Saudi king chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman chairs weekly Council of Ministers meeting at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman chairs weekly Council of Ministers meeting at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman chairs weekly Council of Ministers meeting at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Updated 24 August 2022
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Saudi king chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

  • Ministers discussed the Kingdom’s keenness to strengthen and develop relations with many countries
  • Cabinet praised outcome of talks between crown prince and president of Uzbekistan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers held its weekly session, chaired by King Salman from Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
At the beginning of the session, the Cabinet discussed the Kingdom’s keenness to strengthen and develop relations with many countries, through exchanging visits and enhancing cooperation and consultation.
The Council of Ministers commended the outcome of the talks Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held with the president of Uzbekistan during his official visit to the Kingdom, and the agreements and memoranda of understanding that were signed between the two countries in various fields. The two sides also announced investment and commercial deals worth more than $12.5 billion.
The Cabinet was briefed on the content of a phone call the crown prince received from the German chancellor, where they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to develop joint cooperation, as well as discussing the latest regional and international developments, and efforts to achieve stability and peace.
Acting Minister of Information Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s successes that have been achieved in the field of education, including progressing in 16 global competitiveness indicators.
The ministers authorized the minister of culture and chairman of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts to sign a draft memorandum of understanding between with the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage for cooperation in the field of traditional arts, and authorized the justice minister to sign a draft MoU for cooperation with the Gambian Ministry of Justice,
The Cabinet authorized the tourism minister to sign a draft agreement with the tourism ministries of the countries expected to join the Sustainable Tourism Global Center in the Kingdom.
It also authorized the minister of education to sign a draft agreement with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization regarding operating a regional center for quality and excellence in public education under UNESCO’s supervision.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of commerce and chairman of the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises to sign a draft memorandum of cooperation with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority in Oman in the field of developing the SMEs sector and entrepreneurship.
The council approved an agreement between the Saudi and Bangladeshi governments on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs affairs, and approved a MoU between the Communications and Information Technology Commission and the Egyptian National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in the field of communications and information technology.
The ministers approved a draft agreement to establish the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council, and appointed Ayman bin Ishaq Afghani as a member of the board of directors of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, representing the Ministry of Economy and Planning.


Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

Updated 23 December 2025
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Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

  • The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz

RIYADH: A new center for Arabic calligraphy under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially opened in Madinah on Monday.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah region.

He was joined by Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, touring the new facility’s exhibition spaces and receiving briefings on cultural programming and the center’s achievements.

They also viewed collections highlighting Arabic calligraphy’s artistic and historical importance.

Speaking at the opening, Prince Badr said: “From this land of enlightenment and scholarship, we proudly launch a global platform dedicated to Arabic calligraphy as an invaluable cultural asset.”

He went on to credit the crown prince’s “generous and boundless support” for the cultural sector.

The minister said that the center demonstrated to the world the legacy of Arabic calligraphy while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural identity and heritage.

According to Prince Badr, the facility represents an ambitious vision to elevate Arabic calligraphy as both a universal communication tool and an integral element of Arab heritage, art, architecture and design.

The center further aims to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural identity and strengthen its international presence, targeting calligraphers, emerging talents, visual artists, Islamic arts researchers, educational and cultural institutions, as well as art and heritage enthusiasts worldwide.

It will deliver specialized programs including research and archival services, calligraphy instruction, academic grants, a permanent museum, touring exhibitions, an international calligraphy association and a business incubator supporting calligraphy enterprises.

Additional offerings feature artist residency programs, expert-led workshops, and standardized curriculum development, complemented by international educational partnerships aimed at heritage conservation and expanding global appreciation for this time-honored art form.

The center’s establishment in Madinah carries particular significance, given the city’s historical role as the cradle of Arabic calligraphy and its association with transcribing the Qur’an and preserving Islamic knowledge.