.

Sheikh Mansour bin Muadhd Al-Ajmi, the institute’s director, along with the Louga region’s governor, dignitaries, and other officials attended the event marking the occasion.

The religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Senegal, Sheikh Wahid bin Mohammad Majribi, commended the government of the Kingdom for providing aid and support to Islam and Muslims, and praised the ministry’s professional manner in selecting beneficiaries for the program.

Majribi added that the program would have a significant impact on the Senegalese people, and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its continuous aid and assistance to Muslims worldwide.

 

 


Hajj officials review services and facilities for Hajj season

Hajj officials review services and facilities for Hajj season
Updated 16 sec ago

Hajj officials review services and facilities for Hajj season

Hajj officials review services and facilities for Hajj season

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance conducted the first follow-up meeting to ensure the completion and readiness of works and projects for Hajj.

Those at the meeting discussed the needs of the ministry’s facilities in the holy sites, the most prominent implemented projects and the work of maintenance and operation companies.

Awareness and guidance programs provided to the pilgrims during Hajj season were also discussed, including the duties of preachers and translators and the ministry's preparations to implement the Guests of God Service Program for Hajj pilgrims.

With the return of pilgrims in full capacity after the pandemic, Suleiman Al-Khamis, a member and representative of the ministry, said that the committee was briefed on the work of all other committees working during Hajj for this season.

Ahmad Sindi, chairman of the board of directors of the Non-Arab African Pilgrims Company, made an on-site field tour to inspect preparations for the company’s service centers.

Sindi was briefed on the programs and services that will be provided during this year’s Hajj season. The tour included the opening of Service Center 14, which contains a mini-museum about Hajj and the services offered to pilgrims.

It highlights images of efforts made by the government to ensure the comfort of pilgrims, old transport systems used in the past during the Hajj journey, service facilities and the rapid development witnessed by the Kingdom.

The museum also displays documents on the history of Tawafa, the sacred feelings between the past and the present, and a collection of books and scientific encyclopedias.


Ghee festival showcases products, heritage of Northern Borders region

Ghee festival showcases products, heritage of Northern Borders region
Updated 52 min 25 sec ago

Ghee festival showcases products, heritage of Northern Borders region

Ghee festival showcases products, heritage of Northern Borders region
  • Mohammed Al-Anzi, chairman of the festival’s media committee, told Arab News that the festival draws attention to the historical legacy of ghee
  • Ghee is produced in large quantities throughout the year and used in the preparation of delicious dishes, especially sweets, such as basbousa, a semolina-based cake

MAKKAH: Global and local companies specializing in dairy products participated in the Al-Saman Festival in the Northern Borders region, which concluded on Monday.
The festival, deriving its name from the Arabic word for “ghee,” highlighted the diverse products of the region, which is home to the largest number of livestock in Saudi Arabia and which is famous for producing ghee.
Mohammed Al-Anzi, chairman of the festival’s media committee, told Arab News that the festival draws attention to the historical legacy of ghee, which sustained generations of the region’s people.
Ghee is produced in large quantities throughout the year and used in the preparation of delicious dishes, especially sweets, such as basbousa, a semolina-based cake.
The six-day festival presented a wealth of knowledge, introducing the current generation to one of the most important food components that nourished Saudis and helped them survive hardships and rough conditions, Al-Anzi explained.
The festival, which aimed to stimulate the economy and attract large companies, featured a number of events, including an exhibition, a cooking corner, a children’s theater, an area dedicated to folk arts and more.
It also showcased historical utensils and tools, such as Al-Aaka, made of goat or sheep skin and used to preserve ghee and molasses for long periods of time in the past.
Umm Saad Al-Shamlani, who has been producing ghee for the past four decades, said that in the past, she used to manufacture Al-Aaka for her relatives and neighbors, which was the only way to preserve ghee at the time.
 


Cruise Saudi looks to recruit local talent at first Ministry of Tourism job fair

Cruise Saudi looks to recruit local talent at first Ministry of Tourism job fair
Updated 30 May 2023

Cruise Saudi looks to recruit local talent at first Ministry of Tourism job fair

Cruise Saudi looks to recruit local talent at first Ministry of Tourism job fair
  • Company said this week was committed to creating 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Kingdom by 2035

RIYADH: Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund fully-owned business, said this week it was committed to creating 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Kingdom by 2035.

The company participated in the Saudi Ministry of Tourism’s first two-day Tourism Job Fair, with the aim of recruiting Saudi talents in the rapidly growing cruise tourism sector.

Chief human capital officer at the company, Ayman Al-Ghamdi, said: “As we are developing a new industry that supports the Saudi Tourism sector, we believe in investing in the local community and its cadres. With a Saudization rate of 71 percent, we are proud of our local talents who have proven their capabilities, qualifications and fast development in a wide range of cruise related fields.”

Cruise Saudi has also outperformed the female employment goals outlined in Vision 2030, with their participation in the workforce now reaching 32 per cent, ahead of the 2030 target of 30 per cent.

Saudi tourism is currently undergoing a transformation with a focus on long-term, sustainable growth. Under plans set out in Vision 2030, tourism is set to become an important tributary for the national economy.

“This forum comes at a pivotal moment, as Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is undergoing substantial development. Having transformed into a regulated industry backed by regulations, systems, projects, and programs, it is striving to become one of the most important pillars of Saudi Vision 2030,” Mohamed Bushnaq, deputy Minister of Tourism Human Capabilities Development, said. 

“The ultimate aim is to contribute to the diversification and prosperity of the national economy. We are here today, steadfastly continuing our journey to provide more opportunities for this generous nation by launching the first tourism employment forum both in-person and through a dedicated virtual platform, which aims to meet the increasing demand within the tourism sector.

“One of the most important targets of the tourism sector in Saudi is to create an additional one million jobs in the sector by 2030, and we are, thankfully, confident in achieving this target by working hand in hand with our partners in the private and public sectors,” he added.

According to predictions, the tourism sector will create one out of every three jobs in the Kingdom in the next decade, as it switches its focus to the growth of non-oil sectors. The country also aims to welcome 100 million visitors by 2030.

 


Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation in Jazan

Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation in Jazan
Updated 30 May 2023

Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation in Jazan

Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation in Jazan
  • The seizure was handed over to the competent authority for preliminary legal procedures

RIYADH: Saudi border guards in the Jazan region have foiled attempts to smuggle 200kg of the narcotic khat. 

The seizure was handed over to the competent authority for preliminary legal procedures, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Authorities have urged people to report any activities related to drug smuggling or promotion by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.
 


Tenth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

Tenth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan
Updated 30 May 2023

Tenth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan

Tenth Saudi aid plane arrives in Sudan
  • The plane carried 30 tons of food and medical supplies

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

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

Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces agreed to extend a week-long ceasefire deal by five days just before it was due to expire late on Monday.

The truce was brokered and is being remotely monitored by Saudi Arabia and the United States, which say it has been violated by both sides but has still allowed for the delivery of aid to an estimated two million people.