JEDDAH: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir on Monday said the solution to the crisis Qatar is facing is in Doha's hands.
Speaking in New York after a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Al-Jubeir pointed out that Qatar's failure to stop supporting terrorism and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries of the region was what triggered the crisis, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5, alleging that Doha had been financing terrorist organizations and even giving refuge to their members.
Attempts by the Emir of Kuwait to mediate had been unsuccessful so far, with Doha thumbing its nose on the Anti-Terror Quartet and even restoring full diplomatic ties with Iran, which had been accused by the Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) of fomenting chaos in the region.
In their meeting on Monday, Al-Jubeir and Guterres discussed recent developments in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Myanmar, SPA said.
They also discussed the close relations between the UN and Saudi Arabia, which is a partner and supportive of its initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Prince Khalid Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi ambassador of the US, and Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdullah Al-Mu'alimi.
Saudi FM says solution to Qatar crisis is in Doha's hands
Saudi FM says solution to Qatar crisis is in Doha's hands
AlUla revives Tantora Ceremony, reaffirming cultural tradition
- Event is cornerstone of intangible heritage
ALULA: The historic Tantora Ceremony will be revived in AlUla Old Town on Monday, reaffirming one of the region’s most distinctive cultural traditions while also being a cornerstone of its intangible heritage.
The Tantora is a sundial that residents once relied on to mark the start of the agricultural season and the arrival of Al-Marba’aniyah, a key winter period, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This year’s ceremony forms part of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and make it a part of contemporary public life.
The program features a range of activities highlighting the Tantora’s historic role and enduring significance. Visitors can expect traditional performances, artisan showcases, and sessions that explore how the Tantora was used, alongside demonstrations that evoke everyday life in AlUla’s past.
The event will deepen public understanding of the Tantora as one of AlUla’s most notable expressions of intangible heritage. By revisiting its connection to seasonal change, winter’s onset and agricultural preparation, the ceremony will shed light on the rhythms that once shaped life in the region.
Reviving the Tantora Ceremony reflects the commission’s commitment to encourage community participation and connect younger generations with AlUla’s historic legacy, the SPA added.
The commission said the celebration underscored AlUla’s dedication to protecting its assets and enhancing their role in sustainable development, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and its core pillars of quality of life and balanced national growth.
The Winter at Tantora Festival runs until Jan. 10, and attractions include Old Town Nights, Shorfat Tantora, When Shadow Tracks Us, and the Al-Manshiyah Carnival.
In addition, there are guided tours of street art through the Old Town, special events commemorating the Year of Handicrafts, culinary experiences, and artistic and musical performances.
