JEDDAH: One hundred lawyers recently completed a training session that qualifies them to represent families with limited incomes for free.
Organized by the Takamul Investment Company in Jeddah, the initiative involves training, employment assistance for participating lawyers and legal services for those who cannot plead for themselves, or afford to hire lawyers, according to Takamul president, lawyer Majed Garoub.
The lawyers’ legal training, given by a team of experts in the field, will enhance and foster the culture of volunteering.
Firms that will employ the trained lawyers will receive financial support from the Human Resources Development Fund, in the amount decided by the fund.
The total cost of the project is estimated at SR20 million; this covers the training of 1,000 young men and women with a bachelor degree in Shariah and law over 10 years, at an average of SR2 million per annum.
The participating lawyers will work in the private sector; 100 lawyers a year will offer 100 hours of volunteer legal services in one year for a period of 10 years, which adds up to one million working hours of volunteer work.
The Saudi Law Training Centre and the legal partner of the program, Lawyer Majed Mohammed Garoub Office, will recruit 20 clerks and jurists to manage and run the program for 15 years.
According to Garoub, the program provides 200 training hours in Shariah, law, administration, personal status affairs and labor law.
The training program lasts for a year, and the lawyers perform their volunteer work for 10 years. Those who fail to work the full amount of volunteering hours in the 10 years will have an additional four years to do so.
Garoub said that the initiative has the support of the authorities, especially judicial agencies that signed a support agreement with the Human Resources Development Fund to recruit trainees from the private sector, as agreed with Majed bin Abdulaziz Society for Development and Social Services, to give young people the basic skills required to conduct volunteer work and guidance to deal with humanitarian cases that require legal advice or representation.
The initiative was adopted by the King Khalid Foundation, which supports it financially.
“The initiative accepts licensed trainees or lawyers from private sector law offices who desires to raise their professional level, in general, and in the field of labor cases and personal status, in particular,” said Garoub.
The Takamul initiative is a pioneering model that contributes to the success of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ plan to improve security and legal systems in general, and the performance of specialized and administrative courts, prosecution and investigation agencies, family and civil status courts, labor courts and the Board of Grievances in particular.
The initiative will also help the process of Saudization of private and government sector jobs, as well as the integration of women in the labor force.
It places special focus on raising the professional level of lawyers, especially those working in personal status and labor courts, which deal with more than 60 per cent of the cases raised with general courts.
Saudi lawyers undergo training to represent the needy for free
Saudi lawyers undergo training to represent the needy for free
New Saudi envoy to Oman presents credentials to Sultan Haitham
MUSCAT: Saudi Arabia’s new envoy to Oman, Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, presented his credentials to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Al Baraka Palace on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During their meeting, Sultan Haitham commended the historical Saudi-Omani ties and the two nations’ continued progress across various sectors.
The ambassador also conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the sultan, wishing the Omani people continued prosperity.
Saudi Arabia and Oman are both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
There was also a meeting between the ambassador and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidy, reported the Oman News Agency.
Previously, bin Bishan was supervisor of the Yemen operations room and minister plenipotentiary at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4th Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance kicks off in Jeddah
- Three-day conference aims to enhance international efforts to confront challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance
RIYADH: The fourth high-level Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance kicked off in Jeddah on Thursday under the theme “From declaration to implementation – accelerating actions through multi-sectoral partnerships for the containment of AMR.”
The three-day conference, being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, includes ministers of health, environment and agriculture from various countries, besides the participation of a number of heads of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and non-governmental organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in a move to enhance international efforts to confront the escalating challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance, which has become a threat to global health.
Saudi Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel stressed that the conference is an opportunity for the international community to commit to a unified roadmap and set clear guidelines that will help address the increasing drug resistance in humans and animals.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to all age groups, as it affects human, animal and plant health, as well as the environment and food security.
To curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance, the minister explained that we must adopt a comprehensive approach that systematically addresses the challenges that hinder progress, including sharing best practices, innovative financing initiatives, and developing new tools to combat antimicrobial resistance, stressing that the meeting is a vital opportunity to strengthen our collective global response to the risks of this growing “silent epidemic.”
Director General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that antimicrobial resistance is not a future threat but a present one, making many of the antibiotics and other medicines we rely on less effective, and routine infections more difficult to treat.
He praised Saudi leadership in hosting the conference, stressing that the world must work together across a range of sectors, health, environment and agriculture, to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
He pointed out that the Jeddah meeting will help coordinate global efforts across diverse ecosystems, including human, animal and agricultural health, in addition to protecting the environment.
A number of countries have already resorted to imposing laws that prevent the dispensing of antibiotics in pharmacies without a prescription, and the use of antibiotics in animal farms such as poultry and livestock has been regulated in a bid to slow resistance.
Saudi and British defense ministers hold talks on cooperation and Middle East security
- Prince Khalid bin Salman and John Healey discuss ‘joint efforts to address regional challenges’ and ‘shared vision’ for regional and international security and stability
RIYADH: The defense ministers of Saudi Arabia and the UK held talks on Thursday on cooperation between their nations and efforts to bring stability to the Middle East.
During their meeting in Riyadh, Prince Khalid bin Salman and John Healey discussed the “Saudi-British strategic partnership and explored avenues to enhance defense cooperation,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Khalid said: “We also discussed our joint efforts to address regional challenges, as well as our shared vision to promote regional and international security and stability.”
Ahead of the talks, the British Defense Ministry said Healey would “reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a future-facing defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The defense secretary will build on the decades-long defense relationship between the (countries) to enhance cooperation on shared security priorities.”
Healey, making his first visit to Riyadh since becoming defense minister following the Labour Party’s election victory in July, was also expected to discuss with Prince Khalid the ongoing efforts to secure ceasefire agreements in Gaza and Lebanon.
Earlier on Thursday, Healey met in Ankara with Yasar Guler, his counterpart in Turkiye, a NATO ally.
Ancient organic farming practices in Taif feed growing industry
- Closed-loop farming supports environment
- Rising Saudi demand for organic products
RIYADH: Organic farming in Taif province’s villages and its serene mountain and valley farms represents a continuation of an ancient tradition.
This approach avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring that farms do not damage their surrounding environment, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Inherited organic farming wisdom from previous generations boosts the health of consumers and the vitality of soil, water, plants, and wildlife.
The farming methods practiced in Taif involve a closed-loop system in which animal and plant waste is recycled into natural fertilizers.
This approach supports crop cultivation and animal husbandry, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030’s food security and sustainability objectives.
Drawing upon his years of experience tending terraced fields in the Al-Shafa mountains, 80-year-old farmer Abdullah Saed Al-Talhi told the SPA that organic agriculture is a fast-growing industry.
“Consumer demand for nutritious organic products is reshaping our industry,” he explained.
“Working these mountain terraces has taught me that organic farming is more than a cultivation method — it is our legacy to future generations, ensuring sustainable food production for years to come.”
“Organic farming operates through two distinct approaches,” Al-Talhi said. “We have protected greenhouse cultivation and open-field farming, but both share the same fundamental principle: producing pure food without chemical interventions.”
He emphasized that this natural approach encompasses every aspect of farming — from soil enhancement and seed selection to pest control methods.
“The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has spearheaded remarkable efforts to advance organic farming in Taif,” he added.
The ministry offers instructional programs to budding organic farmers, supporting the establishment of new farms, increased production from existing farms, and the import and export of organic products.
Other support from the ministry includes securing certification to ensure the credibility of products in Saudi and international markets.
Speaking at a recent organic market event in Taif, Al-Talhi said: “The market for organic products is experiencing remarkable growth.”
Light fantastic: Countdown begins to Noor Riyadh 2024
- Event ‘embodies the essence of striving toward new horizons,’ curator says
- World’s largest light art festival gets underway on Nov. 28
RIYADH: The start of this year’s Noor Riyadh Festival is now just two weeks away and preparations for the annual event are well underway.
Launched in 2021, the festival is a celebration of light and the arts and includes contributions from leading Saudi and international artists. It also features community activities, workshops, discussions and shows.
Billed as the largest light art festival in the world, Noor Riyadh is part of the broader Riyadh Art initiative and aims to support and inspire young artists to drive the Kingdom’s creative economy.
This year’s theme is “Light Years Away” and a host of activities are planned at three key locations — King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifa and Diriyah’s JAX District — between Nov. 28 and Dec. 14.
The title is inspired by the Thuraya star cluster, which has long been a guiding light and symbol of aspiration, according to Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag, the curator of Noor Riyadh 2024 and board member of the Visual Arts Commission.
“This year’s theme explores our journey from Althara, or Earth, toward Althuraya, or the stars, celebrating how art can bridge the physical and metaphysical,” she told Arab News.
“‘Light Years Away’ is a theme that embodies the essence of striving toward new horizons, where light is used as a metaphor for hope, creativity and resilience.
“We want the audience to feel connected to the stars above and the Earth below, experiencing how art can unite diverse elements such as science, technology, philosophy and spirituality, fostering a shared sense of inspiration and identity.”
Among the 60 artworks on offer this year are sculptural light installations and laser shows from artists like Ali Alruzaiza and Javier Riera, who use light to reimagine iconic sites like Murabba Palace.
“The works of artists like Saad Al Howede, Kimchi and Chips explore our relationship with the environment, challenging us to reflect on our impact on the Earth,” Fadag said.
“The landscapes of Wadi Hanifa serve as a living canvas, inviting the audience to consider how we can preserve the environment and the beauty of our natural heritage.
“The JAX District is a hub for innovation, experimentation and digital creativity. Originally an industrial area, it has now transformed into a space that bridges art and technology. Here, traditional and modern techniques converge in an environment that supports the creative economy.”
Fadag said she hoped visitors would leave the festival with a renewed sense of curiosity and wonder.
“The Noor exhibition reminds us that, as individuals, we aspire to connect and engage. Art and light have the power to bring us together, inspire us and illuminate new paths forward.
“I believe these experiences will remain alive long after the festival ends, encouraging visitors to carry the festival’s light with them and continue exploring their own journeys, connecting the Earth to the sky in their unique ways.”
