Saudi king receives letter from Tajik president expressing support for Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 Riyadh

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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 07 September 2022
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Saudi king receives letter from Tajik president expressing support for Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a written message from Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, regarding the strong and solid bilateral relations that bind the two countries and peoples, and ways to support and enhance them in various fields and at all levels.
Rahmon expressed his country’s support for the Kingdom’s request to host the Expo 2030 in Riyadh.
The message was received by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the capital, Riyadh.
During the meeting, they discussed relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest.


Separated twins, families visit 2034 World Cup exhibit, historic At-Turaif district

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Separated twins, families visit 2034 World Cup exhibit, historic At-Turaif district

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief organized a special visit for conjoined twins who had undergone separation surgeries in the Kingdom, along with their families, to Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid exhibition.

The visit was organizaed on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins, held in Riyadh from Nov. 24-25.

The twins and their families also toured the historic At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning architecture, which reflects Saudi Arabia’s scientific and cultural advances.

At the end of the visit, the twins and their families expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom, represented by KSrelief, for organizing the visit and for the warm hospitality of the Saudi people.


‘The extraordinary has become the ordinary in Saudi Arabia,’ says Middle East expert

Updated 5 min 34 sec ago
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‘The extraordinary has become the ordinary in Saudi Arabia,’ says Middle East expert

  • Appearing on “Frankly Speaking,” Norman Roule called for more robust media narrative to communicate the Kingdom’s ambition
  • Lauded the role of Ambassadors Michael Ratney and Princess Reema bin Bandar in strengthening bilateral relationship

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s transformation, showcased by world-class entertainment events, AI and green energy investments, and giga-projects, continues to redefine its global image and influence, but according to Middle East expert Norman Roule, more can be done to explain the Kingdom’s ambitions to the world.

On the diplomatic front, the former senior American intelligence officer believes Saudi-US relations will continue to thrive regardless of the administration in Washington and despite the temporary pause caused by the Gaza war.

“Truth be told, I see so much that is extraordinary in Saudi Arabia that the extraordinary has become the ordinary,” he said on the Arab News current affairs program “Frankly Speaking,” referring to the star-studded “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” fashion show on Nov. 14 as part of Riyadh Season 2024, which has drawn over 6 million visitors and turned the Saudi capital into a cultural and entertainment hub.

“Saudi Arabia must have what it needs to achieve its vision as a global node of progress, stability, interfaith relationships,” Roule said, noting that the Kingdom “is located in the center of so many pathways of global commerce and social exchange between India and Africa, between Europe and Asia.”

Saudi-French model Amira Al-Zuhair was spotted on the runway of the 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab in Riyadh. (Jafer Alsaleh/AN)

Calling for a more robust narrative strategy to dispel misconceptions and showcase Saudi Arabia’s impact, he underscored the importance of investing in media programs similar to “Frankly Speaking” to communicate the Kingdom’s vision “in English to the international community.”

“The world needs more of it, not just to understand what the Kingdom is doing in and of itself, but how those ambitions will shape the global society and the global economy. Understanding Saudi Arabia’s investments in green energy, along with those of the United Arab Emirates. It’s critical to the future of the planet for developing countries — for the Global North and the Global South,” Roule told Katie Jensen, the host of “Frankly Speaking.”

“Understanding how entertainment connects Europe to Asia, how it’s going to shape how people move in the world. That can only be done with more information being put out.”

Roule spoke of Saudi Arabia’s influence on critical issues, such as women’s empowerment and cultural exchange, stating that it can reach well beyond its borders, shaping developments across the region and even other continents. “The role of protecting women’s rights is not just a Saudi issue,” he said, “but I’d like to see Saudi Arabia’s influence touch Afghanistan and Africa.”

Roule also offered an enthusiastic assessment of NEOM — a key part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy beyond oil — describing it as a game-changer for Saudi Arabia’s future. The $500 billion futuristic city on the Red Sea is designed to address challenges like population growth and sustainability while leveraging the Kingdom’s strategic location near the Red Sea.

A handout picture shows the design plan for the 500-meter tall parallel structures, known collectively as The Line, in the heart of the Red Sea megacity EOM. (NEOM/AFP)

“NEOM is 90 minutes from Athens and about 60 kilometers from the Suez Canal,” he said, and noted that its vision includes carbon-neutral technologies, transformative trade hubs like Oxagon, and revolutionary urban designs such as The Line.

“So much of this has never been done before anywhere in the world. It will be amazing,” Roule said.

“When people talk about The Line, which is often how NEOM is described in the West, I tell them, first, NEOM is the size of Belgium or Massachusetts,” he said. “Only 5 percent of the territory can be developed. And I think they’ve mapped that about 4 percent.”

Looking ahead, he said: “I have no doubt it’s going to succeed — it will be amazing — but it may not succeed on the schedule that some might hope.”

Roule lauded the work done by the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and the US in their respective capitals to strengthen bilateral relations. “Michael Ratney is not only experienced, a superb Arabist, but he’s someone who has a deep knowledge and understanding and respect for the region,” he said. “He’s exactly the sort of ambassador the United States would hope to have in a position as consequential as this.

Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar and US Ambassador to the Kingdom Michael Ratney in Riyadh. (X: @rbalsaud)

“At the same time, you have Saudi Ambassador Reema bint Bandar in Washington, who is extremely capable. She is a national treasure for both of our countries as we look to understand and work together.”

Roule praised the two ambassadors for encouraging American executives to visit Saudi Arabia, saying: “I have been with such executives at some of these meetings. If they’re fresh to the Kingdom, they’re delighted and amazed; if they don’t come often, they’re delighted and amazed.”

Ultimately, he said, “the success that we all hope to achieve is not a business deal; it’s a partnership on the broader ambitions of the Kingdom and the United States for regional stability and progress.”


UN official lauds KSrelief’s landmine work in Yemen

Updated 24 November 2024
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UN official lauds KSrelief’s landmine work in Yemen

  • The UN official emphasized the importance of continuing such humanitarian projects to achieve stability in Yemen and protect civilians

Riyadh: The UN special envoy’s military adviser to Yemen, Antony Hayward, praised the work carried out by Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s Project Masam to clear landmines in Yemen.

During his visit to the agency’s headquarters in Marib, he said that the project works to protect the lives of civilians and secure large areas of Yemeni territory despite the challenges posed by landmines.

The UN official emphasized the importance of continuing such humanitarian projects to achieve stability in Yemen and protect civilians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Last week, meanwhile, members of Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen, including anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and unexploded ordnance, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said 470,416 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 responsible for clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of landmines.


Saudi culture minister engages with manga students in Tokyo

Updated 24 November 2024
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Saudi culture minister engages with manga students in Tokyo

  • Prince Badr highlighted the Saudi leadership’s strong commitment to developing human capabilities across various fields

Riyadh: Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met Saudi scholarship students participating in the Manga Industry program in Tokyo.

The program, organized in collaboration between the commission and Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Misk Foundation, aims to develop talented manga artists through professional training rooted in Japanese techniques, the art form’s birthplace.

Prince Badr highlighted the Saudi leadership’s strong commitment to developing human capabilities across various fields, emphasizing the importance of academic and professional training in cultural disciplines.

The meeting was attended by the CEO of the commission, Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of Manga Productions Essam Bukhary and students studying manga art at Kadokawa Contents Academy, a leading Japanese institution for training and recruiting manga talent.

The program offers virtual workshops, intensive training courses and overseas training in Japan. It also includes competitions blending manga with Saudi cultural themes, such as Munjanha, which transforms Arabic proverbs into manga stories; Manga Al-Qaseed, which adapts Arabic poetry; and Manga Al-Ibil, which celebrates the cultural symbolism of camels in Saudi heritage.

More than 1,850 participants have benefited from the program’s virtual workshops, with 115 advancing to intensive training, producing 115 manga stories. Of these, 21 students were selected for advanced training in Japan.


Umrah guests tour Madinah’s historic sites

Updated 24 November 2024
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Umrah guests tour Madinah’s historic sites

RIYADH: The first group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.

The visit, part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, aimed to enhance the cultural experience for visitors and Umrah performers in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The pilgrims toured the complex’s technical and administrative departments, learning about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts, and its translation into multiple languages.

The first group included 250 prominent Islamic figures from 12 countries, part of a total of 1,000 Umrah performers from 66 countries. The guests will visit over four groups as part of the program.

At the end of the visit, the complex representatives gifted copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.

The group also visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.

The program includes meetings with imams of the Prophet’s Mosque and renowned scholars.

Several guests expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting them, thanking the ministry for the excellent services provided.

Hanafi bin Hamza from Malaysia praised the facilities and expressed joy at visiting the Kingdom. Norasni Binti Muhammad Suh, also from Malaysia, conveyed her gratitude for the program, while Rebuan bin Abdullah thanked the Saudi leadership for the initiative, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Muslims worldwide.

Automaki from Japan called the program outstanding, appreciating the exceptional services and warm hospitality extended by the Saudi leadership.