Kingdom sends aid to Syria in fifth airlift

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In Gaza, KSrelief distributed 4,494 shelter kits in one day, providing essential materials such as blankets, mattresses, kitchen utensils and water containers to displaced families during a wave of cold weather. (SPA)
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The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people. (SPA)
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Updated 04 January 2025
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Kingdom sends aid to Syria in fifth airlift

  • KSrelief’s mission spans multiple countries, providing critical aid, medical services

RIYADH: The fifth airlift relief plane, operated by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, arrived on Saturday at Damascus International Airport in Syria.

The plane, which left from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, carried food, shelter and medical supplies to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people.

The humanitarian initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting those in need worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

On Jan. 1, Saudi Arabia launched the delivery by air initiative with two planes to provide essential aid to Syria, supporting efforts under the new leadership to rebuild the country after years of civil war.

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said that the aid delivered by air would be followed by aid delivered by land in the coming days to provide urgent relief to the Syrian people.

According to KSrelief, the Kingdom’s total aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.

Meanwhile, KSrelief continues its humanitarian efforts in Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, The Gambia and Bangladesh, benefiting thousands.

In Gaza, KSrelief distributed 4,494 shelter kits in one day, providing essential materials such as blankets, mattresses, kitchen utensils and water containers to displaced families during a wave of cold weather.

In Pakistan, 1,000 food baskets were distributed in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in a single day, aiding 5,947 individuals affected by flash floods.

In Yemen, KSrelief recently concluded its CPR training program in Aden governorate, conducting five sessions for 57 participants to improve medical skills.

In Abyan governorate, KSrelief distributed 2,754 food baskets in one day, helping 19,278 people.

In The Gambia, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor program examined 3,655 patients, distributed 750 pairs of eyeglasses and performed 196 eye surgeries in Farafenni.

In Bangladesh, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor program in Rajshahi examined 4,253 patients, distributed 1,615 pairs of eyeglasses and performed 503 eye surgeries.

Since its launch in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,208 projects worth more than $7.2 billion in 105 countries, in cooperation with 458 local, regional and international partners.

The agency’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, emergency aid, nutrition, protection, early recovery, logistics and telecommunications.


Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom

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Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom

  • Mazen Ghoneim praised Saudi authorities for their services to Muslims worldwide

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh received the newly appointed Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in his office on Monday in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Sheikh discussed the ministry’s programs in service of Palestinian pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.

Ghoneim praised the Saudi authorities for their services to all Muslims worldwide.

He highlighted the generous program that hosts the family members of Palestinian martyrs, enabling them to perform Hajj with ease.


Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism

The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival highlights the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product. (SPA)
Updated 06 January 2025
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Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism

  • Event showcases Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually

RIYADH: The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival offers an engaging experience, highlighting the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product.

Held at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until Jan. 12, the event showcases the Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.

The festival features 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies offering high-quality olive oil, table olives, and related products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In addition to competitive pricing, all products meet strict food safety standards, having undergone rigorous testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory.

Seven analyses — acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical content, oil blending, taste, and authenticity — ensure the products’ quality. Those that pass receive a certification label for consumer confidence, the SPA added.

The festival has also become a key tourism and economic event for both the Kingdom and Al-Jouf region, attracting significant interest, visitors, and investment.

It also supports families in cottage industries, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by offering spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer reach.

Additionally, the festival celebrates Saudi heritage through folk art performances, the Saudi Ardah, traditional fashion, Sadu weaving, plastic arts, poetry, and cultural evenings.


Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

Updated 06 January 2025
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Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.

On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.

The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.

A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.

The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.

The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.

The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.


Saudi program empowers youth as global ambassadors

Updated 06 January 2025
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Saudi program empowers youth as global ambassadors

  • New graduates set to advance Saudi Arabia’s global diplomacy, Vision 2030

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Youth Leaders Program welcomed its latest group of graduates on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The new graduates are the seventh group to complete the initiative, run by the Salam Project for Cultural Communication under the patronage of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji attended the event, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Saudi citizens.

He emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to equipping youth with the skills needed to effectively represent the nation internationally.

Elkhereiji noted that the program aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering young people to become influential global ambassadors.

Launched in 2018, the program has seen 432 young men and women graduate across seven cohorts, the SPA reported.

Notably, 240 graduates have participated in over 120 international conferences both within and outside the Kingdom, leveraging the program’s comprehensive curriculum, which covers key areas such as Saudi Vision 2030, intercultural communication, global issues, international representation, media engagement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and international diplomacy.

Mohammed Al-Sayed, executive director of the project, said it aims to support efforts to build bridges of cultural communication with diverse peoples and cultures.


Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom

Updated 06 January 2025
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Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom

DUBAI: As Japan and Saudi Arabia approach their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Japan National Tourism Office is planning more exhibitions to attract Saudi travelers, the organization’s Dubai executive director Daisuke Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that JNTO hopes to maintain “strong partnerships” with local travel agencies and related organizations.

“Through these collaborations, we aim to deliver more comprehensive and engaging information to Saudi travelers, encouraging them to discover the unique experiences Japan has to offer,” he said.

There are as yet no plans to open a JNTO office in Saudi Arabia, Kobayashi said. However, he confirmed that the organization will continue its promotional activities in the Kingdom to meet the growing interest in Japan from Saudi travelers.

In December 2024, JNTO held its first event in Riyadh, titled “Feel Your Four Seasons.”

The exhibition provided visitors with an introduction to Japan’s diverse seasonal attractions, including luxury travel experiences.

Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that since the event, JNTO had observed a “significant increase in Saudi travelers’ interest in visiting Japan.”

“During the event, we noted a strong desire among attendees to travel to Japan, particularly in the spring to experience cherry blossoms,” he said. “We also noticed growing curiosity about Japan’s summer and winter offerings. Visitors showed interest in natural landscapes, summer festivals, and winter activities such as enjoying snow-covered scenery.”

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in April is also a big tourist attraction for Saudi and GCC travelers.

According to Kobayashi, travelers from the region are usually most interested in traditional Japanese accommodations such as ryokan (Japanese-style inns), which often include onsen (hot spring) experiences and authentic Japanese cuisine.

Anime and manga’s popularity in the Middle East is also a key reason why Arab travelers choose Japan for a vacation.

From a cultural aspect, Kobayashi said that Japanese and Arab cultures share similar values, which can help to put Saudi travelers at ease.

“The cultural parallels create a sense of familiarity and comfort for travelers from Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region when visiting Japan,” he said. “Whether it’s exploring Japan’s traditional tea ceremonies, staying in ryokan, or simply interacting with the warm and respectful Japanese hospitality, these experiences resonate deeply with visitors from Saudi Arabia.”

According to Kobayashi, in the first half of 2024, there was a 72.2 percent increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia to Japan, compared with the same period in 2023.