Arab, Islamic officials discuss Gaza ceasefire during Oslo visit

Members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit hold talks in Norway. (SPA)
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Members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit hold talks in Norway. (SPA)
Members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit hold talks in Norway. (SPA)
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Members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit hold talks in Norway. (SPA)
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Updated 16 December 2023
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Arab, Islamic officials discuss Gaza ceasefire during Oslo visit

Arab, Islamic officials discuss Gaza ceasefire during Oslo visit
  • They met their counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg
  • They called for an immediate and complete ceasefire and to ensure the protection of civilians

RIYADH: Arab and Islamic officials on Friday held talks with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and foreign ministers of Nordic and Benelux countries in Oslo, the Saudi foreign ministry said.

The members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit under the chairmanship of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan included foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, Palestine, Turkiye and the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

They met their counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. 

During the talks, they discussed the dangerous developments in the Gaza Strip, and the continuation of the Israeli military escalation toward unarmed civilians, renewing their unified position against Israel’s continued aggression against the Palestinian people in the besieged enclave.

They called for an immediate and complete ceasefire, and to ensure the protection of civilians, as stipulated in international humanitarian law.

The members of the committee also called for addressing all the flagrant violations practiced by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, which increase the humanitarian tragedy and hinder the entry of urgent humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, 

They stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable for the ongoing violations in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which violate international law and international humanitarian law.

The members of the committee stressed the importance of taking serious and urgent steps to ensure the securing of relief corridors for the delivery of urgent humanitarian, food and medical aid to the Gaza Strip, expressing their refusal to restrict the entry of humanitarian aid quickly and safely.

The members of the committee reiterated the need for creating serious political conditions that lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, expressing their rejection of compartmentalizing the Palestinian issue and discussing the future of the Gaza Strip separately from the overall Palestinian issue.

“We need a ceasefire now and we need immediate, full, and unrestricted humanitarian access,” said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Citing last week’s UN General Assembly vote calling for a halt to the fighting, the minister said: “Clearly, the international community has spoken and I hope we can implement that desire.”

“There is a growing understanding that we cannot talk about what next in the context of  Gaza… we need to talk about what next in the context of Palestine.”

Prince Faisal said a state for the Palestinian people would bring about an end to the cycle of violence.

“We have known this for decades, and it is time to bring that into action”

Prince Faisal bin Farhan then held talks with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, during his visit to Oslo, where they discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and Norway and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields.

They also addressed the recent developments in the Gaza Strip and the importance of taking urgent steps to implement a ceasefire. 

The ministers discussed the significance of establishing a conducive political environment to achieve a comprehensive and just peace. This includes guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and contributing to international security and peace.


Platform inspires children to learn about Saudi cultural heritage

Platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms. (MoC)
Platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms. (MoC)
Updated 10 November 2024
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Platform inspires children to learn about Saudi cultural heritage

Platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms. (MoC)
  • Initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader children’s program aimed at nurturing national pride by providing gateway for children to explore their cultural heritage

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture has launched the Child’s Culture digital platform to spark children’s interest in Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.

The platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Young explorers can delve into various sections, such as Cultural Monuments, which showcases iconic heritage sites; Cultural Luminaries, which introduces influential Saudi figures; and Cultural Recommendations, which features weekly updates on cultural experiences.

The Puzzle Game section challenges players to assemble fragments of paintings from different regions to reveal a complete masterpiece.

Catering to auditory learners, the platform offers the “Podcast Tawela,” with content tailored to capture the imagination of young audiences.

The platform also offers a variety of training activities to nurture children’s cultural talents. These include Be Creative with Your Handwriting with Arabic Poetry, which provides handwriting lessons for young Arabic learners; Let’s Discover Culture Together, a coloring book that introduces children to cultural concepts through art; and The Little Writer, which guides children in writing and composition.

The initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader children’s program aimed at nurturing national pride by providing an accessible and engaging gateway for children to explore their cultural heritage.

Through innovative and interactive content, the platform fosters knowledge, skills development, and a deep appreciation of Saudi culture and identity.

The platform is accessible at moc.gov.sa/en/Modules/Pages/Child-Culture.


Healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia face legal action for social media violations

Saudi Ministry of Health
Saudi Ministry of Health
Updated 10 November 2024
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Healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia face legal action for social media violations

Saudi Ministry of Health
  • Ministry found video clips violating healthcare regulations and professional ethics, SPA reported Sunday
  • In response, the ministry initiated legal proceedings with the relevant authorities, referring cases for regulatory action

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health has taken action against several healthcare practitioners who posted inappropriate content on social media.

The ministry found video clips violating healthcare regulations and professional ethics, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.

Violations included posting indecent content, using improper language, breaching workplace policies, mistreating patients and sharing an inappropriate video featuring a hospitalized patient.

The offending practitioners were identified in Riyadh, Jazan and Tabuk, the SPA reported.

In response, the ministry initiated legal proceedings with the relevant authorities, referring cases for regulatory action.

The enforcement supports the ministry’s role in upholding professional standards, healthcare quality and patient rights.

“This action stems from our commitment to ensuring compliance with professional standards in healthcare practice,” the ministry said.

It emphasized that healthcare professionals must comply with regulations to serve public and individual interests while respecting dignity and safety.

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties’ Code of Medical Ethics prohibits patient filming except for approved purposes, with violations risking license revocation. Practitioners are also barred from self-promotion except in authorized cases.

Under the Cybercrime Law, violators face severe penalties, including up to five years in prison and fines of up to SR3 million ($799,000) for producing content that breaches public values.


Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars

Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars
Updated 10 November 2024
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Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars

Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon wars

RIYADH: Arab and Muslim leaders will convene in Saudi Arabia for a summit scheduled for Monday that will focus on Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The escalating violence in the Palestinian and Lebanese territories, including the brutal Israeli aggression, has compelled Arab and Islamic leaders to take urgent action,” read a statement on SPA.

The summit builds on the earlier Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2023, to address the dangerous and unprecedented developments in Gaza and the rest of Palestine.

“This requires solidarity among Arab and Islamic nations to confront these challenges and mitigate their consequences,” SPA added.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Palestine, along with the secretaries-general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, aim to initiate immediate international action to halt the war on Gaza and achieve a lasting, comprehensive peace.

The Saudi state news channel Al-Ekhbariya broadcast footage on Sunday of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati landing in Riyadh.


Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition

Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition
Updated 10 November 2024
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Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition

Saudi woman practices AlUla’s ancient shannah tradition
  • Method for storing dates is kept alive

Riyadh: In the heart of the palm oases in AlUla, Hailah Al-Enezi stands out for her dedication to preserving the traditional craft of shannah, an ancient method for storing dates.

Boasting over 25 years of experience, Al-Enezi has skillfully kept this heritage craft alive, reflecting the rich history of the people of AlUla, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The process of creating shannah relies on techniques that Al-Enezi learned in her childhood.

It involves the preparation and traditional treatment of natural leather to produce durable and aesthetically pleasing containers in various shapes and sizes.

While shannah is primarily used for storing dates, it has also become a symbol of heritage and a connection between generations.

This traditional craft attracts tourists and heritage enthusiasts who often purchase these handmade pieces as gifts and souvenirs when visiting AlUla.

Al-Enezi not only crafts unique bags that preserve the quality of dates, but her work also contributes to enhancing the region's cultural identity.

Her products have become a symbol of heritage that appeals to visitors seeking authentic handmade items from AlUla.

In addition, Al-Enezi goes beyond her craft by passing on her knowledge to the next generation, training young women in the traditional art, the SPA added.

Her efforts help ensure both the continuity and the revitalization of the craft.


Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language

Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language
Updated 10 November 2024
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Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language

Allam Challenge honors AI innovators advancing Arabic language
  • Participants developed AI models for poetry, sentence parsing, and interactive language teaching

RIYADH: President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority Abdullah Al-Ghamdi recently honored the winning teams of the largest event dedicated to advancing the Arabic language, the Allam Challenge, held in Riyadh from Nov. 7-9.

The competition, organized in collaboration with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, with technical support from IBM and the National Technology Development Program, attracted 600 participants from 17 countries.

The event celebrated the achievements of talented individuals dedicated to advancing Arabic language technologies through AI, with a prize pool of SR1 million ($266,000), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The competition aimed to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, parsing sentences accurately, and teaching the Arabic language in an engaging manner.

The deputy director of the National Information Center, Mishari Almishari, emphasized the significance of developing technologies to preserve the Arabic language, especially in an era of rapid technological advancements.

The first team secured a prize of SR500,000, the second won SR300,000, and the third won SR200,000. Additionally, five teams from the National Technology Development Program were recognized for their outstanding projects, receiving a total prize of SR750,000.

More than 50 mentors and 40 judges — experts in AI and the Arabic language — oversaw the challenge, providing support to participating teams and evaluating projects based on criteria to ensure the sustainability of the proposed solutions.

By supporting such initiatives, the authority reinforces its commitment to harnessing AI to empower the Arabic language and foster innovation in the field.