JEDDAH: Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa and Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam opened the second Forum of the Heads of Islamic Cultural Centers and Associations outside the Islamic world in Singapore on Saturday.
The forum was organized by Jamiyah Singapore — also known as the Muslim Missionary Society Singapore — and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
During the opening ceremony, the president of Jamiyah Singapore, Hasbi Abu Bakar, thanked the minister and the secretary-general for their patronage and explained that the fact this forum was happening reflected the success of the first forum.
ISESCO Director General Abdul Aziz Othman Al-Twaijri also extended his gratitude to the minister and the MWL chief and commended Jamiyah Singapore for organizing the event.
Al-Issa said: “It is my pleasure to be here in Singapore, whose people are an outstanding example of coexistence, tolerance and social harmony. They have actually set an example for the whole world.”
He stressed that the MWL focuses on fostering understanding and a culture of cooperation, tolerance and civilized communication.
“Everyone agrees on the concept of peace, but there is a large disparity in integrating it, which is reflected in its application model,” Al-Issa said. “This is permeated with narrow interests and horizons, which are the main hindrances in the face of achieving justice and world peace.”
Al-Issa also called for greater awareness of the dangers threatening our world today, particularly terrorism — which he described as a plague that has reached all countries through social media — and Islamophobia, which he called a phenomenon exploited by terrorists to spur emotional reactions among the youth and gain more followers due to the naivety of the people they are targeting.
Shanmugam agreed with Al-Issa on the dangers of Islamophobia in non-Muslim countries, and said he hoped more would be done to fight this phenomenon.
“The government of Singapore is working hard to combat Islamophobia and its promoters, as well as raising awareness about its dangers among non-Muslims,” he said. “Singapore’s law protects religious freedom and ensures that followers of all religions can perform their rituals without restraint.”
MWL chief calls for more awareness about dangers threatening our world
MWL chief calls for more awareness about dangers threatening our world
Saudi crown prince discusses preparations to host Expo 2030 with BIE head
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh with the secretary-general of the Bureau International des Expositions on Wednesday.
Writing about the meeting on social media platform X, Dimitri Kerkentzes said he was “honored” to discuss the preparations with the crown prince.
“The BIE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will work hand in hand to make Expo 2030 a tremendous success for the Kingdom, the region, and the world,” he added.
Riyadh defeated challenges from South Korea and Italy to host the prestigious event in November 2023, and was selected by a majority of 119 out of 165 votes by BIE member states.
Madinah megaproject aims to make region a hub for wellness tourism
- Facility will cover 240,000 square meters and aims to establish Madinah as a global destination for health and wellness
- Once built, center hopes to accommodate up to 30 million visitors a year by 2030
RIYADH: Almqr Development Co., the investment arm of Madinah Regional Municipality, has signed an agreement with a national construction company to build a wellness resort and rehabilitation center, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Forming part of the “Heart of Uhud” project north of the Prophet’s Mosque, the facility will cover 240,000 square meters and aims to establish Madinah as a global destination for health and wellness.
Once built, with the support of local and international investors, the center hopes to accommodate up to 30 million visitors a year by 2030.
Mulberries — the superfood coloring Al-Ahsa’s markets
- Small red and black fruits are highly prized, not just for their delicious taste but for the health benefits they bring
- Season is brief, starting after the chill of winter and lasting around a month
RIYADH: Mulberry season has arrived, adding a bright splash of color to the fruit and vegetable markets in Al-Ahsa governorate.
The small red and black fruits are highly prized, not just for their delicious taste but for the health benefits they bring.
Their season is brief, starting after the chill of winter and lasting around a month. The current harvest is red, but the berries can also be blue or purple. They are sweet when fully mature and have a tart flavor during the earlier stages.
Mulberries enjoy a devoted following among farmers and consumers alike. Prices fluctuate depending on ripeness and size, ranging from SR5 ($1.33) to SR15 ($4) per half kilo, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They are a popular ingredient in cakes and ice cream, or as a decoration for various foods. The juice is enjoyed by many and the berries can be frozen for later consumption.
Dr. Hossam Al-Din Hussein Mahmoud, a professor of fruit science at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa, said various types of mulberries were grown in the region including red, Iranian, Kashmiri and American.
He also talked about ongoing research at the university’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, which aims to document all strains and varieties of fruit found in Al-Ahsa, and discussed the health benefits associated with mulberries.
Classed as a superfood, they are rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are also believed to contribute to healthy blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Their high anthocyanin content means they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can lower the risk of some diseases and enhance the immune and digestive systems.
Consumption of mulberries is also linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease risk, lower blood cholesterol, better skin health and heart rate regulation.
Saudi development program teams up with Selah Foundation for water project in Yemen
- The initiative, in Hadhramaut region, will install solar power stations to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water to 1.7 million people
- The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has more than 229 active projects in 8 sectors, including education, health, water, transportation and agriculture
RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and the Selah Foundation for Development agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on a renewable-energy water-security project in Yemen’s Hadhramaut region, which they said will benefit about 1.7 million people.
The deal was signed by Hassan Al-Attas, the assistant general supervisor of the development program, and Ali Hassan Bashmakh, the foundation’s executive director.
The governor of Hadhramout, Mabkhoot bin Mubarak bin Madhi, attended the signing ceremony and thanked Saudi authorities for the assistance provided to Yemen through the development program. He also expressed gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the employees of the program for their contributions.
Al-Attas said his organization has more than 229 active development projects in Yemen, helping to improve the lives and livelihoods of people across the country. They span eight sectors, including education, health, water, transportation and agriculture.
As part of the project in Hadhramaut, solar power stations will be established in nine areas to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water. Training and capacity building will also be provided to ensure local technicians can operate and maintain the solar equipment.
The development program and the foundation previously partnered with the Arab Gulf Program for Development on other renewable-energy projects to help improve the quality of life of an estimated 62,000 people in five of Yemen’s governorates. And in January, the two organizations launched a water-security project that aims to benefit about 800,000 people in Aden. On the Yemeni island of Socotra, the development program’s projects help meet about 50 percent of water needs, 100 percent in Al-Ghaydah, and 10 percent in Aden.
The Selah Foundation for Development received the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development in 2020 for its continual efforts to enhance water security.
Other officials who attended the signing ceremony on Wednesday included Yemen’s planning and international cooperation minister, Waed Badheeb; the minister of water and environment, Tawfiq Abdulwahed Al-Sharjabi; and Mohammed Al-Jaber, supervisor general of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.
Saudi FM receives Salvadoran counterpart in Riyadh
- During the reception, the ministers reviewed relations between the Kingdom and El Salvador and opportunities to enhance cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Salvadoran counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the reception, the ministers reviewed relations between the Kingdom and El Salvador and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
Various topics of common interest were also discussed during the meeting.
