Saudi Scouts participate in youth forum

Saudi Scouts participate in youth forum
The Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association will participate in the Arab Scout Youth Forum for Digital Transformation to be held from Aug. 3-8 in Salalah, Oman. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 02 August 2024
Follow

Saudi Scouts participate in youth forum

Saudi Scouts participate in youth forum
  • The forum aims to enhance the capabilities of youth, while empowering and engaging them
  • It also provides national coordinators with the opportunity to fulfill their role

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association will participate in the Arab Scout Youth Forum for Digital Transformation to be held from Aug. 3-8 in Salalah, Oman.
Organized by the Arab Scout Region in cooperation with the National Organization for Scouts and Guides in Oman, the forum aims to enhance the capabilities of youth, while empowering and engaging them. It also provides national coordinators with the opportunity to fulfill their role.
During the forum, several topics will be reviewed, namely the basic characteristics of scouting and introducing the global scout policy — including youth policy, youth participation, protection of harm, and adults in scouting.
The forum will also review the results and impact of the participation of the youth in the September 2023 edition, introduce the policy of diversity, inclusion and integration, the new scouting initiatives, sustainable development goals, and personal development planning.
It will host an interactive workshop on preparing future action plans designed for youth empowerment nationally, a panel discussion to exchange views and experiences with the Arab Scout Youth advisers committee, in addition to activities and programs designed to enhance scouting skills.


Al-Salam Endowment Hospital opens in Madinah 

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan inaugurates the Al-Salam Endowment Hospital on Tuesday. (SPA)
Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan inaugurates the Al-Salam Endowment Hospital on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 17 sec ago
Follow

Al-Salam Endowment Hospital opens in Madinah 

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan inaugurates the Al-Salam Endowment Hospital on Tuesday. (SPA)
  • Prince Salman emphasizes historic significance in nonprofit development

RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan has praised the Al-Salam Endowment Hospital as a humanitarian project which reflects the country’s benevolence under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have prioritized support for charitable and developmental sectors.

The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and aims to enhance the nonprofit sector’s role in economic development and promote a unified, charitable society.

The hospital, which was inaugurated on Tuesday, provides healthcare services to visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The ceremony was attended by Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi, Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel, Royal Court Adviser Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, and Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, head of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Prince Salman stressed Madinah’s historic significance in nonprofit development, noting that it was the birthplace of the first Islamic endowment.

He spoke of the rise of charitable organizations and the establishment of the Kingdom’s first endowment hospital, funded by philanthropists through the Ehsan National Platform for Charitable Work.

He also thanked Prince Faisal bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman, for his efforts in establishing the hospital.

The ceremony included a video presentation called “The First Digital Hospital in the Kingdom.”

Malahi bin Salama bin Saedan, chairman of the board at the Al-Shakreen Endowment, spoke on behalf of the philanthropists, highlighting their SR250 million ($66.66 million) contribution that had benefited more than 95 associations in the Kingdom.

He announced plans for a new endowment hospital in Makkah and an additional SR50 million donation through Ehsan.

Al-Qasabi spoke of his gratitude to the king and the crown prince for their support of Ehsan, which had strengthened the nonprofit sector and inspired others to contribute.

He commended the nation’s charitable values and thanked the donors for making the Al-Salam Hospital possible.

Al-Jalajel stressed the Saudi government’s commitment to providing top-tier healthcare to visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and acknowledged the role of Ehsan and the Al-Shifa Endowment in establishing the hospital.

The health minister also noted the continuation of health-related endowments, with the Health Endowment Fund and community partnerships now totaling 581 and valued at over SR1.54 billion.

Prince Salman later thanked the philanthropists, Ehsan’s supervisory committees, participating health sectors, and the Al-Shifa Endowment for their contributions to the Al-Salam Endowment Hospital.


Boost for regional economy as AlUla’s palm farms produce over 100,000 tonnes of dates annually

Boost for regional economy as AlUla’s palm farms produce over 100,000 tonnes of dates annually
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

Boost for regional economy as AlUla’s palm farms produce over 100,000 tonnes of dates annually

Boost for regional economy as AlUla’s palm farms produce over 100,000 tonnes of dates annually

ALULA: AlUla’s palm farms are making a significant contribution to the regional economy with the production of more than 100,000 tonnes of dates each year.

Spanning approximately 16,579 hectares with over 3.1 million palm trees, the farms are currently mid-harvest, with the season running from Aug. 15 to Oct. 30. The main variant harvested is the Burni variety.

AlUla’s dates are of exceptional quality, thanks to the region’s fertile soil and abundant water supply.

The Royal Commission for AlUla supports local farmers by promoting agricultural expansion and preservation, and through marketing. Events and festivals centered around dates further boost interest from both citizens and tourists.


KAUST advances research and training in AI, cybersecurity and bioinformatics

KAUST advances research and training in AI, cybersecurity and bioinformatics
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

KAUST advances research and training in AI, cybersecurity and bioinformatics

KAUST advances research and training in AI, cybersecurity and bioinformatics

RIYADH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has intensified its research efforts with 67 research projects in key areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and bioinformatics.

The KAUST Academy training program’s second cohort graduated this year. The institution offered virtual courses to over 7,000 Saudi students, intensive in-person training to 2,800, and scholarships for 200 top students to study at leading universities worldwide.

In partnership with organizations like the National Cybersecurity Authority and NEOM, KAUST aims to equip students with the skills needed for research in critical fields, enhancing the Saudi workforce's technical expertise.


KSrelief mobile clinics in Yemen provide medical services

KSrelief mobile clinics in Yemen provide medical services
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

KSrelief mobile clinics in Yemen provide medical services

KSrelief mobile clinics in Yemen provide medical services

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued to provide healthcare in Yemen for vulnerable families, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

KSrelief’s mobile clinics in Azlat Al-Deir, Hajjah, helped 2,364 people in July.

Care was provided for several patients including through the emergency (1,109), internal medicine (764), epidemic control (449) and reproductive health (34) clinics.

More than 1,400 individuals received nursing services, the surgery and dressing clinic treated 11 patients, and eight waste-disposal activities were conducted.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque
  • Kingdom ‘reiterates the need to respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned an Israeli minister’s remarks where he called to build a synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said early Tuesday.

Israel’s hard-line Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir repeated a call for Jews to be allowed to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, drawing sharp criticism for inflaming tensions as ceasefire negotiators seek a deal to halt fighting in Gaza. 

Asked during an interview if he would build a synagogue on the site if he could, Ben-Gvir replied “Yes, Yes.” 

The Kingdom affirmed its categorical rejection of these extremist and provocative statements, and the ongoing provocations of Muslims around the world.

Saudi Arabia “reiterated the need to respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the statement read.

The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and put an end to the Palestinian humanitarian catastrophe, and activate serious mechanisms to hold Israeli officials accountable for the ongoing violations of international laws, norms and resolutions.