Prominent personalities from different parts of the Islamic world attended the inauguration of yearlong celebrations by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, to mark the declaration of Madinah as the capital of Islamic culture in 2013.
Prince Salman arrived here yesterday and was received on arrival at Prince Muhammad International Airport by Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman. The crown prince was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, and Prince Muhammad bin Salman, head of the crown prince’s court.
In a statement on the occasion, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal highlighted the important place of Madinah in the hearts of Muslims all over the world, being the city that hosted Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, rendered all support to the Islamic faith and accommodated the Prophet’s Mosque, the second holiest mosque for world Muslims.
He commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for launching the largest expansion projects for the Haram Mosque in Makkah and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Prince Khaled said Madinah’s history and achievements qualify the city and its biggest sister Makkah “to become eternal capital of Islamic culture” as from this city the message of Islam spread all over the world, highlighting the values of justice, mercy and tolerance.
The celebration of Madinah, Prince Khaled said, reflects the city’s cultural, Islamic, humanitarian and global dimensions and its outstanding contributions to world civilization during the past 14 centuries.
Prince Sultan emphasized SCTA’s efforts to take care of Islamic historical sites in Madinah and other parts of the Kingdom. According to a survey conducted by SCTA, there are 384 historical sites in Makkah and Madinah, with Madinah alone having 266 sites. “These sites are very important for Muslims as they tell stories of the history and progress of Islam.”
Prince Faisal underscored the role played by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in achieving Muslim unity and encouraging the faithful to follow the teachings of God in all walks of their lives. “This resulted in the formation of the highest human civilization based on equality and justice,” the Madinah governor said.
Prince Faisal underscored the historical, cultural, social and economic importance of Madinah. “It is the symbol of Islamic unity as Muslims from all over the world visit the city to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque and pay tribute to the Prophet,” the governor said.
Prince Faisal underscored the remarkable progress achieved by Madinah during the past years. He hoped the festivities would deepen the concept of Islamic cultural unity as well as values of tolerance and moderation.
Dr. Adnan Al-Mazroue, president Taibah University, said the Prophet’s migration to Madinah was a turning point in the city’s history. “The selection of Madinah as capital of Islamic culture is an important occasion for Muslims all over the world.” He said Taibah would hold a number of conferences and seminars to mark the occasion.
He said that Madinah has always received utmost care and attention from the rulers of this country, starting from the late King Abdul Aziz, then his sons Saud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahd, and King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
The selection of Madinah as the capital city of Islamic culture comes in a time when the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques launched this historic project to promote world dialogue, denounce extremism, turn to moderation, and to live in peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile, the High Commission of the event has approved the final schedule of the activities and the appropriate media plan.
The organizers will use this occasion to promote the conduct and way of life of Prophet Muhammad and highlight the cultural, historical, and social status of the holy city. They will also highlight the achievements of Saudi Arabia and its efforts to develop the city and support the various cultural activities, within a framework affirming the Islamic identity.
Madinah remains eternal capital of Islamic culture
Madinah remains eternal capital of Islamic culture
Eastern Region’s green initiative shows remarkable progress
- Initiative has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers
- Eastern Province Municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature
DAMMAM: Significant strides were made by the Eastern Province Municipality last year in its efforts towards vegetation expansion and anti-desertification.
The initiative, designed to counter industrial pollution, improve air quality and move towards environmental sustainability, has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers while adhering to scientific afforestation guidelines and controls.
Throughout the year, the municipality launched 87 initiatives involving more than 1,200 volunteers across 60 parks. This included the Dammam Corniche waterfront and its walking trails where some 680,000 trees and shrubs were planted, complemented by 7.7 million flowers, expanding green coverage by 205,000 sq. meters.
Work was also carried out to rehabilitate streets and other spaces, while technical upgrades included maintenance work on 200 pumps and the installation of irrigation networks covering 30 km of streets.
There was also progress for the park investment program, with four parks already under investment management and 400 more designated for future opportunities.
The municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature, highlighting the active participation of community members, government bodies and the private sector companies. Its inclusive approach aims to cultivate a lasting environmental consciousness and ensure sustainability practices are passed down to future generations.
Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum
- Forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions
- Forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation
RIYADH: Riyadh will host the second edition of the Model of Care Forum under the patronage of Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.
Organised by the Health Holding Co. on Jan. 28-29, the forum will be held at Malfa Hall in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.
The forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
It also promotes partnership in healthcare among individuals and their families by taking necessary measures to maintain their health, ensuring the provision of healthcare that meets societal needs according to the highest quality standards.
The forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation, aimed at developing the healthcare model in the Kingdom.
The Health Holding Co. is playing a key role in enabling healthcare delivery through 20 health clusters across Saudi Arabia.
Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement
- Directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued
- Resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa
RIYADH: The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has said that resident identities must be valid for at least 30 days when applying for a final exit visa.
The directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued. In that case, the resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa.
It noted that if a resident identity is valid for more than 30 days and fewer than 60 days, a final exit visa may be issued for the resident identity’s remaining period.
If the resident identity is valid for 60 days or more, the final exit visa may be issued for 60 days only.
The directorate noted that employers may issue final exit visas for their sponsored workers or affiliated family members through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform, and the Muqeem portal.
Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon
- In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon on Thursday.
In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.The crown prince sent a similar cable.
Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.
Thursday’s session was the 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.
King Abdulaziz Public Library launches Thara Saudi, Athar initiatives
- Through Thara Saudi the KAPL offers a number of programs that contribute to highlighting cultural tourism
- Athar is an interactive platform inspired by one of the pioneering national documentation projects, “The Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”
RIYADH: General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar launched the Thara Saudi and Athar initiatives at the third Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh.
Through Thara Saudi the KAPL offers a number of programs that contribute to highlighting cultural tourism, while Athar is an interactive platform inspired by one of the pioneering national documentation projects, “The Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Speaking at the launch, Muammar said: “The Thara Saudi Arabia is the initiative through which the library seeks to provide a distinctive cultural tourism experience that reflects the rich and diverse history and culture of the Kingdom and aims to present a sustainable vision that contributes to enhancing local culture in global languages.
“It comes as an expression of the efforts of 40 years of cultural and cognitive work, which created a national legacy and a sustainable impact,” added Muammar.
He said the KAPL also launched the Athar initiative, which represents the historical monuments and landmarks mentioned in the encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia, enabling tourists to discover the Kingdom in an unprecedented way.
This project is designed to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for cultural tourism, and reflects the great diversity Saudi Arabia enjoys.
Through its pavilion at the Saudi Tourism Forum, which was held from Jan. 7-9 at the Riyadh Front, the KAPL seeks to enhance cultural awareness and provide knowledge content that contributes to highlighting the Saudi national heritage, and encourages the exploration of the Kingdom’s unique cultural destinations.
In November the KAPL launched an initiative to position Saudi Arabia as a top global destination for cultural tourism by attracting visitors worldwide to explore the library’s diverse branches.
This project aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by strengthening national identity, fostering cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable development.
Through its efforts, the KAPL seeks to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, folk arts, and traditions, while deepening citizens’ connections to their cultural roots and contributing to economic diversification.
