Saudi shoppers flock to take advantage of Founding Day discounts

Saudi shoppers flock to take advantage of Founding Day discounts
A host of celebrations will take place across Saudi Arabia on Thursday to commemorate the founding of the country. (SPA)
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Updated 21 February 2024
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Saudi shoppers flock to take advantage of Founding Day discounts

Saudi shoppers flock to take advantage of Founding Day discounts
  • The Kingdom celebrates Founding Day on Feb. 22 each year to mark its establishment by Imam Mohammed bin Saud in 1727 CE

RIYADH: A host of celebrations will take place across Saudi Arabia on Thursday to commemorate the founding of the country.

The Kingdom celebrates Founding Day on Feb. 22 each year to mark its establishment by Imam Mohammed bin Saud in 1727 CE.

Various events organized by the Ministry of Culture, such as Founding Nights, Symphony of the Beginning, Path of History and Founding Village, will be held around the country until Feb. 26. Other festivities will include fireworks, traditional dancing, drone displays, live shows and military performances.

A ministry statement said the events would underscore the “deep-rooted pride in national heritage, the solid bond between the citizenry and leadership, and the enduring legacy of progress and prosperity.” 

Those seeking Founding Day bargains are also in luck, as many businesses — including airlines, hotels, restaurants, cafes and more — are offering promotions and discounts of up to 85 percent to mark the occasion.

The Ministry of Commerce is allowing commercial establishments to issue discount licenses through a special online platform, sales.mc.gov.sa, until Feb. 28. Consumers can verify the discounts by scanning the relevant barcode.

Riyadh resident Nadine Khaled said: “As a woman, I believe it’s a great opportunity for shopping. I honestly look forward to it every year to purchase all my favorite products, from perfumes to makeup and cosmetics, and even spa packages.”

Faisal Mohammed, a tech enthusiast who also lives in Riyadh, added: “The Founding Day sale on tech gadgets is the perfect opportunity to enhance my collection.”


Saudi minister of culture meets Egyptian president

Saudi minister of culture meets Egyptian president
Updated 9 sec ago
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Saudi minister of culture meets Egyptian president

Saudi minister of culture meets Egyptian president
  • Prince Badr extends greetings from King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Saudi minister of culture, met the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Tuesday.

Prince Badr extended greetings to the Egyptian leader from King Salman, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Saudi Minister of State Issam bin Saad bin Saeed; the Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez; and the Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini attended the meeting.


Saudi, Pakistani interior ministers discuss security, anti-drug efforts in Riyadh

Saudi, Pakistani interior ministers discuss security, anti-drug efforts in Riyadh
Updated 17 December 2024
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Saudi, Pakistani interior ministers discuss security, anti-drug efforts in Riyadh

Saudi, Pakistani interior ministers discuss security, anti-drug efforts in Riyadh
  • Prince Abdulaziz and Mohsin Naqvi review joint measures against narcotics, agree on boosting cooperation
  • Naqvi visited various sections of the directorate, where Saudi officials briefed him on the Kingdom’s narcotics control efforts

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif recently met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi in Riyadh to discuss security cooperation and joint measures for combating narcotics.

Prince Abdulaziz welcomed the Pakistani minister and his accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia, highlighting that the meeting was held under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to strengthen security cooperation in light of the distinguished relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing security cooperation, particularly the fight against drug trafficking. The two sides also addressed various issues of mutual interest.

“The ministers discussed security cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the Pakistani Interior Ministry said in a statement.

“Prince Abdulaziz and Mohsin Naqvi also reviewed measures to combat drug smuggling and other matters of mutual interest. The meeting included discussions on advancing cooperation in narcotics control,” the statement added.

Naqvi’s meeting with the Saudi interior minister followed a meeting on Monday with Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Qarni, head of the Kingdom’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control.

During their meeting, the two officials discussed enhancing mutual cooperation in narcotics control, according to the Pakistani Interior Ministry.

“Both sides agreed on more effective measures under bilateral assistance for narcotics control,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Saudi side offered to assist Pakistan by providing the latest equipment for drug detection.”

Naqvi visited various sections of the directorate, where Saudi officials briefed him on the Kingdom’s narcotics control efforts.

“No country can tackle the menace of drugs alone. This has become a shared challenge for the nations of the world,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry. “Pakistan will continue to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in anti-narcotics efforts.”

On Sunday, the Pakistani minister also met the Kingdom’s director of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, and inspected various departments of the state-of-the-art directorate and the Safe City Center.

“During the meeting, it was agreed to activate the joint task force (on public security) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia soon,” the Pakistani Interior Ministry said, with Naqvi adding that he was glad to see “excellent” public security mechanisms in Saudi Arabia and that both sides could benefit from each other’s experiences in police training.


First Regional Arab Youth Forum on Man, Biosphere is held in Jazan

First Regional Arab Youth Forum on Man, Biosphere is held in Jazan
Updated 48 min 28 sec ago
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First Regional Arab Youth Forum on Man, Biosphere is held in Jazan

First Regional Arab Youth Forum on Man, Biosphere is held in Jazan
  • Wildlife experts and officials from UNESCO are speaking at the event
  • They will visit Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary, 50 km off the coast

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting the first Regional Arab Youth Forum on Man and the Biosphere, which started on Tuesday in the southern region of Jazan.

The event, which runs until Dec. 19, is being held by the National Center for Wildlife in partnership with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

The center said the forum represented a positive step forward in addressing biodiversity challenges, enhancing sustainable development and fostering climate resilience in the region.

Wildlife and biosphere experts, decision-makers, and officials from UNESCO and its Man and the Biosphere Program in the Arab region are speaking at the forum. They will visit the Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary, 50 km off the coast of Jazan, which is a natural habitat for endangered marine creatures, coral reefs and 230 species of fish.

In 2021, Saudi Arabia successfully registered the Farasan Islands with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program which launched in 1971.

Mohammad Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said the forum, which aligned with the environmental goals of Vision 2030, reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts to protect ecosystems and enrich biodiversity.

He added it aimed to enable Arab youth to preserve biodiversity, face environmental challenges and deepen cooperation between the region’s countries in wildlife and biosphere fields.

He said the center, formerly the Saudi Wildlife Authority, led training programs for the Saudi youth and contributed to environmental governance to preserve and improve the life of natural habitats.

The forum in Jazan supports UNESCO’s MAB Program, which enhances the relationship between people and their environments, as well as the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and other initiatives.

The program includes various sessions and workshops, with topics including the governance of the Man and Biosphere Program in Saudi Arabia, and the role and partnerships of youth networks in protecting biodiversity. There will also be the chance for Arab networks to share experiences in areas such as governance, strategies and financing.


National Center for Meteorology forecasts cold in northern region, mercury level dips in Saudi Arabia

National Center for Meteorology forecasts cold in northern region, mercury level dips in Saudi Arabia
Updated 17 December 2024
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National Center for Meteorology forecasts cold in northern region, mercury level dips in Saudi Arabia

National Center for Meteorology forecasts cold in northern region, mercury level dips in Saudi Arabia
  • NCM issued a forecast on Tuesday predicting a significant drop in temperatures in several regions
  • Wave of cold conditions has prompted education authorities to delay the start of the school day in several areas

RIYADH: Cold is gripping northern regions in Saudi Arabia, with the mercury level in some parts of the Kingdom dipping to freezing.

The National Center for Meteorology issued a forecast on Tuesday predicting a significant drop in temperatures in several regions.

Tabuk, Jouf, the Northern Borders, Hail, and northern parts of the Eastern Province are expected to experience exceptionally cold weather on Wednesday and Thursday.

Minimum temperatures are predicted between zero and 3 C. Frost may form in parts of the regions affected, and in the highlands of Tabuk.

Gusty winds are expected to blow and rainfall is expected in parts of Makkah. Fog may form in parts of Makkah, Jazan, Asir, and the Baha region.

The center urged residents where cold conditions prevail to closely monitor weather updates by the center and comply with the safety guidelines issued by the relevant authorities.

The wave of cold conditions has prompted education authorities to delay the start of the school day in several areas.

Education authorities in Qurayyat governorate have decided to put off the start of classes to 9 a.m., and authorities in Tabuk have likewise changed to that start time.

Authorities have suspended school assembly in the Hail region, with the school day now scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m. until further notice due to the cold conditions.

The Ministry of Education in the Eastern Province has also taken steps out of concern for the safety of students and all school staff with the school day now starting at 7:30 a.m.

In addition, the ministry’s Eastern Province branch posted on X: “Dear student: Make sure to wear heavy winter clothing to protect yourself from the cold.”


Djibouti envoy, Saudi interior minister discuss security ties

Djibouti envoy, Saudi interior minister discuss security ties
Updated 17 December 2024
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Djibouti envoy, Saudi interior minister discuss security ties

Djibouti envoy, Saudi interior minister discuss security ties
  • Said Bamakhrama held discussions with Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif
  • Nations have agreed to launch a maritime trade initiative

RIYADH: Senior officials from Djibouti and Saudi Arabia have held talks to strengthen security ties between the two countries. 

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti in Riyadh Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama had discussions here recently with Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif. 

Bamakhrama told Arab News that they discussed several issues of common interest including “security cooperation and ways to strengthen them between the relevant sectors.” 

He said the two nations hold discussions annually under a Joint Security Committee. The third meeting of the body was in Jeddah in September last year, and it will meet in Djibouti next February. 

In August this year, the two nations agreed to launch a maritime trade initiative. This includes new shipping lines to boost connectivity with East African markets, which serve a consumer base of around 500 million people.