https://arab.news/r4puw
RIYADH: The Saudi air defenses intercept two bomb-laden drones that were launched by the Houthi militants in Yemen towards the kingdom on Saturday, the Arab Coalition said.
The coalition said Houthis continue to deliberately attack civilians and civilian objects.
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Agroforestry Action Plan Development Project to enhance environmental sustainability, social development and economic growth.
The project assesses agroforestry conditions, applies global best practices and promotes investment for sustainable forest management, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, it supports environmental sustainability and combats desertification, the SPA added.
As part of the project, the center will activate its December 2024 memorandum with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry to enhance research collaboration and implement advanced agroforestry techniques.
The initiative aims to restore land, expand vegetation, protect habitats and reduce carbon emissions. It also fosters resilient forest ecosystems and improves forest areas across the Kingdom.
Additionally, the center is advancing sustainable forests through its initiative to plant 60 million trees, rehabilitating 300,000 hectares by 2030.
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran will host more than 25 Eid Al-Fitr events from March 31 to April 2, featuring exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities.
The program includes an exhibition showcasing eight master artisans in papermaking, calligraphy, and ornamentation. Visitors can explore an installation inspired by mudbrick architecture and traditional palm-based crafts.
At the Children’s Museum, activities include an immersive Eid celebration and workshops such as “Balloon Art,” “Eid in a Bag,” and “The Scent of Eid.”
Families can enjoy the “Eid Wheel” game and storytelling sessions where children create their own cloud keepsake.
Other experiences include “Eid Echoes,” a 360-degree audio journey capturing the festive sounds of Eid, set in the plaza. The library will host Eid-themed storytime.
The “Eid on the Big Screen” program will feature global cinema and Japanese anime, including “The Wind Rises,” “Chibi Maruko-chan,” and “A Mosquito.”
Visitors can also explore an AI-powered interactive display and a vitual reality journey through historical Eid celebrations. Live oud performances will take place in Ithra’s gardens, creating a festive open-air concert.
Lush Garden will offer a vibrant space with games and challenges for families and children to enjoy Eid’s joyful atmosphere. The “Energy Exhibit” will also feature special Eid programming for kids of all ages.
The President of Chad Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno was recently received by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of the Makkah Region, on his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The Mayor of Jeddah Saleh Al-Turki, and Ambassador of Chad to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Al-Qadam Al-Junaidi were among the officials present, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
MAKKAH: The safety, comfort and experience of millions of pilgrims at the Grand Mosque will be better than ever, thanks to the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques harnessing advanced technology and improving its strategic oversight.
At the heart of the transformation is a command center which gives the authority a comprehensive overview of operations. Advanced sensors at key entrances track pilgrim numbers in real time, enabling precise crowd monitoring and management in collaboration with relevant authorities.
A camera system captures real-time entry movements, providing instantaneous insights into pilgrim flows and pinpointing potential congestion risks. This dual-system approach has transformed crowd control within the mosque and is particularly effective in critical areas such as the Tawaf and Sa’i routes.
The system enables seamless crowd control during peak periods, facilitating smooth entry and exit processes. By leveraging precise and historical data, it ensures decision-makers can make swift, informed choices.
Over 200 digital panels have also been installed to improve spatial navigation, helping pilgrims move more efficiently through the mosque complex.
The number of electric golf carts has been expanded to 400, as well as custom-designed manual carts being available. This meets the diverse needs of pilgrims during the season, ensuring comfortable and seamless transportation that simplifies the performance of religious rituals.
A huge cooling infrastructure spans the sacred space, utilizing 155,000 tonnes of refrigeration to maintain perfect ambient temperatures across the Grand Mosque. Balanced lighting illuminates every corner, while a precision audio system ensures that calls to prayer and religious services resonate with clarity. A new luggage storage service also offers secure, QR-coded smart tags for easy tracking and retrieval of belongings.
The authority maintains rigorous standards and conducts periodic updates as part of efforts to maintain service efficiency and accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
RIYADH: For Muslims across Saudi Arabia, Ramadan is exemplified by its spirit of reflection and generosity, with a surge in charitable initiatives during the holy month.
Communities rally to fund medical treatments for the sick, sponsor orphans’ education, and equip families with tools to build self-reliance — all fueled by a faith that sees giving as essential.
To safeguard this spiritual momentum, Saudi Arabia has strengthened frameworks ensuring that donations flow securely to causes that transform lives.
The Presidency of State Security has underscored how donations must be made through official channels.
For international donations, the agency emphasized that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) remains the sole authorized entity, adding that violations would be met with legal consequences per the Kingdom’s laws.
Among the approved organizations driving this Ramadan’s charitable momentum is the Charitable Society for Orphans Care (Ensan), a Riyadh-based organization dedicated to orphan welfare, which empowers mothers and children to rebuild their lives.
Mohammed Al-Muharib, director-general of Ensan, told Arab News that “Ramadan is a blessed month marked by increased charitable giving and virtuous deeds.”
He spoke about how the organization leverages this spiritual momentum to support orphans through initiatives like Eid Gift Packages, which are designed to “bring joy and share the happiness of Eid” with children.
Rather than traditional meal distributions, Ensan prioritizes direct financial empowerment, depositing funds for Ramadan Baskets into families’ accounts — a method Al-Muharib described as aligning with modern, dignified aid.
While healthcare and education remain the core focus of Ensan’s year-round work, Al-Muharib noted that Ramadan sharpens their focus.
“Education and healthcare are part of our year-round programs, but they receive heightened focus during Ramadan,” he explained.
He linked this to Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of communal solidarity, framing empowerment as a tool to break cycles of dependency.
For time-sensitive projects like Eid gifts and iftar gatherings, Al-Muharib stressed urgency. “We run the Eid Gift Project for Ensan’s children by depositing gift funds into families’ accounts,” he said, urging donors to contribute via Ensan’s official platforms.
He also highlighted partnerships with community stakeholders as critical to fulfilling what he termed a “shared social responsibility,” echoing the article’s theme of collective action.
The cirector general reiterated Ensan’s commitment to accountability. “Ensan prioritizes transparency in all programs and services, earning awards for accountability,” he said, referencing post-Ramadan statistical reports that detail expenditures and outcomes.
Founded in 1981, Al-Bir Society in Jeddah provides social services for families, orphans, and kidney failure patients.
As of March 17, 2025, the society reported significant milestones. Its Hisham Attar and Abdulkarim Bakr Medical Centers have conducted over 660,000 dialysis sessions using more than 70 machines, supplemented by psychological, health, and social services for patients.
The society supports more than 37,000 families through rehabilitation, job training, and project funding to enhance self-reliance.
It also cares for 14,000 orphans within their families and 1,100 in residential facilities, offering comprehensive educational, health, and recreational support.
Another charity with longstanding service the people of Saudi Arabia is Qatif Charity, an organization that has been operating for over 60 years.
Qatif Charity specializes in providing social services, aiming to improve the economic, social, and health standards of its beneficiaries.
Today, the organization supports around 1,300 students, including 201 university students, with 22 students graduating this year.
Qatif Charity has also supported a total of 370 families and 500 orphans, with over 70 projects under its belt.
Osama Al-Zayer, president of the charity, told Arab News that “the organization’s Ramadan programs begin before the arrival of the holy month.”
Qatif Charity distributes Ramadan food baskets to all of its beneficiaries. The organization initiates charitable programs including the Friday Charity, the Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr) Charity, and Zakat Al-Fitr.
“These programs ensure that donations reach those in need in an organized manner, creating a positive and lasting impact,” Al-Zayer said, adding that these charitable contributions support programs such as education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure development.
The organization also runs the Fawanees (Lanterns) Program, where selected words and sayings from the teachings and sermons of the Prophet Muhammad are written across lanterns and distributed online.
Two of its Ramadan campaigns, “Eid Joy” and “Eid Clothing,” ensure that beneficiary families experience the festive spirit of Eid without worry.
“Every contribution, whether small or large, supports the organization and strengthens its diverse programs,” he added.
To facilitate donations, the organization has launched an online donation platform.
“Giving is deeply rooted in our society’s religious and social values, fostering generosity, selflessness, and the support of others in need,” Al-Zayer said.
“The organization embodies this noble trait within our community by assisting the poor and orphans who require help.”
The essence of generosity and kindness is particularly evident during Ramadan due to its religious significance as a month of mercy, goodness, and generosity, Al-Zayer noted.
“It is a time when the charitable spirit of our community shines, as people actively engage in supporting and helping others.”
In the southern region of Asir, an initiative named Ajaweed carried out charitable visits to provide healthcare at patients’ homes including vaccinations, laboratory analyses, and delivery of prescriptions throughout the month.
Together, these are some of the organizations that exemplify the Kingdom’s vision of structured, impactful philanthropy.
