Iran denounced for Houthi support after attack targeting Makkah

The Grand Mosque in Makkah, Islam's holiest city.
Updated 30 October 2016
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Iran denounced for Houthi support after attack targeting Makkah

JEDDAH: Iran was roundly condemned on Friday over its support for Houthi militia which on Thursday night launched a missile towards Makkah, Islam’s holiest city. Saudi ground defenses intercepted the ballistic missile before it reached the holy city. 

“We seek peace and they seek war; we look for the stability of Yemen and the region, and they look for destruction and sedition, and reaffirm they are a menace to the world peace,” Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek Al-Mekhlafi said.
 
“This irresponsible act reveals the true face of the Houthi militias and proves its sectarian strife driven by Iran, through their puppets in the region, which has been campaigning a sectarian incitement recently against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” a Yemeni government official said in a statement sent to Arab News on Friday, adding that the attack and the recklessness of Houthi militias and Saleh forces reflect their association with the destructive Persian scheme against Arabs, and all Muslims as well as sacred Muslim shrines.

“This criminal act is a provocation to the feelings of more than one billion Muslims around the world. It will not deter the Kingdom from its bid to rout out whoever tries to undermine the security and stability of the country and its citizens,” said Shoura Council speaker Abdullah Al-Ashiekh. He called on world parliaments, particularly those in the Islamic states, to condemn this aggression and whoever is behind it. 
 
The Shoura Council stands in solidarity with all measures the Saudi government takes to ensure the country’s safety and stability, he added.

GCC head Abdullatif Al-Zayani said in a statement issued Friday: “The council considers this brutal assault, which violates that sanctity of this country, a provocation to the feelings of Muslims, and disregard for Islamic holy sites, and evidence of Houthis’ refusal to obey the will of the international community and its decisions, to apply the existing armistice, and tireless efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis in Yemen.”
 
OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani said: “It is an attack on all Muslims around the world because of the reverence and status of the holy city for all Muslims.” 

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed said on his Twitter account: “The Iranian regime that support a terrorist group which targets Holy Makkah, is this an Islamic regime as it claims?”

Bahrain also condemned the Houthis’ action against Makkah, saying that this was an act of provocation to all Muslims in the world.
Bahrain Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmad Al Khalifah said: “Targeting Makkah is not only a violation of all international covenants, but it’s the biggest crime ever.”
 
Qatar also condemned and denounced the attempt to attack Makkah. “This is an outrageous aggression against the sanctity of the holiest Islamic shrine and a provocation to the religious sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world,” the Qatari foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Qatari statement reiterated support for Saudi Arabia’s relentless efforts to ensure the regional security and stability and its efforts to achieve peace in Yemen in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the GCC initiative and the Yemeni National Dialogue.
 
Lebanese Ambassador Abdul Sattar Issa to Saudi Arabia said he found the attack “unacceptable to target one of the two holiest places in Islam.”
 
Coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al-Assiri said: “Targeting the holiest place on earth with a ballistic missile last night reveals the fake slogans of Houthi militias.” 

Al-Assiri reiterated the coalition’s preparedness to deal with Houthi aggression and to “cut the snake’s head” and defeat this terrorist militia.
 
The missile, which was shot down 65km from Makkah, was a SCUD, Al-Assiri confirmed. He said Iranian and Hezbollah individuals had trained the Houthi militia on how to use these missiles. 
 
Jet fighters attacked the rocket launchers in Saada, Yemen, and destroyed them. European and Asian diplomats also condemned the targeted attack.
 
Geert Criel, the Belgian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said: “We are shocked by the attack on the Saudi territory by the Houthi militias... This is absolutely unacceptable.”
 
Pekka Voutilainen, Finland's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said: “It is not acceptable. That kind of missile attack to Saudi soil has to be condemned in the strongest possible words.” He also called on all stakeholders to get involved in peace talks according to the UN road map on Yemen.
 
Manzoor Ul Haq, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Riyadh, said the attack targeting Makkah is “shocking for every Muslim.”
“We strongly condemn any attack against the Holy city of Makkah or any other part of the Kingdom,” he said. “We are confident that Saudi Arabia is capable to defend its territory,” he said, exuding hope that such attacks are not repeated.
 
Disturbed over the attempted missile attack, Golam Moshi, Bangladesh's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News that his country strongly condemns the act.
 
“This is not an attack on Saudi Arabia, it is a wilful aggression on Islam,” he said. “Under the able leadership of Premier [Sheikh] Hasina, Bangladesh is prepared to send its troops to protect the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah,” the envoy said, recalling that his country is one of the partners of the Coalition Forces led by the Kingdom.

Bahrain’s king receives Saudi minister of state in Manama

Updated 25 sec ago
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Bahrain’s king receives Saudi minister of state in Manama

  • King Hamad conveyed greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz in Manama on Wednesday.

Prince Turki conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

King Hamad, who welcomed Prince Turki and his delegation at Al-Safriya Palace, highlighted the strong ties between Riyadh and Manama, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

King Hamad also conveyed his greetings to King Salman and the crown prince, the SPA added.


Makkah developing smart solutions to counter natural disasters 

Makkah municipality is planning to develop several AI and other smart solutions to help mitigate natural disasters.
Updated 51 min 34 sec ago
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Makkah developing smart solutions to counter natural disasters 

  • Plan includes improving efficiency and operational capabilities of the city’s control room

RIYADH: Makkah municipality is planning to develop several artificial-intelligence and other smart solutions to help mitigate natural disasters, particularly flooding, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The municipality recently signed an agreement with a specialist company to develop these technical solutions, which includes improving the efficiency and operational capabilities of the city’s control room.

In addition, the plan is to enhance governance frameworks that support quality and sustainability goals, and accelerate digital transformation initiatives within the city.

Key features of this collaboration include the development of a smart system for infrastructure monitoring. The Makkah region has experienced heavy rainfall regularly this year. 

By improving service efficiency, boosting infrastructure safety, and leveraging technology, the city aims to significantly enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the SPA reported.

Earlier this year the municipality expanded e-services and applications, and developed the city’s infrastructure with multi-level parking lots, and technology-operated facilities.

As a result, Makkah is now ranked 52nd in the global Smart City Index, fifth in the Arab world, and second in the Kingdom after Riyadh. 

All these services are contributing to a sustainable urban environment in Makkah, according to the municipality.

Makkah’s new developments are also aimed at enhancing services for the increasing number of pilgrims and visitors traveling to the holy city.


Digital clinic to open new horizons for autism care in Saudi Arabia

Updated 59 min 48 sec ago
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Digital clinic to open new horizons for autism care in Saudi Arabia

  • Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz: ‘This is just the beginning of our plans’

RIYADH: Following the success of the Taif Aziz Caravan for people with autism, the Society of Autism Families is gearing up for the launch of the Kingdom’s first digital clinic powered by a team of experts, doctors, and specialists.

The Taif Aziz Caravan was the first of its kind to travel across Saudi Arabia. Launched by the Society of Autism Families in June 2023, it offered integrated healthcare services to those with autism spectrum disorder and their families, as well as specialized medical consultations and free services.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Taif Aziz Caravan raised awareness about early detection of autism spectrum disorder.

The convoy lasted nearly four months, covering about 12,000 km and visiting 53 cities in the Kingdom. The initiative earned the Society of Autism Families the International Excellence Award in Corporate Social Responsibility in London recently.

Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the organization, told Arab News: “This award holds immense importance for social work worldwide. Winning it for our innovative Taif Aziz Caravan project is a well-deserved recognition of the association's exceptional community contributions.”

Introducing the digital clinic project, he said: “Our work is ongoing and boundless, driven by a passionate commitment to serve.”

He went on to say that the Digital Autism Clinic will provide rehabilitative, medical, and therapeutic services to people with autism across the Kingdom. “This is just the beginning of our plans for greater advancements in this field, God willing.”

The organization’s digital platform allows beneficiaries to easily register and access all available services.

“No pioneering project is without its challenges. However, we tackle these obstacles with well-established strategies and meticulous planning,” Prince Saud said, noting that despite challenges, the convoy achieved its goal within a short timeframe, ensuring the necessary support, and conducting comprehensive social and psychological assessments.

“Awareness empowers society to embrace diversity and enhances the quality of life for everyone. Community understanding is fundamental to supporting individuals with autism effectively,” he added.

The association actively promotes awareness through various initiatives and projects, “as we recognize the significant impact of community awareness about autism spectrum disorder and its profound effect on various areas of life,” the chairman said.

Noting the collaborative efforts taking place in the Kingdom to uplift communities, Prince Saud said: “In Saudi Arabia, collaboration between institutions from all sectors — governmental, private, and nonprofit — is a hallmark of our approach to achieving collective progress.

“I take this opportunity to thank our partners across these sectors for their unwavering support. Together, we achieve both impact and development.”

The Society of Autism Families raises awareness through various initiatives, including high-quality media productions such as the play “Sala 4” in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the world’s first 3D series on autism, under the supervision of a team of specialists, as well as the production of the first song in the world featuring people with autism, among other initiatives.

“Continuous presence and active participation in major events, exhibitions, and conferences, along with social media platforms, are key mechanisms for highlighting inspiring real-life stories and advocating for change,” Prince Saud added.

According to the association's website, autism spectrum disorder refers to a collection of conditions marked by difficulties in social skills, repetitive behaviors, and non-verbal communication, alongside unique strengths and differences.

The site explains that autism is not a single condition but a spectrum of diverse types, shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which influence each individual in a distinct way.

The term “spectrum” highlights the vast diversity in the challenges and strengths each child with this disorder may exhibit. While the most noticeable traits typically emerge between the ages of two and three, in some instances, early diagnosis can occur as young as 18 months.

The WHO reported that one in every 160 children worldwide is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.


Riyadh symposium explores challenges in theater training

Updated 25 December 2024
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Riyadh symposium explores challenges in theater training

  • This year’s festival features 20 performances selected by experts, reflecting the diversity of Saudi theater and its developmental initiatives

RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival, organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University until Dec. 26.

A dialogue symposium at the festival explored challenges and opportunities in theatrical training in the Arab world, focusing on issues such as limited specialized programs, financial constraints, and cultural barriers.

Participants emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between Arab countries to support training, research, and the role of theater in education and public awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The symposium also highlighted the importance of innovative educational programs that foster skill development and produce tangible results in the performing arts.

Sultan Al-Bazie, CEO of the commission, called the festival a cornerstone for advancing theater in the Kingdom and raising public awareness of the performing arts.

This year’s festival features 20 performances selected by experts, reflecting the diversity of Saudi theater and its developmental initiatives.

It supports Saudi talent and enhances the Kingdom’s presence on regional and international stages. The event will conclude with awards for outstanding performers.


Saudi authorities seize drugs, arrest two suspects in Riyadh

Updated 25 December 2024
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Saudi authorities seize drugs, arrest two suspects in Riyadh

  • Authorities sezied 35 kg of hashish and 32,338 controlled medical tablets

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s drug control authority seized quantities of narcotics and arrested two suspects for drug promotion in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control reported the seizure of 35 kg of hashish, 32,338 controlled medical tablets, as well as amphetamine and methamphetamine drugs.

It said that it had arrested two suspects in the case — a Syrian resident and a national — in Riyadh’s region, and referred them to prosecution, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi security authorities are urging people to report any activities related to drug smuggling or promotion by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.

Alternatively, information can be emailed to [email protected]. All reports are treated in confidence.