RIYADH: The Cabinet on Monday threw its support to the Arab finance ministers in their call for diversification of income sources and to promote inter-Arab investments during their meeting in Rabat.
The Cabinet also gave their support for the finance ministers’ urging to improve the regional business environment, enhance regional economic integration and attract foreign investments.
The Cabinet’s endorsement occurred during its regular weekly meeting presided over by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace.
Members also focused on the Kingdom’s permanent position at the UN Security Council in its support to the Palestinian people to obtain their rights including self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the occupied Palestine lands, including Al-Quds, in accordance with the UN Charter and its resolutions. They also formally recalled for the record the Kingdom’s call for the Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands and to stop building settlements on the Palestinian lands since they are illegal settlements and detrimental to peace.
In other matters, the Cabinet expressed Kingdom’s thanks to the Iraqi government for its efforts in releasing the kidnapped Qataris and two Saudis.
Cabinet members also expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terror attacks at a military base in Afghanistan, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, and another one that killed a police officer in Paris.
Locally, the Cabinet expressed thanks and appreciation to King Salman for issuing royal decrees on the new appointments in a number of government agencies.
The Cabinet said the restoration of the suspended or canceled financial allowances for civil servants and military personnel, based on the recommendation of deputy crown prince, demonstrated the king’s willingness to care for the public.
The king expressed thanks and appreciation to former officials for welcoming the newly-appointed officials.
The Cabinet also lauded the king’s directives on the establishment of the national security center and the payment of two months’ salary for participants in the frontlines of the “decisive storm” and “restoration of hope” operations of the personnel of the ministries of interior, defense, national guard and public intelligence.
The Cabinet also praised the king’s decision on ending exams of the second term for general and higher education before the start of the holy month of Ramadan. The decision, the Cabinet said, showed cohesion between the leadership and citizens.
Later, the Cabinet approved a series of decisions.
The Cabinet approved a memo of understanding between the ministries of health of Saudi Arabia and South Korea for cooperation in the health areas.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of labor and social development to discuss with the South Africa a draft memo of understanding on labor issues between two countries.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of transport and board chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to sign two draft agreements between Saudi Arabia and the governments of Benin and Djibouti in the area of air transport services.
The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement on sea transport and seaports between the Saudi and Egyptian governments.
The Cabinet approved a memo of understanding for cooperation in agricultural areas between the Saudi and Egyptian ministries of agriculture.
The Cabinet agreed that the appointment of members of board of directors of Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), who represent the government including board chairman and his deputy, be made through the general assembly of the company.
The Cabinet agreed the continuation of payment of overtime work for those occupying health jobs in hospitals, medical centers and labs at 20 percent for three years.
The Cabinet approved amendments on some articles of the Officer Service System.
Saudi Cabinet throws its support for inter-Arab investments
Saudi Cabinet throws its support for inter-Arab investments
Saudi FM receives phone call from UK foreign secretary
- The UK foreign secretary is on a visit to the region and he met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday
- On Sunday, Lammy met separately with Kuwait’s prime minister and crown prince during a visit to Kuwait
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs David Lammy on Sunday.
During the call, they reviewed Saudi-British relations and discussed developments in the region and efforts being made with regard to them, the Saudi foreign ministry said.
The UK foreign secretary is on a visit to the region and he met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday. The meeting marked the restoration of British-Syrian relations after 14 years of tensions during Syria’s conflict and Assad family rule.
On Sunday, Lammy met separately with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah during a visit to Kuwait.
Saudi author brings stories closer to home
- Kendah Jambi has turned to local folklore and southern Saudi Arabia for her next novel
RIYADH: When Saudi writer Kendah Jambi released “The Epic of Frost” in 2024, she wrapped up a fantasy trilogy that had been nearly a decade in the making.
Spanning three titles published by Adab Book — “The Voyagers” (2021), “The Historian” (2023), and “The Epic of Frost” (2024) — the trilogy reflects a growing interest in Arabic speculative fiction and highlights her steady rise within the Kingdom’s evolving literary scene.
With the series complete, the 25-year-old has turned the page with a new project: “Khalil,” a standalone novel rooted in Saudi heritage and slated for release this year.
Reflecting on her journey, she told Arab News: “In comparison to when I first started, it has definitely become a lot easier to write and complete a novel in shorter amount of time.”
Her works have resonated with readers across Saudi Arabia who seek her out at the region’s various book fairs. Jambi said that she is touched by the kindness they express and their connection to her works. “I have young authors flooding my socials daily talking about how my work inspired them to write and stay persistent.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Kendah Jambi’s ‘The Voyager’ fantasy trilogy gained momentum through its Manga Arabia adaptation.
• The writer’s next project ‘Khalil’ is a stand-alone novel rooted in Saudi heritage and slated for release this year.
• Her works have resonated with readers across Saudi Arabia who seek her out at the region’s various book fairs.
She added that her goal has always been “to make the world fall in love with the Arabic language.”
Her trilogy also gained momentum through its Manga Arabia adaptation, which Jambi said brought new attention to the original novels.
This, she said, brings the story full circle as “The Voyagers” was written originally to be a manga series and ended up becoming a novel.
Her advice to aspiring writers is grounded in experience: “Always chase what you believe in, no matter how long it takes. It took me seven years to write my first book, and I never regret taking my time,” she said.
While her earlier work leaned heavily into fantasy, her upcoming novel “Khalil” represents a shift in setting and tone.
“‘Khalil’ takes place in our modern-day Saudi Arabia across different regions. It reflects our heritage and traditions while being completely inspired by Arabian mythology,” she explained.
One such reimagining involves the folklore figure “Um Al-Saaf wa Al-Leef,” whom she described as “a witch who sits atop palm trees and eats children.”
In Jambi’s version, the character is still a deranged witch, but she does not eat children — instead, she has children named Al-Saaf and Al-Leef.
Jambi emphasized the importance of cultural accuracy in portraying southern Saudi characters, noting that her work “stays true to the people … I definitely made sure of that with help from friends native to that region.
“The characters are people whom Saudi readers can relate to as they hold similar values and have a familiar upbringing,” she added.
Explaining the shift from fantasy to a narrative more grounded in reality, Jambi said: “My pen is free and can go wherever it wants.”
She sees the current moment in Saudi Arabia as particularly significant for writers, with growing cultural initiatives under Vision 2030.
Maram Al-Samman, who read Jambi’s trilogy, told Arab News: “I see in Kendah Jambi a new and promising voice in Arabic fantasy literature … There are some moments that might lack narrative coherence, but her boldness in introducing new ideas and her creation of complex characters distinguish her work.”
Reflecting on her overall impression, Al-Samman added: “Personally, I believe her writing is worth reading, especially for those who enjoy novels that expand the imagination and open the door to deep thought.”
With the trilogy and her upcoming standalone novel sharing the same narrative universe, Jambi has created an expansive literary ecosystem where the fantastical and the familiar coexist.
Eastern region governor receives Thailand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- The officials discussed topics of common interest
DAMMAM: Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Eastern Region, received Thailand’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Dam Bontam, in Dammam on Sunday.
During the meeting, the officials discussed topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Separately, Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahyah Al-Qahtani presented his credentials to the country’s president, Mohamed Muizzu, at his office.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the historic Saudi-Maldives partnership,” the Saudi Embassy wrote in a post on X on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia enhances pilgrimage journey with record growth, satisfaction
- New report reveals 101% increase in arrivals, improved services, and seamless pilgrim experiences
RIYADH: The Pilgrim Experience Program, a key initiative under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, issued its 2024 annual report, showing a 101 percent increase in arrivals compared with 2022 — an achievement attributed to cross-sector integration and streamlined procedures facilitating pilgrimages.
The report highlighted the program’s and its affiliated entities’ achievements in enhancing services for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, showing the Kingdom’s efforts to provide a rich, seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience from planning to safe return.
According to the report, in 2024 more than 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, exceeding the year’s targets.
It noted that 89 initiatives, implemented with more than 40 government entities, achieved a 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives cover all stages of the pilgrim journey, including transport, rituals, and visits to historical and religious sites.
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah and chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program committee, said that the Saudi leadership has prioritized serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a key goal of Vision 2030.
Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah hosted more than 13 million visitors in 2024, up from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction rose from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting improved service quality and experience.
Volunteer engagement grew significantly, with more than 153,000 volunteers serving pilgrims in 2024, up from 15,000 in 2022 — showing a stronger culture of social participation.
Internationally, the program led 33 overseas visits with public and private partners, addressing logistical challenges, opening new routes, increasing seat capacity and easing travel for pilgrims.
The Hajj and Umrah minister emphasized that these achievements result from the efforts of more than 40 partner organisations, each working with a sense of religious and national duty.
Globally, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah climbed to seventh in the global tourism performance index, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading spiritual and cultural destination.
The report also highlighted advances in digital services, notably the Nusuk platform, which now offers more than 100 services to streamline travel, booking, and pilgrimage arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Makkah Route initiative, designed to expedite travel procedures for pilgrims in their home countries, has benefited more than 940,000 travelers since its inception.
The report concluded by emphasizing that these milestones reflect the support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the efforts of various government agencies.
It reaffirmed that serving pilgrims remains a top national priority, with continued innovation and integration to enhance their religious and cultural journey in line with Vision 2030 aspirations.
Baha’s farms cultivate more than crops as tourism grows
- Region is home to 23 licensed rural farms
- More are expected as part of broader effort by Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to license up to 50 farms across Baha
RIYADH: Tucked into Saudi Arabia’s mountainous southwest, Baha’s rural farms are drawing travelers looking for a slower pace of life.
Fruit picking, farming and rustic charm meet Saudi hospitality in the growing tourism trend.
The region is home to 23 licensed rural farms, with more expected as part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to license up to 50 farms across Baha, the Saudi Press Agency said in a report.
The growth is part of a national initiative to promote agritourism and rural development, with farms contributing to the local economy by combining agriculture with heritage-based tourism.
The ministry has supported this development by distributing 15,000 seedlings of crops suited to the region, including blackberries, pistachios, saffron, roses and strawberries.
Seven demonstration fields have been set up as models for successful farming, and small farms have been developed to host agritourism activities, including fruit picking, livestock care and tree planting.
Five agritourism workshops and several entrepreneurial training sessions have been held for farm owners. The ministry has also conducted 25 workshops on licensing procedures and 114 field visits to facilitate agricultural licensing processes.
The licensed farms span various governorates and offer a range of experiences that combine traditional hospitality with the region’s agriculture and cultural identity.
Visitors can sample local cuisine, take part in agricultural activities, and explore handicrafts and social traditions.
During the summer, the farms produce a variety of fresh fruits, including grapes, figs, apricots, pomegranates, blackberries, prickly pears and peaches.
