Iran to reopen diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia this week

A picture shows the closed Iranian embassy in the diplomatic quarter of the Saudi capital Riyadh, on April 11, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 05 June 2023
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Iran to reopen diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia this week

  • Mission will return under leadership of Alireza Enayati, previously Iran's ambassador to Kuwait
  • Step comes several months after Tehran and Riyadh agreed to end tensions under Chinese-brokered deal

RIYADH: Iran will reopen its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia this week, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.  

Tehran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani announced the reopening in a statement Monday, confirming earlier comments by a diplomatic source in Riyadh.

“To implement the agreement ..., Iran’s embassy in Riyadh, our Consulate General in Jeddah and our office to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will be officially reopened on Tuesday and Wednesday,” spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.

The diplomatic mission will return under the leadership of Alireza Enayati, who previously served as Iran's ambassador to Kuwait.

The step comes several months after Tehran and Riyadh agreed to end years of antagonism under a Chinese-brokered deal.

In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish relations between the regional rivals whose hostility had threatened stability and security in the Middle East and helped fuel regional conflicts from Yemen to Syria.


Goethe-Institut Saudi Arabia offers hundreds of students a pathway to all things Germany

Updated 20 sec ago
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Goethe-Institut Saudi Arabia offers hundreds of students a pathway to all things Germany

  • The primary goals of the Goethe-Institut Saudi Arabia are to promote and establish the German language in Saudi schools

More than 1,200 students choose Goethe-Institut Saudi Arabia every year. The German cultural center serves as a dynamic hub, offering a variety of courses and internationally recognized standardized exams.

The experience can help shape students’ linguistic and cultural skills, and prepare their integration into German-speaking countries for education, work, business, or simply for tourism.

Germany offers world-class universities, companies and business opportunities. It is also home to many landmarks and recreational activities.

What awaits you at Goethe-Institut Saudi Arabia:

Linguistic journey

Online and on-site courses at different paces match your interests and needs. Students can also earn prestigious Goethe-Institut certificates in Riyadh and Jeddah to demonstrate their proficiency in the language.

Cultural immersion

Experience movie nights, game nights and Sprachcafe (Chatcafe) on Saturdays, or join the team and take part in the Riyadh Marathon.

Academic excellence

If you are thinking of a future in technical and scientific fields, the institute offers a one-year preparatory program (Studienkolleg) for German universities.

The primary goals of the Goethe-Institut Saudi Arabia are to promote and establish the German language in Saudi schools, support further qualification programs for German teachers and foster international cultural cooperation.

Aside from a wide range of standard face-to-face or online language courses, the institute offers specialized courses for medical and dental professionals, as well as professional German courses for tourism and hospitality.

For more details and for other queries, visit goethe.de/ins/sa/en or email [email protected].


Saudi king, crown prince condemns terror attack in Ankara

Updated 4 min 43 sec ago
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Saudi king, crown prince condemns terror attack in Ankara

RIYADH: In cables to Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the terror attack on the Turkish capital, Ankara.

On Sunday a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the country’s interior ministry injuring two policemen. Turkiye on Monday said it had carried out attacks on suspected Kurdish military targets in Iraq.

The PKK, which maintains bases in northern Iraq, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, according to a news agency close to the rebel group.

The Saudi leaders said that the Kingdom stands with Turkiye and its people, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.


About 300,000 students to undergo AI training for national olympiad

Updated 02 October 2023
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About 300,000 students to undergo AI training for national olympiad

  • Registrations for the olympiad close on Nov. 28 and there will be two rounds of tests — Jan. 26-27 and April 23-27

MAKKAH: The National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence for middle and high school students is to take place in the Kingdom.

The announcement was made by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity.

About 300,000 students will be selected from 3 million in the Kingdom for training in programming and AI. 

Registrations for the olympiad close on Nov. 28 and there will be two rounds of tests — Jan. 26-27 and April 23-27.

Mawhiba’s Secretary-General Dr. Amal Al-Hazzaa told Arab News: “Our children, the Kingdom’s students of all educational levels, have become competitive and are keen to register in the various competitions and olympiads, as witnessed in recent years.

“There are several stages to the competition, during which our creative students will participate in great numbers. During the final stage, which is the Scientific Creativity Olympiad, 35 students from the Kingdom will be selected to represent their country internationally and in ISEF (the International Science and Engineering Fair).”

Those wishing to participate can register through the following link: https://www.mawhiba.org/NOPAI/Pages/default.aspx


UK defense minister lauds ‘incredibly quick’ Saudi transformation

Updated 02 October 2023
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UK defense minister lauds ‘incredibly quick’ Saudi transformation

  • ‘Forget everything you think you know about Saudi Arabia,’ says Grant Shapps
  • Kingdom has ‘women in the workplace at levels that would be unimaginable three or four years ago’

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s “incredibly quick” transformation is seeing women join the workforce at “unimaginable levels,” the UK’s defense minister has said.

Praising the Kingdom as a “strong ally” of Britain at an event on the sidelines of the Conservative Party conference, Grant Shapps lauded societal change in Saudi Arabia, The Times reported on Monday.

“Forget everything you think you know about Saudi Arabia. Actually, the country is changing incredibly quickly,” he said, citing “women in the workplace at levels that would be unimaginable three or four years ago.”

He added: “What you can’t underestimate is the impact that is having on their society and the way they govern.”

Saudi Arabia’s “society is moving very much in a way we have always called for societies around the world to move,” Shapps said.


Riyadh book fair provides special section for children

Activities and workshops are among events aimed at promoting reading among kids. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Shulhub)
Updated 02 October 2023
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Riyadh book fair provides special section for children

  • An animation workshop and educational sensory play area has also been provided
  • A music corner offers children the opportunity to play instruments including the piano and guitar

RIYADH: Organizers of the Riyadh International Book Fair have created a special section for children.

Activities and workshops covering areas such as writing, theater, music, fashion, and culinary arts are among events aimed at promoting reading among kids.

An animation workshop and educational sensory play area has also been provided, and a music corner offers children the opportunity to play instruments including the piano and guitar.

Amr AbuKhalaf, a Jordanian musician and member of rock band Akher Zapheer, was representing Music House at the fair and running guitar classes for young visitors.

Saudi company Music House, established in 2018, specializes in music education and training in the Kingdom.

AbuKhalaf said: “I am here to introduce children to music, especially those who may not have had the chance to learn before.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the positive response from many children. I even had the pleasure of teaching a young girl how to play the guitar, and I was amazed at how quickly she picked it up, as if she had been playing for a year.”

Rewan Abdulrazeeq, a violin and music teacher who graduated from the Conservatoire, The Higher Institute for Music in Egypt, was invited by Music House to take part in the event and provide general information about music to children.

An instrumentalist in the Cairo Symphony Orchestra with 15 years’ experience in the music business, Abdulrazeeq said: “I am fascinated by the approach of schools and institutions in teaching music to children here, and how it helps them express themselves.

“Music is not just about playing or singing; it is a means for children to express their thoughts and emotions,” she added.

The book fair’s fashion design workshop area targets children aged nine to 12, and aims to help them explore their artistic side, discover their potential in fashion, and enjoy experimenting with colors.

The fair is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight until Oct. 7 at King Saud University.