Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque

Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and its Dome of the Rock in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem, Oct. 22, 2024 (AFP)
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Updated 26 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque

Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque
  • Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit and prayer at Al-Aqsa provoked ‘the feelings of Muslims worldwide’
  • The Kingdom also condemns the advance by Israeli occupation forces in southern Syria

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the visit by the Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministry said that the national security minister’s visit and prayer at the Al-Aqsa compound on Thursday morning was a clear violation and provocation of the feelings of Muslims worldwide.

Ben-Gvir has repeatedly contested the Israeli government’s longstanding ban on Jewish prayer at the Al-Aqsa compound, which has been a focal point of tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem is Islam’s holiest site after the mosques in Makkah and Madinah and is a symbol of Palestinian national identity.

The Saudi ministry on Thursday also condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ advance in southern Syria after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in early December.

“The continuation of (Israeli) military operations in Syria is an attempt to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security and stability,” the ministry said in a statement.


New Arabic data governance platform to ‘elevate local talent,’ says Governata co-founder

New Arabic data governance platform to ‘elevate local talent,’ says Governata co-founder
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New Arabic data governance platform to ‘elevate local talent,’ says Governata co-founder

New Arabic data governance platform to ‘elevate local talent,’ says Governata co-founder
  • Governata enables companies to coordinate with the Kingdom’s National Data Management Office, or NDMO, and Saudi Data and AI Authority, or SDAIA, guidelines
  • Djamel Mohand added that the Kingdom was leading in AI through big investments in GPU imports, local data centers and computing power capabilities

RIYADH: A newly launched platform will allow Saudi companies to align their data regulations with national AI policies, supporting local talent, according to the company’s co-founder.

Governata enables companies to coordinate with the Kingdom’s National Data Management Office, or NDMO, and Saudi Data and AI Authority, or SDAIA, guidelines.

All data remains hosted domestically to ensure compliance and cost control.

Governata co-founder, Djamel Mohand, spoke to Arab News about the company’s localization strategy.

Mohand emphasized three advantages for Saudi businesses.

First, on talent development: “They can leverage local talents better,” he said, through locally built software that used government initiatives such as MISK and SDAIA. This enabled “thousands of homegrown data engineers, data specialists and other experts to be involved in improvement of these technologies, not only distribute global tech.”

Second, on organizational adoption: “The localization aspect enables businesses to use this technology across the whole organization,” which Mohand said required a high level of cultural understanding to engage multiple business owners for full impact.

Third, addressing data sovereignty, Mohand said the “local closed-loop setup protects standard solutions, as hosting the data on-premises or in the local cloud has become the norm. However, this is not enough if local businesses want to ensure full data protection.”

Mohand added that the Kingdom was leading in AI through big investments in GPU imports, local data centers and computing power capabilities.

However, he warned: “A bottleneck to enablement will occur if data infrastructure and company management are not aligned.”

Governata claims to address this challenge. Mohand said: “Our mission is to prepare Saudi organizations to leverage all this AI power being created by the country’s leadership.

“As we elevate organizational maturity in data management, we elevate local talent,” he added.

Mohand said that the platform activated “thousands of data scientists, software engineers, integration specialists, domain experts and business managers from Saudi Arabia’s outstanding talent pool” while developing skills internally.


Saudi Arabia launches trial of autonomous vehicles in the capital 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser launches a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser launches a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh.
Updated 23 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches trial of autonomous vehicles in the capital 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser launches a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh.
  • Driverless cars to operate at King Khalid airport and key Riyadh locations in real-world test

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority Saleh Al-Jasser launched a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh on Wednesday. 

It marks a major step toward enabling advanced technology and developing a smart and safe transportation ecosystem in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The initiative supports the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030 goals by adopting sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence.

In this phase, autonomous vehicles will operate in real-world conditions, covering King Khalid International Airport and key locations across Riyadh, including major highways and selected city-center destinations. 

The Transport General Authority is supervising the project. During this stage, vehicles will carry passengers with a safety officer onboard to monitor systems.

Al-Jasser said the launch reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to build a smart, integrated transport system that supports economic growth and improves quality of life.

He added that enabling modern technologies and developing regulatory and operational frameworks are essential to transforming the transport sector. 

The project stems from a partnership between the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Data and AI Authority, and the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

Other key participants include the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, along with private-sector partners Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver. 

Al-Jasser emphasized said the project showcases pioneering public-private partnerships, paving the way for safer and smarter mobility.


Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart

Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart
Updated 23 July 2025
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Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart

Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart
  • Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov delivered the message to Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji received a written message on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan from his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, addressing strengthening ties between Riyadh and Moscow.

Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov delivered to Al-Khuraiji the written message, which discussed ways to strengthen ties in various fields, at the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov reviewed bilateral relations and discussed topics of common interest between the two countries.


Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school

Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school
Updated 23 July 2025
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Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school

Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ministries of culture and education have launched an Arts and Culture Academy, the first government-run school of its kind in the Kingdom. 

The initiative aims to identify and develop talented young people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. 

In its inaugural year, the academy will operate in Riyadh and Jeddah, admitting students in the fourth grade of primary school and first grade of intermediate school.

The academy combines accredited academic curricula with specialized cultural programs in a stimulating and enriching learning environment, the SPA added. 

Initially, it will target students with talent in drawing, acting, music and singing. The plan is to expand to all educational levels and regions of the Kingdom. 

Students will follow the standard Ministry of Education curriculum alongside intensive cultural programs in a balanced daily schedule. 

The school day is divided into two sessions: morning for academic work and afternoon for cultural activities, according to the SPA. 

The academy will open in the 2025/2026 academic year at Al-Nakheel district in Riyadh for boys, and Al-Sheraa district in Jeddah for girls.

Admission has three stages: online registration, performance evaluation and interview, and admission notification. Students are admitted based on seat availability.

Students can apply at: engage.moc.gov.sa/cultural-talents-schools/#faq.


Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha

Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha
Updated 23 July 2025
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Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha

Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha
  • The program emphasizes the preservation of artifacts and responsible engagement with cultural heritage

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission launched the Little Explorer program in Abha, aiming to connect younger generations with the Kingdom’s heritage and introduce them to elements of national cultural identity.

Running until July 26 at Al-Muftaha Village, the event encourages curiosity and appreciation for heritage among children through interactive educational activities. It includes cultural, artistic, sports, and adventure events, as well as workshops.

The program emphasizes the preservation of artifacts and responsible engagement with cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Little Explorer is one of the commission’s key initiatives to promote national identity and build a generation that values heritage. It is designed for young audiences, combining scientific knowledge with interactive learning.

Participants learn the basics of archeology, artifact handling, and excavation through practical tools and realistic simulations, allowing creative and hands-on interaction with heritage.