Kuwait and Bahrain congratulate King Salman on successful Hajj 2021

Worshippers perform the farewell tawaf around the Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah on July 22, 2021, marking the end of this year's Hajj. (AFP)
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Updated 22 July 2021
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Kuwait and Bahrain congratulate King Salman on successful Hajj 2021

  • Earlier, Saudi health minister declared the health plan for this year’s Hajj a success
  • Kuwait’s emir praised the expansion works at Makkah’s Grand Mosque

RIYADH: Kuwait and Bahrain on Thursday congratulated King Salman on the success of this year’s Hajj as the annual pilgrimage comes to a close.
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praised the expansion works at Makkah’s Grand Mosque and the development of services that benefit pilgrims and facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals.
The emir asked God to bless the government and people of Saudi Arabia with more progress and prosperity.
In a cable he sent to King Salman, the emir said “The success of this year’s Hajj season was achieved thanks to God Almighty and then the generous care accorded by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his government.”
He added that the Kingdom’s government had contributed to the success with “sincerity and dedication,” especially in light of the challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The King of Bahrain also congratulated King Salman and said that the “the precise and successful organization of this year’s pilgrimage, which coincided with exceptional circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, reflects the extent of the Kingdom’s ability and keenness to assume this sacred responsibility by organizing the major Islamic (Hajj) rites.”
King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa praised the efforts of the Saudi government to organize this year’s Hajj according to precautionary measures that enabled pilgrims to perform the pilgrimage in a safe, comfortable and peaceful manner.
The Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa also congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the success of the Hajj season.
Earlier on Thursday, Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah declared the health plan for this year’s Hajj a success, and said that no COVID-19 infections among pilgrims had been identified.


KSrelief distributes food baskets to displaced people in Lebanon, Sudan and Afghanistan

Updated 15 July 2025
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KSrelief distributes food baskets to displaced people in Lebanon, Sudan and Afghanistan

  • The aid agency distributed 120 food baskets to Afghan refugees who returned from Pakistan and settled in Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing
  • Over the past decade, KSrelief has run thousands of humanitarian initiatives in nearly 92 countries

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed hundreds of food baskets to families in need in Sudan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan as part of ongoing efforts to alleviate the food security crisis in various countries.

KSrelief announced that 4,250 individuals will benefit from 700 food baskets distributed to displaced families affected by the armed conflict in Sudan, specifically in Al-Kamalin district of Gezira state.

In Afghanistan, the aid agency distributed 120 food baskets to Afghan refugees who returned from Pakistan and settled in Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing. At least 720 Afghans benefited from food baskets as part of a dedicated security and emergency project in Afghanistan for the 2025-2026 period.

Approximately 2,785 displaced Syrians living in Lebanon have received 577 food baskets from KSrelief volunteers in the western Beqaa Valley. This initiative is part of a project aimed at distributing food aid to support the most needy families in Lebanon, which has been significantly impacted by drought this summer.

Over the past decade, KSrelief has run thousands of humanitarian initiatives in 92 countries. Since its establishment in 2015, the aid agency has distributed food baskets to numerous countries, including Somalia, Mali, Bangladesh, Libya, and Palestine, among others.


Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector’s growth and heritage

Updated 15 July 2025
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Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector’s growth and heritage

  • Governor praises initiatives as exports hit $453m, production tops 1.9m tonnes
  • Ministry of Culture is also represented with a booth showcasing artisans specializing in palm-based crafts as part of the Year of Handicrafts

RIYADH: Diriyah Gov. Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah has praised the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for developing the date production sector in the Kingdom and enhancing the quality of dates as a national product.

He highlighted the ministry’s support programs for farmers and initiatives that add value to dates, aligning with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

His remarks came during the inauguration of the Diriyah Dates Season and accompanying exhibition, which runs until July 24.

The event, organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, aims to boost the sale of Saudi dates locally and globally, and provide an insight into Diriyah’s heritage through cultural and social activities.

The exhibition features booths for date vendors, processed date products, palm by-products and items from family-run cottage industries. It also has restaurants, cafes, food trucks, workshops for adults and children, a date auction zone and a horse parade.

The Ministry of Culture is also represented with a booth showcasing artisans specializing in palm-based crafts as part of the Year of Handicrafts.

The Kingdom’s palm and date sector is growing rapidly. According to figures from the General Authority for Statistics production surpassed 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, with SR1.7 billion ($453 million) worth of dates exported to 133 countries, up significantly from the previous year.

This growth reflects the Kingdom’s strong production capacity and government efforts to improve quality, expand global outreach and develop supply chains.


Saudi King Salman chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

Updated 15 July 2025
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Saudi King Salman chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, on Tuesday praised the kingdom’s global ranking in the growth of international tourist revenues during the first quarter of 2025.

In its weekly session held in Jeddah, the Council of Ministers said the growth reflects the rapid development witnessed by the tourism sector in the Kingdom. 

The Cabinet also reviewed the Kingdom’s positions on regional and global developments, as well as efforts that achieve mutual interests and benefits, and contribute to addressing global challenges.


City Hub mobile entertainment arrives in Baha

Updated 15 July 2025
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City Hub mobile entertainment arrives in Baha

  • The event has already attracted attention in earlier stops, including Jazan, Alkhobar and Hail

RIYADH: Following the success of the City Hub event in Buraidah, Qassim region, the initiative has now reached Baha as part of a nationwide mobile entertainment tour.

The event has already attracted attention in earlier stops, including Jazan, Alkhobar and Hail, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Organized by the General Entertainment Authority, it runs in Baha until July 25, offering entertainment for all segments of society.

The initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify entertainment and tourism, and improve quality of life, the SPA added.

City Hub in Baha offers live shows, electronic games, educational corners, family zones and food stalls. The event runs daily from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., combining local identity with modern elements to enhance the visitor experience.

The opening day saw strong attendance from residents and visitors, who enjoyed experiences new to the area. Tickets are available through the WeBook app, which also provides the daily schedule and show details, the SPA reported.

City Hub has become a successful model for mobile entertainment across the Kingdom, tailoring each edition to the host city’s character.

Its arrival in Baha reflects the authority’s commitment to diversifying entertainment, promoting local content, and fostering jobs and investment to improve quality of life.


Saudi human rights society praises UN resolution for children’s digital safety

Updated 15 July 2025
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Saudi human rights society praises UN resolution for children’s digital safety

  • Khalid Al-Fakhri, the society’s president, said the resolution marks major progress in strengthening legal and preventive protections for children against digital risks and violations

RIYADH: The National Society for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia welcomed the unanimous adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of a resolution on protecting children in cyberspace.

The society called it a significant step that strengthens international efforts to safeguard children’s rights amid the growing challenges of the digital world, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It noted that the resolution aligns with the global initiative launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to protect children in cyberspace, reflecting a strong commitment to upholding children’s rights in the digital sphere.

Khalid Al-Fakhri, the society’s president, said the resolution marks major progress in strengthening legal and preventive protections for children against digital risks and violations, and establishes an international framework to support countries’ and communities’ efforts in this field.

He stressed that protecting children’s rights is a core priority the society actively supports and promotes, and praised the Kingdom’s mission to the UN and international organizations in Geneva for its role in supporting and engaging with the resolution.

Al-Fakhri highlighted the need to integrate national and international efforts to advance human rights, particularly children’s rights in the digital age, the SPA reported.

The society reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all international and local initiatives to protect children’s rights and raise public and legislative awareness of the dangers of cyberspace.

These efforts, it added, are crucial to ensuring a safe digital environment and advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for a cohesive and secure society.