RIYADH: A high-level mission from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) concluded a two-day field visit to Cox Bazar in Bangladesh on Sunday, and will shortly submit a joint report on the Rohingya refugee camps.
The UNHCR delegation was headed by UNHCR Deputy Representative Kelly Clements. It also included Khalid Khalifa, UNHCR’s regional representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The supervisor-general of KSRelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, met Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi, who agreed to take the next course of action after the submission of the joint report in Riyadh on Monday.
Speaking to Arab News, Moshi said he had thanked King Salman for helping these refugees and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for reducing their suffering.
The ambassador said the number of refugees had reached nearly 1 million and they need food, clothing, shelter, medicines, and education for the children.
He said Al-Rabeeah also thanked Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina on behalf of the Kingdom for hosting so many refugees.
Clements said the Rohingya situation was “the world’s fastest-growing refugee crisis” and demanded global support.
It was pointed out that Saudi Arabia committed last September to provide $20 million in response to the Rohingya crisis.
In July, UNHCR completed two projects utilizing $31 million provided by KSRelief.
KSRelief, UN to report on Rohingyas after mission to Bangladesh
KSRelief, UN to report on Rohingyas after mission to Bangladesh
Saudi language academy launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the Arabic Language Month program in Mexico, featuring a scientific program implemented as part of the academy’s international initiatives to teach Arabic to non-native speakers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative also aims to promote the language’s cultural and intellectual standing within international academic institutions.
KSGAAL Secretary-General Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi stated that the Arabic Language Month program in Mexico reflects the academy’s ongoing commitment to introduce Arabic to diverse academic and cultural environments as a language of knowledge and communication.
He noted that the Arabic language plays a key role in enhancing cultural dialogue and building bridges of understanding between nations. Al-Washmi praised the support provided to the academy by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Farhan, and highlighted the fruitful cooperation with the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Mexico City, which helped facilitate the implementation of the program as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to serve the Arabic language globally.
Al-Washmi explained that the program focuses on teaching Arabic to non-native speakers at international academic institutions through scientific training initiatives based on partnership. These initiatives take into account the diversity of educational contexts and the needs of learners and researchers, thus strengthening the presence of the Arabic language in education and scientific research. This approach aligns with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Mexico Fahad bin Ali Al-Manawer, along with a number of academic leaders and representatives of educational and cultural institutions. The ceremony also marked the launch of the first training courses and related activities.
The program will run throughout January, and features a series of scientific and educational events, including intensive training courses for teachers and learners, specialized programs for Arabic teachers to non-native speakers, and a seminar addressing the current state of Arabic language education in Mexico and the related challenges. The program also includes the Hamza Academic Test to assess Arabic language proficiency among learners, along with scientific and cultural visits.
The program is implemented in cooperation with several Mexican institutions, most notably Tecnologico de Monterrey, represented by the School of International Relations.
