LONDON: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made important steps toward improving the rights of women in the Kingdom, a prominent British female MP said this week.
Writing for the UK’s news website on Tuesday, Naz Shah, vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims, praised Crown Prince Mohammed for promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam.
She said that he had acted out of both “ideological commitment and practical necessity” by diluting the powers of Saudi Arabia’s religious police, granting women the right to drive and tackling corruption.
Shah, an MP for the opposition Labour Party, urged Britain to be a “candid friend” to Crown Prince Mohammed during and after his visit to the country.
“Like many British Muslim girls, I was taught to look to Saudi Arabia as an example in religious matters. Many Muslim Brits won’t even start their Ramadan fast until the Saudi clergy have confirmed the moon sighting, and I have family and friends whose lives have been changed through a pilgrimage there,” she wrote.
“This makes it all the more painful when the example that is set is one of the default marginalization and subjugation of women and girls. This has been the case for too long. But in the past few months things have started to change,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, another Labour MP, Graham Jones, called on his party’s leadership to rethink its critical stance toward Saudi military involvement in Yemen.
Writing on the PoliticsHome website on Tuesday, the chair of the committee on arms export controls said: “No government in the world would accept a rebel force in a neighboring country attacking its citizens and its territory. Why should we expect Saudi, and its allies, to be any different?”
British MP praises Saudi crown prince for ‘ideological commitment’ to women’s rights
British MP praises Saudi crown prince for ‘ideological commitment’ to women’s rights
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Argentine officials praise Saudi Arabia’s tolerance message at Buenos Aires fair
- During her tour of the pavilion, Bosca expressed admiration for the diverse content presented, which reflects the true essence of Islam
- She added that this underscores Saudi Arabia’s noble message of promoting moderation, coexistence, and tolerance
RIYADH: Jorge Macri, chief of government of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, praised the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ pavilion at the Buenos Aires International Book Fair as a unique model.
He noted that it effectively expresses Islamic identity through a modern design reflecting the cultural renaissance underway in the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
During his visit to the pavilion, Macri emphasized that the ministry’s participation strengthened Saudi Arabia’s position as the fair’s main guest of honor.
He added that the cultural and educational events and initiatives offered by the King Fahd Cultural Center enhance social ties between Argentina and the Kingdom.
Pilar Bosca, director general for religious affairs in Buenos Aires, also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting the values of tolerance and moderation, describing the Kingdom as a global model in this regard.
During her tour of the pavilion, Bosca expressed admiration for the diverse content presented, which reflects the true essence of Islam.
She added that this underscores Saudi Arabia’s noble message of promoting moderation, coexistence, and tolerance through modern technology and interactive digital tools that engage all segments of society.
The ministry’s booth drew wide attendance from fair visitors, who appreciated the rich content blending accurate information with a modern approach, the SPA reported.
They praised the message conveyed by Saudi Arabia through the ministry in serving the Holy Qur’an and spreading the call to Islam with wisdom and good counsel.
The 49th annual Buenos Aires International Book Fair, organized by the Book Foundation in Argentina, is being held from April 22 to May 12.
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is the guest of honor, showcasing the Kingdom’s growing prominence in Latin America.
Riyadh’s pavilion aims to strengthen Saudi cultural presence in the region and present the capital as a cultural model reflecting the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030.
The pavilion features diverse literary and cultural content, including Spanish-translated publications that help build cultural bridges.
The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission is leading Riyadh’s participation, joined by a Saudi cultural and literary delegation that includes representatives from the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the Heritage Commission, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
Also participating are the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, and King Fahd National Library.
Dhahran's Half Moon Bay revamp to boost tourism
JEDDAH: A major investment project to develop Half Moon Bay in Dhahran has been launched by the Eastern Province municipality.
The initiative, spanning 290,000 sq. meters, will include the construction of a yacht marina, maritime academy, a range of recreational and tourism facilities, and educational, sports, and marine activities.
It is also expected to significantly improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
One of the Kingdom’s most scenic beaches, Half Moon Bay stretches more than 700 km, making it the longest shoreline in the Gulf region. It is especially popular for grouper fishing, sailing and various marine sports and competitions.
Its name comes from its crescent-shaped coastline, a striking natural formation that adds to its distinctive charm. The area also hosts several resorts, enhancing its appeal as a tourist hotspot.
This project is part of the municipality’s broader strategy to strengthen the Eastern Province’s competitive advantages and unlock its full tourism potential.
It also supports ongoing efforts to attract investors and entrepreneurs across various sectors, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to boost private sector participation, diversify the economy and create job opportunities.
Saudi aid agency renovates health institute in Yemen
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has helped to restore and re-equip the Higher Institute of Health Sciences in Yemen’s Lahij governorate.
The project included repairing and restoring six main buildings, furnishing 10 classrooms, and renovating 36 student dormitories, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It also involved furnishing 38 bathrooms to ensure proper living conditions, and equipping four modern medical laboratories with advanced tools to help enhance health education.
KSrelief also provided the institute with more than 500 pieces of furniture and supplied the dormitories with an additional 414 items.
The agency delivered more than 800 medical devices across various departments — including nursing, surgery, reproductive health, and dentistry — in addition to five electronic devices to support teaching.
The project aims to improve the educational environment, provide better conditions for students and staff in Lahij, and serve students from neighboring governorates.
An estimated 1,850 people are direct beneficiaries, while the broader impact is expected to reach about 860,000 across Yemen, the SPA reported.
Saleh Al-Dhaibani, KSrelief’s office director in Aden, said the project seeks to strengthen the academic and professional capacities of health personnel by offering a conducive learning environment.
The initiative is part of a series of humanitarian projects by KSrelief to enhance Yemen’s education and health infrastructure, ultimately preparing skilled health professionals to meet the country’s needs.
Saudi Arabia invites leaders of GCC for Gulf-US summit in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi King Salman has extended invitations to leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to attend a Gulf-US summit in Riyadh, Al Arabiya News Channel reported Sunday.
The invitation comes as US President Donald Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week.
Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his election
- Saudi leadership congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new leader of the Catholic church
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has congratulated Pope Leo XIV on Sunday on his election as the new leader of the Catholic church.
The king and his crown prince have sent “congratulatory telegrams to Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his election as Pope of the Vatican,” read a statement on the Saudi Press Agency.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV, was elected by the papal conclave on Thursday.
Pope Leo XIV gave his first Sunday blessing and address to a crowd in St Peter's Square in the Vatican today.
