Initiative to protect Saudi Arabia’s forests from fires

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The project aims to determine firefighting efforts, from extinguishing fires to rehabilitating affected sites. (SPA)
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Updated 01 August 2023
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Initiative to protect Saudi Arabia’s forests from fires

  • The project focuses on Asir, Makkah, Madinah, Baha, Najran, Jazan and Taif

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification has initiated a project to develop strategies for forest fire management and prevention in the southern and southwestern regions of the Kingdom.

The project focuses on Asir, Makkah, Madinah, Baha, Najran, Jazan and Taif.

In cooperation with King Khalid University, the project aims to determine firefighting efforts — from extinguishing fires to rehabilitating affected sites.

The agreement includes cooperation in various areas, including sharing information and data on the state of forests in the Kingdom to establish monitoring, follow-up, analysis and inventory measures.

It also includes evaluating the causes of fires in the most frequently affected regions to protect the forest system and identify management methods. 

The center hosted the inaugural workshop for the project, focusing on collaborative cooperation, along with a presentation on the current status of forests.

The center is dedicated to the development, control, protection and rehabilitation of vegetation sites, as well as the detection and prevention of encroachments and illegal logging.

It also oversees and invests in pastures, forests and national parks, promoting sustainable environmental development and contributing to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative.

Recently, the center also signed a tripartite agreement with the Tourism Development Fund and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. It aims to invest in and develop 12 national parks across the Kingdom, with the goal of enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading local and global tourist destination.


King Salman, crown prince exchange Ramadan greetings with Islamic nations

Updated 6 sec ago
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King Salman, crown prince exchange Ramadan greetings with Islamic nations

  • Greetings reflect Kingdom’s commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Islamic nations

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday extended their congratulations to the leaders of Islamic countries on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In line with their annual tradition of strengthening ties with fellow Islamic nations, the Saudi leadership sent cables of congratulations, praying for the acceptance of good deeds and for the Islamic world to experience continued prosperity, unity, and empowerment during Ramadan, SPA added.

In return, King Salman and the crown prince received messages of congratulations from leaders across the Islamic world.

The exchange of greetings reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Islamic nations, especially during the sacred month of Ramadan.


Crescent moon sighted, start of Ramadan on Saturday in Saudi Arabia

Updated 4 min 25 sec ago
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Crescent moon sighted, start of Ramadan on Saturday in Saudi Arabia

  • Ramadan, 9th month of Islamic Hijri calendar, will begin on March 1, Supreme Court announced
  • The crescent sighting was observed across the Kingdom in observatories including Sudair and Tumair

RIYADH: The crescent moon signaling the start of Ramadan on Saturday has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, the moon sighting committee has announced.
Following the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday evening, the holy month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, will begin on March 1, Saturday, the Supreme Court announced.
The crescent sighting was observed across the Kingdom in observatories including Sudair and Tumair.
The Supreme Court on Thursday called on all Muslims in Saudi Arabia to sight the Ramadan crescent on Friday evening.
The court has said anyone who sights the Ramadan crescent with their eyes or through binoculars should notify the nearest court to their location and record their testimony there, or contact the nearest center so that they can be directed to the nearest court.
Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting committee usually observes the moon in the days leading up to the expected start date of Ramadan, but they have encouraged other Muslims who wish to sight the moon to do so as well.
During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset as part of the Islamic ritual that aims to encourage patience, charity, and community welfare.
It is the month of blessing in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Month-long fasting, from dawn to dusk, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
On the auspicious occasion of Ramadan, Muslims mark a turning point of their life where they aim to improve their spirituality, break bad habits instead of putting them on pause, supplicate, heal, give charity, sleep less, pray more and increase imaan – or faith – during this month of forgiveness.


Ramadan Crescent moon sighted; first day of holy month on Saturday

Updated 51 min 21 sec ago
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Ramadan Crescent moon sighted; first day of holy month on Saturday

  • Lunar Islamic calendar, based on the sighting of the crescent moon, determines the beginning of the new month

RIYADH: The crescent moon signaling the start of Ramadan on Saturday has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, the moon sighting committee has announced.

Following the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday evening, the holy month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, will begin on March 1, Saturday, the Supreme Court announced.

The crescent sighting was observed across the Kingdom in observatories including Sudair and Tumair.

The Supreme Court on Thursday called on all Muslims in Saudi Arabia to sight the Ramadan crescent on Friday evening.

The court has said anyone who sights the Ramadan crescent with their eyes or through binoculars should notify the nearest court to their location and record their testimony there, or contact the nearest center so that they can be directed to the nearest court.

Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting committee usually observes the moon in the days leading up to the expected start date of Ramadan, but they have encouraged other Muslims who wish to sight the moon to do so as well.

During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset as part of the Islamic ritual that aims to encourage patience, charity, and community welfare.

It is the month of blessing in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Month-long fasting, from dawn to dusk, is one of the five pillars of Islam.

On the auspicious occasion of Ramadan, Muslims mark a turning point of their life where they aim to improve their spirituality, break bad habits instead of putting them on pause, supplicate, heal, give charity, sleep less, pray more and increase imaan – or faith – during this month of forgiveness.


Saudi Arabia rejects parallel government in Sudan, reaffirms support for stability

Updated 28 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia rejects parallel government in Sudan, reaffirms support for stability

  • Kingdom reaffirmed its unwavering support for Sudan’s security, stability, and territorial integrity

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday rejected any unilateral steps taken outside Sudan’s official institutions that could threaten the country’s unity, including recent calls to establish a parallel government.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that such actions do not reflect the will of the Sudanese people and could further destabilize the war-torn nation.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its unwavering support for Sudan’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.

Saudi Arabia urged all Sudanese parties to prioritize the national interest over factional divisions and to work toward preventing further fragmentation and chaos. The Kingdom also reiterated its commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict and achieving peace in Sudan, in line with the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023.

The statement comes as several members of the UN Security Council voiced concern over the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ decision to declare a parallel government.

The move, announced Sunday by RSF rebels and their allies, has sparked diplomatic tensions between Sudan and Kenya, where the agreement was reportedly signed behind closed doors.

US Representative John Kelley warned during a Security Council meeting on Wednesday that the formation of a rival administration in RSF-controlled areas risks deepening the conflict and could lead to the de facto partition of Sudan.

Kenya, which has been accused of recognizing the RSF’s proposed government, has denied any such endorsement.

The ongoing war between Sudan’s Armed Forces and the RSF has led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands killed and millions displaced. Saudi Arabia has been actively engaged in mediation efforts alongside international partners to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the crisis.


Saudi Arabia welcomes PKK founder’s call to disband militant group

Updated 28 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes PKK founder’s call to disband militant group

  • Kingdom expressed its solidarity with Turkiye and voiced hope that Ocalan’s remarks would translate into concrete steps

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday welcomed a recent call by Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party — PKK — for the militant group to disband and lay down its arms.

In a statement, the Kingdom expressed its solidarity with Turkiye and voiced hope that Ocalan’s remarks would translate into concrete steps toward enhancing security, peace and prosperity in the region.

Ocalan’s message, which was read out in Istanbul on Thursday, marked a historic shift in the decades-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state.

“All groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself,” he said in a declaration drafted from his cell on Imrali prison island, where he has been held in solitary confinement since 1999.

The call for disarmament comes four months after Turkish authorities extended an apparent olive branch to the 75-year-old PKK leader. The militant group has waged an armed insurgency against Turkiye since the 1980s, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Ocalan has played a central role in previous peace negotiations, including a ceasefire attempt in 2013, although previous efforts have failed to yield a lasting resolution. His latest appeal is being closely watched for potential implications on Turkiye’s security landscape and regional stability.