RIYADH: Yemenis living in Saudi Arabia have expressed their gratitude to King Salman for the $2 billion deposit he ordered on Wednesday to Yemen’s Central Bank in an attempt to bail out Yemen’s struggling economy as well as to alleviate the suffering of people in the war-torn country.
The bailout, which brings Saudi Arabia’s deposit to Yemen’s Central Bank up to $3 billion, will also bolster the Yemeni riyal against the dollar, bringing much-needed improvement to the cost of living of Yemeni citizens.
Commending the king’s decision, several Yemeni people told Arab News that the gesture reaffirms the strong friendship between their country and Saudi Arabia.
Basem Al-Fakri, who comes from Ibb in southwest Yemen and works in Riyadh, said the transfer will be a big help to the Yemeni economy, which has been in the doldrums.
“We are very thankful to King Salman,” he said. “The amount he ordered transferred is really a big economic relief and will go a long way in helping the country and the Yemeni people.”
Al-Fakri left came to Saudi five years ago because he could not find a job in Yemen. He expressing the hope that the latest transfer from the Kingdom will help create job opportunities back home.
Echoing his sentiment, Saleh Mohammad from Sanaa added, “The bailout came at the right time. It is expected to boost the economy so that the government can help its people who have been suffering from hunger as well as from war.”
Mohammad, who works at a car workshop, added that King Salman’s gesture reflects Saudi generosity and reaffirms the long-standing brotherhood between Yemenis and Saudis.
Earlier, commenting on the cash transfer, the Interior Ministry said: “The transfer aims to help the war-torn country to cope with the economic burdens resulting from the crimes and violations committed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias, who have been indulging in looting the state — seizing government revenues including those generated from oil and its derivatives.”
Yemeni expats in Saudi Arabia welcome $2bn deposit to homeland
Yemeni expats in Saudi Arabia welcome $2bn deposit to homeland
Two Holy Mosques authority enhances visitor experience with comprehensive services
- Over 9m iftar meals were distributed at the Grand Mosque, Prophet’s Mosque
- Services provided included multilingual points, mobility assistance for persons with disabilities
MAKKAH: The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques reported visitor service statistics for the first 10 days of Ramadan as part of a system to enhance the worship experience in a safe environment.
The authority reported that Zamzam water consumption reached 15,333 cubic meters, while 586,881 visitors benefited from guidance services through field teams and multilingual points.
A total of 9,581,735 iftar meals were distributed at the two holy mosques, of which over 2.9 million iftar meals were handed out at the Prophet’s Mosque, with the support of more than 12,095 male and female volunteers.
Also at the Prophet’s Mosque, services were provided to over 88,900 beneficiaries through guest service centers.
At the Grand Mosque, 104,159 visitors used Tahallul services, and cart and wheelchair services assisted 332,022 individuals, facilitating mobility for older people and persons with disabilities.
These initiatives reflect the Saudi leadership’s commitment to providing exceptional services and maximizing operational efficiency during Ramadan.
The authority said that the total number of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during the holy month reached 10,789,467 worshippers, who performed daily prayers and Taraweeh.
It also reported that 317,025 worshippers prayed in the Rawdah Sharifah during the same period, while 784,379 visitors offered greetings to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his two companions.
It affirmed that the efficient handling of this volume of visitors was made possible by an integrated operational system that helps organize crowds and facilitate worship, ensuring the highest standards of safety and comfort for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during the holy month.
