RIYADH: The King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and joint cooperation with Harvard University in the field of scientific research and the development of surveys to obtain accurate indicators of levels of coexistence and tolerance.
The signing ceremony was held on Thursday at the headquarters of the KACND and was attended by the KACND Secretary-General Faisal bin Abdul Rahman bin Muammar; the deputy secretary-general, Fahd bin Sultan Al-Sultan; Asim Khawaja, professor of international finance and development at Harvard’s Kennedy School; and Jamal Haidar, a research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
This cooperation comes within the framework of the KACND’s interest in developing indicators for the reality of community coexistence and promoting the values of tolerance between different sectors of Saudi society.
It also comes to complement KACND efforts in the field of indicators, and levels of coexistence and tolerance in Saudi society by using direct measuring tools, which is one of the main areas targeted by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Under this collaboration, Harvard University’s evidence for policy design team will explore new designs for indirect methods and tools to measure tolerance within Saudi society, in collaboration with the KACND research team.
A feasibility study will be carried out to implement interventions that can help promote tolerance, and a global-evidence base relevant to the non-cognitive value-building program in the Kingdom will be also reviewed in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of current levels of tolerance in society.
King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, Harvard University sign deal to measure coexistence, tolerance
King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, Harvard University sign deal to measure coexistence, tolerance
Police nab two Pakistani residents for drug case
RIYADH: Police officers in Riyadh have arrested two Pakistani residents for promoting the drug methamphetamine, or more commonly known as shabu.
Legal measures were taken against them, and they were referred to the competent authority, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The security authorities said all information available to citizens and residents about any activities related to drug smuggling or drug promotion shalll be reported to police, by calling the numbers (911) in the regions of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Riyadh, and Al-Sharqiyah and (999) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
Haramain Express ready to meet Hajj demand
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Haramain Express is prepared to meet expected demand for train trips during this year’s Hajj season.
Saudi Arabian Railways, in coordination with the operators of Haramain Express, said they plan to operate more than 3,800 train trips, providing more than 1.6 million seats, an increase of more than 100,000 seats compared with last year.
By connecting Makkah with Madinah via a double railway line, the Haramain Express provides safe transport for pilgrims, Umrah performers and travelers between the two holy cities and the city of Jeddah.
Haramain Express Train is considered one of the 10 fastest electric trains in the world and is capable of speeds up to 300 kph while using advanced signaling and communications systems, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Launched in September 2018, it is a crucial part of the development plan and expansion program in the Saudi railway network. The project connects the main cities in the Western Region, addressing the growing demand to serve increasing numbers of internal and external pilgrims and reducing congestion on the roads in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
The Haramain Express Railway is a 453 kilometer route linking Madinah and Makkah. It has a 449 km line from Makkah to Madinah and a 3.75-km branch connection to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Saudi economy minister meets with senior Italian official
MILAN: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, met with Antonio Tajani, Italy’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.
During Saturday’s meeting, the two officials discussed cooperation and bilateral relations in various sectors between their two countries, as well as global and economic developments, reported Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia continues Hajj 2024 preparations as pilgrims arrive
JEDDAH: Sheikh Aima Diakite, president of the Superior Council of Imams of Mosques and Islamic Affairs in Ivory Coast, praised the services and facilities provided by the Makkah Route Initiative.
Diakite said the program has enabled pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
The Makkah Route Initiative has developed procedures for Ivorian and other pilgrims and worked on overcoming difficulties and obstacles to alleviate the hardship of Hajj, Diakite told the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia launched the initiative in 2019 to help Hajj pilgrims from seven countries — Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye and Ivory Coast — with their visa, customs and passport requirements.
Pilgrims arriving from Jordan and Palestine also expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for organizing the Hajj process and caring for pilgrims.
Meanwhile, more than 20,000 pilgrims have arrived from Iraq through the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Kingdom’s Northern Border Region, ahead of this year’s pilgrimage, and were provided with security, health and guidance services by 194 volunteers.
Over at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, 7,808,112 worshippers and visitors visited the daily prayers last week, according to SPA.
Penalty enforcement for performing Hajj without a permit begins
- The no-permit, no-Hajj policy will be in effect until June 20, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has begun imposing penalties on pilgrims violating Hajj regulations and instructions by undertaking a pilgrimage without a permit.
The areas covered by the no-permit, no-Hajj policy include the city of Makkah, the central area, the holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centers and temporary security checkpoints, according to a report from Saudi Press Agency.
The rule will be in effect until June 20, 2024.
Any individual — whether citizen, resident, or visitor — found violating Hajj regulations will be fined 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666). Non-citizens will be deported to their home country and banned from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period.
The Public Security also said repeat offenders would have their fines doubled, as the agency stressed the importance of adhering to Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure pilgrims can perform rituals safely and peacefully.
In addition, any individual caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit faces imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to 50,000 riyals (13,328), and their vehicle confiscated.
Violators who are not citizens will be deported after serving the sentence and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period. Fines will be multiplied according to the number of transported violators, the agency added.
To report violations, contact (911) in the Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern regions, or (999) in other regions.
