JEDDAH: A video clip on YouTube talking about benevolence toward foreign workers in the Kingdom has achieved nearly 700,000 views since its release about a month ago.
The Labor Ministry’s undersecretary for special programs, Abdel Moneim Al-Shehri, said the YouTube video “Have mercy on yourself," about kindness toward workers, enhanced the vision of the ministry in urging employers in particular and society in general to treat workers humanely and ask them regularly about their well-being and that of their families back home.
The clip was produced with an innovative idea highlighting values and morals. Compassion for laborers was the central idea.
Al-Shehri said in his speech: "The vision of the ministry in charity stems from the teachings of our religion, upon which the labor law in the Kingdom is based."
He urged social organizations to exert more efforts in training young men and women to be ambassadors of the Kingdom. They should be taught the importance of benevolence toward workers so they return home with good memories of the country of the Two Holy Mosques and of Saudis’ positive attitude.
The official emphasized that kindness toward expatriate workers in the Kingdom is based on the principle of "rights, not sympathy."
The video clip hosted a number of famous figures from the new media — Ibrahim Saleh, Adel Radwan, Saleh Abu Umra and Ibrahim Al-Bkairi, who spoke extempore. To surprise them in the studio, they were not briefed as to who they would share their day with.
The YouTube awareness campaign came at a time when social networking sites circulated a number of individual cases of abuse toward expat workers that occurred in some parts of the Kingdom.
The organizers followed the Hadith — "I was sent to complete the best of morals." The clip’s message was: Strengthen good values and demonstrate virtues of morality.
YouTube video stressing love for expats achieves 700,000 views
YouTube video stressing love for expats achieves 700,000 views
France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh
- L’Institut francais, Riyadh Art will open La Fabrique on Feb. 22
- ‘New cultural chapter’ between the nations, says France envoy
RIYADH: L’Institut francais in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Art, an initiative of the city’s royal commission, have announced the opening of La Fabrique, a space for artists, on Jan. 22.
The project is based in the Riyadh Art Hub in JAX District and will enable Saudi and French artists to create, experiment, and bring their visions to life, according to a press release from the organizers.
La Fabrique also offers the public a rare opportunity to witness creative production including movement performances, digital and immersive arts, photography, music, cinema, cuisine and poetry.
At its core, La Fabrique fosters artistic exchange between French and Saudi artists, fostering new encounters, shared practices, and co-creation.
The initiative is aligned with the vision shared by French President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have placed cultural cooperation at the heart of the renewed Saudi-French strategic partnership.
Anchored in the ambitions of Vision 2030, La Fabrique is a part of Riyadh’s transformation into a major international cultural hub.
Developed in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the project strengthens the long-standing cultural dialogue between the two nations, the press release stated.
Patrick Maisonnave, ambassador of France to Saudi Arabia, said: “La Fabrique embodies the spirit of a new cultural chapter between France and Saudi Arabia.
“By bringing our artists together, we are not only sharing techniques and traditions, we are opening a space where imaginations meet, new forms emerge, and creativity becomes a bridge between our two societies.
“This initiative reflects our belief that artistic dialogue is one of the most powerful ways to build understanding, trust, and a shared future. It stands as a concrete example of France’s contribution to the ambitions of Vision 2030.”
