JEDDAH: India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. V.K. Singh has praised Saudi Arabia for its magnanimity and generosity in dealing with the problem of laid-off and unpaid Indians in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Arab News during an exclusive interview in Jeddah on Friday, he thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for “personally intervening and giving instructions for resolution of the problems at the earliest.”
He said he had had a productive meeting with Labor and Social Development Minister Mufrej Al-Haqabani who had assured him of every help for the Indian workers. “I visited camps to learn firsthand the concerns of our people and assured them that they need not worry as the governments of India and Saudi Arabia were working together for their well-being.”
Following are excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is the takeaway from your visit to Saudi Arabia?
A: The Saudi government has been extremely positive and helpful. The king’s personal intervention was a magnanimous gesture. Assurances have been given to us that the problems of residency permits (iqamas) will be resolved, and that problems where people want a transfer within the Kingdom to another job will be facilitated. For those who want to return to India, the Saudi government will provide free air tickets.
Q: Have the problems at the labor camps been resolved?
A: There were earlier reports that people were not getting food and medical assistance. All those matters have been resolved by the Saudi government. We have received very solid support in resolving the problems in going to the camps and talking to the workers. In the two camps that I visited in Jeddah, we had the director general from the Labor and Social Development Ministry (Abdullah Al-Olayan) with us.
Q: Which is unprecedented?
A: Yes. That is why I am saying that we have seen a very, very positive and desirable response from the Saudis. We are sure that because of this, we will be able to resolve the issues for people who want to return home. There are other issues which of course we have raised with the labor minister. A number of people have not been paid for eight or nine months. They are by no means rich and so they have had to take loans from people around them. They need to pay these before they leave. We have requested for a mechanism whereby the defaulting companies pay these individuals outstanding dues of at least two months. The claims can be made through our missions.
Q: How would you describe these people? Are they stranded?
A: I would not say “stranded.” They are not stranded Indians. They are people who were working here whose employers experienced an economic crisis due to which they were unable to pay their employees. Obviously, if you have not been paid for eight or nine months and you have a relatively small salary, there is a crisis. To a certain extent, measures to mitigate the problems have been taken in terms of providing food. Let me tell you that the labor and social development minister said that food and such assistance being provided was an important part of Saudi culture. It is a humanitarian problem which should never have happened. I must say that the attitude has been very positive in resolving the problem and assisting our people. There are three million Indians working here and they have made, and are making, a sizable contribution to the Saudi economy.
Q: And there was an acknowledgement from the Saudi labor and social development minister as well to this effect?
A: Yes. There is an acknowledgment that Indians work very hard, that they have never created problems and so they must be helped.
Q: How many Indians would like to return to India?
A: Initial assessment indicates that there are few who would like to go back.
Q: How many does “few” mean?
A: It means 100, 200, 300 or 400. Those who have no liabilities want to go back immediately. The majority needs to pay back personal loans. They would like to go back once their loans have been cleared. Anybody who has worked here for six, seven or eight years is looking at continuing his employment here. There are some who have worked for only two years and for them, the liabilities are not high and so they would like to go back.
Q: An erroneous impression was created in the Indian media that Saudi Arabia was in some kind of war-like situation in which Indians were somehow marooned. That certainly did not help, did it?
A: The problem is that such stories look very romantic. I think the media in general tends to portray everything as tragedy. Nobody originally understood the crisis. It is of a different nature and it is only when you talk to people that you understand the situation. Even where the food aspect is concerned, there were very few places where matters were that serious.
Q: But it was projected that Indians were starving?
A: Nobody was starving. What happens is if a person did not have proper food for one day, he would say, “Oh, we haven’t had food today.” It gets accentuated. Plus, the frustration. You know, eight or nine months without being paid is a real problem. Obviously people who come here, most of them are not from rich backgrounds. They have liabilities at home. They cannot send money back and they do not have money for their daily expenses. That then becomes a crisis.
Q: In the written statement issued after the meeting with the labor and social development minister, you mentioned only one company that had a problem?
A: There may be more companies, but the food issue came up only with one company (Saudi Oger) and that problem has been solved.
Q: Has the Indian government thought of providing interim relief to the families of these workers?
A: We have asked them to file claims with the embassy and the consulate. The claims are against their dues from the defaulting companies. Once they make the claims, the Saudi Labor and Social Development Ministry will find ways on how they are going to get their disputes resolved so that the money can be paid. The job of Indian missions is to ensure that they get the claims from the people and file them with the Labor and Social Development Ministry.
Q: In the past, we have seen that the missions did not have enough money to hire legal services?
A: In the last two-and-a-half years that we have been in the government, I have not heard of any mission which has lacked money to hire legal services.
Q: In general, did the good relationship existing between the two countries ease the crisis?
A: Obviously, the warmth of the relationship has been very visible. The moment I came here, the labor and social development minister met me and reassured me. The king has already ordered these issues to be resolved in the quickest possible time. This shows the warmth of our relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Q: Your message from Jeddah to the Indian community in India?
A: My message to the Indian community in India is that we should not panic. Companies fail in all countries. There is a procedure. Let us not unnecessarily ascribe different motives to the events. People are being looked after. There is a big Indian community in Saudi Arabia with a very responsive mission along with a very responsive Saudi government to assist us. With a little patience, things will work out.
King’s intervention indicates warmth in Saudi-India ties
King’s intervention indicates warmth in Saudi-India ties
Hajj media center launched for local, international journalists at Jeddah airport
- 24/7 operated center offers journalists shared workspaces and real-time updates during the Hajj season
JEDDAH: The Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services launched the media center for the 2024 Hajj season on Sunday at the Hajj and Umrah terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The center aims to support and assist more than 1,300 journalists from 16 countries during the arrival and departure of pilgrims via the airport throughout the Hajj season.
Operating 24/7, the center offers journalists shared workspaces and real-time updates, enhancing media efficiency during the Hajj season. This is complemented by the Makkah Route Initiative led by the Ministry of Interior in a dedicated pavilion, alongside the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the General Authority of Media Regulation.
It also caters to local and international media outlets, including news agencies, television channels, journalists, correspondents and photographers.
Saleh Al-Zuaid, official spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, told Arab News: “The importance of the center lies in providing a place for journalists, offering multiple studios, shared workspaces, showcasing comprehensive digital transportation technologies and delivering media messages in five languages: Arabic, English, French, Urdu and Persian.”
Al-Zuaid discussed the technological advancements that will revolutionize transportation and logistics systems for pilgrims. Last year, 19 technologies were introduced to enhance the pilgrim experience, with plans to implement 32 more this year.
Notable innovations include road-cooling technology, virtual glasses for bus inspections and automatic monitoring technology, which significantly reduce bus inspection time. The implementation of these technologies aims to improve efficiency, safety and comfort for pilgrims during their journey.
Al-Zuaid said: “There are technologies we will announce for feasibility study for implementation in the coming years, some of which were launched last year and achieved high success, and will be implemented this year as well, such as the automatic monitoring technology, which reduced the bus inspection time from 60 seconds to 6 seconds, as well as the road-cooling technology implemented last year which contributed to reducing street temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius.”
Other important technologies include the luggage-free Hajj initiative, which facilitates the departure of pilgrims, to be implemented this year at King Abdulaziz International Airport and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
The Ministry of Transport is exploring innovative initiatives to further enhance the pilgrimage experience, such as the rubberized sidewalk initiative, the taxi app for convenient transportation, and the use of self-driving vehicles for order delivery among the new projects set to be introduced.
These initiatives focus on improving pilgrims’ overall well-being, reducing logistical challenges and enhancing accessibility to essential services.
Deal signed to advance Saudi cultural preservation, scientific research
- MoUs aim to preserve endowment libraries and valuable manuscripts
RIYADH: The King Fahd National Library and King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries signed a deal covering scientific programs, studies, research and cultural exchange on Sunday.
Prince Khalid bin Talal bin Badr Al-Saud, secretary-general of the library, and Fahd Al-Wahbi, secretary-general of the complex, signed the three-year memorandum of understanding covering the cooperation.
The deal aims to foster ties between the library and complex by supporting scientific research to preserve endowment libraries and valuable manuscripts, developing professional skills and enhancing the role of both parties in realizing the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The two parties, which have a mutual interest in preserving culture through technology, will enhance the safeguarding of heritage, including manuscripts.
Saudi students secure 114 awards at global science, tech contests
- Minister praises students’ excellence, reaffirms Kingdom’s commitment to education and innovation
RIYADH: Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan extended congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the achievements of Saudi students at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 and International Inventions, Innovations, Technology Competition and Exhibition 2024.
In a significant national triumph, male and female students from the Kingdom excelled in the ISEF 2024 and ITEX 2024, winning a total of 114 medals. The ISEF 2024 event was held May 10-17 in Los Angeles, US, while ITEX 2024 was held May 16-17 in Malaysia.
The outstanding performance of the students reflects the attention given to education under the Saudi leadership in pursuit of global excellence, the minister said.
“This achievement reflects the efforts made to reach global championship platforms and represent the Kingdom in the best manner possible. It also demonstrates to the world the level we plan and aspire to achieve, with national efforts and distinguished partners,” Al-Benyan said.
The minister also extended his thanks and congratulations to the students and their families, teachers, and education partners who contributed to motivating them and enhancing their capabilities.
These include the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, Tuwaiq Academy, and Misk Schools, the minister said.
At ISEF 2024, Saudi students won 27 awards, including nine individual and 18 grand awards. Notable winners include Hamad Al-Husseini and Abeer Al-Yousef, who secured second-place awards in the energy and chemistry categories, respectively. Elias Khan, Sulaiman Al-Misnad, Latifa Al-Ghannam, Turki Al-Dalami, Tahani Ahmed, and Laila Zawawi won six third-place awards across various categories.
The team also won 10 fourth-place awards, with students such as Nasser Al-Suwayyan, Lana Al-Mazrouei, Yara Al-Qadi, Yara Al-Bakri, Shahad Al-Mutlaq, Asma Al-Qaseer, Areej Al-Qarni, Lana Al-Fheed, Layan Al-Maliki, and Tamara Radi excelling in fields ranging from biomedical engineering to plant sciences.
In addition, the Kingdom’s students garnered 87 gold and silver medals and major individual prizes across 48 projects at ITEX 2024 in Malaysia. Among the major prize winners were Lamia Al-Otaibi, Mohammed Abu Ghandar, and Al-Sadeem Al-Odaibi.
Gold medals were awarded to several students from various institutions, including Lamia Al-Otaibi, Sadeem Al-Odaibi, Mohammed Abu Ghandar, and others from the Eastern Province, Makkah, Riyadh, Qassim, Madinah, Jazan, and the Royal Commission in Jubail. Additional gold medalists included students from Tuwaiq Academy and Misk Schools.
Silver medals at ITEX 2024 were awarded to students from the Riyadh, Makkah, and Eastern Province education departments, as well as the Royal Commission in Jubail and the Tuwaiq Academy. Maryam Al-Muhaish, Lamia Al-Otaibi, Ghad Al-Sheikh, Manal Al-Askari, Sadeem bin Tuwaim, and several others from the Tuwaiq Academy won individual awards.
Riyadh hosts high-level talks with former world leaders to address global issues
- Theme of the talks is “The Middle East in a Changing World: uncertainties, risks, and opportunities”
- Topics at the meeting will build on and further develop the actions decided at the sustainable development goals summit in September 2023 as well as COP28
RIYADH: Two days of talks in Riyadh are focused on several issues, including the world order, its challenges and opportunities, the regional politics of the Middle East, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and challenges of maritime security.
The talks, from May 19-20, are being hosted by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in partnership with Nizami Ganjavi International Center and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. The theme of the talks is “The Middle East in a Changing World: uncertainties, risks, and opportunities.”
“By having these kinds of sessions, we develop our own thinking,” Ismail Serageldin, co-chair of Nizami Ganjavi International Center, told Arab News.
“You hear one point of view and the counterpoint of view, and you weigh all of that, and these are all very influential people. They were all former presidents and prime ministers, and they had influence on their delegations of the countries there. And they may be able to mediate between different opinions when we have a more formal proposal coming up later,” he said.
Other topics of discussion include the urgency of global dialogue, climate change, economies in the Middle East, and the Middle East in the age of artificial intelligence.
“We hope to gather these insights for the summit of the future in the United Nations in September and then again in the COP29, in Baku in November,” Serageldin said.
Topics at the meeting will build on and further develop the actions decided at the sustainable development goals in September 2023 as well as the COP28 meeting in Dubai in December 2023.
Chairing the panel as keynote speakers were Prince Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, and Vaira Vike-Freiberga, co-chair of Nizami Ganjavi International Center and former president of Latvia.
Also attending were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed El-Khereiji, Miguel Angel Moratinos, the high representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and Maria Fernanda Espinosa, president of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and former minister of foreign affairs and minister of defense of Ecuador.
Other participants on the panel included Ivo Josipovic, the former president of Croatia, Mladen Ivanic, former president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Stefan Lofven, former prime minister of Sweden, Rosen Plevneliev, former president of Bulgaria, and Montenegro’s former minister of defense, Milica Pejanovic.
Discussing the list of high-level officials on the panel Serageldin said: “Many of them are former presidents, former prime ministers, who have had enormous international and national and regional experience. We want to develop insights in a framework that allows us to discuss, without the formality of official delegations presenting proposals and reacting to the proposals of another country. Global challenges require global responses.
“The first session discussed the new global order, not just how to deal with the problems of the Middle East,” Serageldin said.
Another speaker at the session, Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly and former minister of EU affairs for Turkiye, said: “We must not only concentrate on Russia and Ukraine issues.
“There are horrible things happening in other parts of the world, like Sudan, there is famine, people are dying there, we must show our coordination to help those countries, there is a fight in the Latin American countries, drug lords are capturing societies,” Bozkir said.
He emphasized the need to go beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict and jointly tackle other challenges around the world.
Plevneliev discussed the crises in Gaza and put a question to the meeting: “What happens on the day after in Gaza?”
He highlighted the importance of having a strategy for the future of Gaza, underlining the need for “sustainable solutions for peace.”
Shoura council member Huda bint Abdulrahman Al-Halisi discussed multilateralism and the need to bridge local and global.
“If we all agree that multilateralism is in crisis, we need to discover the root causes and the possible solutions,” she said. “We all agree that all countries have or should have an equal voice.
“We all want justice, we want development, we want peace, but we are not achieving this globally because there is a weakening of democracy around the world, we see that it is only right that we hold governments into account for not keeping to their commitments,” Al-Halisi said.
She called for the need to push for transparency and accountability, the rule of law, responsiveness, and inclusivity.
“We need to bridge the local with the global,” she said.
In an interview with Arab News, Serageldin emphasized the need to turn back to the UN.
“It was rightly said that the UN is the only institution that has global legitimacy. Everywhere in the world somebody recognizes the UN, but we all recognize that it is hampered, it is tied up, it can’t function,” he said.
“We need to find ways of reviving it (UN) and giving it the hope that we all have to bring to the task of global peace and security,” he said.
Jeddah university hosts forum on technology, creativity
- Conference explored best practices in technology and interdisciplinary scientific research
JEDDAH: Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah recently wrapped up its third “Creativity, Technology, and Sustainability” conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
The two-day event, held on May 15-16, drew a wide range of experts, scholars and local and international officials to explore interconnected themes in pursuit of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Abeer Al-Dughaither, the university’s president, highlighted the significance of the conference, saying: “This event embodies the values of the university, which aims to anticipate scientific and practical futures and stay abreast of developments to be an active partner in various aspects of development. There is no doubt that the three pillars of the conference (creativity, technology, and sustainability) represent a fundamental pillar in any cultural renaissance.
“This conference reflects the university’s strategic plan to build bridges of scientific and cultural cooperation between it and local and international institutions, with knowledge and cultural experts participating from within the Kingdom and abroad at the regional and global levels,” she added.
The conference explored best practices in technology and interdisciplinary scientific research, underlining how these advancements foster creativity and development to tackle global challenges.
Discussions also covered the critical role of advanced technology in sustainable development and digital transformation, alongside the significance of effective management, policies and ethics in attaining sustainability objectives.
During his keynote speech on “Innovative Key Facilities for Human-Centered and Sustainable Design,” Prof. Luigi Maffei from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Caserta, Italy, emphasized the changing viewpoints within disciplines exploring environmental changes and their effects on individuals.
He said: “Many disciplines are transitioning from a negative, monodisciplinary approach to a positive, multidisciplinary one that is more human-centered and sustainable, recognizing the importance of considering the well-being of individuals in design solutions.”
Ahmed Elmasry, professor of corporate finance and governance at the Centre for Financial and Corporate Integrity, Coventry University, UK, delivered a thought-provoking speech on environmental, social and governance controversies.
He highlighted the importance of leading change and inspiring growth to empower tomorrow by harnessing technology, sustainability and innovation as drivers for business evolution.
In his speech on “Cognitive Cities and the Future of Urban Living,” Joaquim Alvarez, head of cognitive technologies at the engineering technical services department at NEOM, said: “Understanding the evolution of urban areas by examining cities’ development trajectory is crucial. Transitioning from historical reflections to dynamic adaptation for contemporary challenges is imperative.”
Speakers at the conference outlined the significance of education in promoting awareness about sustainability. Panel discussions, moderated by a diverse group of experts, academics, and officials from local and international backgrounds, explored the interconnected themes of creativity, technology and sustainability.
The sessions delved into research topics that deepen our understanding of technological progress, fostering innovation and progress.
The conference offered a range of workshops to nurture creativity and cultivate essential skills crucial for sustainable development.
A dedicated section featured scientific papers and posters from researchers, with several contributions by students from Dar Al-Hekma University.
