RIYADH: The French embassy marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month by teaming up with the Zahra Breast Cancer Association to organize a special event in Riyadh.
Speaking at the event, the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ludovic Pouille, said: “This annual gathering is part of the awareness campaign for the fight against breast cancer, October Rose or Pink October. It is the most common cancer in women worldwide.”
He paid tribute to those who are working to fight the disease, to those who have survived it, and to the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who continue to work in Palestine and Ukraine to help save the lives of innocent civilians.
Princess Haifa Al-Faisal, the founder and president of the Zahra association, told the guests: “Actually, I haven’t prepared a speech, I’m just happy to be with you tonight and wish you all the best of health.”
Breast cancer continues to be an important challenge faced by people of all nations.
Dr. Wafa Al-Khayal, a breast cancer specialist in the endocrinology department at King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh, said: “Cancer is a tragedy that affects many women around the world and in my country as well. This is a challenge we must all face together.
“I should note that awareness campaigns conducted by the Zahra (association) since 2003 have led to early detection of a large number of women with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. We used to meet women with breast cancer, but at a very advanced stage where the chances of recovery are unfortunately minimal.
“I hope that all women learn to listen to their bodies and act immediately by contacting specialists. Don’t neglect any sign.”
Representatives of the Zahra association travel the Kingdom to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, and to gain the confidence of women, particularly in rural populations where taboos about the disease persist.
Dr. Jean-Marc Nabolt, a specialist with 35 years of experience in treating breast cancer, said that he is helping to develop a simple blood test that can detect the disease.
“I am collaborating with Saudi researchers at King Saud University to create a medical application that uses the movement of electrons, combined with the capabilities of artificial intelligence, to screen for cancer and enable patients and doctors to intervene faster and at lower costs,” he explained.
“This application is being tested in nine countries. The results obtained after four years of research show 98 percent that it is now possible to detect cancer by performing a simple blood test. This application would then be accessible to everyone.”
Hana Asiri, a breast cancer survivor, told the audience the very moving story of her own experience with the disease.
“In 2013, I learned I had breast cancer,” she said. “I was just 38 years old. I was a dynamic woman, a mother of three children, full of energy, enthusiastic, very fulfilled in my personal and also professional life.
“I will never forget when my doctor told me, it’s cancer. During this long period, and after several types of treatment, surgery, eight chemotherapy sessions, 25 radiotherapy sessions and five years of hormone therapy, I would only like to express my gratitude to the Zahra (association) and to Princess Haifa Al-Faisal for supporting me in ensuring and meeting all my needs.”
French embassy, Zahra association mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Riyadh
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French embassy, Zahra association mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Riyadh
- The French ambassador to Saudi Arabia pays tribute to those working to cure the disease, those who survived it, and health professionals who work in war zones
- Dr. Jean-Marc Nabolt, a specialist with 35 years of experience in treating breast cancer, says he is helping to develop a simple blood test to detect the disease
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
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
- 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
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.
Saudi Arabia embassy resumes diplomatic activities in Afghanistan
- Afghan foreign ministry welcomes Kingdom’s decision to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul
- Saudi Arabia to 'provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people'
RIYADH: The Saudi embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, resumed its diplomatic activities on Sunday.
The Afghan foreign ministry on Monday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume its diplomatic operations in Kabul, more than three years after Riyadh withdrew its staff during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
“We are optimistic about the possibility of strengthening relations and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan through the resumption of these activities,” said Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad in a statement.
“We will also be able to respond to the problems of Afghans residing in Saudi Arabia.”
Riyadh had posted its decision to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul on social media platform X on Sunday.
“Based on the desire of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people, it has been decided to resume the activities of the mission of the Kingdom in Kabul starting on December 22,” it said.
Ties between Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan date back to 1932 when the Kingdom became the first Islamic country to provide aid to the Afghan people during their ordeals.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia launched numerous projects in Afghanistan through its humanitarian arm King Salman Relief Center, focusing on aid relief, health, education services, water and food security.
Riyadh also participated in all international donor conferences and called for establishing security and stability in Afghanistan following years of armed conflicts.
Saudi Arabia withdrew its diplomats from Kabul in August 2021 when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from the country.
However, it said it was resuming consular services in the country in November 2021 and continues to provide aid through KSrelief.
