RIYADH: The Training College at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) recently concluded a seminar on combating money laundering and financing terrorism, at the university’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Jamaan Rashid ben Ragosh, president of the NAUSS, and the director of the General Department of Financial Investigation at the Ministry of Interior, Maj. Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Maghlouth, attended the event organized to the benefit of judges and notaries from Saudi Arabia.
Ben Ragosh briefed the participants on the latest developments in the field of combating money laundering and financing terrorism, to raise their awareness about the developments in the security and justice arena.
He said: “The issue of fighting money laundering and combating terrorism is of utmost significance of the university, which has conducted a considerable number of activities concerning these crimes in cooperation with the relevant international institutions, including holding a number of seminars and conferences.”
Ben Ragosh said the program has been successful and attracted a group of Arab and international experts who helped reach the desired goals.
He expressed hope that the recommendations, discussions and exchange of experience in combating the above-mentioned crimes will contribute to combating them.
The seminar explained the concept of money laundering and financing terrorism, as well as their effect on the society, and introduced provisions and procedural aspects used to combat money laundering, clarifying the role of the Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SAFIU) in the fight against these two crimes.
It also clarified the role of financial institutions in combating these crimes, and the various traditional and technical methods used in this fight, and identified the international rules governing Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) activities.
Money laundering and financing terrorism continue to be a source of global concern despite international, regional and national instruments, which include many conventions and laws that have established the framework within which the efforts of states and organizations in this direction are coordinated.
Money laundering operations have been conducted through the banking system, which makes the operation quite easy; hence the need for awareness and for respect for national and international instruments controlling such operations.
Naif Arab University concludes seminar on combating money laundering, financing terrorism
Naif Arab University concludes seminar on combating money laundering, financing terrorism
KSrelief delivers solar energy equipment to boost Hadhramaut technical education
HADHRAMAUT: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief delivered solar energy equipment on Saturday to the coastal office here of the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training.
This initiative is a part of the “Program for Development of Technical and Vocational Institutes in Hadhramaut,” in collaboration with the UN Development Programme and the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Dr. Salem Bajaber, director-general of the ministry’s office, praised KSrelief’s efforts and said the equipment would introduce a new specialization in renewable energy at the region’s technical institutes.
This initiative is expected to empower young people, support research in renewable energy, and create jobs.
The project is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support the country’s economic recovery.
Saudi OIC representative receives special envoy on Islamophobia
- The meeting reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation received on Monday the special envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Islamophobia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani welcomed Mehmet Pacaci, who was recently appointed to the role, in the Makkah region.
Pacaci assumed the brief after a decision by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, in a recent meeting in Cameroon.
The discussions included the envoy’s responsibility and future efforts to implement the OIC decisions regarding measures to combat Islamophobia.
There is a growing hostility towards Islam that threatens the principles of tolerance and global coexistence, SPA noted.
This comes in addition to the widespread animosity and hatred towards minorities, especially Muslims, perpetuated by extremist groups that promote such hatred, the report said.
The meeting also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations, it added.
Saudi Arabia’s cultural renaissance under spotlight at Riyadh forum
- Muntada gathering brings together 24 creatives to explore facets of Kingdom’s arts and culture developments
RIYADH: A five-day cultural forum organized by Fenaa Alawwal in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, and co-curated by Afikra, is exploring the theme “Introspection: the role of contemporary art practices in a time of change.”
The inaugural Muntada Forum of Contemporary Art Practices opened on Sunday night and will have five panel discussions during its run until Sept. 19.
There are 24 creatives exploring a diverse range of topics, which includes the role of Saudi Arabia’s artists in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.
There will be discussions on Saudi Arabia’s youth culture involving music, street art and fashion; the role of art professionals: navigating creativity in a structural setup; cultural hubs: the emergence of urban art districts; and the intersection of food and art.
The bumper-to-bumper traffic in Riyadh was not a deterrent for art enthusiasts, curators and interested locals from attending the opening at the building built in 1988.
The venue was designed by Omrania architecture company, as a part of Alawwal Bank’s Riyadh branch in the landmark Diplomatic Quarter.
Every seat was occupied during the first panel which was titled “Soft power: Saudi artists’ role in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.”
It was moderated by curator Sara Al-Mutlaq with speakers, Ahmed Mater, a doctor-turned-artist, and Alia Al-Senussi, a cultural strategist, art patron and academic.
Al-Senussi told Arab News after the talk: “What we have really been able to embrace is the idea, (as) Ahmed Mater said, that it’s up to the artist to remove the power from the conversation.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The inaugural Muntada Forum of Contemporary Art Practices opened on Sunday night and will have five panel discussions during its run until Sept. 19.
• Muntada will conclude with a performance by culinary storyteller and social media sensation Nadir Nahdi.
• The first panel was titled ‘Soft power: Saudi artists’ role in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.’
“And soft power, in its kind of whole and holistic way, is really about translating who people are to the rest of the world.”
Mater, who is working on a new book slated for publication later this year, discussed how events over the past 45 years, starting with 1979 — his birth year — changed the course of the world, a topic which he will explore in his latest work.
He explained that each decade since 1979 has had events with major ramifications on the local and international fronts, which included the revolution in Iran and the seizure of Makkah.
He also referred to events from the 1980s up to the present day, which include the Gulf War, 9/11, the Arab Spring and the rise of social media, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There was a big change happening in Saudi Arabia during these decades. I spoke about art as a mirror for sociopolitical events and the culture of changing and that’s what shapes our narrative, our story, our strength — by telling our story that shapes our life and our memory,” Mater told Arab News.
On opening night, curator Maya El-Khalil and Saudi Arabia artist Moath Alofi offered their insights in their keynote speeches.
Other speakers to come include Hala Al-Hedeithy from the Music Commission, Gigi Arabia, the founding director of Heavy Arabia; Nada Al-Helabi from MDLBEAST; and Mikey Muhanna, the founder and executive director of Afikra.
Other participants include Lulwah Al-Homoud, curator and artist; Oliver Farrell from Misk Art; Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission; and Sybel Vazquez from the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
There will also be a kitchen lab dedicated to speaking about and celebrating all things food, hosted by celebrity chef Joe Barza.
Muntada will conclude with a performance by culinary storyteller and social media sensation Nadir Nahdi.
Deputy minister meets newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir received the Ambassador of Peru to the Kingdom Carlos Zapata in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati met with the newly-appointed Ambassador of Norway to the Kingdom Kjersti Tromsdal in Riyadh on Monday.
Al-Sati wished the ambassador success in her new duties, the Foreign Ministry stated on X.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir received the Ambassador of Peru to the Kingdom Carlos Zapata in Riyadh on Monday, to mark the end of his term in office.
Al-Jubeir commended Zapata for his valuable efforts to bolster the relationship between the two countries and wished him success in his future endeavors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh
- Festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy
- Anibal Gomez Toledo: We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain
RIYADH: The ambassador of Mexico to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez Toledo, hosted a vibrant national day celebration in Riyadh to commemorate Mexico’s independence day on Sunday.
The festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy to highlight the strong ties between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
The ambassador emphasized the significance of September as a month of celebration for both nations.
The ambassador said that the national day celebration hosted in Saudi Arabia held meaning for both Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
“Mexico and Saudi Arabia started bilateral relations back on September 12, 1952, so within the same month Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day on September 23,” he told Arab News.
“So September is a month of celebration for both Mexicans and Saudi Arabia.”
The Mexico national day festivities took place in the Diplomatic Quarters Cultural Palace and welcomed ambassadors, Mexicans living in Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities and friends of the embassy in an evening of celebration and music.
“It’s a very significant day. It is the most important day in our history,” Toledo said.
“We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain.
“At that time, a group of leaders headed this movement and they started the call on the night of September 15, so exactly at midnight on the 16th is when the movement started, and that is why we enact this special event that we are having today,” he said.
Guests followed the ambassador’s lead in waving flags and chanting “Viva la Mexico,” a chant that embodies the nation’s continued prosperity and freedom.
Toledo also highlighted a significant moment during the celebrations called “El Grito,” a tribute to the Mexican people’s battle cry when they rose up against Spanish rule on Sept. 16, 1810.
“Grito is the call of our founders when they started the revolution of independence. They called and started to gather, and we do something similar tonight,” he said.
“Saudis are very generous and very welcoming and very warm. We feel this warmth from Saudi people toward us Mexicans and Mexico.
“I have been here for almost five years, and I have this feeling of emotion when I am with a Saudi. We are not only friends but brothers ... I don’t know if we share the same DNA or something like that,” he said jokingly.
“We get along very easily; you can see how Saudis celebrate our day and how Mexicans celebrate Saudi national day.”
The ambassador said that the two countries have been “working closely in the past five, six years.”
He added: “We activated our political dialogue, and now our bilateral dialogue is strong and solid. We have exchanged a number of high-level visits from both sides.”
When asked where he would like to see cooperation grow, the ambassador said that trade and tourism were areas of focus.
“Mexico and Saudi Arabia are G20 countries, two of the 20 largest economies in the world. I think we have great potential to continue together.
“Our bilateral trade surpassed $1 billion; five to six years ago, it was less than $300 million. We are seeing bilateral trade growing, and what I would like to have is to double or triple this figure.”
On tourism and cultural exchange, the envoy said that he “would also like to see more Mexicans in Saudi Arabia and more Saudis in Mexico.”
Toledo said that in May, the embassy signed an MoU between two higher education institutions in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, King Fahad Petroleum and Minerals and the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico offering scholarships for Mexicans to study their graduate degrees in Saudi Arabia.
