Saudi Crown Prince pledges elimination of ‘what is left of extremism’ in near future

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 26 October 2017
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Saudi Crown Prince pledges elimination of ‘what is left of extremism’ in near future

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged on Tuesday a return to a moderate past and looked forward to a technology-driven future.
“We are returning to what we were before — a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world,” he told the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh.
“We will not spend the next 30 years of our lives dealing with destructive ideas. We will destroy them today,” he added.
The crown prince addressed an audience of thousands of global investors and dignitaries who visited the Saudi capital to hear first-hand how the country’s society and economy are being transformed. He said: “Saudi Arabia was not like this before 1979. We want to go back to what we were, the moderate Islam that’s open to all religions. We want to live a normal life.”
The remarks set a new tone for a country that is undergoing unprecedented economic and social reforms as it reduces its reliance on oil revenues while creating thousands of new jobs for a youthful population.
They also spoke to the needs of a country where 70 percent of the population is under the age of 30, with millions of young Saudis set to enter the workforce in the next decade.
At the same time, the government is challenging long-established social norms by ending a ban on women driving and signaling a move to open up the entertainment sector.
Last week, the Kingdom’s Culture and Information Ministry said it planned to monitor interpretations of Islamic teachings used to justify violence or terrorism.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri, a Riyadh-based Saudi political analyst and international relations scholar, welcomed the crown prince’s resolute stand against extremism and terrorism and said Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the last two years had begun to bear fruit.
“Saudi Arabia leads the anti-Daesh coalition as well as a sustained campaign against terror and its extremist ideology and the campaign has broken the back of terrorism,” he said.
He said Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed, has demonstrated through words and deeds its commitment to eradicating both extremism and terrorism.
“The creation last week by royal decree of the King Salman Complex for the Prophet’s Hadith in Madinah was one more step in preventing the extremists from misinterpreting the teachings of Islam and from committing crimes and murders in the name of Islam,” said Al-Shehri. “This is a very significant step.”
He described the crown prince as a “wise leader,” who warns his people on every occasion to get rid of all extremist thoughts.

“Saudi Arabia is a modern nation; Islam is a religion of moderation. Islam is not against modernization, and we have seen the step of allowing Saudi women to drive ... all these steps have restored Saudi Arabia’s standing as the leader of the moderate and proud Muslim world where there is no room for extremism,” he told Arab News.
Oubai Shahbandar, a Syrian-American analyst and fellow at the New America Foundation’s International Security Program, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia had played a notable role in the anti-Daesh campaign, both operationally in terms of military assets and ideologically to prevent recruitment and stop foreign fighters.
"The counter extremism center, Etidal, and the significant efforts made by Saudi Arabia in conjunction with allies to curb the illicit financial network of Daesh will ensure that this terror group never makes a comeback," he said.
He said the recent establishment of an authority to scrutinize uses of the “Hadith” — the sayings, actions, and habits of Prophet Muhammad used by preachers and jurists to support teachings and edicts on all aspects of life — would prevent the seeds of extremism from blossoming in the future.
"The question we must all ask ourselves is how the defeat on the battlefied of Daesh and other extremist groups can be sustained so that they never occur again. This is a bold move that will go a long way toward delegitimatizing and preventing extremist ideologies from appearing and spreading," he said.
He said the recent announcements and policy decisions made in Riyadh "will hopefully serve as an example of how change can be enacted for a new generation which will set an important precedent for the entire Arab world."
On Tuesday, the FII audience heard from the chief of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) which is seeking further international partnerships as part of a plan to become the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world.
Managing Director Yasir Al-Rumayyan also on Tuesday revealed a $20 billion alliance with the US investment fund BlackRock.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde addressed the event and warned that the next decades would determine whether the world moved toward “utopia or dystopia.” She said that climate change and the rise of inequality were the most significant threats to the global outlook. “If we don’t address these issues … we will be moving to a dark future” in 50 years, she said.


KSrelief aids communities in need

Updated 10 sec ago
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KSrelief aids communities in need

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues its humanitarian projects to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agency delivered medications for blood diseases and thalassemia to the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen’s Hadramout governorate.

KSrelief distributed 1,143 boxes of dates in Rif Dimashq governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 1,143 families, while also distributing clothing bags to 132 needy families in the same region.

The agency handed out 1,500 food baskets to displaced and vulnerable families in Sudan’s Ad-Damir in the Nile River state, benefiting 9,000 people.

It also supplied 472 food parcels to vulnerable individuals in the Western Bekaa region of Lebanon, helping 2,360 people.

KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth nearly $7.9 billion in 106 countries since its launch in May 2015, working with more than 300 local, regional, and international partners.


Riyadh’s beauty spots come to life with Eid festivities

Updated 45 min 43 sec ago
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Riyadh’s beauty spots come to life with Eid festivities

  • Families embrace Eid Al-Fitr by enjoying picnics and outdoor fun

Riyadh: Riyadh takes on a magical charm during Eid Al-Fitr, becoming a hub of festive picnic spots.

One popular destination is Wadi Hanifa, a serene valley in the heart of the capital. With lush greenery, man-made lakes, water channels and diverse wildlife, it offers a perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Mohammed Abdul Jaleel, a Lebanese visitor, said: “We are here with friends and family, enjoying a barbecue and celebrating this special occasion with joy. The weather is perfect, kids are playing, and families are making the most of this time before summer sets in.”

He added: “Whether hiking, cycling, or picnicking by the water, Wadi Hanifa offers a refreshing retreat in nature.”

Riyadh resident Baddiuzz Zaman Sheikh, celebrating Eid with friends, said: “It is a great picnic spot. I come here often for barbecues. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, it is a popular getaway.”

Anyone familiar with the area likely knows Wadi Hanifa — once a dumping ground but now a lush desert oasis, transformed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City with gardens, wetlands and thousands of trees.

As well as evening strolls and picnics, Wadi Hanifa offers an array of exciting activities — and many people are unaware it is a global destination for runners.

The Great Runs website highlights the “groomed trails” near the Diplomatic Quarter, which feature an 8 km loop through desert scenery. South of the valley, Stone Dam Park challenges athletes with a 210-step staircase.

Jamal Hassan, a Yemeni expat who was enjoying a card game with friends, said: “This beautiful valley on Riyadh’s outskirts offers water channels, green corridors, walkways and picnic spots amid orchards and farms, making it a top attraction for residents and visitors.

“Riyadh needed a place like this — an escape into nature away from the city's hustle. It is a perfect spot to relax.”

Another popular Eid picnic spot is Wadi Namar, south of the capital. Its dam, lake and scenic waterfall draws people all year round.

Tabinda Qamar, there with her family, said: “On Eid’s first day, it was so crowded that security asked us to return early the next day. We did — and had a wonderful time. The park is spacious, with play areas for kids, making it ideal for families and friends. It is a perfect holiday spot, and we truly enjoyed it.”

Many people also visit Salam Park, which features a large, illuminated lake with fountains, playgrounds, green spaces and recreational areas. Once a private farm with date palms, a residential estate and a 70-year-old mosque, it was later transformed due to its strategic location and the city’s need for open spaces.

Rumana Ambar, who visited with her family, said: “It is a natural retreat in the busy city — perfect for holidays with family and friends. With well-maintained facilities, it stands out as one of Riyadh’s top attractions.”


Tabuk camel riders celebrate Eid to the rhythms of Al-Hijini

Updated 46 min 54 sec ago
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Tabuk camel riders celebrate Eid to the rhythms of Al-Hijini

  • The tempo of the verses aligns with the camels’ steady strides, creating a harmonious blend of words and motion
  • Traditionally performed solo, Al-Hijini often becomes a communal chant during celebrations

TABUK: In Tabuk’s vast, Eid is a radiant celebration infused with the scent of the land, the memory of ancestors and deeply rooted traditions passed down with pride across generations.

Here, where the sands stretch endlessly, camel riders known as hajjanah form majestic processions, offering greetings to locals while chanting Al-Hijini, poetry that stirs the heart tales of pride, love and loyalty, preserving the soul of the desert.

Al-Hijini is deeply tied to Bedouin culture, serving as a medium for expressing emotions. (SPA)

Among the people of Tabuk, customs steeped in authenticity and dignity come to life during vibrant Eid celebrations.

They are a blend of heritage and contemporary life, rooted in the nomadic rhythm of the desert. Camels, specially adorned for the occasion, play a central role in the festivities as riders set out across the sands, joyfully chanting traditional verses.

Al-Hijini poetry derives its name from the well-trained camels used for riding and racing. The riders recite lyrical verses that encompass various themes of life, often focusing on patriotism and romance. The rhythm matches the camels’ steady strides, creating a harmonious blend of words and motion.

Caption

Noted for its simple melodies and brisk tempo, Al-Hijini uplifts the spirits and eases the solitude of travelers and desert caravans. It is deeply tied to Bedouin culture, serving as a medium for expressing emotions, recording daily experiences, relaying wisdom and preserving ancestral proverbs.

Traditionally performed solo, Al-Hijini often becomes a communal chant during celebrations such as Eid, with collective recitation reflecting the unity and solidarity of Tabuk’s desert communities.

Noted for its simple melodies and brisk tempo, Al-Hijini naturally accompanies travelers and desert caravans. (SPA)

 


Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik-Kyrgyz-Uzbek border treaty and ‘eternal friendship’ pledge

Updated 02 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik-Kyrgyz-Uzbek border treaty and ‘eternal friendship’ pledge

  • Deal formalized the point where the three Central Asian countries’ borders meet in the mountainous Fergana Valley
  • Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed the border deal forged between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the Fergana Valley, a long-disputed region that has ignited bloody clashes.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom also congratulated the three Central Asian neighbors for signing a Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship, wishing them “continued stability and prosperity.”

Saudi Arabia has maintained deep ties with Central Asian countries, even hosting the GCC Central Asian Investment Forum 2024 in May last year.

The border deal signed on Monday by presidents Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and Sadyr Japarov Kyrgyzstan, formalized the point where their countries’ borders meet in the mountainous valley.

The densely populated region has been the scene of numerous conflicts — mainly for control of water that is running out in a region badly hit by climate change.

The three leaders met several days before an EU-Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan. Relations between the former Soviet republics, long strained by rivalries, have warmed recently.

A map of the Fergana Valley. (Wikimedia Commons: Uwe Dedering)

Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated.

But in recent years, Central Asian countries have announced border agreements to regulate the sharing of water, facilitate trade and ensure the stability of this resource-rich region.

In the Tajik city of Khujand, the three presidents also called in similar statements for “reinforcing the cooperation between brotherly nations” — including in energy and transport.

The Tajik and Kyrgyz leaders also inaugurated a section of a joint high-voltage line to supply Pakistan and Afghanistan with energy produced by Central Asian hydroelectric power stations.

The summit follows the signing of border treaties in mid-March between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in 2023.

(With AFP)

 

 

 


Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May, White House confirms

US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
Updated 02 April 2025
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Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May, White House confirms

  • Trip to Kingdom will be first foreign trip of president’s second term

RIYADH: US President Donald Trump is to visit Saudi Arabia in May, the White House confirmed on Tuesday.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The president will be heading to Saudi Arabia in May. As for specific dates and details, we will be reading those out to you as soon as we possibly can.”

 

 

The trip to the Kingdom will be the first foreign trip of Trump’s second term as president.

Regarding a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Leavitt said that Trump “has made it clear that’s what he wants to see” and “his team remains engaged on it every day.”

Saudi Arabia has hosted talks involving the US and Russia, and the US and Ukraine as Trump facilitates moves toward a ceasefire.