Recent statistics issued by Al-Ahsa Municipality revealed an increase in sales of dates this current season, due to a rise in global and local manufacturing and manufactured exports.
According to the report, 13,000 vehicles entered King Abdullah City for Dates for the auction, where 21 million kg were sold for a total of SR7.92 million, in addition to SR19 million for manufactured date sales. That makes SR26.92 million.
Muhammad Ismail, director of King Abdullah City for Dates, said that Al-Ahsa dates have achieved high international standards in quality, which allows many traders and manufacturers to export their products.
Ali Ahmed Al-Yaseen, a date trader, said that Al-Ahsa witnessed the largest consumer turnout this year, due to high quality, and a rise in domestic and international consumer appeal.
“Many date producers upgraded their packaging instead of using the traditional ones, while maintaining international specifications and standards.” He said that small date packages achieved a rise in exports, as 37 percent of the smaller packages were exported. Also, many women preferred to buy packaged stuffed dates.
“This year dates varied compared to last year, as there were varieties offered with different flavors that attracted all family members, especially children,” the trader added.
All dates traders agreed that Al-Ahsa dates still occupy a prominent place among consumers, pointing out that new marketing strategies added to the success of the season.
Dates worth SR26.92m sold in Al-Ahsa during current season
Dates worth SR26.92m sold in Al-Ahsa during current season
Ramadan volunteering initiatives encourage participation of community
- Opportunities include assisting pilgrims by guiding visitors; organizational support such as site management, crowd control, and event assistance
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ branch in Makkah has provided several volunteering opportunities to prepare the city’s mosques for Ramadan
MAKKAH: The General Directorate of Education in the Makkah region is providing more than 200 volunteering opportunities across 13 fields to promote volunteerism during Ramadan, support pilgrim services, and foster values of giving and social responsibility.
The initiative enables volunteers to contribute to community service during the holy month, highlighting education’s role in promoting national and humanitarian values, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Opportunities include assisting pilgrims by guiding visitors; organizational support such as site management, crowd control, and event assistance; social initiatives through humanitarian projects and community service; and general volunteering work supporting various programs.
Other roles involve translation services for visitors; assisting people with disabilities; cultural programs; technical support and digital documentation; and environmental initiatives promoting sustainability.
Volunteers can also participate in training for capacity building, take on security and safety roles, and engage in health-related activities to raise preventive awareness.
Additionally, volunteers may support government agencies, strengthening field operations and coordination in serving pilgrims and the wider community.
The initiative reflects the commitment of Makkah’s education sector to promoting volunteerism and mobilizing community resources, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched several Ramadan volunteering opportunities in Madinah to enhance community participation, develop volunteer work, and promote its culture in society.
Opportunities include assisting with religious guidance; organizing worshippers’ rows; monitoring screens and electronic devices; and providing translation and field awareness services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.
Interested participants can register through the National Volunteer Portal by selecting the “religious” field and searching for the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque to view available opportunities, the SPA added.
Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah has also announced 21 volunteering opportunities during Ramadan to promote volunteerism, empower community participation, and support services for pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque.
Opportunities are in various fields, including simultaneous interpretation, first aid, meal distribution for fasting observers, medical services, guidance and counseling, and welcoming pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ branch in Makkah has provided several volunteering opportunities to prepare the city’s mosques for Ramadan.
The ministry has reported some 60 openings, engaging 405 male and female volunteers. Activities include organizational and service tasks to ready mosques for worshippers during the holy month.
These efforts reflect the ministry’s commitment to promoting volunteerism and fostering community participation in serving mosques, ensuring a suitable environment for worship and performing rituals with ease and tranquility.
