RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced that the Riyadh International Book Fair 2020 would run from April 2-11 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
For the first time, the Culture Ministry will handle the mission of organizing and managing the fair. The ministry’s early preparations have been ongoing since April this year, where Prince Badr designated Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Assem as director of the fair.
The culture minister is personally following the preparations for next year’s fair, to present an event that highlights the cultural leaps the Kingdom is making, and to shed light on the value of books in Saudi Arabia, said spokesman Abdul Karim Al-Hameed.
The fair is sponsored by King Salman, and has succeeded in attracting a remarkable array of writers, publishers and literary figures from across the Arab world. Over 500,000 people visit the fair every year, and more than 500 Arab and international publishing houses take part.
The fair will display a large collection of books for children, Islam, Arab culture, history, medicine, technology, mass media and communication, as well as biographical accounts, fiction and novels in popular languages including Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Urdu and Spanish. SPA Riyadh
Cultural minister: Riyadh book fair to kick off in April
Cultural minister: Riyadh book fair to kick off in April
- The fair is sponsored by King Salman, and has succeeded in attracting a remarkable array of writers, publishers and literary figures from across the Arab world
Saudi citizen sentenced to five years in prison for electronic financial fraud
- Accused committed several fraudulent operations, including offering fake products for sale online
RIYADH: A Saudi citizen has been sentenced to five years in prison for financial fraud that defrauded 41 victims, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
An investigation carried out by the Financial Fraud Prosecution revealed that the accused had committed several fraudulent operations, including offering fake products through online sales outlets, deceiving victims into believing that goods were for sale, and then immediately blocking them after they transferred the required amounts to his bank account.
The Public Prosecution affirmed its commitment to protecting society from all financial fraud crimes and anyone who attempts to seize the money of others through fraud.
Saudi program supports farmers for rose sector growth
- Saudi Reef is showcasing its achievements in developing the rose and aromatic plant sector during the Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum in Taif
- Goal is to reach 2 billion roses annually by 2026, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global rose producer
RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, is showcasing its achievements in developing the rose and aromatic plant sector during the Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum in Taif.
The program highlights its efforts to grow this vital sector in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, focusing on food security, rural development, and improved agricultural efficiency, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Majed Al-Buraikan, Saudi Reef assistant secretary-general for media and communication, emphasized that the program’s participation supports national efforts to empower rose and aromatic plant farmers and promote its initiatives in the field.
He noted that Saudi Reef is a strategic partner in driving sustainable agricultural transformation, particularly in regions like Taif, Jazan, and Asir, known for their rose and aromatic plant production.
Al-Buraikan added that the program supports more than 400 farmers and has achieved a 34 percent rise in rose production over the past four years, reaching 960 million roses annually.
The goal is to reach 2 billion roses annually by 2026, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global rose producer, the SPA reported.
Meanwhile, the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture launched an initiative at the forum, distributing 15,000 tissue-cultured seedlings to promote sustainability and boost production.
The forum featured sessions on “Challenges of Taif rose cultivation” and “The future and challenges of medical tourism in the Kingdom.”
Scientific lectures covered topics such as sustainable development in rose use, carbon neutrality in the aromatic journey of the Taif rose, livelihood development for farmers, and the role of AI in enhancing product quality.
Arruddaf Park in Taif opens daily at 4 p.m. for visitors to explore the exhibition and enjoy the rose displays. The forum runs until April 26.
Madinah forum focuses on elevating pilgrim experience
- Governor highlights leadership’s commitment to enhancing spiritual journeys through innovation, development
MADINAH: Prince Salman bin Sultan, the governor of Madinah, attended the opening of the second Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
In his speech, Prince Salman emphasized the special attention given by the Saudi leadership to Makkah and Madinah, highlighting the ongoing development and construction efforts that reflect their religious, cultural and historical significance.
The three-day event, themed “Enriching the Experience of Umrah Performers and Visitors,” is held in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Salman reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to serving Islam by ensuring the comfort, safety and security of pilgrims.
He also discussed upgrades to the Prophet’s Mosque and nearby historic sites to deepen visitors’ spiritual connection and enhance their experience.
The forum, held at the King Salman International Convention Center until April 16, features more than 150 exhibitors from more than 100 countries.
Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors remains a top priority for the leadership, and pointed out that more than 122 million visitors performed Umrah during Ramadan with ease.
The forum features more than 50 workshops and dialogue sessions led by 100 speakers, alongside the signing of numerous agreements between relevant service providers — all aimed at enriching the overall experience of Umrah performers and visitors.
It aims to establish new standards for Umrah and visitor services through technological advances, digital transformation and sustainable sector investments.
An interactive exhibition displays innovative technical solutions and services, while workshops bring together decision-makers and experts to discuss development opportunities, present cutting-edge solutions aimed at improving the pilgrim experience and enhancing the sector’s overall efficiency.
Saudi center adopts advanced artery stent technique
- Procedure involves inserting a bioresorbable stent through a catheter in the thigh, avoiding open surgery
- It restores blood flow, relieves pain, speeds wound healing and significantly reduces amputation risk
RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center has treated patients with below-the-knee peripheral artery stenosis and occlusion using a minimally invasive, next-generation technique.
The procedure involves inserting a bioresorbable stent through a catheter in the thigh, avoiding open surgery, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It restores blood flow, relieves pain, speeds wound healing and significantly reduces amputation risk.
The center is the first in the Kingdom — and the third worldwide outside the US — to adopt the advanced treatment method, the SPA added.
Implemented at the center in Riyadh and Jeddah, the technique uses a stent that dissolves naturally after restoring blood flow, eliminating the need for a permanent implant and reducing long-term complications.
The approach also improves circulation and shortens recovery time, helping patients regain mobility faster, according to the SPA.
The center plans to expand research and collaborate with global institutions to evaluate long-term outcomes, and advance treatment protocols for peripheral vascular disease.
King Faisal Prize laureates honored at ceremony in Riyadh
- Awards, most prestigious in Muslim world, recognize outstanding achievements in science, medicine, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, service to Islam
RIYADH: The King Faisal Prize ceremony, held on Monday night under the patronage of King Salman in Riyadh, honored six distinguished laureates whose contributions have significantly advanced their fields and enriched humanity.
Held under the auspices of King Salman, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar handed over the awards to laureates at the event’s 47th edition.
Several princes, senior government officials, academics and scientists attended the ceremony at Prince Sultan’s Grand Hall at the Al-Faisaliah Center.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, thanked the dignitaries for attending and congratulated the laureates.
Scholars and experts in service to Islam, Islamic studies, medicine, and science gathered in the Saudi capital to celebrate excellence, knowledge, and service.
This year’s Service to Islam Prize was awarded jointly to two laureates from Saudi Arabia. The Tebyan Qur’an Project by Liajlehum Association for Serving People with Disabilities was recognized for developing the world’s first complete Qur’anic interpretation in sign language, making the sacred text accessible to the deaf community and promoting inclusivity in Islamic education.
The second laureate, Sami Abdullah Almaqlouth, was honored for his outstanding efforts in mapping and preserving historic Islamic sites through his work at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information. His documentation supports cultural preservation and public awareness of Islamic heritage.
The Islamic Studies Prize, awarded for archaeological studies in the Arabian Peninsula, was also shared between two scholars. Prof. Saad Abdulaziz Alrashid, a leading Saudi archaeologist, was recognized for his foundational contributions to the study of Islamic inscriptions and archaeological heritage. His work has laid the groundwork for a new generation of scholars and brought international attention to the region’s historic richness.
Prof. Said Faiz Alsaid, another prominent Saudi figure in the field, was honored for his comparative studies of Arabian epigraphy and his contributions to decoding the ancient civilizations of the peninsula, bridging pre-Islamic history with Islamic archaeology.
The Arabic Language and Literature Prize on the topic of studies of identity in Arabic literature was withheld this year as the works nominated did not meet the standards of the selection committee.
The Medicine Prize, awarded for cellular therapy, went to Prof. Michel Sadelain, director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
He was recognized for his pioneering work in CAR-T cell therapy, a breakthrough cancer treatment that involves genetically modifying immune cells to target and destroy tumors. His research has opened new possibilities in treating leukemia and other previously incurable diseases, marking a milestone in medical innovation.
The Science Prize, focusing on physics this year, was awarded to Prof. Sumio Iijima of Japan. Known as the father of carbon nanotubes, his 1991 discovery of these cylindrical nanostructures revolutionized the field of nanotechnology.
Carbon nanotubes are now used in cutting-edge applications across electronics, materials science, energy storage, and even biomedicine. His discovery laid the foundation for countless technological innovations in the 21st century.
The KFP was established in 1977, and was awarded for the first time in 1979 in three categories — service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature. Two additional categories were introduced in 1981 — medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later.
Since its inception in 1977 and its first awards in 1979, the KFP has recognized 301 laureates from 45 nationalities who have made outstanding contributions to Islam, knowledge, and humanity.
Each of the five prize categories is endowed with SR750,000 ($200,000), a 24-carat gold medal and a certificate signed by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.
