RIYADH: Speakers at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh did not shy away from addressing what could otherwise have been the elephant in the room: The death of Jamal Khashoggi.
Numerous speakers had pulled out of the event over the death of the Saudi journalist in the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Khashoggi’s death was the result of a “rogue operation” by people acting beyond the scope of Saudi authorities, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Sunday.
Many speakers due to attend the FII — mostly those from Western organizations — had pulled out due to allegations the Saudi government was complicit in Khashoggi’s death.
But speakers at the FII on Tuesday tackled the issue head-on, calling the death “abhorrent” and promising justice.
“These are difficult days for us in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are going through a crisis, of sorts, resulting from the very regrettable and abhorrent incident that took place in Turkey,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih told the audience.
“Nobody in the Kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, we are very upset about what has happened,” he added.
“The king has made it clear that there will be an investigation, justice and retribution to those responsible.”
The prominent Saudi business executive Lubna Olayan also remarked on the case, saying that the “terrible acts reported in recent weeks are alien to our culture and DNA.”
Al-Falih said that, despite the ongoing “crisis” due to the case, the ambitious reforms that Saudi Arabia is undertaking would continue.
“The Kingdom is in the midst of a historic transformation of unprecedented proportions, and the train has moved, and it has moved deliberately toward a transformation journey that will not be stopped,” he said.
“Those partners who are here with us today, to continue their journey with us are certainly going to look back and find out how the lessons have been learned from the incident, but at the same time how committed the Kingdom is to its partners who stay the course.”
FII delegates pay tribute to Khashoggi, say ‘terrible act not part of our DNA’
FII delegates pay tribute to Khashoggi, say ‘terrible act not part of our DNA’
KSrelief continues charity works worldwide
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues it charity works in calamity-ridden and conflict-affected countries, state news agency SPA reported.
In Afghanistan, the agency distributed 300 shelter kits and 300 tents, benefiting 1,800 individuals, as part of a shelter project aimed at assisting returnees from Pakistan to Afghanistan and those affected by flooding in 2024.
The project plans to distribute a total of 4,882 essential shelter items, including tents, blankets, plastic mats and other vital supplies to 29,292 individuals across Afghanistan.
In Kassala, Sudan, KSrelief distributed 1,200 food boxes to the neediest and displaced families as part of the third phase of the Food Security Support Project in the country this year.
In Chad’s Mayo-Kebbi Est region, KSrelief dispersed 356 food boxes for 2,136 vulnerable individuals.
Over in Lebanon, the fourth phase of the Al-Amal Charity Bakery Project in the Akkar Governorate and Miniyeh District handed out 175,000 bags of bread to needy Syrian, Palestinian and host community families between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30. Up to 62,500 individuals across 12,500 families benefited from the initiative.
Also in Miniyeh district of northern Lebanon, the KSrelief-funder Subul Al-Salam Social Association ambulance service carried out 70 missions between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 ranging from transporting patients to and from hospitals as well providing emergency services to injured individuals
In Pakistan, KSrelief launched a food security support project which will distribute 147,500 food boxes in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Kashmir. Each box weighs 95 kilograms and contains essential food items sufficient to sustain a family for one month.
Jordan’s King Abdullah meets with Saudi FM, Arab ministers at Syria meeting
- The meeting was held on the sidelines of the main Aqaba meetings on Syria
AQABA: Jordan’s King Abdullah II emphasized the strategic importance of Syria’s stability for the Arab world and the broader region during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Aqaba on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The gathering also included members of the Arab Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria, foreign ministers from several countries, and representatives from international organizations.
King Abdullah underlined the critical need for a unified and effective international stance to safeguard Syria’s security, protect its citizens, and uphold its sovereignty.
He highlighted the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity against any external interference or aggression while reinforcing its national institutions.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the main Aqaba meetings on Syria, which also included top diplomats from the US and Turkiye Antony Blinken and Hakan Fidan.
Riyadh festival celebrates Saudi creativity, theatrical arts
- The Riyadh Theater Festival reflects the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent to achieve a strong presence on the regional and international stage
RIYADH: The Theater and Performing Arts Commission will host the second Riyadh Theater Festival at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
The commission’s CEO Sultan Al-Bazie announced details of the event, which runs from Sunday to Dec. 26, to an audience of leading figures from the theater world and the media at the Saudi Music Hub.
The festival, he said, was a cornerstone for enhancing the theatrical movement in the Kingdom and raising public awareness of the performing arts.
HIGHLIGHT
The Riyadh Theater Festival reflects the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent to achieve a strong presence on the regional and international stage.
This year’s event would feature 20 performances, selected by a committee of experts, to reflect the diversity of theatrical arts in the Kingdom, including its intellectual and developmental programs, Al-Bazie said.
The festival will also honor the late Ahmed Al-Sabbagh, who was a notable figure in the field.
The Riyadh Theater Festival reflects the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent to achieve a strong presence on the regional and international stage.
It will conclude with the presentation of awards to the distinguished performers.
Saudi minister meets national security official at the Middle East Institute
- They discussed enhancing the partnership between the Saudi ministry and the institute, as well as other topics of common interest
RIYADH: Saudi Vice Minister of Finance Abdulmuhsen Al-Khalaf met Joseph L. Votel, a distinguished senior fellow on National Security at the Middle East Institute, in Riyadh, the Finance Ministry said on X on Saturday.
During the meeting, they discussed enhancing the partnership between the Saudi ministry and the institute, as well as other topics of common interest.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Maldives to the Kingdom Ahmed Sareer recently met Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi and discussed areas of mutual cooperation and enhancing trade and investment between the two countries, the embassy of Maldives wrote on X.
Saudi adventurer sets out to cross Empty Quarter on foot
- Al-Shaibani will walk the full length of the desert with support from a logistics team
JEDDAH: A Saudi adventurer is tracing a historical journey through the Rub Al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, the largest continuous sand desert in the world.
Badr Al-Shaibani will begin the journey on Sunday, crossing the 650,000 square km desert from south to northeast, entirely on foot.
Al-Shaibani will walk 600 kilometers across the desert with support from a logistics team.
He wants his journey to spotlight the ecological significance of the Empty Quarter, while documenting its natural and cultural landmarks.
Beyond the expedition itself, Al-Shaibani hopes to inspire a generation of Saudi youth to take on challenges, and discover their untapped potential by stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing new experiences.
Speaking to Arab News on the eve of his latest adventure, Al-Shaibani said: “It is the beginning of a new chapter of my adventures. I found myself drawn to one of the most beautiful challenges in my beloved country, which is crossing the Empty Quarter.”
Setting off from the Umm Hadid mining site, which is located in the Afif region, Al-Shaibani expects the journey to take around 18 days. He said that he felt confident about taking on the challenge.
“I am very excited about this because I have done so many adventures around the world, but this one is a special one because it is in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Al-Shaibani’s trek through majestic sand dunes and captivating natural sites will showcase the vast potential of the Kingdom’s deserts as a global tourist attraction.
It also reinforces the role of desert tourism in promoting environmental consciousness, revitalizing the cultural legacy of desert regions, and aligns with Vision 2030’s commitment to sustainable, culturally enriched tourism that draws enthusiasts from around the globe.
Al-Shaibani has previously undertaken adventures that combine physical endurance with nature exploration.
His achievements include an expedition to the South Pole, a documentary journey tracing the Prophet’s migration route, and completion of the Seven Summits challenge.
