JEDDAH: The first Arab-Chinese digital library will be launched on Tuesday in Beijing on the sidelines of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF).
The library is a joint project of the Arab League, the King Abdul Aziz Public Library and the National Library of China.
The library will serve as a bridge between the Arab world and China and help promote cultural ties and exchange of knowledge.
The project also aims to strengthen ties and coordination between libraries in the Arab League member states and China.
The library will strengthen the growing political and economic ties between the Arab world and China.
The supervisor general of King Abdul Aziz Library, Abdul Karim Al-Zaid, said the establishment of the digital library will lay the foundations of a new beginning of intellectual, cultural and economic ties with China.
“We aim to translate the cultural and knowledge vision, which is the basis of King Abdul Aziz Public Library, through the promotion of culture, preservation of heritage, knowledge formation, cultural contact, social responsibility and global partnerships,” Al-Zaid said.
He said the opening of a branch of King Abdul Aziz Library in Beijing was aimed to increase cultural cooperation between the two countries.
The director of the digital library project, Saleh Al-Misnad, noted the library’s inauguration would be an active start for Arab and Chinese cultures in a modern and attractive way.
He said the library aims to strengthen the foundations of the knowledge and cultural partnership; it offers different kinds of knowledge and transfers the Arab intellectual heritage to the whole world from the launching of the Arab Knowledge Index to this project.
He said the digital library project would prove to be a model for cultural partnership between different cultures and civilizations.
The CASCF was initiated in the opening years of the new millennium, according to Xinhua. In 2004, China and the Arab League (AL) formally launched the forum.
Arab-Chinese digital library to be launched in Beijing
Arab-Chinese digital library to be launched in Beijing

- The library will strengthen the growing political and economic ties between the Arab world and China
- The digital library project would prove to be a model for cultural partnership between different cultures and civilizations
Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

- Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living
RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.
Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.
Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.
The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.
Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

- Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.
The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.
In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.
Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

- Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday.
Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added.
Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

- The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission
RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.
The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.
The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.
The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.
By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.
Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

- Several senior ministry officials attended
RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.