RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Monday issued a royal decree promoting and appointing 38 judges to the Board of Grievances.
Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Yousef, the head of the Board of Grievances and chairman of the Administrative Judicial Council, said the promotions and appointments covered various levels of the judiciary.
He added that this royal order confirmed the leadership’s keenness toward supporting the administrative judiciary system, developing its performance and workflow, and strengthening it with qualified judges to reach the desired level of excellence.
“This comes under the directives and interest of the king and crown prince and the support they give to the administrative judiciary system at the Board of Grievances, in pursuit of prompt justice and redress of grievances,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s king issues decree promoting, appointing 38 judges
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Saudi Arabia’s king issues decree promoting, appointing 38 judges
Prophet’s Mosque receives 4,000 worshipers from 120 countries for I’tikaf
- Upon arrival, worshipers were directed to their designated areas
- Among the services were a dedicated help desk for worshipers
MADINAH: The Prophet’s Mosque welcomed 4,000 worshipers, both men and women, from 120 countries for I’tikaf (staying in a mosque for the purpose of worship) during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
Upon arrival, worshipers were directed to their designated areas: the western rooftop section for men, accessible via staircases No. 6 and 10, and the northeastern section for women, with entry through doors 24 and 25A.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque immediately began providing services to facilitate worship with ease and comfort, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Among the services were a dedicated help desk for worshipers, secure lockers for belongings, medical clinics, first aid, multilingual translation support, religious lessons and full meal provisions for iftar, dinner, and sahoor.
Additionally, mobile charging stations were available, and each worshiper received a personal care kit and a wristband to facilitate easy movement, access to designated areas and seamless service provision.
Holy cities experience moderate to heavy rains amid forecast of more until Sunday
RIYADH: As Ramadan enters its final 10 nights – Qiyam Al-Layl – several of Saudi Arabia’s regions experienced moderate to heavy rain on Thursday, including the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Al-Jami’ah district in Jeddah city recorded the highest levels with 24.8mm of rain.
The National Center for Meteorology has forecast this to continue until Sunday. Parts of Makkah, Al-Baha, Aseer, Jazan and Najran, in addition to parts of Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, can expect gusty winds, moderate to heavy rain, and hailstorms. There will be dust-stirring winds in Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders region,
The rain in Makkah came as a blessing for Umrah pilgrims, giving them some respite from hot weather.
Faiz Al-Najdi, a Yanbu resident, told Arab News: “It was pleasant weather in Makkah, I performed Umrah with family with ease and even performed Friday prayer in the open courtyard at the grand mosque. I feel blessed to perform my religious duty and enjoy good weather.”
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Civil Defense has called for caution and the need to remain in safe areas, avoiding areas prone to flooding and low-lying valleys. It warned people to refrain from swimming in them and urged adherence to any instructions announced by local authorities via various media outlets and social media platforms.
Text messages sent to residents in Riyadh said: “Forecasts from the NCM indicate that moderate to heavy rains will fall on the Riyadh region (Riyadh, Diriyah, Dhurma, Al-Muzahmiyya, Rimah, Al-Kharj, Al-Dilam, Al-Hariq, Hawtah Bani Tamim). Rain conditions predicted from Wednesday to Saturday, corresponding to March 19 to 22, 2025.”
It also warned of flash floods and high waves on the coasts, as well as hailstorms in the highlands.
Winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to northerly, reaching 25-50 km per hour in northern and central parts, and northeasterly to southeasterly, reaching 15-45 km per hour in the south.
Waves might range from 1.5 meters to more than 2 meters and the sea is likely to be choppy.
In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be easterly to southeasterly at speeds of 12-40 km per hour. Waves may range from half a meter to more than 2 meters and the sea will be calm to choppy.
Spanish ambassador bids fond farewell to Saudi Arabia
- ‘The future is bright in our bilateral relations,’ says envoy Jorge Sierra, who is returning to Madrid after more than 3 years in the Kingdom
- ‘It’s been a wonderful experience to know such a beautiful country with such a strong personality, at a moment of social and economic changes that is fascinating to see,’ he adds
RIYADH: As he prepared to say a fond farewell to Saudi Arabia, Jorge Sierra, Spain’s ambassador to the Kingdom, reflected on some of his most cherished memories and shared his perspective on Saudi-Spanish relations.
“It’s been a wonderful experience to know such a beautiful country with such a strong personality, at a moment of social and economic changes that is fascinating to see. There are so many things going on here,” he said.
Sierra was appointed ambassador on Oct. 21, 2021, and arrived in the Kingdom the following month. In an interview with Arab News, he said was already somewhat familiar with Saudi Arabia thanks to conversations with his predecessors and a visit to the country in 2002, and shared some of his fondest memories of working there.
“My most memorable experience, without any doubt, was going to the Empty Quarter; it was amazing,” he said.
“We were a group of 12 and we went with a group of professionals that specialize in that particular kind of tourism. We went for three days and it was great. It was fascinating. I am so happy that I did it.”
Another of his highlights was the ancient city of AlUla, which he said he visited several times.
On the day-to-day business of diplomacy, Sierra said bilateral relations are “excellent” and both countries are “satisfied on a political level.”
Thanks to exchange visits and ministerial efforts on both sides “trade is in a good position” and “cultural ties are also strong,” he added, but work continues to enhance the relationship even further: “We always think that we can do more. We want more.”
As for what the future might hold for cooperation between the countries, he said: “The future is bright in our bilateral relations. We are working on creating a structure that allows us to upgrade our relations to a strategic level.”
In his role as ambassador over the past three-and-a-half years, Sierra played a significant part in the development of relations between the countries in various fields. But are there any moments he looks back on with particular fondness?
“There is one that I will never forget,” he said. “In the cultural field we organized, in October 2023, a concert with a very famous Spanish musician.”
The musician was Jose Hevia, a renowned Spanish bagpiper, and the concert was a collaboration between the Spanish Embassy, the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Music Commission, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
“He played with a Saudi musician who played traditional instruments. It was at the Cultural Palace,” he said, adding that there was not a single empty seat in the 600-capacity venue. “I will always remember (it).”
Sierra also noted the political changes that have been taking place in the Kingdom and said: “Saudi Arabia is becoming sort of a world hub of diplomacy.”
His time as ambassador will officially end on March 25, when he will return to Madrid to embark on a new challenge in international law department of Spain’s Foreign Ministry. He said he was looking forward to this new role, which will have a particular focus on humanitarian law, because private and public international law was his favorite subject at university and now he has the chance to work in that field.
“I am so happy because I will pay a debt that I have with myself; I will have the chance to be and work in a field I am really interested in,” he said.
As the Saudi chapter of his career comes to an end, Sierra thanked his team at the embassy, including his counselors in economics and cultural affairs and other topics, for their help spearheading programs designed to advance Saudi-Spanish ties.
His successor as ambassador to Saudi Arabia will be Javier Carbajosa Sanchez, who previously served as Spain’s envoy to Qatar.
The spirit of Ramadan’s traditional games
- Ministry of Culture is working to bring back the joy of traditional Ramadan play
- Even in the age of modern entertainment, the spirit of Ramadan games lives on
RIYADH: Ramadan, a time of gathering and reflection, has long featured games that build community and create a vibrant atmosphere.
From strategic board games to fast-paced team sports, these traditional activities were once a staple of Ramadan nights, promoting a sense of camaraderie and competition.
“In the past, Ramadan was different in terms of social gatherings,” said Hitham Abdu Sheany, an Arabic teacher at an elementary school in Jazan who grew up playing these traditional games.
“There were more family get-togethers, even for those who lived far away. We always spent Ramadan with our families, and because there were so many children around, we played a lot of games,” he said.
These games were central to Ramadan’s social life, connecting generations and preserving cultural traditions.
After Taraweeh prayers, children and adults alike would take part in a variety of games. One of the most popular was farfirah, known commonly as foosball, which saw players compete in fast-paced matches, using rods to control miniature figures and score goals.
“We played farfirah until a team won,” Sheany recalled. “Then, we would all have dinner before heading to the recreation center, where Ramadan tournaments were held. In the past, everyone attended these tournaments, from children to the elderly.”
Another favorite was carrom, a game of precision and strategy played on a wooden board. Using finger flicks to send colored discs into the corner pockets, players needed skill and patience to outmaneuver their opponents.
Games such as dominos and baloot, a trick-taking card game, were also popular pastimes that encouraged strategic thinking and friendly competition.
Outdoor sports played a significant role in Ramadan traditions as well. Volleyball was particularly beloved, with neighborhood tournaments taking place after Fajr prayers.
“Every neighborhood had a volleyball game going on,” Sheany said.
“Even in some homes, people would set up nets and play together,” he added.
These games not only provided entertainment but also reinforced bonds between neighbors and friends.
According to Sheany, traditional games held a special societal value. “These games strengthened connections within neighborhoods,” he said. “We played honestly and with true competition, making friends in the process.”
He said that while modern entertainment, including electronic games and social media, has changed how people interact, there were still those who appreciated the charm of these traditional activities.
Recognizing the cultural significance of these games, the Ministry of Culture has taken steps to revive them through its Ramadan Season events.
Over the past two years, initiatives have been launched to bring back the communal spirit of Ramadan, featuring traditional games such as carrom, dominos and farfirah, alongside sporting competitions such as the Ramadan marathon and the padel championship.
These efforts aim to preserve the essence of Ramadan gatherings and introduce younger generations to the joy of traditional play.
Although times have changed, the spirit of traditional games lives on in family homes, neighborhood gatherings and organized events, continuing to be a reminder of the values of teamwork, friendly rivalry and shared joy.
‘Walking Guide’ volunteer service introduced for Grand Mosque pilgrims
- Service provides assistance to those with mobility difficulties
- Guides facilitate movement throughout the mosque complex
MAKKAH: A new volunteer assistance service has been introduced at Saudi Arabia’s two holy mosques to aid pilgrims, particularly the elderly and disabled.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced the program as part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Speaking to Arab News, the initiative’s director, Bassem Wahbo, explained that guides are identifiable through prominent signage and floor markers that pinpoint their locations.
“This system creates effective connections between locations and nearby services, representing a critical advancement in our visitor assistance capabilities, supporting the initiative’s goals of providing effective and direct assistance to (visitors),” Wahbo said.
“We provide precise guidance to ensure all visitors enjoy a comfortable and smooth experience, with special focus on elderly and disabled pilgrims by directing them to dedicated pathways and services that facilitate easy access to their destinations,” he added.
The initiative serves multiple purposes, mainly facilitating movement throughout the mosque complex, providing assistance to worshippers navigating to prayer areas and services, supporting vulnerable visitors to ensure their comfort during religious rituals, and directing people to optimal routes and available amenities.
The authority emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting elderly and disabled visitors through specialized guidance services to help them reach their destinations with ease.
Hajj and Umrah specialist Saad Al-Sharif praised the initiative as “exceptional,” noting its comprehensive approach to visitor assistance.
“The guides provide crucial field direction to circumambulation areas, Sa’i, prayer halls, entrances, exits, and service locations. They reunite lost individuals — particularly children and elderly pilgrims — with their proper destinations and offer multilingual assistance to international visitors,” Al-Sharif explained.
Umrah performer Abdulrahman Faisal highlighted the teams’ importance in emergency response situations.
“They provide immediate assistance to visitors experiencing difficulties such as heat stress or exhaustion and coordinate with relevant authorities when necessary,” he said.
He explained that it is particularly important to guide Umrah performers and tourists toward correct behaviors inside the mosque to preserve the sanctity of the place and maintain orderly movement, which the authorities are working hard to achieve.
Faisal noted that guides operate within a mobile system, patrolling the mosque complex with identification badges and communication devices.
They are strategically positioned at key locations including entrances, the Tawaf area, the Sa’i walkway, and main gates.
“Their use of smart applications and digital mapping technology to deliver accurate, instant information is particularly impressive,” he added.
The service has already reportedly reduced instances of disorientation among visitors while improving the ritual experience and enhancing overall organization.
