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JEDDAH: On behalf of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday hosted a reception for state officials, heads of government agencies and delegations, religious figures and other dignitaries who are performing Hajj.
At the start of the event, at Mina Palace, the crown prince shook hands with the king of Malaysia, the presidents of Senegal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the vice president of the Maldives, the prime ministers of Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Somalia and Niger, and speakers of the parliaments in a number of Islamic countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He then delivered a speech, in which he said: “I am pleased, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to greet you, from the vicinity of the Grand Mosque, and to congratulate the pilgrims and the Islamic nation on the blessed Eid Al-Adha.
“Since its foundation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been blessed to serve the Two Holy Mosques and take care of them and has made this at the forefront of its interests. The Kingdom has made every effort and harnessed all capabilities to provide the pilgrims with comfort and tranquility.”
Tawfig Al-Rabiah, the minister of Hajj and Umrah, told guests that pilgrims were able to perform their rituals with ease and in safety thanks to the support and guidance of King Salman and the crown prince.
High-quality services are provided for pilgrims throughout their spiritual journey by more than 40 public-sector organizations, he added, based on an operational plan that begins to be developed at the end of the previous year’s Hajj season.
It is put into action by dedicated Saudi men and women out of a sense of religious and national duty toward the holy sites and those who visit them, in keeping with the commitment of the Saudi leadership and the people of the country to the transformation of the Kingdom based on the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, said Al-Rabiah.
The directives of the crown prince include the implementation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, which includes efforts to facilitate the safe and easy movement of pilgrims between holy sites, simplified visa procedures, and the digitization of services under a unified, multi-language platform, he added. Such projects have contributed to achieving a record number of Umrah pilgrims, which exceeds 10 million.
Al-Rabiah, who is also chairman of the program, said that new developments this year included efforts to ensure fair competition between businesses that provide services to pilgrims from abroad, and the expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative, which is designed to streamline the immigration process for pilgrims. It now covers seven countries — Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Morocco, Bangladesh, Turkiye and Cote d’Ivoire — and benefited more than 400,000 people this year, he added.
Work is also underway to renovate Islamic historical sites and enhance destinations, Al-Rabiah said, and in the coming years more than 100 restored historical sites and exhibitions related to the Prophet will be unveiled. Authorities will also continue to invest in recruiting and training staff to serve and assist pilgrims, he added.
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Hafiz Al-Nahawi, president of the Islamic Cultural Association in Mauritania and West Africa and head of the African Scholars Forum, delivered a speech on behalf of the Muslim World League in which he said he appreciated the efforts made by authorities in Saudi Arabia to manage Hajj season, serve pilgrims, and enhance and modernize services.
He praised the Kingdom for its support for and empowerment of the league, and for its efforts to serve Islam and Muslims worldwide. He added that the Makkah Document, which was signed October 2006 with the aim of ending sectarian violence, was a transformative event that resulted in the nation’s religious scholars becoming a proud scientific and intellectual beacon, and in the development of a training and educational curriculum for religious institutions throughout the Islamic world.
Mohammed Khalayleh, Jordan’s minister of awqaf, Islamic affairs and holy sites, spoke on behalf of the heads of Hajj affairs offices. He expressed his thanks, pride and appreciation for the great efforts made by the Saudi government, under the directives of King Salman and the crown prince, to serve pilgrims and ensure they can perform their rituals with ease.
“Today, we are witnessing the great achievements made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to receive, serve and support pilgrims,” said Khalayleh, who is also head of Jordan’s Hajj missions.
He added that the Kingdom is considered the pillar of Islam, through its devotion to holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, where pilgrims from all over the world gather each year to honor God through worship and prayer.
After the speeches, the crown prince hosted a luncheon for the guests, alongside senior Saudi officials.
RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar on Sunday received US Ambassador to the Kingdom Michael Ratney. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged cordial discussions.
Last week, the US envoy held talks with the secretary-general of the Muslim World League, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, in Riyadh. They discussed several areas of interest in the international arena.
The US envoy also met Hala Al-Tuwaijri, president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission. During the meeting, they discussed the many partnerships between both countries and the future of international cooperation to protect and promote human rights.
On April 27, the newly appointed US ambassador officially presented his credentials to Saudi Undersecretary for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed Al-Smari.
Ratney was nominated by US President Joe Biden, and the US Senate confirmed him as the ambassador to the Kingdom in a voice vote on March 14.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities have arrested several people during recent drug raids throughout the country.
Land patrols of the Border Guard in the Jazan region thwarted two attempts to smuggle 175 kilograms of qat, and in a separate incident, security officers in the province detained two Ethiopians for trying to sneak the same drug.
In the Hail region, police officers arrested a man for trying to sell methamphetamine, hashish, and other narcotics and being in possession of firearms, live ammunition, and a sum of money.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in Riyadh apprehended two Yemeni nationals and two citizens over their alleged involvement in a bid to smuggle 110 kg of qat found hidden inside a truck.
All the seized drugs have since been handed over to the relevant authorities and those arrested referred to the Public Prosecution.
Anyone wishing to report suspected smuggling or other violations can do so in strict confidence via email at [email protected], or by calling 1910 from within the country, or +966114208417 from overseas. Financial rewards are being offered for information leading to the discovery of a crime.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Theater and Performing Arts Commission is gearing up to introduce the Actor Training and Improvisation Program in three cities.
The program’s sessions are scheduled to take place in Al-Ahsa from July 16 to 27, in Tabuk from Aug. 13 to 24, and in Hail from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5.
Experienced and specialized trainers will be involved in this initiative, as part of the commission’s strategic Skills Development Program.
It will be comprised of two training workshops spanning over a 10-day period, with each workshop allocated three hours per day.
The first workshop concentrates on acting, while the second workshop emphasizes improvisation. The goal is to train 40 students in each workshop, resulting in a total of 80 trainees per city and 240 trainees overall.
The training program is designed to achieve various objectives, including enhancing awareness of theatrical performance and providing trainees with a diverse set of skills. These skills encompass gaining a comprehensive grasp of theater-related language, vocabulary, acting techniques, improvisation, and a broader cultural understanding of these disciplines.
The curriculum covers theater work mechanisms, including preparation, planning, invoking intention, and significant roles. Additionally, it focuses on the cognitive application of acting and improvisation fundamentals, such as text analysis, actor training, and the harmonization of different elements.
The acting program begins with the exploration of the body, voice, and subtext on the first day, and progresses to include areas such as concentration and pressure, character development, group work dynamics, feedback techniques, costume rehearsals, and the practical application of theories. The curriculum concludes with a final performance.
The improvisation curriculum begins with the skills of failure and the joy of taking risks, followed by accepting ideas and building upon them, spontaneity, speed, cooperation, environmental elements, tangible objects, body movement, scene formation, and the basics of storytelling. It also covers the components of creating a character naturally, escalating and changing emotions during a scene. The curriculum concludes on the 10th day with acting and showmanship (improvisation) skills.
Through the program, the commission aims to stimulate continuous self-learning among trainees and promote the concept of collective theatrical performance. It also seeks to raise awareness about theater, solidify the value of new art while preserving cultural heritage, establish a database of performers, and contribute to their development.
These efforts align with the commission’s ongoing initiatives to empower theater practitioners in the Kingdom.
RIYADH: As part of the Green Riyadh program, 1,350 kilometers of water pipes are being laid to carry 1.7 million cubic meters of treated water daily to irrigate 7.5 million trees in the city.
The aim is to achieve sustainable green spaces for Green Riyadh and other development projects in the capital.
Construction has begun using the latest technologies and practices to speed up work without disrupting traffic.
A technical team of experts from government entities and the private sector has been set up to coordinate the work and liaise with relevant bodies.
Director of the Green Riyadh program, Abdulaziz Al-Moqbel, said: “Part of the sustainability of the planted trees lies in the use of recycled water, which is recycled here in the city.
“Today we are in the hot spot of one of the networks under construction. We are using big pipes with a diameter of almost 2.4 meters, and this main network will distribute water to every neighborhood in Riyadh.”
The water networks will serve projects including the Public Investment Fund, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, King Salman Park, Sports Boulevard, and the King Abdulaziz Public Transport scheme.
“The project started almost two years ago, and now we are in the construction phase, with construction taking place everywhere in the city right now.
“Here in Riyadh there is recycled water but very limited, the users are limited in their use of recycled water, but through this network, recycled water will be much in use in several neighborhoods, and in several of the city’s megaprojects,” Al-Moqbel added.
The Green Riyadh program is one of the city’s four megaprojects launched by King Salman as an initiative of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Its goal is to plant more than 7.5 million trees in Riyadh city, increasing the green coverage to 9.1 percent.
It also aims to improve the urban environment through the greening of residential neighborhoods, helping to achieve the targets of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative of planting 10 billion trees nationwide.
MAKKAH: The enrichment exhibition, located in the lobby of the library of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, provides a unique cultural experience for pilgrims, visitors and anyone interested in exploring.
Since its opening, the exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors who are eager to explore the diverse exhibits showcasing the historical heritage of the Two Holy Mosques. It has become a popular destination for those seeking to learn more about these holy sites.
The exhibition showcases a wide array of treasures from the Two Holy Mosques, including the Kiswa, rare manuscripts, and documentaries about the Zamzam water. These exhibits offer insights into Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and dedication to serving the Two Holy Mosques.
The General Administration of Digital Exhibitions at the General Presidency for the Affairs of Two Holy Mosques has introduced virtual reality technology, enhancing the visitor experience in exploring virtual exhibitions of the Two Holy Mosques. This innovative addition enriches knowledge and understanding of the landmarks, treasures, and history associated with these holy sites.
Rayan Al-Masoudi, director of the General Administration of Digital Exhibitions, describes the experience as a revolutionary way of presenting religious and historical information.
By integrating modern technologies and scientific advancements, the exhibition provides visitors with a unique and enriching opportunity, further enhancing the services offered by the Grand Mosque.