Next Hamza Arabic language test to take place on Sunday

The second edition of the academic Arabic language test for non-native speakers (Hamza) begins on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 19 Saudi universities. (Supplied)
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The second edition of the academic Arabic language test for non-native speakers (Hamza) begins on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 19 Saudi universities. (Supplied)
The second edition of the academic Arabic language test for non-native speakers (Hamza) begins on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 19 Saudi universities. (Supplied)
2 / 3
The second edition of the academic Arabic language test for non-native speakers (Hamza) begins on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 19 Saudi universities. (Supplied)
The second edition of the academic Arabic language test for non-native speakers (Hamza) begins on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 19 Saudi universities. (Supplied)
3 / 3
The second edition of the academic Arabic language test for non-native speakers (Hamza) begins on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 19 Saudi universities. (Supplied)
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Updated 14 February 2025
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Next Hamza Arabic language test to take place on Sunday

Next Hamza Arabic language test to take place on Sunday
  • It will be administered by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL

RIYADH: The second Saudi Arabian Arabic language proficiency test for non-native speakers — Hamza — will be held on Sunday.

It will be administered by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL, in collaboration with a number of Saudi universities in-person.

The inaugural Hamza test in September was intended as a step toward creating a standardized Arabic proficiency test.

Building on this, the second event is set to broaden its reach both locally and internationally, offering in-person and remote testing in collaboration with the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, or Qiyas.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, spoke about how the Hamza test serves as a benchmark assessment accredited by the academy.

“The test evaluates four key language skills — listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing and speaking — over 155 minutes, comprising 75 questions. Designed to meet the highest international standards, it aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages,” Al-Washmi said.

The test fulfilled the requirements of certain employers that mandate language proficiency assessments for job applicants, he said.

Through the “Hamza” test, KSGAAL aims to strengthen the academic prominence of the Arabic language regionally and globally.

By offering a precise and reliable assessment of linguistic competence, the test enables educational institutions to effectively evaluate Arabic learners and non-native Arabic instructors, ensuring accurate placement and skill development.

The test has now been administered in person to more than 2,000 candidates across Saudi Arabia and multiple other countries, encompassing more than 60 nationalities.

As part of its commitment to advancing the Arabic language, KSGAAL continues to refine and expand the test, leveraging educational and technological resources to enhance accessibility for non-native speakers both within the Kingdom and beyond.

Mansoor Almalki, director of Linguistic Testing at KSGAAL, told Arab News that collaborating with 19 Saudi universities to administer the Hamza test marked a significant step in expanding its adoption and solidifying its status as a trusted benchmark for Arabic language proficiency in academic institutions.

“This partnership ensures the test meets the evolving needs of educational institutions while reinforcing its role as a standardized assessment tool for non-native Arabic speakers,” he said.

“The integration between higher education institutions and KSGAAL, as the primary authority for Arabic language learning, teaching and assessment in the Kingdom, plays a crucial role in developing Arabic language curricula based on rigorous scientific standards.”

Almalki said that partnering with universities expanded the research database on Arabic as a second language assessment, paving the way for more effective educational strategies.

On international expansion, he revealed a strategic plan to strengthen partnerships with global universities and educational institutions, particularly in countries witnessing a growing interest in learning Arabic.

These efforts aimed to enhance the test’s international recognition and ensure its broader adoption worldwide.

“The standardized assessment model plays a crucial role in advancing research on Arabic language education. Test results provide analytical data that drive the development of more effective teaching methods,” Almalki said.

He said that the diverse nationalities of test-takers served as a strong indicator of the global success of Hamza as an international test.

“Such diversity underscores the trust that learners and academic institutions place in KSGAAL, as well as the test’s reliability as a precise standardized measure of linguistic competence,” Almalki said.


Comoros president arrives in Madinah

The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani arrives in Madinah on Tuesday. (SPA)
The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani arrives in Madinah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 25 March 2025
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Comoros president arrives in Madinah

The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani arrives in Madinah on Tuesday. (SPA)

RIYADH: The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani arrived in Madinah on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Assoumani was received on arrival by the Governor of Madinah region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz and other officials.


Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah

Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah
Updated 25 March 2025
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Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah

Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah
  • Two helipads open in Grand Mosque for emergency medical evacuations of worshippers

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel inspected several healthcare facilities in Makkah to ensure they continue to provide high-quality medical care during the peak Umrah season in Ramadan.

Al-Jalajel visited Ajyad Emergency Hospital, which specializes in emergency and intensive care, Jiwar Medical Services Center, and the Al-Haram Emergency Centers.

He reviewed all services for the swift handling of urgent cases, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Al-Jalajel said a top priority of his ministry was to ensure comprehensive healthcare for pilgrims.

He highlighted the ministry’s continued efforts to ensure the readiness of medical facilities and the integration of healthcare services during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons.

This aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to this sector, the SPA reported.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority has opened two helipads on the grounds of Makkah’s Grand Mosque for emergency medical evacuations.

The aim is to enhance healthcare services for those performing Umrah, and prepare for the Hajj season.

The helipads will enable the rapid transport of critical patients to hospitals in Makkah and Jeddah, the SPA reported.

The Grand Mosque’s emergency hospital is equipped with intensive care units, medical laboratories, radiology services, an in-house pharmacy, and isolation units for infectious diseases.

Al-Jalajel had previously conducted similar field visits to several healthcare facilities in Makkah, where he reviewed plans to enhance capacity during the Umrah season.

He had also assessed the readiness of emergency teams and the integration of services provided to pilgrims.


Saudi Arabia cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport

Saudi Arabia cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport
Updated 25 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport

Saudi Arabia cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has apprehended several violators for transporting Umrah performers using non-compliant buses as part of a field control initiative it conducted.

The authority clarified that this campaign is part of its ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure that transport facilities comply with regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of Umrah performers, and the authority has urged all establishments to adhere to the approved regulations.

It emphasized that these campaigns are designed to enhance compliance, elevate service quality, and ensure the safety of transport service users, SPA added.

Recently, the Transport General Authority fined over 400 foreign trucks in several regions of the Kingdom for regulatory offenses.


Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style

Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style
Updated 25 March 2025
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Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style

Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style
  • The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity

RIYADH: Al-Safa Mosque, a 13th-century landmark in the Baha region, has been restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques aims to revitalize Baha’s architectural heritage and highlight its cultural significance.

The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity while enhancing its structural and aesthetic elements.

The restoration in Baljurashi governorate prioritized the use of natural materials. Sarawat Mountain stone and locally sourced wood were used for the ceilings, columns, windows and doors, maintaining the structure’s authenticity.

The mosque’s footprint, at 78 sq. meters, and its capacity, accommodating 31 worshippers, was unchanged by the restoration.

Built about 1,350 years ago, Al-Safa Mosque is situated within a network of buildings and narrow passages typical of the region’s high mountain villages.

The structure is notable for its stone construction and limited openings. Distinctive juniper columns support the mosque, and the restoration includes preserving and redeveloping these columns, incorporating traditional staircase carvings.

Historical accounts suggest that the mosque was established by the Prophet’s companion Sufyan bin Auf Al-Ghamdi. Historically it served as a vital social hub, facilitating communal gatherings for resolving disputes and discussing village affairs, especially between Maghrib and Isha prayers.

It is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project, which includes six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.

Phase two follows phase one, completed in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts, according to the SPA.

The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.

Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.

The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.


KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones

KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones
Updated 25 March 2025
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KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones

KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In Pakistan, 4,790 packages were distributed to families in need across Balochistan, Kashmir, and Punjab as a part of the Etaam Ramadan project, benefiting 32,631 individuals. 

In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,550 packages to vulnerable families in Baidoa, benefiting 6,930 people. 

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million). 

Additionally, KSrelief provided 600 packages in Port Sudan, benefiting 3,057 impoverished and displaced people. 

In Lebanon, the Saudi Arabia aid agency distributed 800 packages to needy families in Sidon, benefiting 4,000 individuals.