‘Tawakkalna’ app updated, no longer requires ‘Absher’ for sign-up in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom has so far administered approximately 3 million vaccines at a rate of 125,212 each day. (SPA)
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Updated 20 March 2021
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‘Tawakkalna’ app updated, no longer requires ‘Absher’ for sign-up in Saudi Arabia

  • Health Ministry reports 382 new cases, 271 recoveries, 6 deaths

RIYADH: Residents of Saudi Arabia without Absher accounts will now be able to use Tawakkalna services after the app underwent sweeping upgrades to accommodate expatriates without legal status.
The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence released the update which lets expats sign up using the mobile number identification service, allowing those currently facing issues with their iqama (residence permits) or other issues to sign up for Absher.
The update also allows users to update their mobile numbers.
With the app now required for anyone seeking to gain entry into shops, restaurants, and public places, the move is expected to ease many of the issues that have arisen since the new rule took effect earlier this year.
Meanwhile, precautions to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are ongoing, with intense field inspections continuing to make their rounds in commercial centers and restaurants, ensuring that visitors adhere to the safety and precautionary measures issued by the Kingdom’s relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Health announced 382 new cases on Saturday, bringing the Kingdom’s case total to 384,653.
The Riyadh region had the highest number of new cases, standing at 172. This was followed by Eastern Province at 69 and the Makkah region at 58. The Jazan, Najran, and Baha regions had three each.
Of the above cases, the ministry estimates that there are currently 3,916 active cases, 587 of them critical.
The number of new recoveries announced was 271, raising the recovery tally to 374,135. Saudi Arabia’s recovery rate has declined to 97.26 percent.
With the six deaths announced, the Kingdom’s total death toll is at 6,602.

FASTFACTS

384,653 Total cases

374,135 Recoveries

6,602 Deaths

As far as vaccination, the Kingdom has so far administered approximately 3 million vaccines, with over 2.96 million Saudis residents having received at least one dose. The Kingdom is vaccinating at a rate of 125,212 vaccines each day.
The total number of PCR tests conducted in the Kingdom stands at 14,585,281, with 37,402 of them being carried out in the past 24 hours.
Health clinics in the Kingdom, set up by the ministry as testing hubs and treatment centers, have dealt with hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Among the testing hubs, Taakad (make sure) centers provide COVID-19 tests for those who show no or mild symptoms, or who believe they have come into contact with an infected individual.
Tetamman (rest assured) clinics offer treatment and advice to those with virus symptoms, such as fever, loss of taste and smell, and breathing difficulties.
Appointments for either service can be made through the Sehhaty app.


Asir launches campaign to promote organic food culture

Updated 4 min 38 sec ago
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Asir launches campaign to promote organic food culture

  • Ahmed Al-Mojathel: Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system
  • Initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society

ABHA: A public awareness campaign by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture kicked off Organic Food 2024 in Saudi Arabia, reported Saudi Press Agency.

Ahmed Al-Mojathel, director of the ministry’s Asir branch, said: “Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system.

“We are working to enhance consumer awareness about the benefits of organic foods while encouraging innovation and excellence in organic product quality.”

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society.

Al-Mojathel said the campaign also aimed to achieve economic and social objectives supporting the development of the organic food sector across the Kingdom.


Officials detained as investigators smash drug-smuggling operation at Al-Jouf Airport

Updated 38 min 50 sec ago
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Officials detained as investigators smash drug-smuggling operation at Al-Jouf Airport

  • 9 people arrested, including Ministry of Interior employee, 4 people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and a Saudi Electricity Company worker

RIYADH: A drug smuggling operation at Al-Jouf International Airport in Saudi Arabia, in which several government and other public-sector officials allegedly were involved, has been shut down following an extensive investigation.

An official source at the Ministry of Interior said on Thursday that nine people were detained, including a ministry employee, four people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and one from the Saudi Electricity Company.

Their alleged roles in the smuggling network included helping to get the drugs into the Kingdom, ensuring shipments bypassed inspections, transporting them, and concealing them in homes and at other locations.

They also engaged in the promotion and distribution of the narcotics in the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The amount and type of drugs involved was not immediately apparent.

The Ministry of Interior said it remains committed to confronting all threats to national security and will take stringent action against anyone who jeopardizes the safety and stability of the country.


Saudi Music Commission launches self-learn digital platform for budding musicians

Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi Music Commission launches self-learn digital platform for budding musicians

  • MusiqAI offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments

RIYADH: The Saudi Music Commission has launched an interactive digital platform to teach music to enthusiasts wanting to start playing an instrument or further their musical knowledge.

MusiqAI is the first self-learn digital platform for music in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. It offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments.

The platform name, which includes “AI,” the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, can be translated from Arabic as “My Music.”

The commission said in a statement that MusiqAI offers online courses and trains enthusiasts and professionals on the latest technologies in music production. It also provides accredited certificates, easy access to video streaming courses, and a self-paced learning experience, anytime and from anywhere.

MusiqAI aims to offer a unique way of learning various music genres — in Saudi Arabia and globally — whether by picking an Arabic or Western instrument such as the drums, guitar or oud, and communicating with trainers and experts on the platform.

The commission said nurturing and supporting musical talent are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. In March, the commission launched the Saudi Music Memory initiative to highlight the history of Saudi art and offer academically documented research for musicians and researchers.

To register on the MusiqAI platform, visit the commission website: https://music.moc.gov.sa/en 


OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute

Updated 14 November 2024
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OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute

  • It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute
  • Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds

JEDDAH: The general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a meeting of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts in Jeddah on Thursday.
It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute, in accordance with the Council of Foreign Ministers.
OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha said that the meeting was held amid difficult and harsh humanitarian circumstances that required concerted efforts and collective action to adopt actions to help contain humanitarian crises and hardships.
In his speech, Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds, undertake the necessary reforms to their working mechanism and support them with the financial resources to enable them to fulfil their role.
The statement delivered by assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, cultural and social affairs, ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, on behalf of OIC’s secretary-general, highlighted the significant challenges faced by member states in the humanitarian field.


KSrelief distributes shelter supplies in Afghanistan

Updated 14 November 2024
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KSrelief distributes shelter supplies in Afghanistan

  • KSrelief will distribute 4,882 shelter items, such as tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other supplies

KABUL: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched a shelter project for people returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan and victims of the 2024 floods.

It will distribute 4,882 shelter items, such as tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other supplies across the provinces of Kabul, Ghazni, Bamyan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Herat, Nimroz, Nangarhar and Laghman. The project will help 29,292 people.

The scheme is part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief efforts, through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people.