RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir stressed Sunday that the Arab-Islamic-American Summit had presented a key component in reining in the threat of terrorism.
Addressing a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson following the summit held, Al-Jubeir said the Riyadh Declaration had confirmed the importance of countering terrorism as well as the necessity of a US-Islamic partnership.
He said the conference was the first step in the joint effort to combat evil and that opening the Riyadh-based Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (GCCEI) and the agreements were the first steps toward securing stability and prosperity for future generations.
Al-Jubeir said that Iran and Syria must stop stirring up sectarian strife and interference in affairs related to countries in the region.
“This is not a clash of civilizations, it is a clash for civilization,” Al-Jubeir said. Shedding innocent blood is an act of terrorism, he added.
Al-Jubeir said the Kingdom valued efforts made by US President Donald Trump and was looking forward to further cooperation which included a range of fields.
Tillerson said the war waged on terrorism did not single out a religion or a specific sect but would guard against violence inspired by extremism.
Traveling to “this special place” (Saudi Arabia) is useful to us for understanding everyone better here,” Tillerson told reporters.
Earlier, Tillerson urged the newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to dismantle his country’s “network of terrorism” and end “ballistic missile testing.”
“Today was a truly historic day in the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the US,” Al-Jubeir said.
Tillerson urges Rouhani to dismantle ‘network of terrorism’
Tillerson urges Rouhani to dismantle ‘network of terrorism’
Ramadan volunteering initiatives encourage participation of community
- Opportunities include assisting pilgrims by guiding visitors; organizational support such as site management, crowd control, and event assistance
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ branch in Makkah has provided several volunteering opportunities to prepare the city’s mosques for Ramadan
MAKKAH: The General Directorate of Education in the Makkah region is providing more than 200 volunteering opportunities across 13 fields to promote volunteerism during Ramadan, support pilgrim services, and foster values of giving and social responsibility.
The initiative enables volunteers to contribute to community service during the holy month, highlighting education’s role in promoting national and humanitarian values, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Opportunities include assisting pilgrims by guiding visitors; organizational support such as site management, crowd control, and event assistance; social initiatives through humanitarian projects and community service; and general volunteering work supporting various programs.
Other roles involve translation services for visitors; assisting people with disabilities; cultural programs; technical support and digital documentation; and environmental initiatives promoting sustainability.
Volunteers can also participate in training for capacity building, take on security and safety roles, and engage in health-related activities to raise preventive awareness.
Additionally, volunteers may support government agencies, strengthening field operations and coordination in serving pilgrims and the wider community.
The initiative reflects the commitment of Makkah’s education sector to promoting volunteerism and mobilizing community resources, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched several Ramadan volunteering opportunities in Madinah to enhance community participation, develop volunteer work, and promote its culture in society.
Opportunities include assisting with religious guidance; organizing worshippers’ rows; monitoring screens and electronic devices; and providing translation and field awareness services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.
Interested participants can register through the National Volunteer Portal by selecting the “religious” field and searching for the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque to view available opportunities, the SPA added.
Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah has also announced 21 volunteering opportunities during Ramadan to promote volunteerism, empower community participation, and support services for pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque.
Opportunities are in various fields, including simultaneous interpretation, first aid, meal distribution for fasting observers, medical services, guidance and counseling, and welcoming pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ branch in Makkah has provided several volunteering opportunities to prepare the city’s mosques for Ramadan.
The ministry has reported some 60 openings, engaging 405 male and female volunteers. Activities include organizational and service tasks to ready mosques for worshippers during the holy month.
These efforts reflect the ministry’s commitment to promoting volunteerism and fostering community participation in serving mosques, ensuring a suitable environment for worship and performing rituals with ease and tranquility.
