JEDDAH: A leading humanitarian organization has praised the Kingdom’s management of crowds during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage when nearly 2.4 million pilgrims are believed to have taken part in rituals.
The secretary-general of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO), Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, said the Kingdom’s leaders have shown the most beautiful humanitarian example through the preparations undertaken before and after the massive influx of pilgrims.
He praised the care taken to ensure the safety and comfort of foreign pilgrims — the vast majority of them elderly.
The Kingdom has demonstrated a distinctive ability to continually produce innovative solutions, using the latest technology to coordinate services.
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Humanitarian body praises Hajj crowd management
Humanitarian body praises Hajj crowd management
KSA, Amazon launch cloud skills accelerator
- Participants will work on real-world cloud computing projects, to gain practical experience and earn accredited certifications
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, has launched the AWS Builder Accelerator program to develop national expertise in cloud computing and equip participants with advanced AWS skills.
The initiative offers an intensive four-week training program at the AWS’ headquarters in Virginia, US, combining theoretical learning with hands-on projects under the guidance of AWS experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Participants will work on real-world cloud computing projects, to gain practical experience and earn accredited certifications.
These skills will help meet market demands and enhance the readiness of national talent to adapt to technological advancements, the SPA reported.
The program targets graduates in technical fields, particularly those in computer science and IT, with two to three years of experience, to boost their competitiveness in the cloud computing sector.
Set to begin on June 16, the program requires applicants to be Saudi Arabia citizens employed in the private sector. A letter of employer approval is needed upon final acceptance, according to the ministry’s website.
For registration or more details, visit futureskills.mcit.gov.sa/ar/form/aws.
KSrelief food parcels aid vulnerable communities
Riyadh: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
In South Africa, 400 packages were given to families in need as part of the Etaam Ramadan food distribution project.
In Somalia, 1,390 parcels were handed out across multiple governorates, while in Nigeria, 613 parcels were provided in Adamawa state, benefiting 3,678 people.
In Djibouti, 700 parcels helped 4,200 people in Balbala, while 250 were given out in Bangladesh’s Bagerhat district.
In northern Montenegro, 300 packages were given to help 1,500 vulnerable people that included widows and orphans.
In Romania, 530 parcels were distributed in Bucharest and Constanta, with 379 baskets given to Syrian refugees in the Miniyeh district of Lebanon.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute 390,109 food parcels across 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of over SR67 million ($17.8 million).
Program assists female visitors at Grand Mosque
MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the Women’s Affairs Agency, has launched a program to answer visitors’ questions about rituals during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The “Answering and Guiding Female Inquirers” program at the Grand Mosque in Makkah was introduced to accommodate the expected rise in attendance during the last 10 days of the holy month.
Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, emphasized the agency’s commitment to the initiative, highlighting its role in providing guidance to female visitors.
The program aims to enrich their experience by promoting authentic Islamic knowledge, offering reliable religious guidance and fostering greater awareness in a supportive environment, the SPA reported.
To facilitate inquiries, two dedicated locations have been designated: Women’s Prayer Area 74 on the ground floor and Women’s Prayer Area 84 on the first floor.
King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth
- The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve is the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East
RIYADH: The field team at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve recorded the birth of a Nubian ibex in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The reserve’s development authority said that over time, more than 81 mountain ibexes have been reintroduced across various areas of the reserve.
This effort aligns with its commitment to protecting wildlife, including endangered species, and providing a thriving environment for their growth and reproduction, the SPA reported.
The authority added that the reproduction of animals within the reserve reflects the quality and suitability of its natural habitats for wildlife.
The reserve has recorded over 120 mammal births, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Nubian ibex, and Arabian gazelle, across its designated areas.
As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve spans 130,700 sq. km across four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk. The reserve features diverse habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations.
Ramadan iftar in Al-Baha’s heritage homes: A tapestry of tradition and taste
- These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history
RIYADH: In Al-Aqiq Governorate, Al-Baha, Ramadan is celebrated with warmth and community spirit. Families gather in beautiful heritage homes for iftar, transforming the breaking of the fast into an experience that weaves together living traditions and authentic regional flavors. This practice imbues Ramadan with a unique character.
These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history, the Saudi Press Agency reported. At these houses, families and friends convene around iftar tables, enveloped by an atmosphere of ancestral stories, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the past. More than just a meal, iftar becomes an opportunity to strengthen family and social bonds.
Residents chat and share stories, reminiscing about Ramadans past and reinforcing community solidarity and the bonds of affection that unite them.
Awadah Al-Ghamdi told the SPA that this is the third consecutive year his family are breaking their fast at their traditional home, built in 1386 AH. He fondly recalled the Ramadans of his youth, when a fire was lit in the courtyard before the Maghrib call to prayer to prepare traditional fare: fresh bread, aromatic coffee, and marisa, a refreshing blend of water and dates, often infused with lemon or ginger. He emphasized that iftar is a communal affair, with neighbors joining together to share the meal and pray.
The experience of breaking the fast in Al-Baha’s traditional homes is a powerful symbol of the enduring customs that bridge generations. With each iftar, residents revive these cherished practices, ensuring they resonate with future generations and preserve the authentic spirit of Al-Baha throughout every Ramadan.
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