BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s trip to Saudi Arabia — Thailand’s first top leadership visit to the Kingdom in three decades — is expected to promote bilateral relations, the Thai government said on Monday.
The Thai prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh for a two-day visit on Tuesday, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The prime minister is scheduled to have an audience and discuss with the crown prince (ways) to strengthen and promote bilateral relations,” Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, spokesperson for the Thai government, said during a media briefing.
“This visit is the (first) government leader-level visit of the two countries … in more than 30 years.”
He added that on his Saudi Arabia trip, the prime minister will be accompanied by the deputy prime minister, foreign minister, energy minister and labor minister.
The Saudi foreign ministry said on Sunday the visit follows “consultations that resulted in convergence of views on various issues of common concern.”
Dr. Sarawut Aree, director of the Muslim Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, told Arab News that normalization of bilateral ties would allow Thailand to again send workers to the Gulf state.
“Thailand definitely wants to normalize the diplomatic relation,” he said. “Thailand sent more than 200,000 laborers to Saudi Arabia each year when they had good relations, and now Saudi Arabia is driving Vision 2030 that focuses on economic (development) and infrastructure with less reliance on oil. So, Thailand can see the opportunity for laborers in Saudi Arabia.”
Aree added that the prime minister’s trip was “like a signal or a formal protocol that will make the improvement of the relationship more concrete.”
Thailand seeks to foster ties with Saudi Arabia during PM’s Riyadh visit
https://arab.news/2v2ww
Thailand seeks to foster ties with Saudi Arabia during PM’s Riyadh visit
- Thai prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh for a two-day visit on Tuesday
- He will be accompanied by the deputy prime minister, foreign minister, energy minister and labor minister
Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign
- The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country
- The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Jood Regions 2 housing campaign has exceeded a total of SR1.4 billion $373 million) in donations and agreements received and made, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country and has received support from King Salman in the form of SR100 million donation, and a SR50 million donation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at strengthening and providing housing stability for 8,690 families.
Noting that the campaign’s donations reflect the cohesion between the leadership and the community, and all parties’ commitment to support sustainable development efforts, minister of municipalities and housing and chairman of the board of trustees of the Sakani Foundation, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, expressed his pride in this national achievement.
Sakani Secretary-General Abdulaziz Al-Kraidis, emphasized that this achievement reflects the power of serving the community and its members’ awareness of the value of contributing to improving each other’s lives.
Al-Kraidis explained that the campaign embodies the commitment of various government, private, and civil society sectors to promoting charitable and housing work.
He said the Sakani Foundation’s continued efforts in strengthening partnerships to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and work toward providing more quality of life-improving programs.
The Wad Al-Iskan platform, another Sakani initiative, which aims to engage all people in supporting and enabling deserving families to obtain adequate housing by submitting contributions online, played a pivotal role in the success of the Jood Regions campaign and enhances social solidarity in Saudi Arabia, according to Al-Kraidis.
The Jood Regions campaign was first launched during Ramadan 2024 to provide more than 10,000 housing units for the most needy families across the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.
The initiative includes events to raise awareness and encourage community participation, bringing together entrepreneurs, leaders and others to ensure citizens can access suitable housing with ease and reliability, fulfilling the goals of developmental housing initiatives.
Al-Najdi Mosque on Farasan Island undergoes phase two restoration in crown prince’s project
- Al-Najdi Mosque will cover an area of 609.15 square meters and will be able to accommodate 248 worshipers
- The mosque, which took 13 years to build, features paintings and inscriptions brought from India
RIYADH: The Al-Najdi Mosque is undergoing phase two restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.
Al-Najdi Mosque, constructed in 1929, is one of the oldest worship sites on Farasan Island in the Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia.
It is currently undergoing restoration as part of the crown prince’s project to open it to the public and to preserve its architectural beauty through plant decorations, artistic formations, and glass voids.
Following the renovation, Al-Najdi Mosque will cover an area of 609.15 square meters and will be able to accommodate 248 worshipers.
The mosque, which took 13 years to build, features paintings and inscriptions brought from India. It is named after Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Tamimi, known as Al-Najdi, the founder of the mosque.
The mosque features a unique pulpit, mihrab, and arches supporting a ceiling adorned with 12 ornate and colorful domes, showcasing a distinctive architectural style, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Najdi Mosque is one of 30 mosques that will be renovated as part of the crown prince’s project, which spans all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.
This includes six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and Jazan. Additionally, one mosque will be renovated in each of the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Al-Qassim.
Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students
- The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively
- Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language
RIYADH: Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University has begun a new initiative to develop the Arabic language skills of non-native speakers on international scholarships at the university.
The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively in various cultural and professional settings, officials at IMSIU told Arab News.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language and its role in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
“This initiative comes within the framework of the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to highlighting the status of the Arabic language and its culture globally,” he said.
“The university is working to employ interdisciplinary academic disciplines to serve the Arabic language and provide language services to government and private sectors, enhancing institutional and cultural communication.”
Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector of IMSIU for education affairs, told Arab News: “Investing in Arabic language education represents a cultural responsibility that requires continuous interaction with changing circumstances of the era.”
“The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to enhance the status of the Arabic language as an essential part of national and cultural identity,” he said.
Dr. Khaled Al-Khara’n, dean of the College of Arabic Language at IMSIU, explained that the initiative targets international scholarship students from around the world.
“It seeks to promote the learning of Arabic as a living language capable of expressing authentic Arab culture,” he said.
“The initiative includes a set of enrichment programs aimed at developing students’ linguistic and creative skills, including training them in creative writing, publishing poetry collections, and engaging them in national and international events.”
Mohammed Al-Ammar, director of the initiative, said that it is part of the university’s efforts to prepare a generation of students proficient in Arabic language skills capable of communicating globally in creative and influential ways.
“IMSIU is working to expand the scope of the Arabic language’s influence academically and culturally, reflecting its commitment to representing national cultural identity,” Al-Ammar said.
“The initiative seeks to build bridges of communication with scholarship graduates to enhance the future impact of the Arabic language in their countries.
“With such steps, IMSIU is contributing to consolidating the status of Arabic as a global language and enhancing its presence in the international cultural scene,” he said.
Faith and festivity shape Ramadan’s final nights
- Whether in the mosque or the marketplace, the last ten nights of Ramadan bring a special rhythm to the Kingdom
- Many focus on worship and prayer, as well as preparations for Eid Al-Fitr
RIYADH: As Ramadan nears its end, the rhythm of life across Saudi Arabia begins to shift. For some, the last ten nights bring an intense focus on worship and prayer, while for others, they are marked by preparations for Eid Al-Fitr, the festival that signals the end of fasting.
The change is noticeable, but how people experience it varies depending on their priorities, routines and even where they live.
“The last ten nights have a different feeling — everything becomes calmer and more peaceful,” said Albendri Al-Majlad, a recent university graduate based in Riyadh.
“Even people’s hearts feel lighter. The atmosphere in mosques is completely different compared to the beginning of Ramadan.
“At first, we are busy with iftars, gatherings and social events, but in the last ten nights, the focus shifts entirely to worship, anticipation and quiet reflection,” she said.
During these final nights, mosques across Saudi Arabia become increasingly crowded as people dedicate themselves to prayer, hoping to witness Laylat Al-Qadr, the Night of Decree.
In Islam, this night is believed to be when God determines the fate of all creation for the coming year, decreeing matters of life, death and destiny.
Because its exact date is unknown, Muslims devote themselves to intense worship throughout the last ten nights in the hope of witnessing its blessings.
For many, this period is marked by additional prayers, including Taraweeh, a set of special evening prayers performed after the evening Isha prayer throughout Ramadan.
Another important form of worship is Qiyam Al-Layl, otherwise known as TaHajjud, a voluntary night prayer that takes place in the final third of the night.
Ali Al-Therwi, a systems engineer based in Jeddah, described how his routine shifts during this period.
“Since these nights might contain Laylat Al-Qadr, I dedicate more time to the prayers of Taraweeh and TaHajjud. I try to spend this holy month making the most of this opportunity,” Al-Therwi said.
“My focus remains on reciting the Qur’an, prayer, fasting, charity and other acts of worship. In general, I’ve noticed that people around me become more engaged in both religious and social activities during this period,” he added.
In addition to worship, many also spend these nights preparing for Eid, bringing a different kind of movement in the city as markets and shopping centers see an influx of shoppers looking for clothing, decorations and sweets.
“When it comes to movement in the city, I’ve noticed that traffic increases in the streets and markets, especially as Eid approaches. People rush to buy gifts, new clothes and food, preparing for the celebrations,” Al-Therwi said.
“The last ten nights feel different from the rest of Ramadan, not only because of the spiritual significance but also because of the excitement leading up to Eid.
“The atmosphere is filled with anticipation, as people are eager to both experience Laylat Al-Qadr and welcome Eid with joy,” he said.
Although the exact date of Eid has not yet been determined, many are already preparing for its arrival while making the most of the final nights of Ramadan — whether through worship, family gatherings or community traditions.
Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness
- Theme for this year’s event is ‘Caring and Sharing,’ highlighting benevolence, empathy and trust
- UN proclaimed the day in 2012
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part in global celebrations for the International Day of Happiness held annually on March 20.
The day was proclaimed by the UN in 2012.
The Kingdom launched the Quality of Life Program in 2018, a key element of Vision 2030, to promote balanced lifestyles and create supportive cultural, recreational and sporting environments that enhance the happiness of Saudi citizens.
The International Day of Happiness highlights the need for global cooperation to improve social, economic and environmental well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The theme for this year’s event is “Caring and Sharing,” highlighting the importance of benevolence, empathy, and trust as vital drivers of both individual and national happiness.
International and regional organizations, civil society and individuals can work through educational activities to promote a shift toward prioritizing human happiness, the SPA added.
