King Salman honors winners of King Khalid Awards

King Salman arrives at a ceremony to honor winners of King Khaled Award for the year 2017 in Riyadh on Monday evening. (SPA)
Updated 13 December 2017
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King Salman honors winners of King Khalid Awards

RIYADH: King Salman on Monday evening honored the winners of the King Khalid Award for 2017.
King Salman distributed prizes to the winners of this year’s awards in three categories: Partners for development, excellence for non-profit organizations, and responsible competitiveness.
Sami Al-Harbi was awarded first prize in the “Partners for Development” category for his “Achieve Their Hope” initiative, a voluntary group started in 2014 to support cancer warriors of different nationalities and age groups in the Kingdom, morally, psychologically and socially. It works to achieve their wishes, meet their needs, and enhance psychological and social aspects for them. Abdullah Al-Hawas received the second prize in the same category for the “Kan Yama” initiative, a voluntary group that began in 2009, which aims to simplify and instill values and knowledge in children between four and 12 years. It is presented in an interesting and enjoyable way through the implementation of programs, interactive activities and useful skills workshops.
Yazid Al-Shadoukhy collected third prize for the “Path Change” initiative of the Clinic 1 group. Launched in 2015, this initiative is based on a group of qualified specialists in 10 different medical disciplines. It aims to provide free medical consultations to low-income families of all nationalities.
The chairman of the board of directors of Al-Mawaddah Society for Family Development in Makkah, Faisal Al-Samanoudi, was awarded first prize in the “Excellence for Non-Profit Organizations” category for modern management practices and the clarity of Al-Mawaddah Society’s strategy, as well as the existence of integrated management systems for the board of directors and governance regulations.
The executive director of the Osraty Charity for Family Development in Madinah, Abdul Razzaq Makhdoom, was awarded second prize in this category. The award was given for excellence in administrative work and use of technology in a professional and distinctive way, and for adopting a clear vision in the measurement of performance.
The chairman of the board of directors of Al-Kawthar Health Charity Society of Asir, Dr. Jubran Al-Qahtani, secured third place.
In the “Responsible Competitiveness” category, and to encourage private sector enterprises to adopt pioneering practices in the area of responsible competitiveness, King Salman awarded four facilities characterized by their adoption of sustainable development practices and social responsibility, and integrating these practices into their strategies.
Arabian Drilling Company won first place and the award was presented to Ali Al-Ghamdi, managing director of administrative affairs.
The Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) came second and the award was presented to Khalid Al-Madifar, chairman of the board of directors. Third place was shared between Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO) and Special Direction — Business Consultancy House.


KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria

Updated 10 sec ago
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KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria

  • An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries

DAMASCUS: Officials from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees met in Damascus on Sunday to discuss coordinated efforts to assist the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting, focused on bolstering humanitarian and relief operations in the region, was attended by Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria.

During the discussions, UNHCR officials praised their strategic partnership with KSrelief, highlighting the importance of their joint initiatives to support refugees and displaced persons in Syria.

Both parties also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential resources and services to live with dignity.

The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains one of the most pressing in the world, especially after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December of last year, following over a decade of civil war.

Assad’s ouster came after years of intensified international sanctions and a lightning offensive across key cities by opposition militias, culminating in his government’s collapse.

An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Humanitarian organizations like KSrelief and UNHCR play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, providing essential aid such as food, shelter, and medical care.

In Syria, UNHCR has been a critical player in responding to the humanitarian crisis, assisting the millions of displaced Syrians and advocating for sustainable solutions to their plight. Its collaboration with partners such as KSrelief has been key to addressing the evolving needs of those affected by the conflict.


Saudi leadership congratulates Kuwait on success of 26th Gulf Cup

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi leadership congratulates Kuwait on success of 26th Gulf Cup

  • The 26th Arabian Gulf Cup ended on Saturday with Bahrain defeating Oman 2-1 in the final in Kuwait City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of congratulations to the emir of Kuwait for his country’s success in organizing the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The 26th Arabian Gulf Cup ended on Saturday with Bahrain defeating Oman 2-1 in the final in Kuwait City.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent similar cables of congratulations to Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, wishing the country continued progress and prosperity.


Saudi Arabia gifts 100 tonnes of dates to Pakistan

Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia gifts 100 tonnes of dates to Pakistan

  • Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki presented the gift to the Pakistani side on behalf of KSrelief

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered 100 tonnes of dates as a gift from the Kingdom to Pakistan.

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki presented the gift to the Pakistani side on behalf of KSrelief at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Malki thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their humanitarian efforts and support to countries worldwide.

The director general of the military wing of Pakistan’s Cabinet Division, Brig. Alamgeer Ayub, also expressed thanks and appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the gift.

He said that it reflects the deep and enduring fraternal ties between the two countries.

Ayub highlighted that the Kingdom has consistently supported the Pakistani people during times of crisis.


Heritage Commission, Motoko Katakura Foundation sign MoU to preserve desert culture in Saudi Arabia

Updated 05 January 2025
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Heritage Commission, Motoko Katakura Foundation sign MoU to preserve desert culture in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japanese Motoko Katakura Foundation for Desert Culture in Riyadh on Sunday.

Jasser bin Sulaiman Al-Harbash, CEO of the Heritage Commission, and Hiroshi Nawata, chairman of the Motoko Katakura Foundation, agreed to collaborate in the cultural heritage sector.

The Japanese foundation is named after Motoko Katakura, an anthropologist who studied Bedouin communities in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region.

The MoU seeks to enhance research on cultural heritage, covering both tangible and intangible aspects, such as traditions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Motoko Katakura Foundation will hold seminars about its work preserving the desert culture and the archeological sites of Al-Dafi Port and Mardouma in the area of Jubail, eastern Saudi Arabia.

The Heritage Commission will also benefit from the Japanese experience in research and documentation, involving local communities to preserve heritage and showcase the richness of Saudi desert culture, SPA added.


Saudi project clears 1,151 Houthi mines in Yemen

Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,151 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. (Masam)
Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi project clears 1,151 Houthi mines in Yemen

  • The total included 32 anti-tank mines, 1,115 unexploded ordnances and four explosive devices, according to a recent report

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,151 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 32 anti-tank mines, 1,115 unexploded ordnances and four explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 477,583 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.