Voluntary community service among Saudi youth appears to be gaining ground across Saudi Arabia, according to Badr Fahad Al-Jeraisy, media head of the Social Committee in Ergah (SCE), northwest of Riyadh.
He noted that in the wake of the two-day 2nd Riyadh Social Forum, the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) had announced plans to ask the Ministry of Education to make community service mandatory for students at government schools. ARCO Secretary General Abdullah Al-Hazza announced the plan and said that his organization would submit a proposal to Minister of Education Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.
Al-Jeraisy highlighted that the SCE has been undertaking various community projects such as organizing an environmental campaign in Ergah neighborhood, providing donations to underprivileged people and offering tutorial lessons to teenagers.
“If ARCO’s plan materializes it would be a positive step in the right direction. We need the youth to be involved in community service, as it would mean more participants in the propagation of free service and goodwill in society,” said Badr Al-Khanbassi, member of the volunteer group Ghadan. He said that he and other Saudi volunteers from various groups had proposed earlier to the ministry making community service compulsory among students in public schools.
“We were told that the first step is to create a pilot project, which would be implemented at the community level. If the project succeeds then it could be presented to the ministry for nationwide implementation,” he said.
Al-Khanbassi has been involved in volunteer work for the last nine years, as far back as when he was a student at King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Before joining Ghadan, he worked with Rekaaz, another volunteer group that aims to promote friendship and goodwill among the youth.
Adeeb Fahd Baksh, head of a non-profit organization (NGO) called Arweqah (Different Roots), added that he is pleased with the increased number of volunteer work initiatives witnessed in the Kingdom over the past few years.
“We at Arweqah are involved in community service to help others have a better and more meaningful life,” he said.
Community service gains ground among Saudi youngsters
Community service gains ground among Saudi youngsters
Jeddah Airports approves operational plan for King Abdulaziz Airport ahead of 2024 Hajj season
- The plan will be activated from the beginning of the sacred month of Dhul-Qdah, which starts on May 9, and will continue until all pilgrims have arrived
JEDDAH: Jeddah Airports has confirmed all three facilities and lounges at King Abdulaziz International Airport are ready to accommodate some 1.2 million pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj season.
CEO Mazen bin Mohammed Johar said the operational plan was meticulously aligned with all requirements aimed at ensuring the safety, security and comfort of pilgrims arriving via the airport.
The plan will be activated from the beginning of the sacred month of Dhul-Qdah, which starts on May 9, and will continue until all pilgrims have arrived.
This will include the full operation of all airport lounges, including Terminal 1, the North Terminal, and the Hajj and Umrah lounge complex, following a standardized pattern of arrivals and departures throughout the season to effectively cater for all travelers.
Johar said the three halls collectively featured over 411 platforms for passport procedures, 440 for luggage check in, 56 loading bridges, 54 customs inspection devices, 29 luggage conveyor belts, 28 bus gates, and four health centers. There are also two areas dedicated to handling group luggage.
During the peak period, the workforce at King Abdulaziz International Airport will number around 16,000 employees from diverse governmental, security and operational sectors. All are committed to serving pilgrims and facilitating procedures during their journey of faith.
Saudi Arabia expands eVisa program to include Barbados, Bahamas and Grenada
- The expansion brings the total number of countries eligible for the eVisa program to 66
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expanded its electronic visa program to include citizens of three Caribbean countries: Barbados, the Bahamas and Grenada.
People from these countries can now apply, online or on arrival, for a visa to visit the Kingdom for the purposes of tourism, to perform Umrah, to attend events, exhibitions and conferences, or to visit friends and relatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The expansion brings the total number of countries eligible for the eVisa program to 66. It is part of the efforts by Ministry of Tourism to enhance the Kingdom’s global connectivity, stimulate economic diversification, and help achieve the tourism goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification. Those goals include an increase in the tourism industry’s contribution to gross domestic product of more than 10 percent of the total, and the creation of 1 million jobs in the sector.
The Ministry of Tourism introduced tourist visas in September 2019 as part of a broader initiative to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage, encourage visitors from around the world to visit the country and engage with the rich cultural experiences on offer in the country, and promote international interactions. It is expected that the eVisa program will be further expanded to include more countries.
Saudi legal center issues key research on e-commerce, tax, sports
- Focus also on regulations for privatization of healthcare sector
- Legal framework for firms listing on stock exchange under study
RIYADH: The Center of Legal Studies and Research has released seven studies covering various sectors of the economy including business, health, e-commerce and sports, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The research is a part of the center’s aim to highlight key developments and challenges within the Kingdom’s legal and legislative framework, the SPA reported.
The studies, which are in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, also focuses on regulations for managing special economic regions and zones.
One study focused on the privatization of the healthcare sector and developing regulations in line with international best practice.
Another paper looked at tax legislation in the Kingdom and made recommendations on insolvency.
There was also research conducted on a suitable legal framework for listing Special Purpose Acquisition Companies on the Saudi Arabia stock exchange.
The center began issuing research for the first time last year on ways to streamline the Kingdom’s legal framework for the economy.
All publications are accessible on the center’s website at www.clsr.gov.sa.
Saudi Fashion Commission launches product-development studio
- The Lab will help develop sustainable, thriving industry
- Assist local designers, firms fulfil ‘Made in Riyadh’ plan
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission recently launched a studio for product development, The Lab, in Riyadh.
The launch was attended by Misk Foundation CEO Badr Al-Badr, Deputy CEO Omar Najjar, industry specialists, and officials from government entities. The headquarters of the project is in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, or Misk City.
Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said The Lab would help develop a sustainable and thriving industry. And assist local designers fulfill their creative visions as a part of the “Made in Riyadh” label.
Misk City CEO David Henry said The Lab would elevate the fashion industry in the Kingdom, and allow domestic businesses to showcase their products in the country and abroad.
Henry highlighted Misk City’s contribution to promoting national retail brands in the fashion sector and supporting small- and medium-sized local companies.
The studio would support education and training programs for young Saudi Arabian designers and open new avenues for investment in the fashion sector.
It would also assist in hosting fashion events and festivals in Misk City.
Saudi, British teams to explore prehistoric sites in Farasan Islands and Jazan
- Saudi Heritage Commission, York University ink pact in Riyadh
- Survey, excavation data will help rehabilitate archeological sites
RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of York in the UK for archaeological surveys at prehistoric sites on the Farasan Islands in the Jazan region, as well as along the Red Sea coast in the southwest of the Kingdom.
Representing the commission at the signing ceremony, held recently at its headquarters in Riyadh, was the general manager of archaeology, Abdullah Al-Zahrani, along with the commission’s CEO, Jasser Al-Harbash. The University of York was represented by the project director at the archaeological site, Prof. Geoff Bailey.
This agreement is part of the commission’s ongoing effort to expand field archaeological surveys and excavation work across the Kingdom. And to prepare and rehabilitate archaeological sites by expanding the base of scientific partnerships with universities and international research centers specializing in heritage.
Through this agreement, the commission aims to gather more scientific data on prehistoric sites and understand patterns of ancient pastoral activity.
Field studies will be conducted, and the publication of the findings from archaeological surveys and excavations will be broadened as a result of this collaboration.
The aim is also to attract top-notch scientific talent to assist with such projects.
The agreement calls for the joint preparation of periodic reports and scientific studies, as well as the exchange of information and expertise in related fields.
Last week, the Heritage Commission signed an agreement with Japan’s Kanazawa University to collaborate on archaeological work at two prehistoric sites in Jouf and Tabuk.
It highlights the commission’s commitment to expanding its field work and archeological surveys across the Kingdom and enhances its scientific partnerships with specialist universities and centers around the world.
