MAKKAH: Palestinian press photographer Rami Fathi never thought his hobby would be the cause of his death at the hands of Israeli soldiers.
His 68-year-old father Hajj Hussain Rayan, from Gaza, told Arab News while on pilgrimage in Mina: “I had my first child, Rami, after 14 years of sterility. We were so happy, and remained so until he became a victim of an Israeli sniper. The wound of our loss remains so painful.”
He spoke about how his son, who has two boys and two girls, joined the Palestine News Network. “Despite attempts by his mother to dissuade him, he used to say, ‘we have to expose the crimes of the Zionists to the world’,” said Rayan.
“He recorded many stories about the courage of Palestinians. We saw his photographs on international news agencies and satellite channels. So he became a target for the Zionists, who wanted to block stories and photographs of what was really happening by intimidating and killing journalists.”
Rayan described how three years ago, his son, who was 26 at the time, went to Shuja’iyya neighborhood in Gaza to record aggression by Israeli soldiers on camera. They violated a three-hour truce and attacked people. Fathi was hit, fell next to his camera and was taken to hospital.
“I was at home. My wife was listening to the news, and she told me about the battle in Shuja’iyya. I asked her to turn off the radio because I didn’t want my blood pressure and diabetes to get worse,” said Rayan with tears in his eyes.
“Later I went out and found the neighbors at my door. They told me Rami had a foot injury. But on my way to the hospital, I met a Palestinian soldier who told me my son had been martyred. I passed out, and regained consciousness at the hospital with doctors around me. We’ve suffered ever since.”
But Rayan said having his Hajj expenses, and those of his wife, covered by King Salman “has relieved that deep pain by his gift for us to perform the pilgrimage for the first time. Throughout Hajj, we’ve prayed for King Salman and our martyred son.”
Meanwhile, leaders of Islamic institutions and centers in European countries praised the efforts exerted by the Kingdom led by King Salman to serve pilgrims in performing Hajj.
The president of the Spanish Islamic Community, Mohammed Kamal Mustafa said: “The Kingdom exerts major efforts to unify Muslims. It has always worked toward the success of matters related to the Islamic nation, despite the political, economic and cultural challenges it is facing. It has assumed a great role in fighting terrorism, and it works toward world peace and humanitarian action. Thus, the Kingdom is the leader of the Islamic world and the heart of all Muslims.”
He said that Muslims around the world appreciate the efforts exerted by the Kingdom to serve pilgrims and guests, expand the Two Holy Mosques and equip Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
The president of the European Islamic Institute in Brussels, Cheikh Abd Al-Hadi, also spoke of the efforts of the Kingdom as reflected in the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques and the reception of over 2 million pilgrims who were able to perform Hajj this year.
The executive director of Al-Risalah Scandinavian Foundation, Hussein Al-Daoudi, thanked the Kingdom for its efforts in Muslim-minority countries in the West and the ongoing attempts to achieve success in Islamic matters at the regional and international levels, especially the Palestinian cause.
The governor of Strasbourg Mosque in France, Cheaib Al-Sukari, said that the Kingdom seeks to unify the Islamic nation and advocate for just causes in order to overcome obstacles. He emphasized the important and effective role of the Kingdom in supporting the joint work at the Arab and Islamic level, and assisting the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in development and cultural spheres in Islamic member states.
Palestinian pilgrim: King Salman’s Hajj gift relieved pain of son’s death
Palestinian pilgrim: King Salman’s Hajj gift relieved pain of son’s death
KSA cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has apprehended several violators for transporting Umrah performers using non-compliant buses as part of a field control initiative it conducted.
The authority clarified that this campaign is part of its ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure that transport facilities comply with regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of Umrah performers, and the authority has urged all establishments to adhere to the approved regulations.
It emphasized that these campaigns are designed to enhance compliance, elevate service quality, and ensure the safety of transport service users, SPA added.
Recently, the Transport General Authority fined over 400 foreign trucks in several regions of the Kingdom for regulatory offenses.
Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style
- The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity
RIYADH: Al-Safa Mosque, a 13th-century landmark in the Baha region, has been restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques aims to revitalize Baha’s architectural heritage and highlight its cultural significance.
The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity while enhancing its structural and aesthetic elements.
The restoration in Baljurashi governorate prioritized the use of natural materials. Sarawat Mountain stone and locally sourced wood were used for the ceilings, columns, windows and doors, maintaining the structure’s authenticity.
The mosque’s footprint, at 78 sq. meters, and its capacity, accommodating 31 worshippers, was unchanged by the restoration.
Built about 1,350 years ago, Al-Safa Mosque is situated within a network of buildings and narrow passages typical of the region’s high mountain villages.
The structure is notable for its stone construction and limited openings. Distinctive juniper columns support the mosque, and the restoration includes preserving and redeveloping these columns, incorporating traditional staircase carvings.
Historical accounts suggest that the mosque was established by the Prophet’s companion Sufyan bin Auf Al-Ghamdi. Historically it served as a vital social hub, facilitating communal gatherings for resolving disputes and discussing village affairs, especially between Maghrib and Isha prayers.
It is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project, which includes six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.
Phase two follows phase one, completed in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts, according to the SPA.
The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.
The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.
KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
In Pakistan, 4,790 packages were distributed to families in need across Balochistan, Kashmir, and Punjab as a part of the Etaam Ramadan project, benefiting 32,631 individuals.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,550 packages to vulnerable families in Baidoa, benefiting 6,930 people.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
Additionally, KSrelief provided 600 packages in Port Sudan, benefiting 3,057 impoverished and displaced people.
In Lebanon, the Saudi Arabia aid agency distributed 800 packages to needy families in Sidon, benefiting 4,000 individuals.
Saudi Arabia gears up for Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27
Riyadh: As Saudi Arabia prepares to mark Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.
The national event highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat climate change while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In the lead-up to the occasion, the Saudi Green Initiative launched several interactive campaigns during Ramadan to encourage public participation in sustainable practices.
Social media users can still contribute by sharing their photos on the Saudi Green Initiative Day Photo Board, a show of the community’s dedication to eco-friendly initiatives.
The initiative’s mascot, Nomoor, continues to engage youth and children through the “30 Positive Steps to Protect the Environment” challenge, promoting sustainable habits across all age groups.
Three winners of the challenge will be announced on Saudi Green Initiative Day in recognition of their contributions.
With the submission deadline approaching, participants are encouraged to highlight their sustainable Ramadan practices and join the challenge.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Green Initiative Day underscores the Kingdom’s ambitious sustainability goals, calling for collective action in climate efforts and environmental awareness.
Saudi Arabia condemns new Israeli agency for displacing Palestinians from Gaza Strip
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejects Israeli violations of international and humanitarian laws in the Gaza Strip
- Israel’s new agency will be tasked with relocating Palestinians to unspecified third countries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s recognition of illegal settlements in the Occupied West Bank and the establishment of an agency aimed at displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip on Monday.
The ministry said it categorically rejects Israeli violations of international and humanitarian laws in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
“(Saudi Arabia condemns) Israeli occupation authorities’ announcement of the establishment of an agency aimed at displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said in a statement.
Israel said it is creating a government agency to oversee the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip following approval from the Israeli security cabinet over the weekend.
Since late 2023, at least 50,000 people have been killed during the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip, and almost 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza are now internally displaced.
Israel’s new agency will be tasked with relocating Palestinians to unspecified third countries under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia also condemned the approval of 13 illegal settler outposts in the West Bank over the weekend. The Saudi ministry said that the decision was made “in preparation for their legalization as colonial settlements.”
It added that lasting peace can only be achieved if the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights and establish an independent state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
