Saudi Arabia urges UN for zero-tolerance justice policy

Saad Abdullah Al-Aarjani. (SPA)
Updated 12 October 2019
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Saudi Arabia urges UN for zero-tolerance justice policy

  • Al-Aarjani said accountability of UN officials and experts on mission is vital for combatting any offenses they might commit

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia has called on the UN to review reporting mechanisms to ensure the transparency of donors by submitting reports on all of the financial procedures of Saudi-funded humanitarian programs and projects.

This demand came in a speech by Saad Abdullah Al-Aarjani, first secretary and member of the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN, during a committee discussion on the criminal accountability of UN officials.

Al-Aarjani said accountability of UN officials and experts on mission is vital for combatting any offences they might commit.

In this context, the Kingdom urged the UN to maintain a zero-tolerance policy in addressing criminal justice and to sustain the rule of law principle.

Al-Aarjani conveyed the Kingdom’s approval of developing legislation that can identify important rules to punish crimes committed by UN staff. The Kingdom supports the rights of any person charged with an offence to be presumed until proven guilty by relevant authorities, he added.

He said that the Kingdom appreciated the important roles of the vast majority of UN personnel, who spare no effort to serve the world, and sometimes even sacrifice their lives carrying out their humanitarian work.

Al-Aarjani said: “The Kingdom calls for action to develop the human rights system for peacekeeping missions and reiterates the importance of promoting international cooperation and joint work among member states to ensure the accountability of UN officials. The Kingdom also finds it crucial to provide UN staff with pre-deployment training on the criminal laws applicable in the host country, to prevent committing criminal offences that violate local laws.”


Abu Shamikh’s journey from street vendor to Saudi tourism icon

Updated 12 sec ago
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Abu Shamikh’s journey from street vendor to Saudi tourism icon

  • Food truck owner overcame dire personal struggles to achieve viral stardom
  • Farhan Al-Anzi entertains tourists with English renditions of ancient traditions

MAKKAH: Through the window of his food truck in Tabuk, northern Saudi Arabia, Farhan Al-Anzi, known affectionately as Abu Shamikh, greets visitors with a warmth that embodies the essence of traditional Arabian hospitality.

His infectious cheer resonates with domestic and international tourists, and he has gained global recognition through a viral video on TikTok.

For Al-Anzi, tourism is a calling, a chance to showcase Saudi Arabia’s generosity in its most authentic form.

He performs Al-Hajini and Al-Mashoub traditional poetry originating from the ancient Nabataean kingdom, which is now northern Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The performances are in English, which creates novel moments of cross-cultural connection.

Tourists find themselves joining in, matching his rhythm and enthusiasm, proving that music and art are universal languages that bridge cultures. 

Al-Anzi’s transformation from a sidewalk merchant in Tabuk to an ambassador of Saudi hospitality speaks to a universal truth: that triumph often emerges from life’s greatest challenges.

A simple man with spontaneous humor, his story carries inspiring details about struggle, patience and giving. 

“I started with just a tea cart on the sidewalks of Tabuk,” Al-Anzi told Arab News, reminiscing about his modest beginnings. “As more tourists started coming — locals, Gulf visitors and Europeans — we expanded to a food truck.” 

However, his path to success was far from smooth. A series of severe health challenges, including multiple strokes and heart complications, left him bedridden for years. 

During this period, his wife battled kidney failure, placing tremendous pressure on the family. “It was the darkest time of my life,” Al-Anzi recalled. “My children had to juggle between caring for both parents while keeping our business alive.” 

The family’s resilience during this period proved crucial. After recovering, Al-Anzi returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose.

He introduced an innovative initiative: every Friday, his truck, aptly named “Our Sweet Days,” provides free services to those in need, including people with special needs, cancer patients, and the elderly. 

His food truck began attracting a wide range of customers, from which he picked up invaluable and unexpected skills. 

“I used to interact with university students from the tourism college, who taught me the basics of promotion and dealing with foreign visitors. I learned simple English words and started using them while providing services, and the results were amazing,” he said.

His breakthrough moment came unexpectedly. A video of him entertaining an American tourist at AlUla’s Elephant Rock, wearing traditional attire and singing, went viral on TikTok.

This exposure transformed his food truck into a must-visit destination, earning a spot on international tourism maps. 

For Abu Shamikh, success is a mission to serve the nation. “What I do is part of our ancient Saudi culture.

“We aim to present a bright image of our traditions through generosity and hospitality, and this is part of our beloved Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to make Saudi Arabia a global tourist destination.”

With Saudi Arabia preparing to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, he hopes to play an even larger role in showcasing Saudi culture to the world.


Manga Productions, Koei Tecmo unveil new Dynasty Warriors game in Riyadh

Updated 14 min 28 sec ago
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Manga Productions, Koei Tecmo unveil new Dynasty Warriors game in Riyadh

  • AAA-rated game will be published across MENA on Jan. 17
  • Arabic version follows later this year, says Essam Bukhary

RIYADH: Manga Productions celebrated the launch of Dynasty Warriors: Origins at an event here recently.

The AAA-rated game, developed by Koei Tecmo Games, will be published by Manga Productions across the Middle East and North Africa on Jan. 17. An Arabic-language version is expected in the second quarter of the year.

The event marks the first visit to Saudi Arabia of series producer Oba Masatomo and the development team behind Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

The event attracted content creators and key figures from the entertainment industry. And attendees were able to experience game demos and participate in a panel discussion with the development team.

In an interview with Arab News, Masatomo said: “I heard from the staff at Manga Productions when we visited Diriyah yesterday that there were many comments from local Saudi people expressing their love and excitement for the franchise and the game Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

“It’s wonderful to hear that so many fans in Saudi Arabia, as well as across the Middle East and North Africa, are eagerly anticipating this game. We are grateful to Manga Productions for their wholehearted support in localizing the game to provide a greater experience for players in Saudi Arabia.”

Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: “This partnership is a strategic step toward empowering Saudi youth in the gaming industry and fostering regional and global expansion.

“We aim to provide a unique experience to our partners in the Middle East and North Africa, contributing to the development of the creative content ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.”

Masatomo added: “Achieving success with globally recognized titles requires acceptance not just in Western markets but also in emerging regions like MENA.

“The Dynasty Warriors series is vital to our company, and it is significant that Dynasty Warriors: Origins represents our first event in Saudi Arabia and our initial localization into Arabic.

“We felt the enthusiasm from both media and fans, reinforcing the value of our efforts. We hope to use this title as a springboard to further elevate our initiatives with Manga Productions and continue creating compelling titles for everyone to enjoy.”

The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with Manga Productions collaborating with Koei Tecmo Games to localize the game for Arabic-speaking audiences.


Saudi deputy foreign minister holds talks with Turkish officials in Ankara

Updated 29 min 9 sec ago
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Saudi deputy foreign minister holds talks with Turkish officials in Ankara

  • The Kingdom’s Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr attended the meetings

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji visited Ankara on Wednesday and met with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and his counterparts Burhanettin Duran and Nuh Yilmaz.

Al-Khuraiji addressed relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye during his meetings, attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr.

The Saudi deputy minister also held political consultations between the Saudi and Turkish foreign ministries in Ankara with Yilmaz, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi minister of Islamic affairs receives Malaysian counterpart in Jeddah

Updated 15 January 2025
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Saudi minister of Islamic affairs receives Malaysian counterpart in Jeddah

  • Ministers address various topics, especially those concerning Islamic affairs
  • Malaysian minister praises Saudi efforts to serve Muslims, holy sites in Makkah and Madinah

JEDDAH: Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Saudi minister of Islamic affairs, met with his Malaysian counterpart, Dato Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar, in his office in Jeddah on Wednesday.

The ministers addressed various topics during the meeting, especially those concerning Islamic affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They discussed the Kingdom’s role in promoting moderate Islam based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, SPA added.

Bin Mukhtar praised the Kingdom’s efforts to serve Muslims worldwide and the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.

He added that the memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia significantly benefited the Malaysian Muslim community through Qur’anic programs and the visits of imams to the Two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom.


KSrelief’s 11th aid plane lands at Damascus airport

Updated 15 January 2025
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KSrelief’s 11th aid plane lands at Damascus airport

  • KSrelief dispatched dozens of aid trucks and planes after collapse of Assad regime

RIYADH: The 11th Saudi relief plane landed at Damascus International Airport in Syria on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian airlift launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.

After the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime early in December, KSrelief has sent dozens of trucks and planes loaded with food, shelter, and medical supplies to meet the urgent basic needs of Syrians.