Saudi Cabinet intends Sudan donor conference to support humanitarian efforts

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on May 19, 2023 shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the Arab League Summit in Jeddah. (AFP / HO / SPA / File)
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Updated 14 June 2023
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Saudi Cabinet intends Sudan donor conference to support humanitarian efforts

  • Saudi Arabia would co-chair the conference with Qatar, Egypt, Germany, the UN OCHA, the EU, and the UNHCR
  • Saudi cabinet reaffirms kingdom's continued efforts to bring conflicting sides closer to end crisis through political dialogue

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host on June 19 the “Donor Conference for Sudan and the Region” to provide humanitarian support for Sudan during the ongoing crises.

A Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday said that Saudi Arabia would co-chair the conference with Qatar, Egypt, Germany, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the EU, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Cabinet on Tuesday expressed the Kingdom’s aspiration for a wide participation in the conference, reaffirming its continued efforts to bring the conflicting sides closer to end the crisis through political dialogue.

In a different arena, the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the ministerial meeting to defeat Daesh, which was held in Riyadh, regarding mechanisms and procedures aimed at enhancing cooperation and coordinating joint efforts in this field. It backed the Kingdom’s chairmanship of the focus group on African affairs to confront Daesh, and working to establish a focus group to combat the organization of ISIS Khorasan in Afghanistan.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken following the ministerial meeting that threat of the terrorist organization is not limited to Sahel countries, but rather extends to the whole world. 

He added that the Kingdom is making great efforts to combat the financing of Daesh.

Blinken said that the US would provide nearly $150 million in aid for areas in Syria and Iraq that were liberated from the Daesh extremist group.

The Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh includes more than 80 countries and continues to coordinate action against the extremist group, which at its height controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq. 

At the Cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, the officials discussed the results of the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC foreign ministers and the United States, citing aspects of the strategic partnerships between aimed at enhancing peace, security, stability, integration and economic prosperity in the Middle East.

The Cabinet reiterated, during the second ministerial meeting between the Arab League and the Pacific Small Island Developing States, the Kingdom’s keenness to confront the mutual and urgent global challenges, including food security, supply chains, climate change and sustainable development.

The meeting, which was hosted in Riyadh, expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030. 

Discussing the 10th Arab-China Business Conference, the ministers commended the unprecedented number of attendance, which exceeded 3,500 participants representing 26 countries, and the signing of agreements with a total value of over $10 billion. 

The agreements signed in the Kingdom focused on various sectors including technology, renewables, agriculture, real estate, minerals, supply chains, tourism, and healthcare.

According to the Investment Ministry, the Saudi government signed deals with several Chinese entities for projects including a joint venture for automotive research, development, manufacturing and sales, development of tourism and other apps, and production of rail wagons and wheels in the Kingdom.

Locally, The ministers commended the IMF’s praising of the remarkable growth in the Saudi economy as a result of the continued development of the non-oil sector at a high pace, the tangible recovery in investments, and the continued implementation of economic reforms aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable growth.


Film Commission hosts masterclass with Syrian film veteran in Alkhobar 

Updated 7 sec ago
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Film Commission hosts masterclass with Syrian film veteran in Alkhobar 

  • Ghassan Massoud shares insights to elevate the next generation of talent in the Kingdom

DHAHRAN: The Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission hosted Syrian actor and filmmaker Ghassan Massoud for a masterclass titled “The Secrets of Acting Art” in Alkhobar over the weekend.

The masterclass, a part of the filmmaker’s program, covered the fundamentals of cinematic and theatrical acting, including academic training and actual practice.

It emphasized the close relationship between acting and the visual arts, music, sociology and psychology. 

Reflecting on his training and upbringing, Massoud had praise for the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, where he studied and later became a professor. 

He said Syrian theater and filmmaking drew inspiration from mainstream and alternative sources, including Hollywood and European cinematic traditions. 

The masterclass consisted of two question-and-answer sessions. The first round was moderated by scriptwriter and director Abdulaziz Al-Sultan, who guided a discussion on Massoud’s background and his experiences in television and filmmaking. 

The second round provided an opportunity for interactions with the audience that included filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, as well as movie enthusiasts.

Massoud shared his thoughts on how actors should approach character development.

“I familiarize myself with the character’s vocation, trade jargon, and tools, as well as their psychological and physical attributes, weaknesses, and illnesses. All these aspects influence the character’s attitude, body language, facial expressions, and overall charisma or presence on set.” 

Massoud had praise for the cultural landscape in the Eastern Province. He said he was delighted to have met talented and emerging actors, directors, screenwriters and cinematographers.

The actor has been acclaimed for his performances in several international films including Ridley Scott’s 2005 epic “Kingdom of Heaven,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” 

He said he has enjoyed visiting the Kingdom and collaborating on various cultural and artistic projects. This involvement includes serving as a jury member at the 2023 Saudi Theater Festival in Riyadh. 

He also has a part in the upcoming historical epic “Desert Warrior,” which was shot in NEOM in northeastern Saudi Arabia and is set for release in the new year. 

When asked about advice he has for aspiring actors, he told Arab News: “Dream a lot but work more.”

The filmmaker’s program, now in its fourth run, has opened new horizons for amateurs and professionals. It features a training program that encompasses all stages of film production, from initial ideas to marketing and distribution.

The program includes both in-person and virtual workshops with experts, as well as artistic residencies and masterclasses in collaboration with international institutes and universities.


European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah

Updated 23 December 2024
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European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah

  • At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events and Islamic culture

RIYADH: A group of 250 people from 14 European countries recently visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in Madinah.

Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit, the visitors were part of a wider scheme that will see 1,000 people from 66 countries perform Umrah in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events, Islamic culture and initiatives to safeguard Islamic history and civilization.

The fair seeks to present Islamic culture in an engaging way for different audiences and the visitors expressed their thanks to the Kingdom’s leadership for facilitating their visits to Madinah and Makkah.

They also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to promote Islam’s message of tolerance and to foster appreciation for its historical and spiritual legacy.

As well as the museum, the group visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery and offered prayers at Quba Mosque.

At King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, the pilgrims learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts and its translation into many languages.

At the end of their visit the pilgrims were presented with copies of the Qur’an by representatives of the complex.


Saudi aid efforts continue in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi aid efforts continue in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s humanitarian initiatives are benefiting thousands across Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.

In northern Syria, KSrelief delivered food baskets and hygiene kits to 551 earthquake-affected families in Aleppo, benefiting 3,306 individuals in one day.

In Yemen, 641 food baskets were distributed to vulnerable families in Aden and Lahij, assisting 4,487 individuals in one day.

KSrelief also concluded a week-long urology surgery project in Aden, involving nine specialists who examined 53 cases and performed 109 surgeries.

In Taiz, KSrelief’s rehabilitation center provided 1,537 services to 416 beneficiaries in one month, including prosthetic limb fittings, maintenance, physical therapy, and consultations.

In Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded Subul Al-Salam ambulance service conducted 51 missions in Miniyeh in one week, offering emergency aid to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and host communities.

Additionally, KSrelief distributed 175,000 bread bags to 12,500 families in one week through the Al-Amal Charity Bakery project in Akkar and Miniyeh.


New boot camps focus on data center training

Updated 23 December 2024
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New boot camps focus on data center training

  • The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers

Riyadh: Tuwaiq Academy has partnered with the Uptime Institute to offer six-month professional boot camps at its headquarters in Riyadh.

The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers across various sectors, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.

The initiative addresses labor market needs in data-related fields, including data center management, analysis, and project design, by offering intensive boot camps with globally recognized certifications.

Training follows a hands-on, application-based approach in specialized data center management labs, equipping participants with essential skills to develop innovative solutions for diverse sectors.

Registration is open at tuwaiq.edu.sa.

Founded in 2019, Tuwaiq Academy trains over 1,000 in-person participants daily and provides professional certifications in collaboration with global leaders like Apple, Meta, Amazon, Alibaba, Dell, IBM, and Microsoft.

As the training arm of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the academy has trained over 32,000 people, with 80 percent of graduates securing placements through its Tuwaiq Job Fair, in collaboration with government and private sectors.


Saudi royal reserve launches 45-day Naylat Camp in Hail

Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi royal reserve launches 45-day Naylat Camp in Hail

RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has launched Naylat Camp, a 45-day event in the Hail region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Located in the breathtaking Naylat area, renowned for its soaring mountains, golden sands, clear skies and tranquility, the camp offers a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Visitors can enjoy camel and horse riding, challenging hiking trails, stargazing, and exploring archaeological and historical sites within the reserve.

The camp features facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable ecotourism, according to SPA.

The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism by showcasing the region’s natural beauty, raising environmental awareness about preserving biodiversity, and supporting the local community through seasonal job opportunities and regional development.

The King Salman reserve covers an area of 130,700 sq. km, spanning four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, Northern Borders and Tabuk. It features diverse natural habitats, terrains and distinctive geographic formations.