MADINAH: While beggars are becoming visible at their favorite places during Ramadan, such as mosques, malls and traffic lights, officials are standing up to this phenomenon in various ways.
Abdulrahman Al-Ahmadi said child beggars subject themselves to dangers since they don’t care about the changing lights or traffic congestion, and about kidnapping, which is spreading among their ranks.
Mansour Al-Sini said visitors to the Grand Mosque find disabled people taking extra care to reveal their disabilities to earn more sympathy, and hence money, and it has become important to put up signs about places allocated for alms-giving.
Beggars of various nationalities, most of whom are children and women, have been seen in shopping malls, despite efforts of security guards to keep them away. Teacher Mansoura Al-Heibi, said women beggars, whose numbers increase during Ramadan, are usually found in various shopping malls around the Kingdom.
Sociologist Amani Al-Alyan said society doesn’t understand the reality of alms and those who take up begging as a profession to make money. Needy people should go to donation areas and special locations that have been licensed by the government. She called on relevant bodies to encourage people to pay their Zakat and organize awqaf and other property to house the needy.
The director general of the Labor and Social Development Ministry's branch in Madinah said that 14 patrols have been deployed the yards of the Prophet's Mosque, other mosques and commercial centers to catch beggars. Other campaigns will start next week, which is the time when beggars start coming from outside the city.
He added that the anti-beggary campaign teams will comprise officers from the Haia, police, the governorate and officials from social services.
The official said that any foreigner found begging will be sent to the embassy of his or her country for the necessary procedures, while cases of Saudi beggars will be studied by social affairs entities and then referred to the welfare home or psychological care if they suffered from psychological problems. Other cases will be referred to charitable and voluntary bodies.
He said society is the biggest obstacle to eliminating beggary. As soon as they are approached by a beggar in the yards of the Grand Mosque, for instance, they start defending him against any anti-beggary squad. He said people do this because they don’t know the dangers that result from such a phenomenon.
Society gets in the way of fighting beggary
Society gets in the way of fighting beggary
Saudi Arabia gifts 100 tonnes of dates to Pakistan
- Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki presented the gift to the Pakistani side on behalf of KSrelief
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered 100 tonnes of dates as a gift from the Kingdom to Pakistan.
Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki presented the gift to the Pakistani side on behalf of KSrelief at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Malki thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their humanitarian efforts and support to countries worldwide.
The director general of the military wing of Pakistan’s Cabinet Division, Brig. Alamgeer Ayub, also expressed thanks and appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the gift.
He said that it reflects the deep and enduring fraternal ties between the two countries.
Ayub highlighted that the Kingdom has consistently supported the Pakistani people during times of crisis.
Heritage Commission, Motoko Katakura Foundation sign MoU to preserve desert culture in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japanese Motoko Katakura Foundation for Desert Culture in Riyadh on Sunday.
Jasser bin Sulaiman Al-Harbash, CEO of the Heritage Commission, and Hiroshi Nawata, chairman of the Motoko Katakura Foundation, agreed to collaborate in the cultural heritage sector.
The Japanese foundation is named after Motoko Katakura, an anthropologist who studied Bedouin communities in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region.
The MoU seeks to enhance research on cultural heritage, covering both tangible and intangible aspects, such as traditions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Motoko Katakura Foundation will hold seminars about its work preserving the desert culture and the archeological sites of Al-Dafi Port and Mardouma in the area of Jubail, eastern Saudi Arabia.
The Heritage Commission will also benefit from the Japanese experience in research and documentation, involving local communities to preserve heritage and showcase the richness of Saudi desert culture, SPA added.
Saudi project clears 1,151 Houthi mines in Yemen
- The total included 32 anti-tank mines, 1,115 unexploded ordnances and four explosive devices, according to a recent report
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,151 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 32 anti-tank mines, 1,115 unexploded ordnances and four explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 477,583 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
The allure of Al-Qahar: Adventure awaits in Jazan’s rugged terrain
- Region is distinguished destination for nature enthusiasts
RIYADH: The Al-Qahar Mountains, located in the Al-Raith Governorate in the northeastern part of Jazan, are a stunning testament to nature’s beauty, the area’s rich history, and the allure of adventure.
The mountains are among the Kingdom’s most prominent natural landmarks, rising over 2,000 meters above sea level, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They are part of the Sarawat range, which stretches along the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
The Al-Qahar Mountains, a distinguished destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts, are characterized by their unique terrain, including high rocky peaks and deep valleys such as Wadi Lajab. The latter offers a panoramic scene in which vertical rock formations meet flowing water, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
The Jazan region is adorned with seasonal vegetation, including juniper and acacia trees, which enhance its exceptional beauty, particularly during the rainy season, the SPA added.
Al-Qahar Mountains also host ancient rock carvings that reflect the civilizations that once inhabited the area. Studies suggest that the mountains served as a significant trade route for caravans in the past, underscoring their economic and social importance.
The name Al-Qahar, which means dominance, is attributed to the rugged nature of the terrain, which has inspired local residents to create stories and legends passed down through generations.
The authorities in Jazan have implemented comprehensive development and service projects in the Al-Raith Governorate, providing promising investment opportunities in the tourism sector to harness the area’s natural and historic assets.
This development is not limited to Al-Raith but extends to all governorates in the region to support and enhance the infrastructure of the tourism industry.
The tourist attractions of Al-Qahar Mountains captivate both local residents and visitors throughout the year.
According to Ahmad Al-Wabrani, these main attractions include Wadi Lajab, hanging gardens, and massive caves that appeal to adventure and camping enthusiasts.
Faisal Al-Raithi has highlighted the strong bond between locals and the Al-Qahar Mountains, praising the efforts of the Heritage Commission in documenting rock carvings and developing the area.
Al-Qahar Mountains stand amid untouched nature, offering a vibrant natural landscape and serving as a testament to the region’s history and culture.
Visitors can enjoy the region’s natural splendor and embark on unforgettable adventures in a serene atmosphere boasting awe-inspiring views that captivate the heart.
Riyadh Metro fully operational with Orange Line launch
- Six lines and 85 stations transform urban connectivity in the capital
RIYADH: The Riyadh Metro network on Sunday officially reached full operational capacity with the inauguration of the Orange Line, also known as the Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Axis.
The milestone marks the completion of the capital’s ambitious six-line metro project, a significant step in modernizing urban transport and advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
The Orange Line stretches for 41 km, connecting Jeddah Road in the west to the Second Eastern Ring Road in the east, running parallel to Khashm Al-Aan in the east.
Stations on the line include Jeddah Road, Tuwaiq, Al-Dawh, Harun Al-Rashid Road, and An Naseem, which is a key interchange with the Purple Line, enhancing accessibility and convenience for residents and visitors alike.
Coinciding with the Orange Line launch, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced the opening of three new Blue Line stations: Al-Murooj, Bank Al-Bilad, and King Fahad Library. These additions along the Al-Olaya-Al-Batha Axis strengthen the network’s integration, connecting major commercial hubs, residential areas and cultural landmarks.
The Riyadh Metro is one of the largest public transport projects in the region, featuring six lines, 176 kilometers of track, and 85 stations.
Its completion is a milestone in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on oil through investments in sustainable infrastructure.
The metro is expected to play a key role in encouraging people to use public transport, easing traffic congestion and reducing environmental pollution in the capital.
Developed in collaboration with global consortiums, the project was launched in 2013 with contracts valued at $22.5 billion. Despite challenges, including disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, its completion is an example of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and urban living standards.
Operating daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, the metro offers a reliable, eco-friendly alternative to private vehicles. Passengers can plan their journeys using the Darb app or buy tickets at station offices and self-service machines.
As Riyadh continues its transformation into a global metropolis, the fully operational metro establishes the city as a model for sustainable urban development.
By enhancing connectivity and delivering efficient transit solutions, the Riyadh Metro supports economic growth, elevates quality of life, and reinforces Riyadh’s position as a leader in urban innovation and progress.
