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
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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.
 


Saudi crown prince speaks to Indian PM on telephone

Saudi crown prince speaks to Indian PM on telephone
Updated 13 sec ago

Saudi crown prince speaks to Indian PM on telephone

Saudi crown prince speaks to Indian PM on telephone
  • A number of topics and issues of common interest were discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a phone call on Thursday.

During the call, they reviewed the distinguished relations within the strategic partnership between their countries, and existing joint cooperation in various fields and ways to enhance and develop it.

A number of topics and issues of common interest were also discussed.


Saudi Arabia highlights aid work at Oslo conference on protecting children in armed conflict

Saudi Arabia highlights aid work at Oslo conference on protecting children in armed conflict
Updated 20 min 45 sec ago

Saudi Arabia highlights aid work at Oslo conference on protecting children in armed conflict

Saudi Arabia highlights aid work at Oslo conference on protecting children in armed conflict
  • KSrelief led the Saudi delegation, headed by Dr. Hana Omar
  • Over 800 projects benefited 163m children, at cost of $800m

OSLO: Saudi Arabia participated in the international conference “Protecting Children in Armed Conflict – Our Common Future” held recently in Oslo, Norway.
The Saudi delegation was led by the nation’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, or KSrelief, represented by Dr. Hana Omar, director of the Community Support Department and acting director of the Partnerships and International Relations Department.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the conference with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and Save the Children International.
Participants discussed the main challenges facing children in armed conflict, as the Norwegian foreign minister pledged NOK1 billion ($90.74 million) over three years.
KSrelief is working across the world to help educate and protect children in conflict-ridden areas, said Omar during the plenary session.
Omar later told Arab News that KSrelief provides psychological and mental health programs for children with disabilities and orphans, and creates awareness in communities about the importance of children’s rights, including being aware of attempts to recruit them as soldiers, and the dangers of mines.
These projects are delivered in cooperation with partners in the UN and local organizations, according to international humanitarian law, she said.
“Until today, more than 800 projects have benefited more than 163 million children with a cost of over $800 million,” she said.
A unit for the protection of children was established in the joint forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, and a memorandum of understanding was signed in 2019 with the Office of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
The Saudi delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Human Rights Commission, and the Child Protection Unit of the Joint Forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen.
Omar said: “KSrelief also offers a project for the reintegration of children formerly associated with the armed conflict since 2017 due to the increased number of child recruitment and ideological indoctrination campaigns by militias in Yemen.”
In Yemen, due to the rising number of mines, KSrelief has implemented a humanitarian clearance project since 2018. “To date, nearly 400,000 mines have been removed, benefiting more than 29 million people, including children,” said Omar.
She added that four centers are being supported for prostheses and training for local medical personnel. “Approximately 47,000 artificial limbs were installed and rehabilitated, including 8,358 for children, most of whom were affected by mines.”
The conference is in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs or OCHA, the African Union, the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and the Child Protection Alliance in Humanitarian Action.
 


Blinken expresses concern over Houthi actions during meeting with Yemeni leader

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi in Riyadh. (@SecBlinken)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi in Riyadh. (@SecBlinken)
Updated 08 June 2023

Blinken expresses concern over Houthi actions during meeting with Yemeni leader

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi in Riyadh. (@SecBlinken)
  • Blinken welcomed the Presidential Leadership Council’s continued support for UN-led peace efforts and for measures to bring immediate relief to Yemenis

RIYADH: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern on Thursday with actions by the Houthi militia that are cutting Yemenis off from resources and impeding the flow of goods inside of Yemen.

During a meeting in Riyadh with the president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi, Blinken said parties to the conflict in the country must “come together to reach a new, more comprehensive agreement to end the war.”

The secretary of state welcomed the Presidential Leadership Council’s continued support for UN-led peace efforts and for measures to bring immediate relief to Yemenis.

He also reiterated that a UN-led peace process will give Yemenis the opportunity to address critical questions facing the country, durably resolve the conflict, and chart a brighter future for Yemen.


Saudi environment minister meets Jordanian PM

Saudi environment minister meets Jordanian PM
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi environment minister meets Jordanian PM

Saudi environment minister meets Jordanian PM
  • Ministers affirmed the strength of Saudi-Jordanian relations

AMMAN: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli met Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh in Amman on Thursday, Jordan News Agency reported. 

They discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture and on the environment and water as well as prospects for integration, trade, and knowledge exchange. It also reviewed food and water security challenges.

The ministers also affirmed the strength of Saudi-Jordanian relations, which are overseen by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah. 

Khasawneh said Jordan and its people wanted to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia. He also highlighted King Abdullah's progressive approach to regional and global food security, encouraging governments to collaborate and leverage their strengths, particularly given the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Al-Fadli said there were numerous opportunities for cooperation with Jordan in agriculture and on matters of the environment and water. 

The meeting was also attended by Jordan’s Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat and Saudi Ambassador in Jordan Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi.
 


Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting

Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting

Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting
  • Huitfeldt said she appreciated the opportunity to discuss cooperation between Norway and Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met his Norwegian counterpart, Anniken Huitfeldt, on the sidelines of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh’s ministerial meeting in Riyadh.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and ways in which they might be enhanced, the Saudi Press Agency reported, and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, and important issues raised during the ministerial meeting.

In a message posted on Twitter on Thursday, Huitfeldt said she appreciated the opportunity to discuss cooperation between Norway and Saudi Arabia, the energy sector, human rights, regional development and stability, and the situations in Sudan, Yemen, Israel and Palestine.

Also present at the meeting were Saud Al-Sati, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, director-general of the foreign minister’s office.