RIYADH: Greek Ambassador Polychronis Polychroniou said Thursday that Greece and Saudi Arabia’s “core issues are identical, as both countries are pillars of stability in their respective regions, while there is remarkable progress on the fields of economic cooperation.”
Polychroniou made his remarks as Greeks in the Kingdom prepare to celebrate the 196th National Day on Saturday.
The Greek envoy on Wednesday hosted a reception for the diplomatic community and several hundreds of other guests at his residence inside the Diplomatic Quarter.
The ambassador told Arab News, “We enjoy a close political and economic cooperation with the Kingdom.”
He noted that Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos visited the Kingdom last month and met King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif.
“The visit was yet another confirmation of the excellent level of bilateral relations, Ambassador Polychroniou said.
He said that Greece is looking forward to enhance its cooperation with the Kingdom in the maritime sectors, tourism, health, education and agriculture.
“Cooperation in these areas is already strong, but we can help it grow even stronger. Other fields include construction, construction materials, energy, high technology products, satellite technology and telecommunications,” he noted.
He also said that “we are also working on a number of cooperation projects, which, we hope, will produce concrete results in the very near future. Cultural exchange is also of high importance for both countries.”
Asked about recommendations on innovation and human asset development in regard to Vision 2030, Polychroniou said, “Saudi people do not need advice anymore, as they are highly skilled and qualified.”
“I would say Vision 2030 is definitely on track as it envisages reforms that need to be promoted in every country, not just the Kingdom,” he said. “In this sense, Saudi Arabia is once again a pioneer for the wider region. We are also promoting significant changes to our economy and human development should be at the core of any structural reform.”
He said that there are 2,250 Greek nationals living in the Kingdom participating in mega projects.
“I would like to convey my appreciation to them,” he said. Many Greeks in Saudi Arabia are engineers, architects, consultants and doctors.
Greek-Saudi ties in focus as Greece marks 196th National Day anniversary
Greek-Saudi ties in focus as Greece marks 196th National Day anniversary
900,000 copies of the Quran for pilgrims at Madinah airports
- Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs has meticulously prepared the Al-Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Qiblatain mosques with an integrated service system
- Ministry has arranged for the distribution of copies of the Quran — a gift from the Saudi leadership — to departing pilgrims
MADINAH: Osama Madkhali, director of the Madinah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, said preparations are ongoing to assist departing pilgrims, especially those who quickly proceed to visit Madinah and leave through its airports.
He highlighted that coordination with the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran in Madinah has ensured the allocation of more than 900,000 copies of the Quran to the region. These copies have been stored and distributed to locations at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport in Yanbu, where the departure halls at both airports have been prepared to assist pilgrims.
The ministry has also completed its preparations to receive the first group of Hajj pilgrims, especially those departing quickly after fulfilling their Hajj rituals.
The ministry’s branch in Madinah has meticulously prepared the Al-Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Qiblatain mosques with an integrated service system. This includes thorough cleaning, maintenance, air-conditioning units, water coolers and effective crowd management.
In addition to distributing guidance and awareness books to pilgrims visiting the large mosques, the ministry has arranged for the distribution of copies of the Quran — a gift from the Saudi leadership — to the departing pilgrims.
Paramedics in Makkah saving lives amid scorching heat
- Doctor Nawaf Karshami: It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help the pilgrims that need the help, and especially the elderly persons who are unable to walk
- Doctor Loui Al-Sulimani said that pilgrims can avoid heat exhaustion through proper hydration, self-cooling and avoiding the outdoors during peak heat hours
MAKKAH: Doctors and paramedics are saving the lives of pilgrims in Makkah amid scorching summer temperatures.
Arab News interviewed a Disaster Medical Assistant Team from the Ministry of Health. The team of doctors, who arrived from hospitals around Saudi Arabia, are putting their skills to use for Hajj.
Nawaf Karshami, a doctor and emergency medicine specialist, told Arab News that most of the pilgrim patients treated by the team are suffering from exhaustion due to high temperatures.
“We have very high degrees, especially here in Makkah. So, most of the pilgrims came in need of hydration and needed to be covered from the sun with ice bags.
“Thankfully, we did our best to help the pilgrims, to smooth the way of the pilgrims to do their Hajj and perform their Hajj. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help the pilgrims that need the help, and especially the elderly persons who are unable to walk.”
Doctor Loui Al-Sulimani, a consultant in emergency and disaster medicine, said pilgrims can avoid heat exhaustion through proper hydration, self-cooling and avoiding the outdoors during peak heat hours.
He also advised pilgrims to “wear protective, cool clothes, and also use an umbrella and any coverage for your head.”
The unit has received many cases of foot injuries, Al-Sulimani said, adding: “Because of the hot weather, most of the cases related to the suboptimal shoes.
“We are glad that we are participating this year and the previous year, and high season, with all responding agencies here to provide the best care for our pilgrims.”
Doctor Abdulqader Salman, a doctor and emergency specialist, described the “incredible experience” of helping pilgrims.
“We did not face any difficult challenges, thank God. As the Disaster Medical Assistant Team, we really worked together to help out the pilgrims.”
Health services provided to worshipers include medical and specialized clinics, pharmacies, dialysis centers, intensive care units and isolation units, the Health Ministry said in a report quoted by the Saudi Press Agency.
The ministry also has 250 employees and health practitioners on hand to aid pilgrims, including 50 doctors specialized in intensive care, cardiology, emergency, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, family and community medicine, and fighting infections.
The Saudi health system seeks to provide the highest levels of care for pilgrims with health facilities across Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
Before the beginning of the Hajj season, the ministry urged people in Saudi Arabia to receive vaccinations and to register them via the Sehhaty app, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Mandatory vaccinations include a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and one of the influenza vaccines taken this year, along with a dose of the meningitis vaccine taken within the past five years.
Pilgrims cast stones at Jamarat on first day of Tashreeq
- Numerous designated pathways across the various floors of the Jamarat facility ensured a smooth flow of pilgrims
- Innovative, multilevel structure was engineered to distribute pilgrims efficiently during the throwing ritual
MINA: Hajj pilgrims began the ritual stoning of the devil, throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, three stone pillars, on the first day of Tashreeq, which also coincides with the second day of Eid Al-Adha.
The ritual stoning began with Jamarat Al-Oula (the small pillar), continuing with Jamarat Al-Wusta (the middle pillar) and finally Jamarat Al-Aqaba (the large pillar), following in the Prophet Muhammad’s footsteps, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Numerous designated pathways across the various floors of the Jamarat facility ensured a smooth flow of pilgrims and eased crowd management. The innovative, multilevel structure was engineered to distribute pilgrims efficiently during the throwing ritual.
Pedestrian bridges connect the Jamarat to the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro Line and surrounding pilgrim camps in Mina, allowing for safe and convenient movement, SPA reported.
Egyptian president leaves Jeddah after performing Hajj
RIYADH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi left Jeddah on Monday after performing Hajj, Saudi Press Agency reported.
El-Sisi arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before performing his Hajj rituals.
