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Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The two discussed cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UN on the Syrian issue, the efforts of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee, and regional developments.
Saudi Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, also attended the meeting.
RIYADH: For Muslims across Saudi Arabia, Ramadan is exemplified by its spirit of reflection and generosity, with a surge in charitable initiatives during the holy month.
Communities rally to fund medical treatments for the sick, sponsor orphans’ education, and equip families with tools to build self-reliance — all fueled by a faith that sees giving as essential.
To safeguard this spiritual momentum, Saudi Arabia has strengthened frameworks ensuring that donations flow securely to causes that transform lives.
The Presidency of State Security has underscored how donations must be made through official channels.
For international donations, the agency emphasized that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) remains the sole authorized entity, adding that violations would be met with legal consequences per the Kingdom’s laws.
Among the approved organizations driving this Ramadan’s charitable momentum is the Charitable Society for Orphans Care (Ensan), a Riyadh-based organization dedicated to orphan welfare, which empowers mothers and children to rebuild their lives.
Mohammed Al-Muharib, director-general of Ensan, told Arab News that “Ramadan is a blessed month marked by increased charitable giving and virtuous deeds.”
He spoke about how the organization leverages this spiritual momentum to support orphans through initiatives like Eid Gift Packages, which are designed to “bring joy and share the happiness of Eid” with children.
Rather than traditional meal distributions, Ensan prioritizes direct financial empowerment, depositing funds for Ramadan Baskets into families’ accounts — a method Al-Muharib described as aligning with modern, dignified aid.
While healthcare and education remain the core focus of Ensan’s year-round work, Al-Muharib noted that Ramadan sharpens their focus.
“Education and healthcare are part of our year-round programs, but they receive heightened focus during Ramadan,” he explained.
He linked this to Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of communal solidarity, framing empowerment as a tool to break cycles of dependency.
For time-sensitive projects like Eid gifts and iftar gatherings, Al-Muharib stressed urgency. “We run the Eid Gift Project for Ensan’s children by depositing gift funds into families’ accounts,” he said, urging donors to contribute via Ensan’s official platforms.
He also highlighted partnerships with community stakeholders as critical to fulfilling what he termed a “shared social responsibility,” echoing the article’s theme of collective action.
The cirector general reiterated Ensan’s commitment to accountability. “Ensan prioritizes transparency in all programs and services, earning awards for accountability,” he said, referencing post-Ramadan statistical reports that detail expenditures and outcomes.
Founded in 1981, Al-Bir Society in Jeddah provides social services for families, orphans, and kidney failure patients.
As of March 17, 2025, the society reported significant milestones. Its Hisham Attar and Abdulkarim Bakr Medical Centers have conducted over 660,000 dialysis sessions using more than 70 machines, supplemented by psychological, health, and social services for patients.
The society supports more than 37,000 families through rehabilitation, job training, and project funding to enhance self-reliance.
It also cares for 14,000 orphans within their families and 1,100 in residential facilities, offering comprehensive educational, health, and recreational support.
Another charity with longstanding service the people of Saudi Arabia is Qatif Charity, an organization that has been operating for over 60 years.
Qatif Charity specializes in providing social services, aiming to improve the economic, social, and health standards of its beneficiaries.
Today, the organization supports around 1,300 students, including 201 university students, with 22 students graduating this year.
Qatif Charity has also supported a total of 370 families and 500 orphans, with over 70 projects under its belt.
Osama Al-Zayer, president of the charity, told Arab News that “the organization’s Ramadan programs begin before the arrival of the holy month.”
Qatif Charity distributes Ramadan food baskets to all of its beneficiaries. The organization initiates charitable programs including the Friday Charity, the Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr) Charity, and Zakat Al-Fitr.
“These programs ensure that donations reach those in need in an organized manner, creating a positive and lasting impact,” Al-Zayer said, adding that these charitable contributions support programs such as education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure development.
The organization also runs the Fawanees (Lanterns) Program, where selected words and sayings from the teachings and sermons of the Prophet Muhammad are written across lanterns and distributed online.
Two of its Ramadan campaigns, “Eid Joy” and “Eid Clothing,” ensure that beneficiary families experience the festive spirit of Eid without worry.
“Every contribution, whether small or large, supports the organization and strengthens its diverse programs,” he added.
To facilitate donations, the organization has launched an online donation platform.
“Giving is deeply rooted in our society’s religious and social values, fostering generosity, selflessness, and the support of others in need,” Al-Zayer said.
“The organization embodies this noble trait within our community by assisting the poor and orphans who require help.”
The essence of generosity and kindness is particularly evident during Ramadan due to its religious significance as a month of mercy, goodness, and generosity, Al-Zayer noted.
“It is a time when the charitable spirit of our community shines, as people actively engage in supporting and helping others.”
In the southern region of Asir, an initiative named Ajaweed carried out charitable visits to provide healthcare at patients’ homes including vaccinations, laboratory analyses, and delivery of prescriptions throughout the month.
Together, these are some of the organizations that exemplify the Kingdom’s vision of structured, impactful philanthropy.
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Haramain High-Speed Railway has transported the highest number of passengers in a single day since its inauguration in 2018.
The Saudi Railway Company reported transporting about 48,000 passengers in a single day on the 15th of Ramadan.
Since the beginning of Ramadan in March, average daily ridership has surpassed 39,000 passengers, showing a strong demand for the Haramain services as the quickest way to reach Makkah.
The railway serves worshippers, Umrah and Hajj pilgrims year-round, connecting Makkah and Madinah and passing through Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City.
The SAR has gradually increased the number of trips since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips a day during the last 10 days to accommodate Umrah performers, worshippers and visitors to the holy sites.
SAR has adjusted train schedules to align with peak times for worshippers and visitors during Ramadan and has provided additional lounges at the Madinah station to enhance the travel experience.
The railway operates on a 453-km electric line and ranks among the top 10 fastest trains in the world, with an operational speed of up to 300 km/h, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
RIYADH: The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Wednesday.
He arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday, landing at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
In Madinah, the president visited and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions made a historic debut as the first Middle Eastern sponsor of AnimeJapan 2025, one of the world’s largest anime events.
Held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, the four-day festival drew more than 150,000 visitors and featured over 100 global exhibitors, organizers said in a statement.
A subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, known as Misk, Manga Production’s participation underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing position in the global anime industry.
Attendees experienced interactive exhibitions, including traditional Saudi attire try-ons and authentic Saudi coffee tastings, offering a unique fusion of heritage and creativity.
Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, delivered a keynote speech titled “A New Era of Animation! The Future of ‘Saudinimation’ Driven by Japan and Saudi Arabia,” outlining the collaborative opportunities between the two nations.
He said: “The overwhelming response reflects our mission to position Saudi creativity globally. AnimeJapan 2025 was a milestone in fostering co-production and content partnerships, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision to be a hub for entertainment innovation.”
The pavilion also welcomed high-profile Japanese officials, including Akamatsu Ken, vice minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, and Kobayashi Fumiaki, vice minister of the environment, signaling strong governmental interest in cultural exchange.
Abdulaziz Al-Mowani, director of marketing and communications, said: “This platform allowed us to share Saudi Arabia’s creative identity while forging strategic media and industry connections.
“Effective storytelling bridges cultures, and the event proved the power of our narrative.”
JEDDAH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has launched the first dedicated palliative care program for adolescents and young adults in the Arab world.
This initiative aims to improve the quality of life of young patients with life-threatening illnesses by offering integrated care throughout their treatment journey.
The program not only enhances patient care but also serves as a model for similar initiatives, addressing a critical gap in palliative services for young patients across the Arab world.
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses, such as advanced cancers, heart disease, neurological disorders and organ failure. It also offers psychological and social support, aids decision-making and improves the overall patient experience.
For adolescents and young adults, the program addresses age-specific challenges including balancing treatment with education or work, coping with the psychological impact of illness and maintaining autonomy in care decisions.
The program features a multidisciplinary team of palliative care physicians, specialized nurses, social workers and mental health experts to support both patients and their families.
The World Health Organization reports that only 14 percent of patients globally who need palliative care receive it, highlighting a significant service gap.
Research shows that integrating palliative care into treatment plans for young patients with critical illnesses reduces symptom burden and improves overall quality of life. Cancer patients, in particular, often face inadequate pain management, psychological support, and guidance during their treatment.
The program has earned accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the European Society for Medical Oncology and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care.
This ensures the highest standards of clinical competency, enabling healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based, culturally sensitive palliative care.
