NEW YORK: Economic development is a key factor in deterring young people in the Middle East and elsewhere from becoming involved in violent extremism, a gathering of world leaders heard in New York.
A one-day youth forum on tolerance — held under the joint auspices of the MiSK Foundation, the Saudi Arabian philanthropic organization headed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the UN Development Program — was told that economic advancement would encourage young people to participate in civil society and peaceful dialogue.
Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, Saudi ambassador to the UN, told the forum that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Both have not only economic parameters, but are also about the potential in society, the environment and in justice. The Saudi strategy describes a vision of how to move from dependence on one commodity and how to develop a more coherent society with integrity in its approach to social issues, which are also the goals of the UN,” Al-Mouallimi said.
He highlighted the role of young women in the transformation. “Saudi women comprise 60 percent of the college population in Saudi Arabia, and they are going to come to the workforce and make a dramatic difference,” Al-Mouallimi said.
Bader Al-Asaker, secretary-general of the MiSK Foundation, said: “Our aim is to shine a light on the transformative power of youth, to lift them up and prove a platform for young people to create positive change.”
Michael Bloomberg, the media entrepreneur and former mayor of New York, said that he was in partnership with MiSK in Saudi Arabia to train young citizens in economics and finance. He said that the growing number of young people who live in cities, both in the Middle East and the rest of the world, would help promote tolerance and peace.
“Some people call them the millennial generation, but I’d rather refer to them as the metropolitan generation. Now 50 percent of the world’s population live in cities, and nothing has done more than cities to spread tolerance and peace in the world. Cities also encourage innovation and sustainable development,” he added.
Achim Steiner, administrator of the UN Development Program, also stressed the role of economic development in nurturing tolerance. “For young people, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals means the possibility of attending school, having access to health care, participating in their civic and political discourse, and living free from conflict. It means having hope and prosperity.”
The one-day MiSK event in New York consisted of high-level panel discussions, speeches and workshops, with more than 20 youth leaders from round the world.
A senior adviser to MiSK said the event was part of the Kingdom’s global outreach program, and that there would be further cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UN on specific development initiatives.
“The younger generation is driven by the desire to create an impact, and if you don’t give them opportunities in entrepreneurship they’ll find another way to do that,” the adviser said.
The MiSK-UN event, which was attended by more than 400 people from 60 countries, coincided with the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
A panel moderated by former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw and featuring former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright focused on the information revolution and what she called the “disaggregation” of news. Albright advised the young audience to be skeptical about the information they encounter, especially on social media.
Two other panels discussed the challenges faced by refugees around the world and how best to counter violent extremists. Panelists on the latter panel stressed the importance of engaging with youth and offering them a sense of hope and purpose.
One memorable moment came when Saudi writer Kawthar Al-Arbash recounted the moment she learned that her son had been killed after he stopped a suicide bomber from carrying out an attack inside a mosque in the city of Dammam. Her moving, personal account was met with a standing ovation.
Economic growth key to fight against extremism, Saudi MiSK forum in New York hears
Economic growth key to fight against extremism, Saudi MiSK forum in New York hears
New initiative turns road trips into cultural journeys
- Signage across highways introduces travelers to the Kingdom’s diverse traditional crafts, arts
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts — also known as Wrth — have launched an initiative called Wrth Saudi, which features signage on highways across the Kingdom marking significant locations connected with national crafts.
This initiative comes in what has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in Saudi Arabia. The first phase of Wrth Saudi will cover three highways: the Riyadh-Dammam Highway, the Makkah-Madinah Highway, and the Riyadh–Qassim Expressway, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Subsequent phases will extend the initiative to other vital roads throughout the country, the SPA added.
Wrth Saudi will showcase traditional regional arts such as Najdi door craftsmanship, mud construction, carpentry, wood carvings, and bisht making.
“Saudi Arabia’s vast road network, the largest in the world in terms of connectivity, serves as a platform to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and showcase its crafts,” the SPA reported.
The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts plays a key role in promoting Saudi traditional arts locally and internationally, supporting local artisans, and encouraging the teaching and development of these crafts.
Earlier this year, the institute also launched the Wrth Community program to raise awareness of Saudi traditional arts and cultural heritage while “empowering individuals to learn and develop these crafts locally and globally.”
The program featured discussion sessions with academics, artisans, trainers, and entrepreneurs, along with workshops. Activities focused on four key materials used in Saudi traditional arts: stone, wood, ceramics, and metals.
The Ministry of Culture designated 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts to “solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life,” according to the SPA.
Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Culture will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.
Muslim World League condemns Israeli strikes on Saudi cultural center, school in Gaza
- Deadly attacks that killed, injured dozens described as ‘horrific crimes against civilians and civilian facilities’
- MWL chief calls for urgent international action over what he says are war crimes
RIYADH: The Muslim World League has condemned Israeli airstrikes that hit a Saudi cultural facility and a school in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as Israel resumed military operations following the collapse of a temporary truce with Hamas.
In a statement carried on the Saudi Press Agency on Friday, MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa denounced the targeting of the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage’s warehouse, which destroyed medical supplies intended for the sick and wounded in Gaza.
He also condemned the strike on Dar Al-Arqam School, which reportedly killed and injured dozens, describing the attacks as “horrific crimes against civilians and civilian facilities.”
Al-Issa said: “These acts represent a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and norms.”
He called on the international community to take urgent action, and urged global bodies to activate accountability mechanisms and hold perpetrators responsible for what he described as war crimes.
The condemnation comes amid renewed violence in Gaza since March, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Israel has resumed its bombardment of the enclave, saying it is targeting militant infrastructure, while humanitarian agencies have warned of deepening crises and mounting civilian casualties.
Kingdom arrests 18,407 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,407 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 12,995 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,512 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,900 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,260 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 66 percent were Ethiopian, 28 percent Yemeni, and 6 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 67 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 21 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom
RIYADH: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, Border Guard land patrols thwarted the smuggling of 540 kg of qat.
In two other operations, authorities arrested two Ethiopians for smuggling 25 kg of qat and three Yemenis for smuggling 66 kg of qat in the same area.
Land patrols in the Al-Tawwal sector of the Jazan region foiled the smuggling of 51.4 kg of hashish.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested two Pakistanis in Riyadh with 1.6 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.
In Jeddah, authorities arrested an Ethiopian, two Yemenis, and a Palestinian with 6 kg of hashish.
The directorate also arrested a citizen in Asir with 30 kg of hashish.
Another citizen was arrested in the Jouf region for selling amphetamine.
In Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector, Border Guard patrols arrested eight Ethiopians for smuggling 144 kg of qat.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
The public is urged to report drug smuggling or sales by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be submitted confidentially to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.
KSrelief helps crisis-hit regions worldwide
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In the Syrian Arab Republic, KSrelief distributed 125 food baskets in Rif Dimashq governorate, helping 125 families.
In northern Lebanon, 828 Syrian refugee families in Western Beqaa, Akkar, and Danniyeh received food aid. In Beirut, 237 food baskets reached 1,185 vulnerable people.
In Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate, KSrelief pumped 3.5 million liters of drinking water and 448,000 liters of non-potable water in one month as part of its water and sanitation project.
A KSrelief mobile medical clinic in Hajjah governorate served 1,691 patients during the same period, the SPA reported.
In Sudan, 2,000 food packages were distributed to displaced and needy families in Atbara, River Nile State, aiding 12,001 people.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has carried out 3,389 projects worth almost $7.9 billion across 106 countries, in partnership with over 300 organizations.
