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KSRelief cleared 625 landmines in various regions of Yemen, including 22 anti-personnel mines and 146 anti-tank mines, state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday.
KSRelief teams removed landmines in Aden, Lahj, Marib, Shabwa, Taiz and Al-Mokha.
Over 400,000 landmines in Yemen have been cleared so far since the start of the KSRelief operation.
RIYADH: Forty-five young men and women have joined the Heritage Commission’s 12-month training program at The Artisans House in Al-Ramis Center in Qatif.
The scheme aims to help preserve heritage and empower young people to work in traditional crafts and handicrafts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Ibrahim Alsghan, regional manager of the Heritage Commission in the Eastern Province, said the courses focused on preserving cultural wealth, presenting ancient and modern handicrafts and developing skills.
The Artisans House specializes in wooden products, fishing nets and traditional Naqda embroidery, using gold and silver, on traditional costumes.
RIYADH: Efforts are underway to prepare holy sites for this year’s Hajj season. Camps are fully equipped to cater to pilgrims’ needs, ensuring comfortable and peaceful rituals.
Public and private sectors are collaborating with comprehensive operational plans to enhance services for pilgrims, as directed by the leadership, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Makkah Municipality has made extensive preparations, including supervising roads, lighting, sidewalks and public facilities for safe and optimal use.
Engineers and technical teams conducted thorough tests on road routes to ensure quality. The municipality also maintained 4,767 light poles and towers at the holy sites.
A total of 123 bridges in Makkah and 20 in other holy sites have undergone maintenance, while 58 tunnels (48 for vehicles and 10 for pedestrians) spanning 34 km have been completed.
To enhance services, strategically positioned service centers at all holy sites have been equipped with additional resources and staff.
Tawaf companies have prepared field centers and established modern camps that meet international standards. These are insulated, fire-resistant and equipped with cooling systems in each tent for pilgrims’ comfort. Safety measures, support services and high-quality meals are also provided.
Efforts are underway to ensure efficient public transport at the holy sites. Tawaf companies are testing roads and bus routes to adhere to transportation plans and schedules set by The General Syndicate of Cars in Makkah.
The Roads General Authority, along with other relevant agencies, is expanding its cooling asphalt experiment at the holy sites. This aims to lower temperatures in residential areas, reduce energy consumption and create a more comfortable environment in waiting and gathering areas.
The Makkah branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is inspecting slaughterhouses to ensure compliance with health regulations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Comprehensive operational plans, including workforce deployment, slaughter scheduling and waste disposal monitoring are in place and being implemented. Dedicated teams will oversee equipment use and waste disposal.
The ministry is intensifying supervision of slaughterhouses and livestock pens, emphasizing adherence to health regulations to ensure a safe environment for pilgrims and prevent hazardous practices for the environment.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, the Makkah Health Cluster has confirmed its readiness for Hajj. Operational plans for 18 hospitals and 126 health centers in Makkah and the holy sites have been completed to provide high-quality medical services.
Ajyad Emergency Hospital is open round the clock at the Grand Mosque and there are three other emergency centers. Al-Haram Hospital is also operational in the northern courtyards of the Grand Mosque.
All necessary training and resources have been provided to ensure the continuity of outpatient clinic services across facilities, with 3,944 beds allocated, including 654 for intensive care.
The Makkah Health Cluster also highlighted the readiness of 155 operational ambulances for the Hajj season, along with additional support for Nimra Hospital and ambulance teams distributed across various sites and hospitals.
RIYADH: The first group of Ivorian pilgrims benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative arrived in Makkah on Saturday for this year’s Hajj.
The 200 pilgrims were received on arrival by Ithraa Al-Khair Company, a company offering Hajj services to around 200,000 pilgrims from 48 non-Arab African countries.
The Makkah Route Initiative aims to provide high-quality services to Hajj pilgrims from beneficiary countries.
As part of the initiative, biometric data is collected in the pilgrim’s home country and the necessary procedures are carried out there. An electronic Hajj visa is also issued in the pilgrim’s country.
The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports ensure that health requirements are met before pilgrims enter the country, and baggage is coded and sorted according to transportation and accommodation arrangements.
Pilgrims are transported to their residences in Makkah and Madinah by bus and partner agencies transport their luggage separately.
Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, congratulated Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on his appointment as Crown Prince of Kuwait.
“On the occasion of your appointment as Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, I am pleased to extend my sincere congratulations and best fraternal wishes for your success," the Saudi crown prince said.
"I look forward to further cooperation, building on the strong historical relations between our two brotherly countries and peoples. Wishing Your Highness good health and happiness, and the brotherly people of Kuwait continued progress and prosperity,” he added.
JEDDAH: Clothing company Lululemon organized an event prior to International Yoga Day — which takes place later this month — led by Lana Nazer, founder and CEO of Karama Yoga, at Shangri-La Hotel in Jeddah.
The Lululemon ambassador — speaking about “Yoga Flow with Live Music” — said: “With over 1,000 signups for our sessions on this day, I am honored to share something I am passionate about with my community. My aim is for every individual in Saudi Arabia to try yoga at least once to discover a more mindful approach to living.”
Nazer’s signature class showcased a perfect balance for all levels of practitioners, incorporating yoga breathwork, meditation, and dynamic movements to demonstrate that yoga can be both fun and accessible.
She emphasized the importance of making yoga less intimidating for newcomers, while integrating modern living into her teachings.
Nazer expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Sports for its dedication to promoting yoga and wellness in Saudi Arabia, and noted an increased interest in the country.
She said: “I am confident that Saudi Arabia is poised to become a hub for yoga in the future.
“As awareness grows and more individuals embrace this lifestyle, there is ample opportunity for education and introduction to holistic well-being.”
She added that people in the Kingdom were eager to adopt healthier practices, seek balance in their lives, and reduce stress, whether they are working mothers, men, women, or community leaders.
She added: “While we have made significant progress, there is still a considerable journey ahead of us but I’m extremely optimistic.”
Reflecting on the significance of the International Day of Yoga, which takes place on June 21, she said: “It’s a day to celebrate community, mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
“It’s a day to celebrate being happy, healthy, and doing something mindful with people you love. It’s also a celebration of how yoga has changed lives and made a positive impact within communities.”
Khaled Nahfawi, a renowned yoga and meditation instructor, led a guided meditation yoga journey with the use of sound bowls, crystal balls and Tibetan voice.
He said: “The aim is to take people on a journey of relaxation, combining yoga with meditation and the therapeutic effects of sound bowls.
“During my workshop we focused on sound, starting with a brief yoga flow to prepare the body and mind for meditation. Yoga has changed my life, and I’m happy to introduce it to others to potentially change theirs.”
Nahfawi stressed the importance of raising awareness through yoga and meditation, especially among youngsters.
He emphasized the transformative power of mindfulness practices in promoting overall well-being and mental clarity, adding: “As yoga teachers, healers, and meditation instructors, it is essential to elevate awareness, especially among the youth.”
Sarah Hamed attended Nazer’s yoga session and called it “truly transformative,” adding: “Her approach to yoga made it accessible and enjoyable for beginners like me. I left feeling rejuvenated and inspired to incorporate mindfulness into my daily routine.”
