Alalshikh Honors Saudi Al-Sharif and Iranian Younis with Valuable Prizes of Otr Elkalam International Competition

In the closing episode of the Otr Elkalam show that was broadcast today, His Excellency Advisor Turki bin Abdel Mohsen Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Entertainment Authority, honored the 20 winners of the valuable prizes of the competition. The Saudi contestant Mohammed Al-Sharif achieved first place in the call to prayer (adhan) track and won SAR2 million, and the Iranian contestant Younis Shahmradi achieved first place in the recitation track and won SAR3 million.

The competition, which concluded today, won 6 certificates from the Guinness Book of Records. It achieved two record numbers in terms of participating countries in both the Quran and Adhan tracks of the competition and a record number of participants in the Quran competition. It also achieved another record as the largest competition to attract participants in the adhan competition, and two other records as the largest prize pool for a Quran recitation competition and the largest prize pool for a call to prayer (adhan) competition.

His Excellency Advisor Alalshikh honored the winners of the competition prizes in the recitation and adhan tracks. The Iranian contestant Younis Shahmradi won first place in the recitation track and received a prize of SAR3 million, while the Saudi Abdulaziz Al-Faqih won second place and a prize of SAR2 million. The Moroccan contestant Zakaria Al-Zirk won third place and a prize of SAR1 million, and his compatriot Abdullah Al-Daghri won fourth place and a prize of SAR700,000.

As for the adhan track, the first place was won by the Saudi contestant Mohammed Al-Sharif with a prize of SAR2 million, the second place was won by the Indonesian Diaa Al-Din bin Nazar Al-Din with a prize of SAR1 million, the third place was won by Raheef Al-Hajj with a prize of SAR500,000, and the fourth place was won by the British Ibrahim Asad with a prize of SAR300,000.

The episode, dedicated to honoring the winners of the Otr Elkalam competition this year, opened with a recitation of Quranic verses by the winner of the first edition of the competition, the Moroccan reciter Younes Gharbi, and adhan from the Turkish Mohsen Kara, the first-place winner in the adhan track last year.

The Quran and adhan competition, which comes this year in strategic partnership with the Muslim World League, is one of the international initiatives of the General Entertainment Authority. It allowed participation for Muslims from different countries of the world through easy steps, facilitating participation for those wishing to join the competition qualifiers from anywhere.

The initial qualifiers for the competition this year began last January. More than 50,000 contestants from 165 countries participated in it, but 50 contestants reached the final qualifiers and competed in the recitation and adhan tracks through the Otr Elkalam show, which was broadcast on MBC and the Shahid digital platform.

The competition is one of the most important initiatives of the General Entertainment Authority during Ramadan, with its content that is commensurate with the spirituality of the month, as well as its standards and provisions that enhance competitiveness through stages and qualifiers that ensure that talented and distinguished people reach the final stages. Otr Elkalam, which broadcasts the competitions, is one of the most famous Ramadan shows and enjoys wide popularity in the Islamic world and several countries around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia Finances Mohmand Hydroelectric Dam Project in Pakistan

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), represented by its CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, signed today in Islamabad a development agreement with the fraternal Islamic Republic of Pakistan to finance the Mohmand Hydropower Dam Project through a soft development loan provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Fund at a value exceeding $240 million. This project aims to enhance the supply of energy and water for agriculture and daily consumption, and protection from flood risks.

At the signing ceremony, the Pakistani side was represented by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kazim Niaz, in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, and several officials from both sides.

By financing this project, the SFD seeks to enhance Pakistan’s ability to produce clean and renewable energy, by increasing the production capacity of electricity to generate (800) megawatts, in addition to storing about (1.6) million cubic meters of water to provide sustainable water sources for agriculture and human consumption.

The project will also enhance water and food security, irrigating more than 6,773 hectares of new agricultural land, increasing the current cropping area from 1,517 hectares to 9,227 hectares, and protecting the region from the impact of floods.

During the ceremony, the CEO of the SFD said, “This project is an extension of the support being provided by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Fund since its inception to finance vital and economic projects aimed at achieving growth in development support for the fraternally Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as their number reached approximately (41) development projects and programs with a value of (1.4) billion dollars, in addition to financing oil derivatives with a value exceeding 5.4 billion dollars during the past four years.

For his part, Dr. Niaz thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for supporting the various development sectors in Pakistan through the SFD and contributing to the financing of this vital project, citing the importance of the project and its developmental impact on Pakistan and its people through the use of renewable energy to contribute to the provision of sustainable energy as well as providing water sources that enhance water and food security, praising the development efforts made by the Kingdom through the Fund since 1976 to achieve social growth and sustainable economic prosperity.

It is worth mentioning that the development projects and programs financed by the Saudi Fund for Development in the energy sector at the level of African and Asian countries amounted to (76) development projects and programs since the beginning of its development activity in 1975, of which (33) projects and programs were in African countries, (42) projects and programs in Asian countries, and one project in Latin America, in addition to the Fund’s active role in supporting and developing renewable energy sector projects, which numbered (35) projects in (23) developing countries around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Gift Program for Distributing Dates Launched in Croatia

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, represented by the Religious Attaché at the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has distributed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Gift Program for Distributing Dates in the presence of the religious attache at the Saudi embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sheikh Amer Alanazi, and a number of Islamic personalities in Croatia.

Five tons of premium-quality dates will be distributed among Muslims in Croatia during Ramadan 1444 AH

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Baghdad and Washington discuss ways to raise the level of cooperation

Iraq discussed with the United States of America ways to raise the level of bilateral cooperation in a way that contributes to supporting its security, political and economic stability.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Undersecretary for Bilateral Affairs, Muhammad Hussein Bahr Al-Uloum, received the US Ambassador, Elena Romanowski, and during the meeting, they discussed mechanisms for developing Iraqi-US relations and ways to raise the level of bilateral cooperation in a way that contributes to supporting Iraq’s security, political and economic stability, as well as Discussing a range of regional and international issues of common interest and how to strengthen diplomatic means that respond to and adapt to current changes.

The Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs expressed the Iraqi government’s readiness to cooperate with the government of the United States of America in the interest of the two countries.

For her part, the US Ambassador expressed her government’s aspiration for more exchange and close coordination between the two countries.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques to Renovate Al-Fatah Mosque

Al-Fatah Mosque in Al-Jamoum Governorate, Makkah Region, is one of the mosques that will be renovated in the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques. The mosque, where Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, is said to have prayed during the year he conquered Makkah, was demolished and destroyed during the previous centuries before its construction was renewed in 1398 AH, and later renovated in 1419 AH.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques will renovate Al-Fatah Mosque to increase its area from 455.77 square meters to 553.50 square meters, and raise its capacity to accommodate worshipers from 218 to 333, using natural building materials in the architectural style of the western region, including bricks, basalt stone, gypsum, and wood. The mosque’s Rawashin and Mashrabiyas stand out as one of the building elements, which expresses the prominent window or balcony made of the finest wood panels used to cover windows and external openings.

The building is characterized by the architectural style of the Western region withstanding the surrounding natural conditions on the coast, where historical mosques constitute architectural masterpieces that reflect an elaborate building culture. The mosques are characterized by the simple design of the facades, the prominence of the wooden element, and the maintenance of moderate temperatures inside the mosque.

In Al-Fatah Mosque, the shakhsheikha is considered one of the architectural elements that cover the main spaces of the building, which helps the entry of light. The sides of the proposed shape are used for ventilation, while the shakhsheikha, in addition to its functions, became a symbol of an aesthetic decorative element for luxurious buildings such as mosques and palaces.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project aims to achieve a balance between ancient and modern construction standards in a way that gives the components of mosques an appropriate degree of sustainability and integrates the effects of development with a set of heritage and historical characteristics. The development process is being carried out by Saudi companies specializing in heritage buildings.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Seeding for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Final Draw confirmed

The seeding for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Draw, which will take place on May 11 in Doha, Qatar, has now been confirmed following the release of the latest FIFA World Ranking.

As with the previous editions of Asia’s crown jewel, Qatar have been allocated the first position in Pot 1 ahead of the draw to be held at the Katara Opera House to ensure that the host nation commences the tournament with the opening match scheduled for January 12, 2024.

Joining the hosts and defending champions in Pot 1 are the teams ranked from second to sixth in Asia in the latest FIFA Ranking namely, four-time winners Japan, three-time champions Iran, two-time winners Korea Republic, 2015 champions Australia and Saudi Arabia who will be aiming to claim their fourth Continental crown.

Pot 2 will comprise 2007 champions Iraq, 2019 hosts the United Arab Emirates, Oman, 2011 semi-finalist Uzbekistan, two-time runners up China PR and Jordan.

Meanwhile, Bahrain, Syria, Palestine, Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic and Lebanon will take their places in Pot 3, while India, debutants Tajikistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia will complete the line-up in Pot 4.

Similar to the expanded 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates, the 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four teams each across Groups A to F, with the top two and four best third-placed teams advancing into the final 16 of the competition before the Asian champions are crowned on February 10, 2024.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Nasser bin Hamad: HM King is keen on providing decent life for orphans

Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, extended heartfelt thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Honorary President of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), for his paternal care for the orphans in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also praised the support accorded oto RHF by the government, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was speaking on the occasion of the Arab Orphan Day, which is observed on the first Friday in April.

For his part, RHF Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed extended on behalf of all RHF affiliates most sincere thanks and appreciation to HM the King for the great care given to the orphans in Bahrain. He commended the support of the government led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to provide the best services for the orphans and ensure a decent life for them. He also lauded the efforts of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in leading the humanitarian work of RHF to achieve the royal aspirations.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Youth Affairs Minister praises Bahrain’s successful youth experience

Youth Affairs Minister, Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, has asserted that Bahrain’s distinguished youth experience has contributed to providing all kinds of support, care and encouragement for Bahraini youth to be creative and innovative in upgrading their talent, noting that Youth City 2030 is among the pioneering projects, enabling its successive generations to graduates to launch their own successful enterprises.

The minister was speaking while receiving here photographer and director, Jaan Al-Balushi, one of the graduates of the Youth Affairs Ministry’s projects and programmes, following his recent landmark achievements, through which he reflects the bright image of creative Bahraini youth.

She affirmed that the achievements of Bahraini youth have consolidated the kingdom’s regional and global status, confirming their role as partners in ensuring a better future for the country.

Al-Balushi commended the Youth Affairs Minister’s constant support for Bahraini youth in their creativity and excellence journey, praising the Youth Affairs Ministry’s programmes aimed at building youths’ personalities and honing their skills, as well as their capabilities to carry on implementing their enterprises.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

SCH President highlights Bahrain’s success in delivering health services for all

Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President, Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, has affirmed the kingdom’s success in reaching an advanced level in providing the best preventive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative health services for all, which embodies the extent of Bahrain’s interest in the health and medical sector and keenness to place it among its top priorities.

The SCH President made the statements while inaugurating a ceremony to launch the events of World Health Day, which coincides this year with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organisation (WHO), under the theme “Health for all: 75 years of improving public health”.

Minister of Health, Dr. Jaleela bint Sayed Jawad Hassan, WHO Representative in the Kingdom, Dr. Tasnim Ghalib Atatrah, and a number of senior officials and employees were present.

He indicated that the health sector in the Kingdom is keen to achieve the goals of sustainable development by committing to taking actual steps to improve the health of all, under the comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He affirmed that the kingdom has attained remarkable achievements in the field of comprehensive health care, aiming to deliver health services and ensure their financing and sustainability, as well as providing the necessary human resources and infrastructure and ensuring their good governance.

He added that the government has given priority to ensuring the success of health programmes and plans in order to achieve sustainable development goals, earning the kingdom’s health services wide-ranging acclaim.

He highlighted the advanced level of the healthcare provided by the kingdom, as proved by various health indicators, noting that Bahrain has achieved the principle of ‘Health for All’, as the heath sector provides all kinds of services to all, which is the fruitful outcome of the directives of HM the King and the follow-up of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Minister of Health also addressed the ceremony, noting the 75th anniversary of the WHO is an opportunity to highlight the achievements and successes attained in the field of public health, which has contributed to improving the quality of public health over the past decades.

She expressed her pride in the kingdom’s qualified medical, nursing and health competencies for their success in building a robust and modern health system in Bahrain.

She added that the Health Ministry is keen to enhance its cooperation and effective partnership with the WHO, through its regional office, in order to continue implementing its plans and contributing to global health efforts towards achieving SDGs.

Dr. Tasnim Atatrah highlighted the achievements of the WHO over the past decades, noting that it is determined to increase its accomplishments through the solidarity of all its partners.

She indicated that the strong partnership between Bahrain and WHO has recently culminated in the opening of a country office for WHO in the kingdom, which is an effective platform for implementing WHO’s plans and contributing to the country’s health strategies.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

National Genome Centre marks World Health Day

Under the patronage of Health Minister, Dr. Jaleela Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan, the National Genome Centre (NGC), has participated in the celebration of World Health Day, observed worldwide every April 7.

During the event, organised here yesterday by the Ministry of Health, was attended by the Centre’s medical team, who collected blood samples from individuals who have completed all procedures required by the National Genome Project.

On the occasion, Head of the team in charge of the National Genome Project Implantation Plan, Chief of Public Health Laboratories at the Ministry of Health, Amjad Ghanem, said that NGC’s participation in the World Health Day events is in line with its keenness to enhance community awareness and spread health awareness.

She affirmed that the Human Genome Project is among the most prominent global programmes adopted by the kingdom, as it aims to extract a complete genetic map of the DNA of one community, improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosing diseases, as well as determine the most appropriate treatment solutions for the patient.

It supports the creation of new genome tools, advanced diagnostic methods and clinical services for the early detection of genetic diseases, especially cancer, she also said, highlighting in this regard, the successful experiences in the United Kingdom and Egypt.

Source: Bahrain News Agency