King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue introduces peace project for cultural communication to foreign diplomats’ wives

Faisal bin Abdulrahman Bin Muammar, Secretary General of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue. (SPA)
Updated 19 November 2017
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King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue introduces peace project for cultural communication to foreign diplomats’ wives

RIYADH: The King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) has introduced its peace project for cultural communication during a meeting that included the wives of diplomatic mission heads accredited to the Kingdom.

The Riyadh-based institute recently invited diplomats’ wives to a meeting at its headquarters and discussed various issues that included the peace project, one of its most important initiatives.

The meeting, which was moderated by the assistant secretary-general of the Center for Women’s Affairs, Amal Al-Maalami, intends to “consolidate the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue.”

Holding the meeting was in accordance with KACND goals that include the establishment and dissemination of a culture of dialogue in society, and discussion of national issues which affect Saudi citizens.

The meeting also introduced the renaissance of the Kingdom and its achievements in various fields by monitoring and analyzing the reality of its global image, and proposing initiatives for improvement.

The meeting also touched on the Kingdom’s empowerment of and support for Saudi women, who have become vital partners in national development.

Such support is shown by the fact that Saudi women have become vital cogs in nation building and have become Shoura Council members who advise King Salman on policies and legislation.

Saudi women can now vote in municipal elections and work in some retail and hospitality jobs within the government’s Vision 2030 plan, which is trying to diversify the oil-reliant economy by boosting women’s employment.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has also announced that its work-from-home program is set to create 141,000 jobs by 2020, and expects that the percentage of women in the Saudi workforce will increase 28 percent by the same year.

Licenses will also be granted for women’s gyms by the end of February, according to Princess Reema bint Bandar, vice president for women’s affairs at the General Authority of Sports.


Saudi envoy to Dhaka praises Makkah Route efficiency

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Saudi envoy to Dhaka praises Makkah Route efficiency

  • Makkah Route Initiative streamlines the performance of Hajj for Bangladeshi pilgrims

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan lauded the Makkah Route Initiative as a unique program that streamlines the performance of Hajj for Bangladeshi pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Al-Duhailan highlighted the initiative’s role in the Pilgrim Experience Program, a Saudi Vision 2030 program focused on enhancing services for Hajj performers, and emphasized how the initiative has significantly improved the Kingdom’s organization and planning for pilgrims visiting the holy city of Makkah.

“The initiative showcases excellence in management, organization, and efforts to facilitate the journey of pilgrims to the holy lands,” Al-Duhailan said.

The initiative’s features, he added, include the issuance of electronic Hajj visas and luggage coding at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which enables Bangladeshi pilgrims to be processed upon arrival in Saudi Arabia as domestic travelers and expedites their transportation to their places of residence in Makkah and Madinah.

“Pilgrims are welcomed with hospitality, security, and safety throughout their journey, creating a rich and unforgettable spiritual experience,” Al-Duhailan said, expressing his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its vision and to all those involved in the Makkah Route Initiative for their dedication to serving Hajj pilgrims.


KSrelief provides prosthetic services in Yemen

Updated 8 min 53 sec ago
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KSrelief provides prosthetic services in Yemen

  • Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief assistance

RIYADH: A Saudi-backed prosthetics center in Yemen has provided help to hundreds of people in the war-torn country, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The project, supported by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, offers physical therapy and other services to assist those who have lost limbs to reintegrate into society.

The rehabilitation center in the governorate of Taiz provided 821 services to 329 beneficiaries in one month, including the manufacturing, fitting, delivery, and maintenance of prosthetic limbs.

Other treatments include physical therapy and consultation sessions, SPA stated.

Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief assistance. The center has implemented 862 projects in Yemen worth over $4.3 billion.

KSrelief’s programs cover food security, health, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, telecommunications and logistics.

Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 2,673 projects worth more than $6.5 billion in 99 countries, in cooperation with 175 local, regional, and international partners.

Meanwhile, KSrelief distributed 720 shelter bags to displaced families and those in need in the locality of Kosti in the White Nile State of Sudan, benefiting 4,140 individuals.

The center also distributed 769 food baskets in Kassala State, benefiting 3,762 individuals.


Saudi Royal Court: King Salman to undergo medical examinations

Updated 19 May 2024
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Saudi Royal Court: King Salman to undergo medical examinations

JEDDAH: The Saudi Royal Court said on Sunday that King Salman would undergo medical examinations at the Royal Clinics at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

The medical team decided to conduct tests on King Salman – who suffers from a high temperature and joint pain – to diagnose his health condition, the Royal Court said in a statement.


Saudi crown prince meets White House national security adviser Sullivan

Updated 19 May 2024
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Saudi crown prince meets White House national security adviser Sullivan

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received the US official in Dhahran
  • Their discussions included Saudi-US strategic relations, the Gaza War and Palestinian statehood

DHAHRAN:  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan in eastern city of Dhahran, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

During the meeting, the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in various fields were reviewed, SPA said.

It said efforts to find a credible solution to the Palestinian issue, including a lasting ceasefire and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid in Gaza, with a view to a “two-state solution that meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”, were also discussed.


Greece’s prime minister receives Muslim World League chief in Athens

Updated 19 May 2024
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Greece’s prime minister receives Muslim World League chief in Athens

RIYADH: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received the secretary-general of the Muslim World League on Tuesday in Athens, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, Mitsotakis and Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa discussed several topics of common interest.
Al-Issa, who is also chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, spoke about Islamic values that call for global peace and understanding between its peoples, and said he appreciated the warm reception he received during his visit and the good sentiments expressed regarding Islam’s contribution to civilization.
Al-Issa then met with Islamic officials in Greece, including muftis and imams, and visited the Athens Mosque, during which he expressed his pleasure with the additional dialogue that took place during the meeting.
He also met with Ieronymos II, the archbishop of Athens and all Greece, during which the two sides stressed the importance of the role of religious leaders in addressing all forms of religious, ethnic and societal conflicts around the world.