RIYADH: Saudi Arabia reiterated its “firm and historical position” in support of peace and stability and building solidarity in Afghanistan, the cabinet said on Tuesday.
The Kingdom also reaffirmed its recent statement made at an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in its capacity as the head of the current session of the Islamic Summit.
Saudi Arabia called for the need to accelerate efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement and for the international community to join hands in support of urgent humanitarian work in Afghanistan, and support efforts for development, stability and rehabilitation in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers issued the statement following its weekly session that was chaired virtually by King Salman from NEOM.
At the beginning of the session, the cabinet reviewed discussions held between the Kingdom and a number of countries during the past week to strengthen cooperation in various fields, enhance joint coordination toward regional and international issues, and support and stand by nations in various crises and situations.
King Salman briefed the ministers on his phone call with the Tunisian President Kais Saied, during which he affirmed his country’s keenness on Tunisia’s security and stability, and its support in light of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic that has pushed the north African country’s health system to the brink of collapse.
During the call, the king also directed the Saudi government to provide further health support, in addition to the previous aid that has been sent to help meet the needs of the Tunisian health sector.
The Kingdom, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, has set up an air bridge to provide urgent medical aid and protective equipment and has dispatched a number of planes in the past month to help the country combat the spread of the virus.
The cabinet also discussed a number of regional and international developments, Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, state minister and acting minister of media said in a statement following the meeting.
The Council of Ministers reviewed the preparations for the return to schools at the start of the new academic year, the measures and arrangements that have been taken to ensure the safety of students, teachers, staff, their families and community.
The ministers also discussed the latest coronavirus statistics and indicators, with the Kingdom passing important stages in confronting the pandemic and reducing its effects on all aspects of life, including working to increase societal immunity, by continuing to administer vaccines and accelerating the immunization pace in all regions.
They also reviewed the noticeable improvement in a number of economic sectors, raising the operational capacity of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and the return of inbound tourism.
Meanwhile, the cabinet authorized the foreign minister to negotiate and sign a draft agreement with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the culture minister to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the cultural field with the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The council approved a protocol attached to a memorandum of cooperation between the Saudi and South Korean governments on the Saudi-Korean Vision 2030.
It also asked the chairman of the Saudi Space Commission to discuss a draft MoU with the UK Space Agency to cooperate in the “peaceful use of outer space.”
The ministers approved exemption rules in the anti-concealment system and the rules for granting financial rewards to workers for detecting crimes and violations. They also approved a contractor classification system.
Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for peace, stability in Afghanistan: Cabinet
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for peace, stability in Afghanistan: Cabinet
- Ministers reviewed preparations for the return to schools and the measures and arrangements that have been taken to ensure public safety
- The cabinet also discussed the latest coronavirus statistics and indicators
Saudi entrepreneur converts farm into a tourism attraction in Al-Baha
- Al-Barouqi Tourist Farm owner Ahmed Al-Barouqi rehabilitated the farm while preserving its agricultural terraces, famous trees and old wells
- The farm is enjoying a surge in demand due to recent rainfall, the pristine atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area
AL-BAHA: A farmer in Al-Mandaq Governorate has turned his passion and hobby into a thriving tourism project.
Ahmed Al-Barouqi, who owns Al-Barouqi Tourist Farm in the governorate, northwest of Al-Baha, takes advantage of the mild climate and natural beauty of the area, including its agricultural terraces, historic village and picturesque valley, to attract visitors.
The Saudi Press Agency interviewed Al-Barouqi, the young farmer in Al-Tarf, Wadi Rusba, behind Al-Barouqi Tourist Farm.
“My relationship with agriculture spans over 27 years, having grown up in a family surrounded by farms,” he said. “This inspired me to invest in the farm in Al-Tarf village, where we have fond childhood memories of planting grape, almond and fruit trees.
“I was determined to create a rural tourism investment model that harmonizes with the region’s natural features and moderate climate, providing a unique experience for visitors to the province,” he added.
Al-Barouqi said he rehabilitated the farm while preserving its agricultural terraces, famous trees and old wells. He created paved paths and seating areas and opened scenic views of the adjacent valley by adding seating areas.
He also offers popular dishes, including tannour bread, coffee, and tea.
He highlighted the success of implementing drip irrigation for strawberry crops, which aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This initiative has added value to the farm and its visitors, creating new agricultural investment opportunities and promoting a diverse agricultural culture. By diversifying products and experimenting with various crops, the farm aims to achieve self-sufficiency in producing crops for local markets.
Al-Barouqi said: “Farming has created over 20 seasonal job opportunities for young men and women in the region and established sites for productive families.
“We have a comprehensive development plan and vision for the farm that includes agricultural, recreational and investment aspects. Investing in this sector results in pioneering commercial projects that provide a distinctive tourism experience in the Al-Baha region,” he added.
The farm is enjoying a surge in demand due to recent rainfall, the pristine atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.
Shoura delegation discusses relations between Saudi Arabia and Senegal in Dakar
- Party on an official visit to the republic
DAKAR: A delegation from the Saudi-Senegalese Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shoura Council, led by Dr. Ayman bin Saleh Fadel, council member and committee chairman, met Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs Yassine Fall at the ministry’s headquarters in Dakar.
The delegation is currently conducting an official visit to the Republic of Senegal and the two parties discussed bilateral relations as well as possible cooperation in multiple sectors to enhance coordination. Other topics were also discussed.
A journey through time: Tahlel Museum’s tribute to Asir’s culture
- The museum is home to many heritage pieces, including coins, traditional costumes, wood art, and agricultural tools
- It also includes the owner's artistic works of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, geometric shapes, and tribal symbols painted in vibrant colors
ASIR: Perched atop the Souda Mountains in the Abha region of Asir province in southern Saudi Arabia is a modest museum created by an Asiri woman called Halima Asiri.
Passionate about old Saudi heritage, Asiri established the Tahlel Museum in a small traditional house.
It includes many heritage pieces, including coins, traditional costumes, wood art, and agricultural tools. It also includes her artistic works of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, geometric shapes, and tribal symbols painted in vibrant colors.
“This is my small museum, where I exhibit the work of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, a kind of natural color painting that have been certified by UNESCO as part of the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Each pattern has a name and a symbolic meaning. Men do not practice this art, thus women are the only ones who specialize in it,” Asiri told Arab News.
Asiri is one of the few women who still uses natural materials to create the art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri. These colors are extracted from coal, rice, turmeric, pomegranate peel, stones and other sources.
“I take 24 colors from nature, such as clover, coal, stone, and leaves, grind them into a paste, and use that paste to paint canvases and walls,” she said.
Ancient coffee and teapots, clay cups, copper household utensils, and other artifacts are on display in one of the rooms.
“The handcrafted items found here date back to 400-500 years, and the people of the Asir region used them all,” Asiri said.
She incorporated a model of the old town in which she formerly resided in the museum. The town has since fallen into ruin.
“The old roads were difficult, and women had to carry wood, walk, and climb mountains to get to their homes. The model that I constructed depicts the hardship and strength of women in Asir,” she explained.
The museum also features the traditional attire worn by women in the Asir region.
“I have items of clothing that Asir women wear on their wedding night. I also have regular clothes, like straw hats,” she added.
Asiri started collecting antiques that date back centuries when she was young, and she made sure to collect antiques and present them in her museum in a unique way.
There are numerous kinds of swords, weapons, and clothing that the locals used in battle displayed on the walls.
The location also features a workshop where guests can learn how to paint Al-Qatt Al-Asiri works, in addition to selling her artwork on commission.
“I teach Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art as a trainer. I frequently get big groups of people, and not so long ago, I trained a group of foreign women,” she said.
The museum is also linked to a cafe where she serves traditional Asiri dishes like areekah using natural honey.
“Many foreigners have visited, including ambassadors and ministers,” she said.
Asiri greets visitors when entering the museum with a famous Asiri phrase, “a thousand welcomes.”
Owing to its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, the Asir region is highly sought-after by those seeking to explore unspoiled landscapes, wander through charming villages, and explore historic castles.
Saudi crown prince speaks to acting Iranian president in light of tragedy
- President Ebrahim Raisi and others were killed in helicopter crash
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a telephone call on Friday to Mohammad Mokhber, the acting Iranian president, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince sent his condolences following the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others in a helicopter crash earlier this week.
Mokhber expressed his thanks to the crown prince for his kind sentiments.
The two sides also spoke of achievements in bilateral relations between the countries, stressing the importance of continuing to enhance cooperation.
The Iranian president, foreign minister and six others were killed on Sunday when the helicopter in which they were traveling crashed in dense fog in mountainous terrain near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
Saudi Arabia welcomes World Court ruling on Gaza
- Kingdom said it appreciated the ICJ decision, which it called a positive step towards the moral and legal right of the Palestinian people
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed the Kingdom’s welcoming of a decision made Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to immediately stop military attacks or any other offensive actions in Rafah, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom said it appreciated the ICJ decision, which it called a positive step towards the moral and legal right of the Palestinian people.
It stressed the importance that international resolutions should involve all Palestinian areas in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.
Saudi Arabia also reiterated its call to the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to stop all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people.
