RIYADH: The King Abdul Aziz Public Library will observe UN Arabic Language Day on Thursday by announcing the winners of the Arabic Calligraphy Prizes.
The contest was organized by the library as part of the Culture Ministry’s efforts to promote Arabic by declaring 2020 the year of Arabic calligraphy. The prizes of the competition amount to more than SR80,000 ($21,324).
A total of 186 artists from 14 cities and governorates of the Kingdom took part in the competition. Works of 77 participants were selected for final screening and total 17 winners were selected.
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SR80k worth of prizes for Saudi calligraphy contest
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SR80k worth of prizes for Saudi calligraphy contest
Kingdom arrests 18,805 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,805 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 11,752 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,239 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,814 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,739 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 62 percent were Ethiopian, 37 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 46 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 14 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
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