JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday thanked King Salman for making contact with world leaders, resulting in the reopening of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and the removal of restrictions on entry to worshippers.
Presiding over the Cabinet at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed said the king’s efforts highlighted Saudi keenness to preserve the rights of Muslims to perform their rituals with ease, and the need to respect the holy site’s sanctity.
The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on his meetings with the commander of US Central Command, during which they discussed bilateral military issues and joint counterterrorism efforts. He also brief the Cabinet on his meeting with Iraqi cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr on Saudi-Iraqi relations.
The Cabinet condemned the launch by Yemen’s Houthi militia of a ballistic missile toward Makkah in an attempt to spoil the Hajj season.
The Cabinet said this reaffirmed the claim by the Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen that smuggling missiles into the country is due to the absence of control over Yemen’s Hodeidah port.
Regarding the Qatar crisis, the Cabinet welcomed the outcome of the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) — comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt — and the affirmation of their six principles on combating terror and its financing.
The Cabinet welcomed the ATQ’s call for implementation of 13 demands to ensure peace and stability in the region and the world. It also welcomed the ATQ’s condemnation of Doha’s plan to obstruct Qataris from performing Hajj, and the quartet’s appreciation of Saudi facilities to receive pilgrims.
The Cabinet welcomed the statement by Arab foreign ministers on Israeli aggression against Al-Aqsa, and their appreciation of King Salman’s efforts to protect the mosque. In this context, the Cabinet expressed the longstanding Saudi stance in support of the Palestinian people, and rejection of the imposition of unilateral measures aimed at disrespecting Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa.
It said the only way to achieve peace is to implement the Arab Peace Initiative and lay down an international mechanism that will ensure Palestinian rights and end Israeli occupation.
The Cabinet appreciated condemnation and rejection by the permanent representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) of all Israeli measures in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa.
The Cabinet also renewed strong Saudi condemnation of the terror attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.
It approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) against commercial fraud between the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Industry.
The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of atomic energy between the Saudi and Kazakh governments.
It authorized the president of the General Auditing Bureau, or whomever he authorizes, to discuss a draft MoU between the bureau and its counterparts in the UAE, Egypt and Russia for cooperation in accounting, controlling and technical areas.
The Cabinet approved rules of work for the supervisory committees of sectors targeted for privatization.
It approved Saudi participation in Expo Dubai 2020, and approved the statute of the Economic Judiciary Authority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Cabinet approved the appointment of the following as members of the Family Affairs Council for three years: Princess Lulua Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Dr. Lana bint Hasan bin Said, Dr. Bandar bin Hamoud Al-Suwailim and Dr. Raja bint Omar Said.
King Salman’s efforts to reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque lauded
King Salman’s efforts to reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque lauded
40 scouts finish the Wood Badge advanced course
- The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips
RIYADH: Forty scouts from various sectors of the Saudi Arabian Boy Scout Association completed the Wood Badge advanced course, with an average of 27 hours of training in theoretical and practical aspects.
The course, organized by Masar Development Association in Al-Ahsa, included working on the role, responsibilities, duties and needs of the scout unit leader and methods and means for training boys, as well as leadership concepts, patterns and theories.
It also covered public relations, scouting and boys’ development, problem-solving methods, youth participation in decision-making, planning methods, tools and techniques, the concept, styles and theories of scouting, protection from harm, and resource development.
The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips, including methods for navigation, setting up tents, secret signs, codes, map drawing, estimations, outdoor cooking, organized hiking, and report writing.
Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award
- The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives
- The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff
MAKKAH: Umm Al-Qura University won the Best Educational Experience prize at the 2025 Saudi Customer Experience Awards.
Presented through a collaboration between the CX Forum, the Saudi CX Association and Awards International, the award recognizes the university’s excellence in enhancing the student experience and fostering an exceptional learning environment that adheres to global quality benchmarks.
The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives, particularly in advancing teaching and learning initiatives. Central to the success is the Comprehensive Experience Project inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Makkah Region. The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff.
The Saudi Customer Experience Awards stand as a premier platform for recognizing excellence in customer-centric innovations across the Kingdom’s various sectors.
Saudi jets fly solo at Bahrain airshow
- Two Typhoon jets performed solo aerial maneuvers
- An F-15SA aircraft in 24th Saudi National Day colors delivered a ground display
MANAMA: Aerial displays by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Saudi Falcons Aerobatic Team thrilled audiences on Friday at the Bahrain International Airshow.
Two Typhoon jets performed solo aerial maneuvers, while an F-15SA aircraft in 24th Saudi National Day colors delivered a ground display.
The airshow at the Sakhir Air Base highlights the latest military technologies and the capabilities of the participating forces, while promoting cooperation between the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Bahraini Air Force.
More than 125 types of aircraft were featured in the two-day show, which ended on Friday. Audiences were able to see the latest innovations and technologies in the aviation sector.
French, Saudi officials meet in Paris to advance AlUla development initiative
- Focus of discussions was on assessing state of Franco-Saudi partnership and defining future direction for AlUla’s development
PARIS: French and Saudi officials gathered in Paris on Friday at the French foreign ministry for discussions about advancing the AlUla development initiative.
The AlUla Committee, a joint initiative established under an intergovernmental agreement signed in April 2018, is the coordinating body for a range of ambitious projects being carried out by the Kingdom and France.
The projects focus on cultural preservation, tourism enhancement, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region. The committee’s mandate includes overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the comprehensive 2018 accord, aimed at fostering broad-based progress in the area.
The French delegation at the meeting included senior figures from the ministries of European affairs and foreign relations, economy, and culture.
On the Saudi side, high-ranking officials from the culture, foreign, and investment ministries participated, along with representatives such as the president of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) and the chairperson of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).
French ministers Jean-Noel Barrot and Rachida Dati met with Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s culture minister, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Faleh, investment minister.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, executive president of AFALULA, and Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the RCU, also took part in the meeting.
The focus of the discussions was on assessing the state of the Franco-Saudi partnership and defining the future direction for AlUla’s development.
Participants reviewed collaborative projects that draw on French expertise, particularly in archaeological research — highlighted by the involvement of 120 French archaeologists and researchers in the region. Other focal points included cultural initiatives such as the Villa Hegra project, as well as advances in hospitality, transport and infrastructure.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the French Heritage Endowment Fund, which was established as part of the 2018 agreement, and reinforced its continued commitment to supporting heritage conservation and cultural initiatives tied to AlUla’s unique historical significance.
Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh
- Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23
RIYADH: The 9th Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23 at the Crowne Plaza RDC in Riyadh.
The SPNS, established in 2012, is an official non-profit scientific association under the auspices of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
This year’s conference promises insights into various topics, including neonatal neurology, spinal muscular atrophy, neuro inflammatory disorders, neuromuscular diseases, brain and spinal injuries and infections, epilepsy, brain and spinal tumors, cerebrovascular disease, autism, movement disorders, and metabolic and genetic disorders.
Top healthcare officials, dignitaries, industry leaders, analysts and other experts will participate.
Fahad Al-Bashiri, president of SPNS and a professor and consultant pediatric neurologist at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, will share pivotal insights on the opening day of the event with two presentations addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the field.
The first presentation will cover findings from a recent clinical trial examining the role of vitamin D in managing epilepsy. This research explores how vitamin D supplementation may influence seizure frequency and severity, potentially offering a new approach to epilepsy care.
The second presentation will focus on the newly developed Gulf Cooperation Council guidelines for managing Neurofibromatosis Type 1. This talk will discuss the standardized approach proposed for the region, aiming to optimize patient care and outcomes for individuals with NF1.
Dr. Ahmad Alanazi, chairman of the conference and an assistant professor, pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at the College of Medicine, KSU, said: “I am honoured to lead a forum where leading experts will address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in pediatric neurology.
“This year’s conference will spotlight transformative advancements, including the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnosing and managing epilepsy and neurorehabilitation, signaling a new era in precision care.”
He added: “The SPNS conference remains a premier platform for advancing pediatric neurology, fostering collaboration, and setting new standards of care for young patients in the Kingdom and beyond.”
