Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat has been the Saudi deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah since his appointment in October 2017.
Dr. Mashat previously served in key roles at several public universities. He was president of the University of Jeddah between June 2016 and October 2017.
Before that, he held several key positions at King Abdul Aziz University (KAU) in Jeddah, where he served for 11 years. His responsibilities included overseeing KAU’s academic and strategic planning, international and institutional accreditations, institutional research and quality assurance. He was also vice president of the development department at KAU between 2013 and 2016.
Dr. Mashat was also dean of admissions and registration and director of the information technology center at KAU. During his tenure, KAU’s position in university world ranking tables improved. Between 2004 and 2013, Dr. Mashat was a part-time consultant for the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques and was involved in the development of the e-government system.
Dr. Mashat holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from KAU, as well as a master’s and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Leeds in the UK.
He visited the Saudi Ministry of Interior’s pavilion at GITEX Technology Week in Dubai on Monday. He was received by Maj. Gen. Fahd bin Zarah, undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Interior for Security Abilities, and was briefed on the contents of the pavilion.
Dr. Mashat was also involved in the the Eatmarna app issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It enables Umrah pilgrims to request permits to enter the Two Holy Mosques and limits capacity according to the Kingdom’s health precautions.
“The Eatmarna application contributes to the process of organizing entry to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, which indicates that the app will continue until after the pandemic, as we expect positive results from the application,” said Dr. Mashat.
Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, Saudi deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah
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Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, Saudi deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah
Saudi, Iraqi defense ministers discuss cooperation in phone call
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman received a phone call from his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Al-Abbasi on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two discussed Saudi-Iraqi relations and cooperation between the two countries in the military and defense fields, SPA added.
They also spoke about regional developments and shared efforts to enhance security and stability in the region and beyond.
Saudi deputy minister and UNRWA chief discuss KSA’s ongoing support for Palestinians
- The two men also discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Phillipe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, in Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people, according to a post by the Foreign Ministry on X.
The two men also discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA.
Separately, Elkhereiji met with the British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Neil Crompton, and they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as prominent developments in the regional and international arenas.
RSAF personnel complete training in US missile defense system
- US-led THAAD program involved operational exercises, combat simulations
- Training part of Kingdom’s strategy to enhance armed forces’ capabilities
RIYADH: A second company from the Royal Saudi Air Force graduated this week after completing their training in an American anti-ballistic missile defense system.
The graduation ceremony, held at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, was attended by Maj. Gen. Pilot Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Rabiah, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Institute commander and other representatives from the two countries.
The US-led program involved technical and operational exercises, combat simulations and advanced field training supervised by representatives of the manufacturers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and military experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Another company of RSAF graduates completed the program last year as part of the Ministry of Defense’s strategy to enhance the capabilities of its forces through professional training.
The THAAD system is considered one of the most advanced and precise methods to tackle ballistic missile threats and has been adopted by the Kingdom as part of its air defense strategy.
Saudi fund signs $10m loan for renewable energy project in Solomon Islands
- Deal will help island nation reduce its reliance on conventional energy
- Since 1974, SaudFund for Development has financed 800 projects worth more than $21bn
RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development on Tuesday signed a $10 million development loan agreement with the Solomon Islands to support a renewable energy project.
The deal was signed by the fund’s CEO Sultan Al-Marshad and the Solomon Islands’ Finance and Treasury Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The project aims to develop renewable energy infrastructure in the country by establishing solar power plants with a total capacity of 35.5 megawatts and energy storage systems.
This will reduce its reliance on conventional energy and support sustainable development goals for economic and environmental growth, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The loan is the fund’s first to the Solomon Islands and demonstrates its commitment to supporting developing countries and small island states in overcoming economic, social and environmental challenges.
Since its foundation in 1974, the fund has financed more than 800 projects worth more than $21 billion in more than 100 countries.
Through its global initiatives, the fund enhances livelihoods, expands access to services and empowers communities, fostering inclusive growth and creating opportunities worldwide.
On the sidelines of the signing, Al-Marshad and his delegation met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. They discussed the fund’s 50-year development efforts and ways to strengthen cooperation.
Five Arabian sand gazelles born in Buraidah Oasis
- Environmental achievement reflects national efforts to resettle wildlife, restore ecological balance in the Kingdom, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources
- Center continues to implement its strategic plans to preserve wildlife and enrich biodiversity in the Kingdom, in line with the SGI, the National Environment Strategy, and Vision 2030
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has announced the birth of five endangered Arabian sand gazelles in the Buraidah Oasis, as part of the center’s breeding and resettlement programs.
This environmental achievement reflects national efforts to resettle wildlife, restore ecological balance in the Kingdom, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The center continues to implement its strategic plans to preserve wildlife and enrich biodiversity in the Kingdom, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative, the National Environment Strategy, and Vision 2030.
