Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon

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Updated 11 November 2024
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Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon

Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
  • Speaking at extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit in Riyadh, he denounces Israel’s campaign in Gaza as ‘genocide’
  • He also condemns obstruction of aid efforts in Gaza and rejects any diminishing of the role of the Palestinian Authority

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday renewed the Kingdom’s objections to Israeli attacks in Gaza and violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

In his opening statement at an extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit, hosted by Riyadh, he denounced the obstruction of aid efforts by humanitarian agencies in Gaza and rejected any diminishing of the role of the Palestinian Authority.

“The Kingdom condemns the obstruction of the relief efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in Palestinian territories, as well as the obstruction of the work of humanitarian organizations providing aid to the Palestinian people,” the crown prince said.

Israel formally notified the UN last week of its decision to sever ties with UNRWA after Israeli politicians voted in favor of the move on Oct. 28.

The international community must “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon”, the crown prince said, describing Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “genocide.”

He continued: “We condemn the Israeli military operations that have targeted Lebanese territories and we reject anything that threatens Lebanon’s stability and safety as well as anything that violates its territorial integrity.

“Israel’s continued criminal actions against innocent people, its violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its undermining of the Palestinian Authority’s pivotal role in all Palestinian territories will hinder efforts to secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and establish regional peace.”

The crown prince also condemned attacks against Iran, saying that the international community should put pressure on Israel to respect “the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran” and cease all hostile actions against its territories.

He said “we stand with our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon,” and reiterated that Palestine qualifies for full membership in the UN, as he stressed the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state.

“We launched a global initiative to support the two-state solution,” he added, referring to a call by Saudi authorities for more peace-loving countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state, through the UN General Assembly.

 

The crown prince praised the successful joint efforts by countries represented at the meeting to encourage nine additional nations to recognize the State of Palestine since Oct. 7, 2023, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. This is reflected in UN General Assembly resolutions affirming Palestine’s eligibility for full membership of the organization and demanding an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories, he said.

“In this spirit, we affirm the importance of continuing our joint efforts to establish a Palestinian state, within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the crown prince added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the summit that Israel’s goal is to establish settlements in the Gaza Strip and annex the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“So far, 50,000 Palestinians have been martyred, 70 percent of whom were children and women, in massacres carried out by Israel in Gaza and other Palestinian territories,” he said.

“It is extremely important that we continue our coordinated efforts to take coercive measures against those committing acts of genocide in Palestine, based on international law and the UN Charter. We cannot allow differences in opinion and positions among us to hinder our common cause.”

Erdogan also said that as many countries as possible must support South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.

In his statement to the summit, Hissein Brahim Taha, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, stressed the need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on June 10 this year, which calls for a ceasefire agreement, the sufficient and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, and efforts to enable the Palestinian government to fulfill its responsibilities in Gaza.

Echoing the Saudi crown prince’s remarks, Taha reiterated the need for a two-state solution that includes an independent Palestinian state, and its right to full membership of the UN. He also called for an immediate and total ceasefire in Lebanon in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

The secretary-general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said the actions of Israeli authorities reflect their plans to destroy Palestinian society in Gaza, displace its people and deconstruct an entire community and its social fabric, deliberately destroying any possibility of restoration and killing any hopes for an independent Palestinian state.

In doing so, he told the summit, Israel is crippling efforts to achieve a future of coexistence and peace in the region. He added that a lack of accountability has encouraged Israeli authorities to proceed with their unimaginable plans, but the summit sends a message that the world cannot continue to ignore the relentless violence.

Many Arab and Islamic leaders traveled to Riyadh on Monday for the summit. They included Erdogan; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president of the UAE, deputy prime minister and chairperson of the Presidential Court; Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of Uzbekistan; Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, president of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council; Bashar Assad, president of Syria; Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, prime minister of Iraq; Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, deputy prime minister of Bahrain; and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, president of Egypt.

They were joined by King Abdullah of Jordan; Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani; Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref; Oman’s foreign minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi; and Bakary Yaou Sangare, Niger’s minister for foreign affairs.

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday, as did the Lebanese prime minister, Najib Mikati; Algeria’s foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf; the foreign minister of Guinea, Morissanda Kouyate; the president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye; Chad’s president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno; the president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Uganda’s third deputy prime minister Lukia Isanga Nakadama. The president of Mauritania, Mohammed Ould Ghazouani, also arrived on Sunday, after performing Umrah and praying at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Saturday.


Wesal program looks to empower expats with work-based Arabic-language skills

Wesal program looks to empower expats with work-based Arabic-language skills
Updated 24 sec ago
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Wesal program looks to empower expats with work-based Arabic-language skills

Wesal program looks to empower expats with work-based Arabic-language skills
  • Experts say the program takes an innovative approach to workplace Arabic training for non-native speakers
  • The program is aligned with national transformation goals and is intended to create more-inclusive work environments

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched its Wesal program on Thursday. Wesal is an educational initiative intended to help non-native speakers working in Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors.

The program aims to provide linguistic training opportunities within institutional training plans, as part of the academy’s initiatives to “empower the Arabic language in professional and organizational contexts,” according to a statement.

The three-month program will be held at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh, with a flexible schedule tailored to accommodate participants’ work hours and commitments.

(L/R) Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, Bandar Al-Jasir, executive partner at public relations firm Syaq and Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of the KSGAAL. (Supplied)

Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the KSGAAL, told Arab News: “The Wesal program represents a qualitative step in activating the Arabic language and strengthening its presence in professional and practical fields across the public and private sectors, reflecting the academy’s role in developing multilingual work environments within the Kingdom.

“Through Wesal we seek to equip a wide segment of non-Arabic-speaking professionals with functional language communication tools, enhancing their performance and deepening their connection to the national culture and identity. This program underscores the academy’s commitment to its educational and developmental responsibilities, as well as its role in supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program,” he continued.

The program covers aspects of the Arabic language focusing on key skills that support the functional use of Arabic in professional settings. It also includes content intended to enhance trainees’ ability to perform their tasks efficiently within the context of Saudi culture, Al-Washmi explained. 

The new program is part of the academy’s mission to consolidate the Arabic language and enhance its use across all fields of knowledge and communication, he added.

Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News that the Wesal program offers communicative and functional content relevant to the real world of the workplace.

It focuses on teaching Arabic in realistic administrative and professional contexts, away from traditional curricula of a general or academic nature, he said, and is based on a curriculum developed by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, but adapts activities and vocabulary to serve functional communication skills, such as writing official mail, handling administrative forms and participating in and managing meetings, while incorporating local administrative and cultural terminology.

According to Al-Qahtani, the program adopts an initial language diagnostic mechanism to determine trainees' levels, in addition to gradually adapting the content to suit different levels. The design of language activities also takes into account the use of visual and contextual methods, employing intermediate language when necessary, and providing examples from diverse work environments to ensure greater inclusiveness and flexibility.

Although the program has not yet received official accreditation from the relevant authorities in the Kingdom, its reliance on the CEFR framework aligns it with international best practices and paves the way for its future adoption as a recognized professional standard in the Saudi labor market, Al-Qahtani said.

Bandar Al-Jasir, executive partner at public relations firm Syaq, told Arab News that he expects Arabic proficiency to become a seriously considered element in professional assessment, especially for positions that require deeper engagement with the local audience.

Al-Jasir said that Saudi Arabia is leading efforts to build “culturally aware artificial intelligence tools” and that the “next challenge” is to ensure that these tools enhance the richness of the Arabic language, with human verification remaining a key element.

The priority for business solutions, he believes, should be the Arabization of operating systems and user interfaces, the provision of effective language training programs, and the development of smart tools that handle Arabic with contextual awareness.

Using Arabic internally naturally enhances corporate identity, according to Al-Jasir, who added that the “real challenge” facing the Arabic language today is to preserve it in everyday conversation, particularly since English is becoming ever more widely used in “informal business communication.”

 


Dates carnival to boost business in Buraidah

Dates carnival to boost business in Buraidah
Updated 01 August 2025
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Dates carnival to boost business in Buraidah

Dates carnival to boost business in Buraidah
  • The festival will run until Oct. 9
  • Farmers and traders are showcasing more than 100 varieties of Qassim dates

BURAIDAH: The Buraidah Dates Carnival launched on Friday in the heart of Date City, Buraidah.

Organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates and the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and held under the supervision of the Qassim governorate, the carnival will run until Oct. 9.

Farmers and traders are showcasing more than 100 varieties of Qassim dates, including renowned types such as Sukkari, Barhi, and Saqi.

The carnival offers a rich lineup of activities and events, including displays of manufacturing industries, contributions from productive families, palm-themed handicrafts, heritage and poetry evenings, and performances by traditional folk groups.

A dedicated children’s area with drawing activities is also featured, along with a wide array of programs tailored to engage and entertain all segments of society.

Notably, the previous edition of the Buraidah Dates Carnival generated sales of nearly SR3.2 billion ($85 million), with an average of 2,000 vehicles transporting dates daily.

The event also attracted over 800,000 visitors, reflecting its growing popularity and economic impact.


Jeddah’s first ‘AI lab’ to boost innovation

Jeddah’s first ‘AI lab’ to boost innovation
Updated 01 August 2025
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Jeddah’s first ‘AI lab’ to boost innovation

Jeddah’s first ‘AI lab’ to boost innovation
  • The Start Smart Entrepreneurship Center is spearheading the initiative
  • The laboratory operates through three pathways

JEDDAH: Jeddah launched its first “artificial intelligence laboratory” on Friday, a groundbreaking program designed to accelerate the growth of local entrepreneurs and emerging businesses.

The Start Smart Entrepreneurship Center is spearheading the initiative with backing from the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation.

The comprehensive program creates an immersive environment where startup founders, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can harness AI technologies to transform their ventures, SPA reported. The lab establishes a dynamic networking hub connecting participants with innovation hubs, business accelerators, service providers and successful graduates from previous Start Smart cohorts.

The laboratory operates through three pathways.

Professional practitioners lead “enrichment encounters,” sharing insights on implementing AI solutions across various industries.

The “technology toolkit” component provides intensive workshops where industry experts guide participants through practical AI applications tailored for startup development.

A “mentor connect” service offers one-on-one consultations with experienced business leaders, enabling participants to tap into proven strategies and learn from both successes and setbacks in the entrepreneurial journey, SPA reported.


Crafts training program launched in Asir

Crafts training program launched in Asir
Updated 01 August 2025
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Crafts training program launched in Asir

Crafts training program launched in Asir
  • The program draws inspiration from local heritage
  • The initiative is part of the bank’s efforts to support craft and creative enterprises

ABHA: The Saudi Social Development Bank has launched a crafts training program in Asir, in partnership with Italy’s Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School.

The initiative, which is part of the bank’s specialized training program, offers artisans and freelance professionals training in crafting pieces with copper and gold leaf.

The program draws inspiration from local heritage, particularly UNESCO-recognized Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art, to create high-quality products that meet market demands and foster sustainable economic opportunities.

The launching ceremony featured the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the bank and the Alchimia school. The partnership aims to transfer global expertise to the local market through specialized training programs nationwide, empowering artisans and enhancing competitiveness.

The initiative is part of the bank’s efforts to support craft and creative enterprises. Since its launch in 2023, the bank’s specialized training program has benefited more than 300 participants through 15 programs, resulting in 250 unique products.

It has also helped 30 percent of participants secure financing, and enabled over 150 families working in the cottage industry to expand their operations.


Bargain hunters galore at Madinah International Book Fair

Bargain hunters galore at Madinah International Book Fair
Updated 01 August 2025
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Bargain hunters galore at Madinah International Book Fair

Bargain hunters galore at Madinah International Book Fair
  • Discounted books help make reading accessible to wide range of visitors
  • Move reflects organizers’ commitment to broadening access to knowledge

MADINAH: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission has introduced a dedicated section for discounted books at the Madinah International Book Fair, offering a broad array of publications at prices appealing to all sections of society.

The initiative reflects the fair’s commitment to broadening access to knowledge while reinforcing the value of printed books in an age of rapid digital change.

The discounted section offers readers the chance to explore a diverse collection spanning literature, history, self-development, science and children’s books, including titles in both Arabic and English.

The initiative intends to enrich visitors’ choices and underscore the fair’s inclusive approach to meeting the varied interests of its audience.

Visitor Salma Rashid said: “I love the concept of this section — it makes books accessible to everyone. I picked up this book for just SR30 ($8), which is a great deal.

“While the space isn’t lavishly decorated, the real draw is the chance to discover hidden gems at the book fair without breaking the bank.”

Recognized as one of the fair’s most popular attractions, the section aligns with the commission’s objectives to promote reading and encourage book ownership among families and young readers.

The Madinah International Book Fair is offering a cultural experience until Aug. 4, featuring a rich program of intellectual seminars, interactive workshops and poetry and literary evenings.

Notable local and international writers and thinkers are participating, while the book-signing corner gives readers the opportunity to engage directly with authors and discover their creative journeys.

The lively atmosphere further elevates the status of books and inspires a culture of reading and meaningful dialogue.