LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince on Wednesday received a certificate of appreciation for the Arab Development Action Shield 2021 awarded by the Arab League.
Mohammed bin Salman received the honor in “appreciation of his role in promoting the comprehensive development approach in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world,” a statement on Saudi Press Agency said.
He was also awarded for his efforts in “supporting and promoting joint Arab action in all fields to serve the security, stability, growth and prosperity of the region,” it added.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the award on behalf of the crown prince during a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in the Egyptian capital Cairo, on the sidelines of his visit to participate in the 155th regular foreign ministerial meeting of the Arab League Council.
“It gives me pleasure and honor to present today a certificate of appreciation for the Arab Development Action Shield, from the Higher Committee for Coordination of the Arab League, as a certificate of appreciation to Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, in appreciation of his efforts, performance and what he does to serve the Kingdom,” Aboul Gheit said.
“This wise man works for the sake of his nation,” he added.
The Arab League chief said that he hoped the crown prince would receive the shield immediately after the coronavirus pandemic had ended, “but until then, I will present a certificate of appreciation.”
The Arab Development Action Shield is an annual award given by the Arab League to leading and pioneering Arab personalities who have made tangible and influential contributions comprehensively in the field of development, “in order to pave the way for generalizing and benefiting from experiences as widely as possible,” the statement said.
Last year’s recipient was Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Through the award, the Arab League aims to shed light on successful and inspiring Arab role models in the field of development for those interested and working in these fields to benefit from and be inspired by them.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince honored for promoting Arab development
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Saudi Arabia’s crown prince honored for promoting Arab development
- He was awarded for his efforts in supporting and promoting joint Arab action
- Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the award on behalf of the crown prince
Coalition meeting in Riyadh discusses key initiatives to combat extremism
- Meeting was attended by the coalition’s Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi and representatives from member states
- Mansour Al-Qarni, director of intellectual administration of the coalition, presented the Idmaj (Integration) initiative, aimed at developing a model program for rehabilitating individuals affected by extremism
RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition held a meeting in Riyadh on Monday, reviewing initiatives to implement in member states.
The meeting was attended by the coalition’s Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi and representatives from member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Mansour Al-Qarni, director of intellectual administration of the coalition, presented the Idmaj (Integration) initiative, aimed at developing a model program for rehabilitating individuals affected by extremism, focusing on psychological, social, and religious support.
The initiative includes training, capacity-building, consultancy, and specialized courses for professionals in this field, SPA reported.
Abdullah Al-Doh, director of analysis and follow-up in the intellectual administration, discussed the Wa’ee (Awareness) initiative, which produces materials to combat terrorist ideologies, promote moderate Islam, and refute extremist claims.
This initiative also supports the coalition’s efforts against terrorist financing and military operations, according to SPA.
Al-Moghedi reiterated the coalition’s commitment to providing expertise and training to member states in the fight against terrorism.
Saudi rescue teams save drowning swimmer
- The Yemeni man got into trouble in the water while swimming at Al-Sadaf Beach and was rescued by a search-and-rescue team from the Saudi Border Guard
RIYADH: Rescue teams saved a man from drowning off the coast of Alkhobar in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Monday.
The Yemeni man got into trouble in the water while swimming at Al-Sadaf Beach and was rescued by a search-and-rescue team from the Saudi Border Guard.
He was rushed to hospital and is now in good health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The General Directorate of Border Guard urged members of the public to take precaution in the water and not to swim in undesignated areas, and to call 911 in the Makkah and Eastern regions or 994 in other regions in case of emergency.
Authorities bust drug smugglers across Kingdom
RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently reported multiple drug-related arrests and seizures across the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested three citizens in Jouf for selling amphetamine and a Yemeni resident in Najran for the same offense.
Border Guard patrols in Asir’s Al-Raboah sector detained five Yemenis and Ethiopians for smuggling 110 kg of qat.
In Jazan, authorities foiled the smuggling of 140 kg of qat in Al-Aridah and arrested a citizen in Al-Dayer for smuggling 59 kg of hashish.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
Security authorities urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be made to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa. All information will remain strictly confidential.
KSrelief extends aid to thousands in crisis zones
- The Kingdom’s aid to Syria from 2011 has exceeded $856 million in value
- On Monday, a relief plane — the 10th so far — arrived in Damascus from Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief is helping thousands of people through its humanitarian efforts in Syria, Jordan, Gaza, Pakistan, Lebanon, Mali and Afghanistan.
On Monday, a relief plane — the 10th so far — arrived in Damascus from Riyadh, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies for Syrians in need.
The Kingdom’s aid to Syria from 2011 has exceeded $856 million in value, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
In Jordan, KSrelief’s community service center marked Arabic Day at the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees with activities emphasizing its importance as the language of the Qur’an and their mother tongue, including poetry recitations and songs.
In Gaza, KSrelief inspected aid delivered to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization for transport into the enclave. Measures were reviewed to ensure proper delivery to beneficiaries, SPA reported.
In Pakistan, 450 food baskets were distributed in Punjab’s flood-hit Layyah and Kot Addu districts, benefiting 3,150 people.
In Lebanon, KSrelief provided 175,000 bread bags in Akkar governorate and Miniyeh district, aiding 12,500 families of Syrians, Palestinians, and the host community in one week.
In Mali, 350 food baskets were distributed to 1,400 displaced people in Koulikoro region.
In Afghanistan, 660 shelter kits and tents were provided in Nangarhar province, helping 1,980 returnees from Pakistan and flood-affected families.
Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has executed 3,208 projects worth $7.2 billion in 105 countries, collaborating with 458 organizations.
Afghanistan hails Saudi ties as Taliban FM meets Kingdom’s envoy in Kabul
- In 1996-2001, Taliban rule was recognized by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE
- Saudi Embassy in Kabul has been reopened since December
KABUL: Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister has said ties with Saudi Arabia were “invaluable” to the country, following his first meeting with Riyadh’s new envoy in Kabul.
Amir Khan Muttaqi held talks with the Saudi Ambassador to Afghanistan Faisal Torki Al-Buqam on Sunday, less than a month since the Kingdom reopened its embassy in the Afghan capital.
“The meeting underlined matters related to expanding bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia,” Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad said in a statement.
“Welcoming the ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and calling Afghanistan-Saudi relations invaluable and historic, FM Muttaqi underscored the need to increase the exchange of delegations between the two countries.”
Saudi Arabia was among a host of nations that withdrew its diplomats from Kabul in August 2021, following the Taliban’s return to power and the withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan.
Though the Taliban are not officially recognized by any country in the world, Saudi Arabia has joined a number of foreign governments in resuming the work of its diplomatic mission in Kabul.
The Kingdom has been providing consular services for Afghans since November 2021 and resumed sending aid through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center later that same year.
“Our goal is to take advantage of the opportunities available to us,” Zakir Jalaly, director of the second political division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Arab News on Monday.
“We also welcomed the (reopening) of the Saudi embassy and expressed our desire to see increased cooperation between the two countries. Saudi Arabia’s religious, political, and regional position make relations with the country vital for Afghanistan.”
During the first Taliban stint in power in 1996-2001, their administration was recognized by three countries: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Since they retook control of Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has been working to gain international recognition and dealing on a bilateral level with regional countries, including India, China, Central Asian republics, as well as Gulf nations.
“Resuming diplomatic relations with another country like Saudi Arabia means further steps towards legitimacy and recognition of the Islamic Emirate,” Abdul Saboor Mubariz, board member of the Center for Strategic and Regional Studies in Kabul, told Arab News.
“Cooperation between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia can also be enhanced in other areas. For instance, Saudi Arabia needs a human workforce, and Afghanistan can cooperate in this regard in case of an agreement and facilitation of work visas for Afghans … Afghanistan can also encourage Saudi Arabia to invest in the country.”
Azizullah Hafiz, a political science lecturer at the Ghalib University in the western city of Herat, said the Kingdom was a “very important country” at the global and regional level.
“Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan have had very long relations. Like other nations in the Muslim world, Afghans look at Saudi Arabia as a leader of the Islamic world and, therefore, expect an active role from the country in Afghanistan,” Hafiz told Arab News.
Afghans also stand to benefit from critical humanitarian aid and development assistance, particularly through investment in infrastructure projects, he added.
“(The) presence of the Saudi ambassador in Kabul will facilitate direct engagement with the Afghan government and overcome concerns as it will also pave the way for enhanced cooperation in areas such as diplomacy, trade and investment.”