RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Culture, at the Riyadh Front Expo, is featuring a pavilion that recounts the cultural history of the Two Holy Mosques.
Visitors can learn about the Qur’an, the history of the architecture of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, and the written heritage associated with both.
Ahmed Al-Showair, who supervises the pavilion, said: “We are showcasing the Kingdom’s efforts to serve the Two Holy Mosques and highlighting these blessed works by making this legacy a cultural beacon from which Arab and Islamic nations may draw inspiration.”
Copies of the Holy Qur’an, some of which are 90 years old, are placed in the corners of the pavilion, in addition to the presidency’s copies of scientific publications and booklets, which are distributed to visitors.
Al-Showair praised the recent efforts of the Kingdom, as the book fair is an extension of others that started a long time ago throughout the country, highlighting its role in promoting cultural enrichment.
The fair will see the participation of 1,000 publishing houses, but it is the books coming from the 28 international publishing houses that have drawn the most interest.
Riyadh book fair shine focus on history of Two Holy Mosques, Islamic heritage
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Riyadh book fair shine focus on history of Two Holy Mosques, Islamic heritage
- The fair will see the participation of 1,000 publishing houses
Body of Saudi boy who fell into river in Turkiye recovered
- The body was recovered following an extensive six-day search by Turkish rescue teams
- Media reports said the boy, 9, fell into Haldizen Creek during a family holiday in Trabzon
BEIRUT: Search and rescue teams in Turkiye recovered the body of a nine-year-old Saudi boy on Saturday morning, six days after he reportedly fell into Haldizen Creek in Uzungol region.
The Saudi Embassy in Turkiye confirmed in a statement on X that the body of the boy was recovered following extensive searches by Turkish rescue teams over the past few days, and that the required procedures are underway in coordination with the family and the pertinent authorities.
The boy, who media reports have identified as Faysal Ramzi Al-Sheikh, is believed to have been spending a holiday with his family in Trabzon province when he went missing.
It was reported that he was beside one of the steep banks of the creek when he slipped into the river due to heavy rainfalls which had upped the level of the river water.
In its statement on X, the Saudi Embassy said: “May God have mercy on him … the embassy, in coordination with his family and the competent Turkish authorities, will complete the required procedures.”
It expressed its deep condolences to the family, adding it “sincerely thanks the Turkish authorities for their great efforts in searching for the deceased … and recovering his body.”
Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market
- The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares
- Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant
RIYADH: Madinah has solidified its position as the Kingdom’s largest producer of organic aromatic plants, contributing 78 tonnes — 26.4 percent of the national total of 296 tonnes.
This reflects the region’s strong agricultural productivity and its key role in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce detailed the national landscape, showing Qassim as the second-largest producer with 15.9 percent, followed by Riyadh with 14.9 percent and Jazan with 14.7 percent.
Together, these four regions account for approximately 72 percent of the Kingdom’s total organic medicinal and aromatic plant production, the SPA reported.
The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares, followed by Qassim with 36, Riyadh with 35, and Jazan with 34 hectares — underscoring strong regional competition in the sector.
Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant, valued for its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, according to the SPA.
Its cultivation is deeply rooted in the region’s agricultural heritage and presents attractive investment opportunities at various scales.
Other aromatic plants grown in Madinah include basil, henna, and moringa.
The report also highlighted broader investment opportunities within the aromatic plant production sector.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to provide financial support for Syrian state employees
- Kingdom to remain one of main backers to Syria in path for reconstruction and economic recovery, FM said
- Several visits to follow in coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments: Prince Faisal
DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Saturday that the Kingdom will offer with Qatar joint financial support to state employees in Syria.
His statements came during a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani in Damascus, who welcomed the foreign minister and his delegation on his arrival in the Syrian capital.
“The Kingdom will provide, with Qatar, joint financial support to state employees in Syria,” Prince Faisal said.
Syria and Saudi Arabia had previously discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in the financial sectors.
Prince Faisal referred to his country’s role in helping to lift economic sanctions on Syria, saying that Saudi Arabia would continue to be one of the main backers to Syria in its path for reconstruction and economic recovery.
He said he was being accompanied with a high-level economic delegation from the Kingdom to “hold talks (with the Syrian side) to bolster aspects of cooperation in various fields.”
Several visits would then follow in the coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors, he said.
The Kingdom and Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the stability and development of Syria, highlighting their shared historical and fraternal ties with the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two countries stressed the importance of improving living conditions and promoting economic and social stability in Syria.
They also expressed a strong desire to work in coordination with the international community and development partners to ensure sustainable, effective support through a comprehensive and unified vision, SPA added.
Prince Faisal also met with interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Saturday during his visit and “the high-level economic delegation” held talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating “that contribute to supporting Syria’s economy and strengthen institution building.”
On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country.
The European Union also recently lifted economic sanctions on Syria.
In February, Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president.
Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria’s debt to the World Bank totaling roughly $15 million.
Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community.
Years of war and sanctions have battered the country’s economy, infrastructure and industry.
A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria’s “lost GDP” during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion.
Prince Faisal first visited Syria’s new authorities in January.
* With AFP
Kingdom extends aid to global communities
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,155 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Baidoa district, Bay region, benefiting 6,930 people.
KSrelief also signed an agreement with the International Wars and Disaster Victims’ Protection Association to operate the third phase of the dialysis center at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, benefiting 665 individuals.
In Yemen, the agency distributed 3,471 food packages to the neediest groups in Al-Madinah district, Marib governorate, benefiting 24,297 people.
KSrelief signed an agreement with a civil society organization to distribute 800 tonnes of dates in Chad. The $2 million initiative aims to support vulnerable families across several regions and is expected to benefit about 500,000 people.
The agency implemented the two-week Saudi Noor program in Burkina Faso to combat blindness and related diseases. KSrelief’s medical team examined 8,000 individuals, distributed 2,000 eyeglasses, provided medication to 3,886 patients, and performed 800 surgeries as part of the initiative.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 318 organizations.
Kingdom arrests 12,129 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,129 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 7,127 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,441 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,561 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,197 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 63 percent were Ethiopian, 34 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 90 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 18 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
