JEDDAH: Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia are struggling to meet the demand for face masks even though no cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Kingdom.
“Despite assurances by the Ministry of Health, people have been coming to our pharmacy demanding face masks, and I’m seeing more people wearing them in public,” pharmacist Adel Abdul Shakoor old Arab News.
“We are out of masks now and usually we have full shelves,” Shakoor said.
The pharmacy placed an order for replacement stock two weeks ago, but it is yet to be filled.
Shakoor said he could not recall the last time a shortage of surgical masks had occurred.
Several local pharmacies in Jeddah have sold out stocks of masks, while others have limited quantities.
One customer at Shakoor’s pharmacy bought a mask to use when he visits the mosque for prayer.
“Those who are coming in close contact and going to crowded places should be wearing a face mask,” said 28-year-old Walid Al-Otaibi.
“I don’t think I will be wearing it right after I leave the pharmacy, but I will consider it if the situation gets worse or I am in crowded areas.”
Mahmoud Sabry, a pharmacist in the Salama district, told Arab News: “We are waiting on fresh stocks from suppliers, but because demand is similarly strong in other countries as well, it might take some time to meet the demand locally.
“Customers come and ask for large quantities of masks, but we don’t allow them to buy more than five boxes,” he said.
One store manager said that his entire stock of face masks had been sold in the past two days — despite the absence of any coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Health said that all measures have been taken to protect the Kingdom against the virus and confirmed that there have been “no known cases” of infection.
Face masks sell out in Saudi Arabia as coronavirus fears grow
https://arab.news/wqdvj
Face masks sell out in Saudi Arabia as coronavirus fears grow
- Several local pharmacies in Jeddah have sold out stocks of masks, while others have limited quantities
- One store manager said that his entire stock of face masks had been sold in the past two days — despite the absence of any coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia
Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla
- Two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday.
The two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest during the meeting.
Meloni arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday.
Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference
RIYADH: Participants in Bangkok on Sunday at the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stressed Islam’s foundation in worshipping Allah and following the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, urging Muslims to promote moderation while contributing to progress.
In a final communique of the two-day event, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, participants called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse.
They highlighted the importance of following the path of the Prophet’s companions, combating extremism, and rejecting groups that misused religion for personal gain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Participants stressed the need to leverage modern media and technology to promote Islam, counter misinformation through research, and develop programs instilling Islamic values and tolerance in young people.
The conference focused on research papers by various scholars and aimed to strengthen communication among Islamic leaders and institutions to advance civilization.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh on Saturday emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and uphold Islamic identity through solidarity and adherence to the truth.
He said that scholars had a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security issues facing the world.
Al-Asheikh added: “This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith.”
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.
