RIYADH: The winners of the King Khalid Awards were announced here ON Thursday. They included several organizations and individuals operating nonprofit development projects across the country.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman will hand out the prizes worth SR1.5 million on Dec. 8 at a gala event in the capital, according to Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khalid, chairman of the awards committee.
At a press conference here on Thursday, Prince Faisal said the awards honored Saudi citizens involved in initiatives to build their communities. He said Abeer Abdul Aziz Al-Nuwaiser won by 61 percent of votes to take first place for her development project “Mawakib Al-Ajr.”
Second place went to Ahmed Zayed Al-Maliki for his initiative to help people with disabilities find jobs. He received 22 percent of the votes. He runs a website that matches firms with those seeking jobs.
Saud bin Hamad Al-Dubayan received 17 percent of votes for third place for his online awareness initiative that publishes Arabic articles and videos in several scientific disciplines.
According to Prince Faisal, the first place winner in the development section, with a prize of SR500,000 went to Al-Bir Society in Al-Ahsa, which offers health and special needs services for 35,000 people.
The second place winner of SR300,000 went to the Charitable Society for the Care of Orphans in the Eastern Province serving 2,379 beneficiaries; and third place, winning SR200,000, went to Majed bin Abdulaziz Society for Development and Social Services in Jeddah, serving 1,484 people.
According to Prince Faisal, two employees working for the winner in this category would get fully paid scholarships on leadership and management development for nonprofit organizations.
The winners of the category for best sustainable development practices and social responsibility, were in first place Binzagr Unilever Limited (Saudi Arabia), a nonprofit facility operating in the field of consumer products to reduce the impact of production and consumption on the environment.
Second place went to Saudi Investment Bank, while third place was shared by Saudi Arabia Fertilizers Company, Special Direction, and the Middle East Company for Paper Industry.
Prince Faisal said that the aim of the awards was to support individuals and organizations that were doing innovative work to develop the country across a wide range of sectors.
King Khalid awards go to development projects
King Khalid awards go to development projects
Scheme to ‘humanize’ pilgrim services during Hajj season
- Scheme focuses on taking care of the sick, the elderly, and people with disabilities who are visiting the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque
RIYADH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque recently launched the Humanitarians (Ensaniyoun) initiative as part of the 2024 Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The scheme aims to enrich the experience of pilgrims by humanizing the services provided by the presidency. It focuses on taking care of the sick, the elderly, and people with disabilities who are visiting the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, creating an appropriate worship environment for them.
Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, said: “The Humanitarians initiative aims to enhance behavior and humanize the services provided by the presidency across its various sectors and departments ... creating an appropriate worship environment for pilgrims, and facilitating their access to religious services without effort or hardship.”
The initiative encourages specialization among employees and the use of flexible technology and digitization to meet religious needs, Al-Sudais said.
He added: “This commitment to humanitarian responsibility, amid the extensive religious work in the Two Holy Mosques and their global outreach, reflects the belief that balanced institutional giving leads to human and global success stories. By maintaining this balance, we achieve success in the rituals of Hajj and in serving pilgrims.”
The Humanitarians initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by enhancing the religious and humanitarian services provided to pilgrims.
Saudi Reef program provides $37.3m of support to Kingdom’s honey industry
- Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program celebrates World Bee Day by highlighting its achievements in its support of the sector
- Honey production in the Kingdom reached 3,120 tons last year; aim is to produce 7,500 tons a year by 2026 and become self-sufficient
RIYADH: About SR140 million ($37.3 million) in funding for the honey industry in the Kingdom has helped 10,584 beneficiaries since 2020, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The recipients of the support, provided by Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, also known as Saudi Reef, come from all parts of the country but the program said those in Asir, Hail, Makkah and Al-Baha regions benefited the most.
Saudi Reef marked World Bee Day on Monday by highlighting its notable achievements so far in supporting the local honey industry. It said production in the Kingdom reached 3,120 tons in 2023, a 41 percent increase compared with 2021, and the aim is to increase annual production to 7,500 tons by 2026 and achieve self-sufficiency.
The program said it has supported several projects vital to the sector, including the establishment of queen bee rearing and package bee production facilities in areas such as Hail, Najran, Jazan, Medina, Tabuk and Taif.
It also supplies modern beekeeping tools and spreads awareness of the latest techniques, and has set up three mobile laboratories to investigate and diagnose bee diseases and pests, along with four mobile clinics.
The program said it remains committed to providing support for beekeepers and implementing projects that benefit the honey industry, in keeping with efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development in the Kingdom.
Saudi Reef aims to support environmental sustainability and diversification of the agricultural production base in the Kingdom, by aiding the development of rural communities and efforts to achieve food security.
It added that its projects provide job opportunities, help improve incomes and standards of living for small farmers, and enhance agricultural capabilities in keeping with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 development and diversification plan.
Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs agree to work closely
- Prince Faisal said he was keen to collaborate with Tokyo
- Kamikawa expressed her sincere wishes for the early recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman
TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko said on Monday she hopes to work closely with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, her Saudi counterpart, on the multiple crises the world is currently facing, such as the situations in Gaza and Ukraine.
In a telephone call, Prince Faisal said he was keen to collaborate with Tokyo to allow the foreign minister to make an official visit to the Kingdom in the near future, and that he looks forward to working with Kamikawa toward stabilizing the situation in the region.
In response, Kamikawa expressed her sincere wishes for the early recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and stated that Japan attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with the Kingdom and seeks to work closely with Prince Faisal.
Saudi Arabia restricts Umrah permits to Hajj permit holders
- New regulation aims to manage influx during peak pilgrimage period from May 24 to June 26
- The ministry stated that Umrah permits will not be issued to individuals without a confirmed Hajj permit
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that starting May 24 until June 26, Umrah permits will only be issued to those with a confirmed Hajj permit.
The directive was issued by the ministry to facilitate Hajj pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia from around the world, ensuring their pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Makkah is conducted with ease and comfort.
The ministry stated that Umrah permits will not be issued to individuals without a confirmed Hajj permit.
This measure aims to manage the influx of pilgrims in the holy city during the busy Hajj season, ensuring a smooth experience for all pilgrims.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah posted on X: “Defying Hajj regulations will result in severe and unwavering penalties. A fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) will be imposed on individuals caught in Makkah and the holy sites without a Hajj permit, applicable to citizens, residents, and visitors. The fine will double for repeat offenders, and resident violators face deportation and a ban from entering Saudi Arabia.”
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior announced penalties for those who violated Hajj regulations and instructions, such as those found without a permit in Makkah, the central region, the holy sites, the Haramain train station in Rusayfah, security control centers, sorting centers, and temporary security control centers. These will be effective from June 2 to June 20.
Any citizens, residents or visitors caught within the specified restricted areas without a Hajj permit will be fined SR10,000. In addition, residents face deportation to their home country and a ban from entering the Kingdom for a stipulated period.
Emphasizing the importance of adherence to Hajj regulations and instructions, the ministry stressed that the fine would be doubled for repeat offenders.
Transporting individuals without a permit is a serious offense, with penalties of up to six months in prison and a fine of up to SR50,000. The fine will increase proportionately with the number of people carried. The means of transportation will be seized and expatriate transporters will face deportation and a ban from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period.
Members of the public are urged to report anyone breaking the rules by calling (911) in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and (999) in the remaining regions.
One of the five pillars of Islam, this year’s Hajj is expected to run from June 14 to June 19.
Pilgrim mobility innovation contest concludes in Makkah
- Event aimed to enhance pilgrim services in innovative ways, focusing on assisting people with disabilities in completing Hajj rituals like Tawaf and Sa’i
RIYADH: The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, along with Umm Al-Qura University and Wadi Makkah Co., recently concluded the pilgrim-mobility enhancement challenge at the university’s headquarters in Makkah.
The one-week event, which started on May 12, aimed to enhance pilgrim services in innovative ways, focusing on assisting people with disabilities in completing Hajj rituals like Tawaf and Sa’i.
It featured four categories: Manual wheelchairs, electric vehicles, golf carts and trailers, alongside an open section for creative mobility ideas.
With 50 teams and 190 participants, the challenge also involved 19 mentors, 10 judges and 118 mentoring sessions.
During the closing ceremony, attended by Umm Al-Qura University President Dr. Moaddi bin Mohammed Aal Madhhab, and the CEO of the general authority, Ghazi bin Dhafer Al-Shahrani, an exhibition showcased contributions and innovative ideas from organizing bodies and participating teams.
Dr. Ammar Attar, adviser to the general authority, highlighted the importance of forging quality partnerships, citing Umm Al-Qura University as a pioneer in Hajj and Umrah sciences and technologies. He lauded the joint initiative to enhance Tawaf and Sa’i mobility as a significant outcome of this collaboration.
Dr. Ali Al-Shaeri, CEO of Wadi Makkah Co., praised the challenge’s success and impact, highlighting its role in the university’s broader innovation program to enhance the pilgrim experience through effective partnership with the general authority.
Majed Al-Fuwaiz, secretary-general of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, applauded the challenge for fostering innovation to create a safe and appealing working environment meeting both local and international safety standards for those serving pilgrims.
The ceremony concluded with the honoring of the winners: Masari team claimed first place for their development of a smart path system for electric carts; Maseer team secured second place with AI-powered carts designed for ergonomic comfort; Naqiloon team earned third place for their Tawaf trailers tailored for specific location needs; Tarrayath team took fourth place for their sensor-based device safeguarding pilgrims in the Grand Mosque; and Mu’een team clinched fifth place with an app connecting pilgrims to cart drivers within the Two Holy Mosques.
Targeting postgraduate students, university students, faculty members, international students and entrepreneurs, the challenge aimed to enhance the mobility experience for Tawaf and Sa’i.
Participants delved deeper into the challenge through field visits and interactions with service providers, leading to the practical application of their ideas.
