Majid bin Abdul Rahim bin Salem Al-Ghanmi, deputy minister of labor and social development
Updated 01 September 2019
Arab News
Majid bin Abdul Rahim bin Salem Al-Ghanmi is the new deputy minister of labor and social development.
King Salman named Al-Ghanmi as deputy minister of labor and social development after relieving Dr. Tamader bint Youssef Al-Rammah from her post.
Al-Ghanmi has 23 years of experience in various international and local organizations, dealing with many fields including information technology, health care, telecommunications, manufacturing, banking services and aviation.
He holds an MBA and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in computer science from King Saud University.
Al-Ghanmi also worked for the Saudi British Bank, where he served as chief operating officer from 2006.
He held the position of director of general technology and services with the joint venture between the US-based company Computer Associates Software and Xenel from 2004 to 2006. Before that, he was director of integration of electronic services with the Saudi Telecommunications Co. between 2003 and 2004, and CEO of Cerner Projects from 2001 to 2003.
Al-Ghanmi also served as network and database manager for British Air Systems from 1998 to 2001. He was a systems engineer at Lucent Technologies from 1996 to 1998, and the owner, manager and agent of Jeppesen Sanderson, a company owned by Böning, from 1994 to 1996.
The 3-day event explores new opportunities for Hajj and Umrah services
Updated 14 sec ago
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, organized the inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah.
The three-day event, taking place from April 22-24, is being held under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Sultan, the governor of the Madinah region.
Prince Salman said that the leadership has prioritized the enhancement of Hajj and Umrah services during the prosperous era of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He said: “The great honor bestowed by God on this country is a source of pride for all of us and motivates us to improve the level of services provided to the guests of God, to search for ideas, and to conduct studies that would advance the Umrah and visit sector.”
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and Governor of Madinah region Prince Salman bin Sultan attend the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah. (SPA)
The forum is an opportunity for specialists to communicate and exchange experiences during dialogue sessions and discussion panels, and to develop recommendations that contribute to enriching visitors’ experience, he added.
He also expressed hope that the forum would yield positive outcomes and thanked the minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, as well as the ministry’s employees, for organizing the forum.
Prince Salman visited the exhibition held in parallel with the forum. It houses more than 100 pavilions showcasing the services offered by tourism and travel companies, Umrah agencies, academic and research institutions, small and medium enterprises and service developers, as well as companies from related sectors such as hospitality, catering, transportation, healthcare, technology, communications, artificial intelligence, banking and insurance.
A documentary about Madinah, an essential component of the Umrah experience, was screened at the forum.
A group of experts and specialists attended, with discussions focused on enriching the Umrah and Hajj experience and aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.
Al-Rabiah also delivered a speech at the forum, highlighting the special attention given by the leadership to the Two Holy Mosques and visitors to the sites.
One of the most important factors in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Al-Rabiah said, is the Pilgrim Experience Program, as the Two Holy Mosques are expected to witness the influx of millions of worshippers and visitors, requiring management by security personnel from the Ministry of Interior, and from the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
One of the program’s primary goals, he added, is to enrich the visitors’ experience. The forum serves as a comprehensive platform where 180 speakers from the Kingdom and abroad can discuss strategies to improve the experience.
Al-Rabiah highlighted the involvement of 28 government entities and more than 3,000 local and international companies, with more than 1,500 agreements expected to be signed over the course of the event.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and Governor of Madinah region Prince Salman bin Sultan attend the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah. (SPA)
He noted that visits were made to 24 countries to address challenges faced by pilgrims and visitors, and to introduce them to the facilities provided by the Kingdom.
Al-Rabiah said that over the past two years, more than 19 million people have visited Al-Rawda Al-Sharifa, along with a significant number of unique historical sites connected to the life of the Prophet Muhammad in Makkah and Madinah, with many of the historical sites having been rehabilitated.
He highlighted the ministry’s commitment to providing quality services throughout pilgrim journeys, describing the Grand Mosque as a globally significant destination. Additionally, he announced the launch of the 1966 contact center in nine languages for pilgrim inquiries, catering to both domestic and international audiences.
Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to France and Monaco, and the permanent representative of the Kingdom to UNESCO, also gave a speech highlighting the role of historical and cultural sites in enriching the visitor experience.
During his address, Al-Ruwaili referenced remarks made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the previous Hajj season, emphasizing the Kingdom’s honor in serving the Two Holy Mosques and making it a top priority.
The crown prince’s comments demonstrate the Kingdom’s leadership goals toward serving pilgrims, enabling them to perform their worship rituals and achieve the purposes of Hajj, Umrah, or visitation with ease and peace of mind, he added.
The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah is taking place from April 22-24. (SPA)
Four significant agreements were signed during the opening ceremony.
The first, between the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque and Nusuk, aimed to establish and operate an awareness center for pilgrims.
The second, with the Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Charitable Foundation, created a fund of SR100 million ($26 million) for water supply.
The third agreement, between the General Authority for Awqaf and the Madinah Region Development Authority, focused on repairing and renovating water facilities at the Meeqat of Dhul-Hulayfah.
The fourth agreement, between the General Authority for Awqaf and the Taybah Mosques Association, addressed support for the Quba Mosque’s needs.
The forum consists of six dialogue sessions and 24 workshops, in which 29 experts and specialists will take part. It also includes several competitions, including the Artificial Intelligence Competition in Umrah and a hackathon on historical sites related to the Prophet Muhammad’s life.
Forum will be held in Riyadh on May 6 and aims to unify national efforts, align energies, and foster collaboration across various sectors, including public, private, and nonprofit
Forum will address the complexities of nursery development, international afforestation initiatives, and the challenges confronting seed banks
Updated 44 min 49 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is organizing the first National Afforestation Forum with the theme “Toward a Green Future.”
The forum will be held in Riyadh on May 6 and aims to unify national efforts, align energies, and foster collaboration across various sectors, including public, private, and nonprofit.
According to the Saudi Press Agency report, one of its key objectives is to support the Saudi Green Initiative’s ambitious target of planting 10 billion trees.
The forum is designed to involve stakeholders from various sectors, including experts, environmental enthusiasts, and the general public, aiming to raise awareness of the National Afforestation Program.
It aims to showcase successful models, encourage participation, highlight investment opportunities, and explore the latest developments in the sector. It also seeks to organize community engagement across all segments to achieve ambitious national environmental objectives.
The forum explores a range of pivotal themes through interactive sessions aimed at supporting national efforts to promote vegetation cover and expand green areas. These sessions include an in-depth examination of the various benefits of the National Afforestation Program, such as environmental sustainability, economic growth, and investment opportunities.
Additionally, there is an emphasis on harnessing nature-centric solutions for vegetation growth, along with discussions about current and future afforestation initiatives across various sectors within the Kingdom, the SPA reported.
Moreover, the forum will address the complexities of nursery development, international afforestation initiatives, and the challenges confronting seed banks. It will also explore strategies to improve nursery standards and optimize plant quality to support a variety of projects.
Used as resting spots, mark water sources for Bedouins, travelers
Some documented including for Hajj route from Kufa to Makkah
Updated 23 April 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Cairns, known as “rjum” in Arabic, are more than just heaps of stones scattered throughout the desert but have served as important landmarks and silent guides for Bedouins and travelers through the years, and will continue to do so, according to a local heritage researcher and archeologist.
Shaped as pyramidal or circular heaps of stones, cairns mark valleys, ravines and deserts across the region. Their strategic placement atop hills or elevated ground provides a vantage point for hidden landscapes, said Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Tuwayjiri, from the Rafha governorate, in an interview published by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.
Bedouins revere cairns, which aid in visual exploration and have served as places of contemplation for lovers and poets over the years, said Al-Tuwayjiri.
Each cairn has its unique features, with some bearing names, possibly attributed to their builders or reflective of specific geographical locations. The care and preservation of cairns remain a priority for the Bedouin community, ensuring that their legacy endures for generations to come.
Al-Tuwayjiri said these landmarks are constructed using stones of varying sizes with diameter, as well as height, between 2 and 3 meters. However, over time many have deteriorated and now measure about 1 to 2 meters in height. Some cairns have become mere piles of fallen stones along the roadside.
Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Al-Harbi, an early geographer, documented the landmarks and mile markers that guided Hajj pilgrims from Kufa to Makkah. These landmarks were spaced approximately 2 km apart, with closer intervals at road intersections and divergences to ensure that travelers maintained their direction.
Cairns were typically built on natural hills and elevations to ensure they were visible from a distance.
Cairns serve a variety of purposes beyond just guiding travelers. These silent stone structures are often designated resting areas for weary explorers on long journeys, function as gathering points for nomadic tribes, and can indicate the presence of water.
Saudi Arabia braced for heavy rainfall, Civil Defense issues warning
NCM forecasts higher than average figures for rain in May
Updated 23 April 2024
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to receive more rainfall toward the weekend, with Riyadh and its outskirts likely to witness heavy rains from Friday to next Tuesday.
In addition, the National Center for Meteorology said on Tuesday: “May forecasts indicate a chance of higher than average rainfall.”
More rain is forecast this week in Makkah, Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, the Eastern Province, and regions in Riyadh, the NCM added.
Makkah and the surrounding areas are set to experience heavy showers, while Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, and Al-Sulayil will receive medium rainfall.
Southern regions like Jizan, Najran, Asir, and Al-Baha will be impacted by medium to heavy rainfall, with Jizan and Asir expected to receive torrential rain and strong winds.
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued weather warnings and safety instructions.
Its message, which has been sent to residents, said: “Forecasts from the NCM indicate that there will be moderate to heavy rainfall in the Riyadh region (Riyadh, Diriyah, Muzahmiyah, Al-Harij, Al-Kharj, Hotat Bani Tamim, Al-Majmaah, Thadiq, Marat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, and Huraymila).
“The Civil Defense calls on everyone to take caution and adhere to its instructions. May God make it rain of goodness and blessings and spread it to benefit all parts of the country. Your cooperation and your safety is our goal.”
The NCM has also warned of high-speed winds that may cause sandstorms, further complicating the situation. Consequently, the Civil Defense has urged the public to stay at home during the severe weather and avoid going to valleys and waterlogged areas, while adhering to all safety directives.
The UAE, Oman, and Bahrain were hit by heavy storms last week that saw unprecedented levels of rainfall.
The UAE experienced its highest-ever rainfall in a 24-hour period since climate data records began in 1949.
Saudi cabinet reiterates commitment to regional security, stability
Updated 23 April 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: King Salman briefed on Tuesday the Council of Ministers on recent regional dynamics and global affairs, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering security and stability globally and regionally.
It called on the international community to fulfill its obligations in halting Israeli assaults on civilians in Gaza and support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, advocating for their state based on the 1967 borders with its capital.
The Council of Ministers welcomed the outcomes of the second ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries.
The cabinet also welcomed participants of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum, scheduled for next Sunday and Monday in Riyadh.
