JEDDAH: Saudi Border Guards have arrested 32 suspected drug smugglers and seized a total of 721.92 kilograms of cannabis over the past two weeks in the southern border regions of Jazan and Najran.
Border Guards spokesman Col. Saher bin Mohammed Al-Harbi said that several attempts were made to infiltrate the Kingdom’s borders to smuggle drugs.
“Border Guards forces arrested 27 Ethiopians, four Yemenis and one Saudi suspect and seized 721.92 kg of cannabis in their possession,” he said.
The spokesman said that this came after the seizure of more than a ton and 200 kilograms of hashish in Jazan, Najran, Asir and Makkah during the past two weeks.
Al-Harbi has reiterated that Border Guards continue to deal with all infiltration attempts and threats to border security, and that they are determined to protect the borders of the Kingdom from anything that targets its security, stability and capabilities.
Last week, the Interior Ministry announced that the number of arrested infiltrators into Saudi Arabia reached 27,264 in 2016, and 3,554 weapons were confiscated during the same period.
The ministry’s security spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki praised the guards for their work and said it includes many tasks and responsibilities.
During a press conference last week, the ministry reviewed a statistical report on the implementation of the guards’ tasks. The number of cases of infiltration attempts intercepted reached 2,779, while the attempts intercepted outside the Kingdom reached 580.
The director of the Department of Statistics at the General Directorate of Border Guards, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, said most of the infiltrators outside the Kingdom are wanted on security or criminal charges.
Al-Qahtani revealed the seizure of more than 18 million narcotic pills, 80 percent of them in Tabuk. More than 22 tons of hashish were seized, in addition to thousands of weapons, many of them heavy.
Saudi Border Guards seize 700kg of cannabis smuggled from Yemen
Saudi Border Guards seize 700kg of cannabis smuggled from Yemen
Laylat Al-Qadr: Worshippers pack Holy Mosques for 27th night of Ramadan
- Makkah’s Grand Mosque received over 4 million and 200 thousand worshippers on Wednesday night
RIYADH: Millions of Muslims from around the world flocked to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah for the 27th night of Ramadan, where they performed Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers.
In a new record, the Grand Mosque received over 4 million and 200 thousand worshippers on Wednesday night, according to Al-Ekhbariya.
Worshippers were seeking Laylat Al-Qadr (The Night of Power), one of the most important nights in Islam and is, as stated in the Qur’an, better than a thousand months.
Laylat Al-Qadr falls within the final 10 days of Ramadan but its exact date remains unknown, however it’s widely regarded as falling on the 27th of Ramadan. Mislims are also encouraged to seek this night during the odd-numbered nights of the last 10 days.
Operational plans on Wednesday included preparing the Mataf (Area of Circumambulation) to accommodate 107,000 pilgrim per hour, ensuring a smooth movement inside the Grand Mosque.
Authorities have also equipped 428 escalators and 28 elevators and modern audio systems including 1,300 speakers, in addition to providing power sources with a capacity of up to 90,000 tons to cool the Grand Mosque.
The Makkah region Health Affairs Department has boosted its services through medical centers located within the Grand Mosque and its courtyards to provide medical services to pilgrims.
New initiative launched to boost agroforestry in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Agroforestry Action Plan Development Project to enhance environmental sustainability, social development and economic growth.
The project assesses agroforestry conditions, applies global best practices and promotes investment for sustainable forest management, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, it supports environmental sustainability and combats desertification, the SPA added.
As part of the project, the center will activate its December 2024 memorandum with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry to enhance research collaboration and implement advanced agroforestry techniques.
The initiative aims to restore land, expand vegetation, protect habitats and reduce carbon emissions. It also fosters resilient forest ecosystems and improves forest areas across the Kingdom.
Additionally, the center is advancing sustainable forests through its initiative to plant 60 million trees, rehabilitating 300,000 hectares by 2030.
Ithra to host three-day Eid Al-Fitr festivities
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran will host more than 25 Eid Al-Fitr events from March 31 to April 2, featuring exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities.
The program includes an exhibition showcasing eight master artisans in papermaking, calligraphy, and ornamentation. Visitors can explore an installation inspired by mudbrick architecture and traditional palm-based crafts.
At the Children’s Museum, activities include an immersive Eid celebration and workshops such as “Balloon Art,” “Eid in a Bag,” and “The Scent of Eid.”
Families can enjoy the “Eid Wheel” game and storytelling sessions where children create their own cloud keepsake.
Other experiences include “Eid Echoes,” a 360-degree audio journey capturing the festive sounds of Eid, set in the plaza. The library will host Eid-themed storytime.
The “Eid on the Big Screen” program will feature global cinema and Japanese anime, including “The Wind Rises,” “Chibi Maruko-chan,” and “A Mosquito.”
Visitors can also explore an AI-powered interactive display and a vitual reality journey through historical Eid celebrations. Live oud performances will take place in Ithra’s gardens, creating a festive open-air concert.
Lush Garden will offer a vibrant space with games and challenges for families and children to enjoy Eid’s joyful atmosphere. The “Energy Exhibit” will also feature special Eid programming for kids of all ages.
Chad president arrives in Jeddah
The President of Chad Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno was recently received by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of the Makkah Region, on his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The Mayor of Jeddah Saleh Al-Turki, and Ambassador of Chad to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Al-Qadam Al-Junaidi were among the officials present, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Smart solutions make life easier for growing pilgrim numbers at Grand Mosque
- The system enables seamless crowd control during peak periods, facilitating smooth entry and exit processes
MAKKAH: The safety, comfort and experience of millions of pilgrims at the Grand Mosque will be better than ever, thanks to the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques harnessing advanced technology and improving its strategic oversight.
At the heart of the transformation is a command center which gives the authority a comprehensive overview of operations. Advanced sensors at key entrances track pilgrim numbers in real time, enabling precise crowd monitoring and management in collaboration with relevant authorities.
A camera system captures real-time entry movements, providing instantaneous insights into pilgrim flows and pinpointing potential congestion risks. This dual-system approach has transformed crowd control within the mosque and is particularly effective in critical areas such as the Tawaf and Sa’i routes.
The system enables seamless crowd control during peak periods, facilitating smooth entry and exit processes. By leveraging precise and historical data, it ensures decision-makers can make swift, informed choices.
Over 200 digital panels have also been installed to improve spatial navigation, helping pilgrims move more efficiently through the mosque complex.
The number of electric golf carts has been expanded to 400, as well as custom-designed manual carts being available. This meets the diverse needs of pilgrims during the season, ensuring comfortable and seamless transportation that simplifies the performance of religious rituals.
A huge cooling infrastructure spans the sacred space, utilizing 155,000 tonnes of refrigeration to maintain perfect ambient temperatures across the Grand Mosque. Balanced lighting illuminates every corner, while a precision audio system ensures that calls to prayer and religious services resonate with clarity. A new luggage storage service also offers secure, QR-coded smart tags for easy tracking and retrieval of belongings.
The authority maintains rigorous standards and conducts periodic updates as part of efforts to maintain service efficiency and accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
