JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Justice said the General Directorate of Law has carried out inspection tours of more than 600 law offices in the Kingdom this year, as part of its efforts to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism.
The ministry indicated that the inspections covered 300 law offices in Riyadh and 311 other offices; 65 in Makkah, 68 in Jeddah, 41 in Madinah, 42 in Dammam, 42 in Khobar, 10 in Al-Ahsa, 65 in Al-Qassim, 30 in Abha and Khamis Mushayt, and 15 in Jazan.
The ministry said the directorate would carry out inspection tours during the three next months covering law offices classified as high-risk. Offices not abiding by the requirements will be referred to the competent committee to be punished accordingly.
Fawaz Al-Tamimi, director general of law, said the general directorate carried out workshops and training sessions for 64 lawyers working in high-risk offices, in coordination with the judicial training center at the ministry.
The General Directorate of Law assessed the risks of the sector last year and is now preparing a technical questionnaire for assessment to distribute among lawyers. It will collect their answers, study and classify them.
Saudi Justice Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council Waleed Al-Samaani has adopted a decision to reappoint the permanent team to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, presided by the ministry’s undersecretary for systems and international cooperation and 11 members.
Al-Samaani’s decision also stated that the team’s mission was to meet the local and international requirements of the national committee for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, to develop reports on the measures the ministry is taking in its fight against money laundering and terrorism financing, and to participate in related meetings and workshops.
Saudi Justice Ministry conducts 600 inspection tours of law offices to combat money laundering
Saudi Justice Ministry conducts 600 inspection tours of law offices to combat money laundering
Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
RIYADH: The third group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured several historical and religious sites in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
As part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the visit aimed to enrich the cultural experience of visitors and Umrah performers in the holy city.
The group, consisting of 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries, visited the Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.
At Quba Mosque, the guests performed prayers and were briefed on its facilities and the ongoing expansion projects designed to increase capacity and enhance services for worshippers.
The guests also learned about the mosque’s historical and religious significance as the first mosque built after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Madinah.
Additionally, they toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah, where they explored the technical and administrative departments and learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an and its translation into multiple languages.
The visit also showcased the complex’s efforts in recording Qur’anic recitations, interpreting its meanings, advancing Qur’anic sciences, and supporting Islamic research and studies.
The guests were introduced to the complex’s written and audio publications, which aim to spread Islamic teachings worldwide. At the end of the tour, representatives of the complex presented copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.
This third group is part of a larger initiative to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries this year. After their visit to Madinah, the guests will travel to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.
Saudi project clears 840 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 38 anti-tank mines, 800 unexploded ordnances and two explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 479,794 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.
Jouf’s camping sites highlight spring tourism
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has designated eight spring camping sites in areas of Jouf.
These, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday, are Rahiya, Hadib National Park, Al-Rasif, Al-Yatima, Al-Mahta, Al-Athath, Al-Adhra’, and Laijah National Park.
Popular for wilderness tourism, these sites attract visitors with natural landscapes, early spring blooms such as lavender and buttercup, as well as truffle hunting.
Camping in Jouf is a prominent social winter activity, fostering connections and celebrating the region’s vibrant post-rain spring landscapes, SPA reported.
Local wilderness enthusiast Bilal Al-Khalidi highlighted weekend camping as a cherished pastime, with groups traveling in adventure-ready vehicles and dividing tasks such as transporting tents and cooking equipment.
Once at the site, campers set up tents, prepare Saudi coffee and tea, hike, and collect wild aromatic plants, he said, adding that evenings are dedicated to dinner and overnight stays, while mornings begin with flatbread cooked over charcoal.
Saudi Arabia condemns deadly attack on healthcare facility in Sudan
- A drone attack on Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in Al-Fasher has killed 70 people
- It was not clear which of Sudan's warring sides had launched the attack
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday the drone attack on a Saudi-run hospital in El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region.
A drone attack on Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in the besieged town in western Sudan has killed 70 people and wounded 19 others, the World Health Organization said.
The Kingdom described the attack as a “violation of international law and international humanitarian law.”
“The Kingdom reiterated its rejection of these violations and emphasized the critical need to protect health and humanitarian workers,” read the foreign ministry statement.
It called for practice of “self-restraint” and avoidance of “targeting civilians.”
The Kingdom also called for adherence to the commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan.
It was not clear which of Sudan's warring sides had launched the attack.
The conflict in Sudan has unleashed a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions.
Tens of thousands have been killed and over 12 million people have been uprooted.
Winter treasures: Truffle hunting in Northern Borders desert
- Truffle season coincides with the rainy period from late winter to early spring
- Truffles’ unique flavor enhances the taste of dishes
RAFHA: Truffle hunting in the Northern Borders region is an annual activity that combines the thrill of discovery with the beauty of heritage, attracting nature and heritage enthusiasts who embark on sunrise journeys in search of these prized delicacies.
The Saudi Press Agency accompanied a group of enthusiasts in Al-Sahin area, where they gathered truffles in a tranquil desert setting, enjoying the scent of rain mingling with the earth and flora. This experience highlights the deep connection between natural heritage and local culture.
Enthusiasts use traditional knowledge to interpret soil and plant indicators, identifying potential truffle sites. Using simple tools that reflect humanity’s connection to the environment, they employ long sticks to shift the soil and uncover hidden treasures.
Others use their hands to gently remove the surface layer without damaging the truffles, while bags and baskets are prepared for collection.
Types of truffles in KSA
• Zubaidi stands out for its round shape
• Khalasi is the smallest and has an irregular shape
• Jabbi is small and round
• Hooper is the most irregular in shape
The truffle season coincides with the rainy period from late winter to early spring, usually beginning in January and lasting until the end of March. During the rainy season in Saudi Arabia, the rainfall enriches the soil and activates truffle seeds, with growth rates varying. Some truffles require 50 to 70 days of rain, while others take less time.
Truffles are wild fungi that grow beneath the surface at different depths, depending on the complex interaction of soil, moisture, and surrounding plants.
They thrive in well-ventilated sandy or clay soil, exhibiting signs such as slight cracks or small lumps when ripe.
Among the various types, the zubaidi stands out for its round shape, while the irregularly shaped khalasi is the smallest. The jabbi is small and round, while the tiny hooper is the most irregular in shape.
Truffles are celebrated for their unique flavor that enhances the taste of dishes. The truffle hunting season is not just a quest for food; it is a celebration of nature and heritage, fostering social bonds and revitalizing an age-old tradition passed down through generations.
As interest in this heritage activity grows, there is an increasing recognition of the need to educate future generations on preserving the environment and the desert landscapes, which are integral to this land’s cultural heritage. The truffle season is a testament to the splendor of nature and the importance of heritage.
