RIYADH: Imams and khatibs of the Two Holy Mosques have been directed to shorten the Friday sermons and prayers for the remaining Fridays during the Hajj season in consideration of the circumstances of severe heat pilgrims face this year.
Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the decision comes in light of the millions of pilgrims visiting the holy sites and the intense heat experienced in Makkah and Madinah.
The directive aims to facilitate and ensure the safety of worshippers in the Mataf, roof, and courtyards of the mosques. Al-Sudais explained that the decision is based on Islamic principles and the observed objectives of alleviating difficulties for those attending Friday prayers during the Hajj season.
Al-Sudais said Muslims seek guidance from the contents of sermons but noted that lengthy preaching might cause worshippers to forget the beginning by the end, underlining the importance of concize and impactful messages.
He had previously instructed the imams to reduce the amount of recitation and the gap between the Adhan and Iqamah during the Hajj season to ease the burden on worshippers, particularly considering overcrowding and the presence of vulnerable and elderly people.
Imams and khatibs of the Two Holy Mosques to shorten prayers and Friday sermons during 2024 Hajj season
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Imams and khatibs of the Two Holy Mosques to shorten prayers and Friday sermons during 2024 Hajj season
- The decision comes in light of the millions of pilgrims visiting the holy sites
- Al-Sudais said Muslims seek guidance from the contents of sermons
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss relations and regional developments
- Leaders discussed progress of relations between Kingdom and France
- Also addressed current regional developments in Palestine and Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The leaders discussed the progress of relations between Saudi Arabia and France, emphasizing their ongoing cooperation across various fields, SPA added.
The conversation also addressed current regional developments in Palestine and Lebanon and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability in the region.
The discussion underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen ties and collaborate on shared strategic interests.
Asir launches campaign to promote organic food culture
- Ahmed Al-Mojathel: Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system
- Initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society
ABHA: A public awareness campaign by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture kicked off Organic Food Day 2024 in Saudi Arabia, reported Saudi Press Agency.
Ahmed Al-Mojathel, director of the ministry’s Asir branch, said: “Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system.
“We are working to enhance consumer awareness about the benefits of organic foods while encouraging innovation and excellence in organic product quality.”
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society.
Al-Mojathel said the campaign also aimed to achieve economic and social objectives supporting the development of the organic food sector across the Kingdom.
Officials detained as investigators smash drug-smuggling operation at Al-Jouf Airport
- 9 people arrested, including Ministry of Interior employee, 4 people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and a Saudi Electricity Company worker
RIYADH: A drug smuggling operation at Al-Jouf International Airport in Saudi Arabia, in which several government and other public-sector officials allegedly were involved, has been shut down following an extensive investigation.
An official source at the Ministry of Interior said on Thursday that nine people were detained, including a ministry employee, four people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and one from the Saudi Electricity Company.
Their alleged roles in the smuggling network included helping to get the drugs into the Kingdom, ensuring shipments bypassed inspections, transporting them, and concealing them in homes and at other locations.
They also engaged in the promotion and distribution of the narcotics in the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The amount and type of drugs involved was not immediately apparent.
The Ministry of Interior said it remains committed to confronting all threats to national security and will take stringent action against anyone who jeopardizes the safety and stability of the country.
Saudi Music Commission launches self-learn digital platform for budding musicians
- MusiqAI offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments
RIYADH: The Saudi Music Commission has launched an interactive digital platform to teach music to enthusiasts wanting to start playing an instrument or further their musical knowledge.
MusiqAI is the first self-learn digital platform for music in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. It offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments.
The platform name, which includes “AI,” the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, can be translated from Arabic as “My Music.”
The commission said in a statement that MusiqAI offers online courses and trains enthusiasts and professionals on the latest technologies in music production. It also provides accredited certificates, easy access to video streaming courses, and a self-paced learning experience, anytime and from anywhere.
MusiqAI aims to offer a unique way of learning various music genres — in Saudi Arabia and globally — whether by picking an Arabic or Western instrument such as the drums, guitar or oud, and communicating with trainers and experts on the platform.
The commission said nurturing and supporting musical talent are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. In March, the commission launched the Saudi Music Memory initiative to highlight the history of Saudi art and offer academically documented research for musicians and researchers.
To register on the MusiqAI platform, visit the commission website: https://music.moc.gov.sa/en
OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute
- It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute
- Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds
JEDDAH: The general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a meeting of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts in Jeddah on Thursday.
It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute, in accordance with the Council of Foreign Ministers.
OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha said that the meeting was held amid difficult and harsh humanitarian circumstances that required concerted efforts and collective action to adopt actions to help contain humanitarian crises and hardships.
In his speech, Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds, undertake the necessary reforms to their working mechanism and support them with the financial resources to enable them to fulfil their role.
The statement delivered by assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, cultural and social affairs, ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, on behalf of OIC’s secretary-general, highlighted the significant challenges faced by member states in the humanitarian field.
