FaceOf: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Gannas, president of the Saudi Karate Federation

Ibrahim Al-Gannas
Updated 19 July 2018
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FaceOf: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Gannas, president of the Saudi Karate Federation

  • Al-Gannas was the first vice president of the Arab Karate Federation between 2017 and 2018. 
  • He won the gold medal in kumite in the Arab Championship 1979, and bronze medal on the kata team at the Asian Championship 1981

JEDDAH: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Gannas has been the head of the Saudi Karate Federation since March 2018. 

Prior to his appointment, Al-Gannas was the first vice president of the Arab Karate Federation between 2017 and 2018. 

He has also served as the president of the West Asian Karate Federation, president of the Gulf Karate Organizational Committee and chairman of the referees committee at the Saudi Arabian Karate Federation.

Al-Gannas received his Ph.D. in security management from Neelain University in Khartoum, Sudan, and his master’s degree from Naif Arab University for security sciences in security management at the department of crime prevention. 

Al-Gannas is a member of the World Karate Federation (WKF) executive committee, a board member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and a former member of the Arab referees committee and Gulf referees committee.

He was a member of the Al-Hilal Saudi Sports Club and former supervisor of different sports at the Al-Hilal sports club, and a member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic committee preparing for qualification for the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Al-Gannas is a black belt in the 7th dan, and was a Saudi champion for many years in kata and kumite. 

He won the gold medal in kumite in the Arab Championship 1979, and bronze medal on the kata team at the Asian Championship 1981. 

He was an international referee and participated in international and local championships, and headed many Saudi missions for international and continental championships.

Al-Gannas also won the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Creative Sports Award at its ninth edition in November 2017 for best Arab administrator.

Al-Gannas met Jordan’s Olympic Committee Secretary-General Nasser Al-Majali in Amman on Tuesday and they discussed ways of enhancing karate in both countries. 


Saudi crown prince discusses Israeli military operations against Iran with British PM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 49 min 44 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince discusses Israeli military operations against Iran with British PM

  • Prince Mohammed and Starmer discussed latest developments in the region and the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the repercussions of Israel’s military operations against Iran with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone call on Saturday.

The call comes a day after Israel launched a blistering surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing a number of top generals. The two countries continued to trade blows on Saturday.

Prince Mohammed and Starmer discussed the latest developments in the region and the importance of exerting all efforts to de-escalate and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi FM receives German counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)
Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi FM receives German counterpart in Riyadh

  • During the meeting, the officials reviewed relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Riyadh on Saturday. 

During the meeting, the officials reviewed relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields.

They also discussed regional and international developments and their implications on the security and stability of the region.


Saudi FM, US envoy to Syria discuss latest developments during phone call

Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi FM, US envoy to Syria discuss latest developments during phone call

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, both diplomats discussed discussed measures to support the Syrian people on both humanitarian and economic levels.

Their talks also focused on the latest regional and international updates.


Saudi Arabia arrests 9,639 illegals in one week

Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia arrests 9,639 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 9,639 people in one week for breaching residency, work, and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Of those, 5,625 were arrested for residency violations, 2,797 for attempting to cross the border illegally, and 1,217 for labor-related offenses.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom — including providing transportation or shelter — could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SR1 million ($266,000), and the confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported by calling 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, or 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


King Salman orders Saudi officials to aid stranded Iranian Hajj pilgrims

Updated 14 June 2025
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King Salman orders Saudi officials to aid stranded Iranian Hajj pilgrims

  • Directive issued after authorities in Tehran close their airspace following attack by Israel said to have targeted Iranian nuclear sites, nuclear scientists and military chiefs
  • Plan for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide help to the stranded pilgrims presented to the king by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: King Salman on Friday ordered Saudi authorities to ensure that Iranian Hajj pilgrims stranded in the Kingdom receive all necessary support until it is safe for them to return home.

The directive came shortly after Israeli authorities launched early-morning airstrikes against Iran, which they said targeted nuclear sites, nuclear scientists and military chiefs. Tehran closed the country’s airspace in the aftermath.

The plan to provide help to stranded Iranian pilgrims was presented to the king by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has been tasked with ensuring they receive all necessary support.

The annual pilgrimage, a key pillar of Islam that all Muslims are required to complete at least once during their lives if physically and financially able, concluded on Monday. Tens of thousands of Iranians visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj each year. More than 1.6 million pilgrims from all over the world took part this year and authorities described it as a success.

Iran retaliated to the Israeli attack later on Friday by targeting Tel Aviv with missiles, raising fears of prolonged and more-dangerous exchanges of fire.