Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon

Update Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
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Update Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
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Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, left, in Riyadh with the Deputy Emir of the region. (SPA)
Update Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
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Above, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, left, in Riyadh with the Deputy Emir of the region. (SPA)
Update Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
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Above, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, left, in Riyadh with the Deputy Emir of the region. (SPA)
Update Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
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Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s ruling interim military council, right, with the Deputy Emir of the region. (SPA)
Update Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
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Above, the Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister, left, in Riyadh with the Deputy Emir of the region. (SPA)
Update Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is welcomed on arrival in Riyadh on Sunday evening. (SPA)
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is welcomed on arrival in Riyadh on Sunday evening. (SPA)
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Updated 11 November 2024
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Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon

Saudi crown prince condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon
  • Speaking at extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit in Riyadh, he denounces Israel’s campaign in Gaza as ‘genocide’
  • He also condemns obstruction of aid efforts in Gaza and rejects any diminishing of the role of the Palestinian Authority

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday renewed the Kingdom’s objections to Israeli attacks in Gaza and violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

In his opening statement at an extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit, hosted by Riyadh, he denounced the obstruction of aid efforts by humanitarian agencies in Gaza and rejected any diminishing of the role of the Palestinian Authority.

“The Kingdom condemns the obstruction of the relief efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in Palestinian territories, as well as the obstruction of the work of humanitarian organizations providing aid to the Palestinian people,” the crown prince said.

Israel formally notified the UN last week of its decision to sever ties with UNRWA after Israeli politicians voted in favor of the move on Oct. 28.

The international community must “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon”, the crown prince said, describing Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “genocide.”

He continued: “We condemn the Israeli military operations that have targeted Lebanese territories and we reject anything that threatens Lebanon’s stability and safety as well as anything that violates its territorial integrity.

“Israel’s continued criminal actions against innocent people, its violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its undermining of the Palestinian Authority’s pivotal role in all Palestinian territories will hinder efforts to secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and establish regional peace.”

The crown prince also condemned attacks against Iran, saying that the international community should put pressure on Israel to respect “the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran” and cease all hostile actions against its territories.

He said “we stand with our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon,” and reiterated that Palestine qualifies for full membership in the UN, as he stressed the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state.

“We launched a global initiative to support the two-state solution,” he added, referring to a call by Saudi authorities for more peace-loving countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state, through the UN General Assembly.

 

The crown prince praised the successful joint efforts by countries represented at the meeting to encourage nine additional nations to recognize the State of Palestine since Oct. 7, 2023, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. This is reflected in UN General Assembly resolutions affirming Palestine’s eligibility for full membership of the organization and demanding an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories, he said.

“In this spirit, we affirm the importance of continuing our joint efforts to establish a Palestinian state, within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the crown prince added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the summit that Israel’s goal is to establish settlements in the Gaza Strip and annex the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“So far, 50,000 Palestinians have been martyred, 70 percent of whom were children and women, in massacres carried out by Israel in Gaza and other Palestinian territories,” he said.

“It is extremely important that we continue our coordinated efforts to take coercive measures against those committing acts of genocide in Palestine, based on international law and the UN Charter. We cannot allow differences in opinion and positions among us to hinder our common cause.”

Erdogan also said that as many countries as possible must support South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.

In his statement to the summit, Hissein Brahim Taha, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, stressed the need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on June 10 this year, which calls for a ceasefire agreement, the sufficient and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, and efforts to enable the Palestinian government to fulfill its responsibilities in Gaza.

Echoing the Saudi crown prince’s remarks, Taha reiterated the need for a two-state solution that includes an independent Palestinian state, and its right to full membership of the UN. He also called for an immediate and total ceasefire in Lebanon in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

The secretary-general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said the actions of Israeli authorities reflect their plans to destroy Palestinian society in Gaza, displace its people and deconstruct an entire community and its social fabric, deliberately destroying any possibility of restoration and killing any hopes for an independent Palestinian state.

In doing so, he told the summit, Israel is crippling efforts to achieve a future of coexistence and peace in the region. He added that a lack of accountability has encouraged Israeli authorities to proceed with their unimaginable plans, but the summit sends a message that the world cannot continue to ignore the relentless violence.

Many Arab and Islamic leaders traveled to Riyadh on Monday for the summit. They included Erdogan; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president of the UAE, deputy prime minister and chairperson of the Presidential Court; Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of Uzbekistan; Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, president of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council; Bashar Assad, president of Syria; Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, prime minister of Iraq; Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, deputy prime minister of Bahrain; and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, president of Egypt.

They were joined by King Abdullah of Jordan; Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani; Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref; Oman’s foreign minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi; and Bakary Yaou Sangare, Niger’s minister for foreign affairs.

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday, as did the Lebanese prime minister, Najib Mikati; Algeria’s foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf; the foreign minister of Guinea, Morissanda Kouyate; the president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye; Chad’s president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno; the president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Uganda’s third deputy prime minister Lukia Isanga Nakadama. The president of Mauritania, Mohammed Ould Ghazouani, also arrived on Sunday, after performing Umrah and praying at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Saturday.


Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom

Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom
Updated 17 November 2024
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Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom

Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom
  • Session attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Chinese ambassador to the Kingdom Chang Hua on Sunday.

The meeting focused on reviewing the strong relations between the two nations and discussing various issues of mutual interest, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session was attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides, SPA added.


King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries

The Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
The Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
Updated 17 November 2024
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King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries

The Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
  • Pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025
  • Minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that Saudi leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has approved the hosting of 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries to perform Umrah as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Programme for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.

The pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and general supervisor of the Hajj and Umrah program Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh thanked the Saudi leadership for enabling Muslims from different countries of the world to perform the minor pilgrimage with ease and peace of mind.

The minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that the leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims.

He added it would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims in various parts of the world and develop fruitful communication between scholars and influential figures who are hosted by the program.

The program has benefitted people from more than 140 countries since it was launched, the minister said.


Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia

Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia
Updated 17 November 2024
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Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia

Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia
  • Community bound by love of old gadgets that help enrich the present

RIYADH: In an era marked by digital convenience, analog technology is steadily making a comeback, with everything from vinyl records to film cameras experiencing a renaissance around the Kingdom.

Driven by a blend of nostalgia, artistry, and an appreciation for the tactile, this resurgence reflects a deeper cultural shift toward mindfulness and intentionality.

Arab News spoke to enthusiasts and entrepreneurs about the beauty, challenges, and personal connections that analog offers over its digital counterparts.

The resurgence of analog formats is a reminder that technology can be more than just a tool. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

For music lovers, vinyl offers an experience that is impossible to replicate digitally. Fawaz Al-Sulaim, owner of Bohemia Records, said: “Experiencing music through vinyl or cassette brings you closer to it, like you’re there with the artists in the studio. You go through every song on the album as intended.”

Vinyl’s allure lies not just in its sound but also in its tangible presence. Holding a vinyl record offers a sense of ownership often missing in digital music, where ownership is more of a fleeting license.

Al-Sulaim said: “Analog represents physical media coming back — not just in a technical sense but as something people can hold on to.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• As Saudi Arabia invests in art, culture, and heritage, there is hope that analog’s value will continue to be recognized and supported.

• With the rise in interest, local communities and businesses are emerging to cater to this renewed passion for analog.

This revival is not limited to vinyl. Bohemia Records has seen an increase in CD sales, suggesting that physical formats resonate with people’s desire to own and cherish music collections.

The appeal of analog does not stop at music. In photography, the return to film presents a refreshing contrast to digital’s immediacy.

Film rolls ready for development at Haitham Studio Film Lab, where each roll holds captured memories and stories from Saudi photographers. (Photo by Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi)

Haitham Al-Sharif, founder of Haitham Studio Film Lab in Riyadh, spoke to Arab News about film photography’s unique character, saying: “Film requires patience, thought, and a connection with the moment. You’re fully present, considering every exposure.”

Al-Sharif, who began his film processing journey at home, has seen a surge in Saudi interest, with his studio now serving thousands across the Gulf region.

Haitham Studio’s clients include people from seasoned photographers to students experimenting with their parents’ vintage cameras.

An eclectic display of analog nostalgia and rock memorabilia, featuring classic vinyl records, retro audio equipment, and books on music icons—capturing the spirit of vintage and punk culture. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

He said: “People come in for graduations, weddings, and even casual shots with disposable film cameras. Each frame has meaning, and the photographer remembers every shot.”

Running a film lab, however, is not without challenges. “We rely on older machines, specialized chemicals, and skilled technicians, which aren’t always easy to source locally,” Al-Sharif explained, adding that the support of Saudi Arabia’s growing art and tourism sectors could enhance this particular industry’s growth.

For retro tech enthusiasts like Zain Al-Mansour, the appeal goes beyond functionality. He said: “Listening to music on vinyl or snapping pictures with a vintage camera offers a joy that’s similar to making espresso — you savor the process as much as the end result.”

Film negatives hang to dry at Haitham Studio, reflecting the lab’s dedication to preserving the authenticity and art of analog photography. (Photo by Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi)

With an affinity for devices that evoke memories, Al-Mansour recently acquired a first-generation Tamagotchi, to help rediscover the simplicity and wonder of childhood technology.

Analog devices engage users on a personal level, prompting a more deliberate interaction than today’s instant gratification.

Al-Mansour said: “Retro tech is fascinating because it takes you back to a simpler time. The aesthetics of these devices, the physicality, and even the sounds they make add to their charm.”

A film negative passes through the scanning machine at Haitham Studio, bridging the analog and digital worlds to bring treasured moments to life. (Photo by Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi)

For others, analog represents a form of self-expression. Bashayer Al-Bloushi sees a unique beauty in analog’s imperfections, which bring out details often missed in digital formats.

“Film photography forces you to capture moments with intention. There’s no instant review, so you’re careful about each frame,” she said.

For Al-Bloushi, analog provides a richer experience that digital cannot offer, allowing for a deeper connection to each captured moment.

A retro cassette collection at Bohemia Records, showcasing a variety of genres and rare finds that capture the essence of analog music. (Photo by Fawaz Al-Sulaim)

Saja Al-Zahrani spoke about how analog media lets people embrace a slower, more mindful approach.

Al-Zahrani said: “There’s a warmth in vinyl’s crackle or film’s grain that digital can’t match.

“With analog, people reconnect with something real, something authentic.”

This tactile experience of using film or vinyl requires more focus, turning each interaction into a rewarding moment.

The value of analog media extends beyond nostalgia for Ebtsam Al-Dossary. Having grown up with film cameras, she sees them as reliable memory-keepers.

She said: “A camera doesn’t just store images; it keeps your memories safe. Digital files can vanish, but a physical photo endures.”

For Al-Dossary, the resurgence of analog formats is not just a trend; it’s a meaningful way to capture and remember moments more authentically.

As digital convenience reigns, this analog revival may underscore a collective yearning for experiences that slow us down, engage our senses, and encourage a mindful appreciation of art, music, and memories.

Whether it is the crackle of a vinyl record, the anticipation of developing a roll of film, or the tactile joy of a retro gadget, analog’s comeback offers a refreshing alternative to the fast-paced digital world.

In today’s digital landscape, the resurgence of analog offers a bridge between past and present, inviting us to reconnect with timeless traditions and meaningful experiences.

For enthusiasts across Saudi Arabia, this revival is about more than simply reverting to older technology — it is about rediscovering a different kind of connection, one in which every sound, image, and moment is fully appreciated.

Analog’s revival is redefining how Saudi society interacts with technology, pushing back against the trend of disposability and transient media. Each record played, photo developed, or gadget cherished represents a conscious choice to engage deeply with the experience.

Analog enthusiasts find joy in the imperfections, the weight of physical media, and the permanence these formats offer — qualities that digital often lacks.

With the rise in interest, local communities and businesses are emerging to cater to this renewed passion for analog. Haitham Studio and Bohemia Records are not just stores but spaces for Saudi artists, photographers, and music lovers to connect and share their passions. These communities thrive on a shared understanding of the value in slowing down and appreciating the process, rather than just the result.

In Riyadh, Al-Sharif has seen the effect firsthand. “We see customers coming back weekly, sometimes with friends, eager to develop their latest film rolls or browse the latest records,” he said. This sense of community is not just about shared interests; it is about shared values.

While the digital world offers unprecedented convenience and accessibility, analog serves a different purpose. Al-Sharif believes that both can coexist harmoniously. “Digital is essential for instant documentation, but analog is about timeless experiences,” he said.

Al-Zahrani, too, emphasizes that analog does not negate the value of digital but rather offers an alternative that complements it. “Both formats have their place, but analog asks something of you: it asks you to be present, to commit to the moment,” she said.

As Saudi Arabia invests in art, culture, and heritage, there is hope that analog’s value will continue to be recognized and supported. Whether through dedicated spaces like Haitham Studio or local events celebrating vintage tech, these efforts help sustain a trend that is not only about looking back but also about enriching the present.

The resurgence of analog formats is a reminder that technology can be more than just a tool. It can be an experience, a memory, and a form of art.

 


Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills

Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills
Updated 17 November 2024
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Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills

Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills
  • Customs Authority also discovers 403,124 Pregabalin, 1,990 Tramadol unlicensed, prescription-only pills

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s counter-narcotics authorities on Sunday foiled attempts to smuggle $2 million worth of Captagon drugs and nearly half a million unlicensed Pregabalin and Tramadol pills.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said in a statement that it had seized the illegal drugs and unlicensed pills at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; the inland Dry Port in Riyadh; and Al-Batha Port.

Authorities at the airport in Jeddah found 200,000 Captagon pills hidden in mail parcels containing household utensils. The drugs have a street value ranging from $2 million to $5 million. 

Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East and has a street value of between $10 and $25 a pill, according to research by the International Journal of Addiction Research.

The attempt to smuggle Captagon into the Kingdom was the second in less than a week. Counter-narcotics authorities uncovered a shipment of 12 million amphetamine pills on Wednesday at the Red Sea port of Jeddah which had been hidden inside a container of building materials.

The authorities also thwarted the smuggling of 403,124 unlicensed Pregabalin pills at the inland Dry Port near Riyadh. Pregabalin is a prescription-only drug for anxiety, epilepsy, and nerve pain treatment, but its abuse has led to several deaths in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. In countries such as the UK it is illegal to buy or possess Pregabalin without a medical prescription.  

An attempt to smuggle 1,990 unlicensed Tramadol pills — a prescription-only painkiller — and 500 grams of Shabu was thwarted at Al-Batha Port. The Customs Authority said the Shabu was found hidden in a shipment of washing machines.

The Customs Authority and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control have announced the arrest of 10 people in connection with the drug smuggling cases.


GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh

GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh
Updated 17 November 2024
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GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh

GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh
  • The parties reviewed bilateral relations and ways to further develop and strengthen them, as well as discussing various topics of common interest

RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi received the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, and the Ambassador of Austria to the Kingdom Oskar Wustinger in separate meetings at the Secretariat General of the GCC in Riyadh on Sunday.

The parties reviewed bilateral relations and ways to further develop and strengthen them, as well as discussing various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The discussions also included an exchange of views on recent regional and international developments.