Category: General

Tabuk– Hisma Desert with its red sands and sand mountains in the northwestern area of the Tabuk Region adds a natural beauty and geological dimension to this desert that has longstanding history, where this desert dates back to 500 million years.

Geological expert Professor Abdulaziz bin Labon attributed these unique rock contents to erosion factors that affected this area over years to make beautiful paintings that are rare in the world, stressing, in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, that these formations are rocks of sand and some green and mud, where it includes reservoirs of ground water, noting that the age of these rocks and formations date back to 542 million years to 488 million years.

Bin Labon said: “The time that these formations have witnessed contributed to having all these beautiful forms of valleys, mountains, Gharamil – straight pillars that are part of the remains of a huge mountain-, and madakheel with beautiful shapes that made the desert open natural museums and tourist and scientific attractions.

He also noted that the Hisma Desert has a lot of writings and inscriptions on the tops of its rocks, which highlights what the area enjoys of historical heritage of great importance to researchers in the history and the development of the Arabic language.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Taiz– The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) yesterday distributed 523 food baskets for the needy classes in Al-Shamaitin District in Taiz Governorate, Yemen, which benefited 3,138 individuals.

This is part of assistance extended by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and meet their basic food needs.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Madrid– Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met here today with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and prospects for enhancing them in various fields, especially in the fields of politics, energy, economy, investment, trade, industry and culture, in addition to the most prominent developments.

They also witnessed the signing of an agreement and a number of memoranda of understanding between the governments of the two countries in the fields of education, law, health and medical sciences, economy and finance, and military cooperation, in addition to a number of other fields.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Lilongwe– The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi, Nancy Tembo, announced her country’s support for the bid of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host the Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

She explained, in a press conference today, following the meeting of the Advisor at the Royal Court, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan, with President Lazarus Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi, that her country supports the Kingdom’s bid file to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, appreciating the Kingdom’s support for Malawi in various fields.

For his part, Qattan expressed thanks and appreciation of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this support, stressing that this support reflects the distinguished relations between the two countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Abu Dhabi– President of the Transport General Authority (TGA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih, reviewed the most prominent qualitative projects the Kingdom’s railways have been witnessing.

This came during Dr. Al-Rumaih’s participation in the 16th edition of the Middle East Rail 2022 Dubai, which is being held over two days at the Exhibition Center in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, as well as with the participation of a number of decision makers in the Arab transport sector and 250 exhibitors from different countries of the world, in addition to 600 dignitaries and CEO of all major railway operators from across the region.

During his presentation at the conference, the Saudi TGA president stressed that the railway transport industry in the Kingdom is witnessing rapid development and steady growth that embodies the unlimited support of the Kingdom’s leadership, contributing to the expansion of railway projects and networks so that railway transport services are available to all beneficiaries in various parts of the Kingdom, explaining that since the inauguration of the railways by late King Abdulaziz more than 70 years ago, the Kingdom is experiencing a growth that reaches us today to more than 5,000 km, linking the heart of the Kingdom to its outskirts by providing services to transport passengers and transport goods and natural resources.

Dr. Al-Rumaih also pointed out that the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services aims to link more than 8,000 km of railways by 2030 with the latest technologies and the highest standards of quality and safety.

He explained that the Kingdom is actively striving to preserve the environment in accordance with several national initiatives, in addition to using modern rail transportation, which has contributed to a decrease of 85% of carbon emissions.

He added that the number of railway passengers increased during the first quarter of 2022 to 3.11 million passengers, with a growth rate of 208% over last year, and transported more than 3 million tons of goods, with an increase of 26%, noting that during March 2022, the service of transporting cars by trains from Riyadh station to Al-Qurayyat station was launched as the first service of its kind in the Middle East.

Dr. Al-Rumaih also talked about the contribution of Jubail network that is currently being established in linking the industrial facilities with Jubail port.

He went on saying that we aim to transport more than 345 containers, 2700 truckloads per day, and reduce harmful carbon emissions in Jubail by 573 kg of carbon dioxide.

Regarding localization and the creation of competencies, Dr. Al-Rumaih said that the strategic role of the Saudi Railways Technical Institute (SERB) in localizing and developing Saudi professional competencies in specializing in train driving, station operation and management, communication and control systems, and maintenance of trains and vehicles.

He concluded that as of the beginning of 2022, SERB started offering train driving diplomas to national trainees to enable them to drive trains, as an extension of the march of localization for this vital industry.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Lilongwe– President of the Republic of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera received here today Advisor at the Royal Court Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan, and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, Advisor Qattan conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and their best wishes for progress and prosperity to the government and people of the Republic of Malawi.

In turn, the President of the Republic of Malawi sent his greetings and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince, as well as to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to support and develop them in various fields, in addition to reviewing all regional and international events of common interest.

The President of the Republic of Malawi announced his country’s full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the Expo 2030 in Riyadh, while Advisor Qattan expressed thanks and appreciation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this support, which emanates from the distinguished relations between the two countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued his approval to hold the international competition in writing the Holy Quran in next Shaban under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, represented by the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran.

On the occasion, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and Supervisor General of the complex Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulziz Al Al-Sheikh extended appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, for their special care and big attention in printing, spreading and teaching the Holy Quran.

He also noted that the competition aims to give an opportunity to those people distinguished in writing the Holy Quran, including skillful calligraphers and ensure their participation in writing the Holy Quran that carries the name of the founding king, where expertise and opinions will be exchanged among calligraphers, noting that conditions of the competition will be announced soon.

The ministry called on those interested to fill up an attached questionnaire, available on the complex’s website, and sent it to the following email: ketabat-almushaf@qurancomplex.gov.sa.

The complex has witnessed a qualitative leap over the past few years through increasing the number of printed copies of the Holy Quran with a percentage exceeding 100% with a production volume of 20 million copies per year.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– Within the Jeddah Season 2022 zone, the “Historic Jeddah” zone has attracted the Season’s visitors by several distinguished and unique cultural, historical, and entertainment shows and events.

Historic Jeddah, located in the heart of Jeddah, is one of the most prominent historical monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, with a rich heritage and civilization accumulation that goes deep into history. Visitors to the season will enjoy a variety of cultural and entertainment events in four main zones that have been prepared with a variety of events, theaters, historical pictures, painters’ street, 3D projection displays, and distinctive visual and historical presentations that will bring back memories of the beautiful past.

The Historic Jeddah zone is known for its beautiful architecture and heritage buildings. These include the ruins of the Jeddah Wall, and its historical neighborhoods, such as Al-Mazloum, Al-Sham, Yemen, and Al-Bahr neighborhoods. Moreover, the Historic Jeddah embraces several historical mosques, markets, restaurants, and popular cafes.

The activities of the Historic Jeddah zone embody the Jeddah Season 2022 new identity, which expresses the city’s cultural richness as well as its diversity and plurality of historical, tourist, cultural, and entertainment components. The season’s management vision provides various alternatives for Red Sea Bride residents and visitors of all ages and nationalities and highlights the city of Jeddah as a permanent tourist destination in the region.

The Historic Jeddah zone annually attracts a large number of visitors and guests from across the Kingdom who are keen on visiting this beautiful cultural site, which depicts of an era of ancient history and highlights Jeddah’s rich heritage and civilization. The management of the Jeddah Season 2022 has been eager to invest in the historical components and the huge cultural accumulation that characterize Jeddah in creating a unique mix of options for the visitors of the season in which these components and opportunities appear to translate the unique characteristics that distinguish Jeddah and give its visitors all the beautiful options.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Maputo– President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi received here today Advisor at the Royal Court Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan, and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, Advisor Qattan conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and their best wishes for progress and prosperity to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique.

In turn, the President of the Republic of Mozambique sent his greetings and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince, as well as to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The President of Mozambique stressed the keenness of the Republic of Mozambique to develop bilateral relations between the two countries, and their development in various fields.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to support and develop them in various fields, in addition to reviewing all regional and international events of common interest.

The meeting was attended by a number of senior officials from both countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– A Japanese diplomatic delegation today visited the headquarters of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in Riyadh.

The delegates, during the visit, watched a presentation including humanitarian and aid projects offered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, which amounted to 1,997 schemes that were implemented in 83 countries around the world in cooperation with 175 international, regional and local partners. Top beneficiary country from these projects was Yemen with 702 ventures whose total value exceeded USD 4 billion, followed by Palestine with 107 projects worth USD 368,868,000, and Syria with 702 projects worth USD 327,175,000, where these schemes covered various food, health, educational, shelter, environment and other sectors.

The delegates also had a first-hand look at the qualitative programs of the center, such as the rehabilitation of recruited children, the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM), the project of installing artificial limbs, and other voluntary programs.

The Japanese delegates praised the prestigious international status of the KSrelief in the humanitarian work field and its big role in supporting the needy and affected people around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– A high-level delegation from the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will head to Washington, DC, to discuss issues and topics of common interest, on May 23-24, 2022, at the invitation of the US State Department.

The top political issues that the delegation will discuss with the US side include the situation in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, as well as issues related to combating terrorism, extremism, Islamophobia, and the conditions of Muslim groups and societies in the non-OIC countries.

The discussions will also cover social issues, foremost of which are women’s empowerment, cultural issues, human rights, and cooperation between the two sides in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, food security, and climate issues.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) is scheduled tomorrow to hold the International Forum for Metrology under the theme “Metrology in the digital age”, which coincides with the World Metrology Day, at the headquarters of the organization in Riyadh under the patronage of Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi.

The forum is planned to shed light on the efforts of SASO and partner institutions from the public and private sectors in the field of standards and metrology, highlight the role of international accreditation, accredit the services of the center in enhancing the quality infrastructure, know the needs and challenges facing the standards and metrology sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and find sustainable solutions to improve and develop activities of standards and metrology.

SASO noted that the forum will witness the launch of the first digital standards certificate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the first at the Arab level in this regard, where the forum will include a main session on the impact of the digitalization on standards and metrology, where several high-ranking speakers are scheduled to participate from various public and private sectors, adding that the forum is an opportunity for interested people and specialists in the metrology field to get acquainted with the modern applications in activities of standards and metrology.

Source: Saudi Press Agency