FaceOf: Dr. Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan, assistant speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council

Dr. Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan
Updated 22 November 2018
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FaceOf: Dr. Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan, assistant speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council

  • He holds a diploma in law from the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, and a bachelor’s degree from King Saud University, Riyadh
  • He also holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in law from the University of Dundee in the UK.

Dr. Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan has been the assistant speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council since 2015. Previously he was a member of the Shoura Council between 2009 and 2015. 

He also served as an assistant professor of international law at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh between 1994 and 2009, and an associate lecturer with the Department of Law at King Saud University, Riyadh, where he taught international law between 1995 and 1997.

He was a legal researcher at the Office of the Prime Minister in 1982-84, a member of the editorial board of Diplomacy Magazine, and a certified arbitrator on the list approved by the Ministry of Justice.

In addition, he was on secondment to the private sector, between 2001 and 2008, giving legal consultations to many national and foreign companies as well as preparing legal memorandums on trading issues and constructional contracts.

He holds a diploma in law from the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, and a bachelor’s degree from King Saud University, Riyadh. He also holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in law from the University of Dundee in the UK.

Al-Samaan said on Tuesday that the Shoura Council during its latest meeting had asked the Public Education Evaluation Commission to focus on leveraging national expertise and to reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

He added that the council also stressed that the commission needs to formulate a vision for the Saudi family in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Ramadan in Madinah: A blend of tradition and modernity

Updated 21 February 2026
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Ramadan in Madinah: A blend of tradition and modernity

  • Ramadan iftar tables in the neighborhoods have evolved into a community initiative that promotes solidarity and neighborliness

MADINAH: In the holy city of Madinah, Ramadan highlights a seamless blend of ancestral traditions and modern celebrations, as residents decorate homes and streets with lanterns.

Women play a central role in creating this spiritual atmosphere, transitioning from handmade ornaments to curated prayer spaces and Ramadan diaries for children.

Social solidarity remains the city’ cornerstone, manifested through the exchange of Ramadan baskets and the organization of massive communal iftar meals at the Prophet’s Mosque and in local neighborhoods.

Ramadan iftar tables in the neighborhoods have evolved into a community initiative that promotes solidarity and neighborliness.

The project has been undertaken by “Mujtamaei,” the Neighborhood Centers Association in Madinah Region, in partnership with the Madinah Regional Municipality, and covers 97 locations across residential districts.

The initiative organizes daily iftar gatherings that bring together residents, volunteers, and partner entities, reflecting strong community cohesion and fostering volunteerism and social connection among neighborhood residents and visitors during the holy month.

The program provides more than 80,000 iftar and sahoor meals, benefiting over 40,000 individuals, with 1,600 volunteers overseeing site organization and service delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards.

The project is part of a community development system that expands annually, focusing on increasing volunteer participation and strengthening partnerships, thereby reinforcing social values and revitalizing the spirit of neighborliness in Madinah.