KSrelief expands aid to crisis zones worldwide

KSrelief expands aid to crisis zones worldwide
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The 23rd Saudi plane carrying aid for Lebanese people has landed on Wednesday at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. (SPA)
KSrelief expands aid to crisis zones worldwide
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The 23rd Saudi plane carrying aid for Lebanese people has landed on Wednesday at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. (SPA)
KSrelief expands aid to crisis zones worldwide
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The plane operated by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief carries food, shelter, and medical supplies. (SPA)
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Updated 6 min 35 sec ago
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KSrelief expands aid to crisis zones worldwide

KSrelief expands aid to crisis zones worldwide

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief is intensifying efforts to deliver critical aid to Lebanon and Gaza while supporting medical assistance needs in Turkiye and Sri Lanka.

The 23rd aid plane from Riyadh arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies for people displaced by Israeli airstrikes.

KSrelief also continues to provide essential food baskets to families in northern Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with the Palestinian people.

In Turkiye, KSrelief's volunteer medical team set a world record by implanting 42 cochlear devices in 14 hours as part of the Saudi Sama’a Volunteer Program in Reyhanli, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Over the week-long campaign, the team implanted a total of 122 cochlear devices for children, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to global medical aid.

In Sri Lanka, KSrelief recently concluded the Saudi Noor Volunteer Project to combat blindness in Hambantota, examining 4,500 cases, distributing 600 pairs of eyeglasses, and performing 503 specialized eye surgeries.
 


Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum
Updated 43 sec ago
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Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum
  • More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views

RIYADH: The imam and khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Baijan, took part in a peace conference themed “Islam is the Religion of Humanity and Peace” during his recent visit to India

More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

As guest of honor, Al-Baijan delivered a speech in which he said that Islam was a religion of security and peace. He warned against divisions among Muslims and said that such discord threatened national unity, led to chaos and could incite wars.

Minister for Wakf and Haj in the government of Kerala Shri. V. Abdurahiman also spoke at the event, praising Saudi Arabia for its efforts in promoting Islam, peace and moderation.

Al-Baijan also joined the 35th All India Ahle Hadith Conference in New Delhi, where he commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts, led by its leadership, to promote security, peace, stability and the safeguarding of human dignity globally.


Arabic Language Month begins in Thailand

Arabic Language Month begins in Thailand
Updated 5 min 25 sec ago
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Arabic Language Month begins in Thailand

Arabic Language Month begins in Thailand
  • The event is a comprehensive program aimed at developing Arabic language curricula

RIYADH: King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched Arabic Language Month in Thailand, in cooperation with Krirk University in Bangkok and Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai, southern Thailand.

The event is a comprehensive program aimed at developing Arabic language curricula, improving teacher performance, promoting Arabic and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s initiatives in this field, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Running until Nov. 29, the event features a variety of activities, including a scientific symposium, two panel discussions and four courses designed to enhance the teaching skills of Arabic teachers for non-native speakers, focusing on modern teaching methods.

The King Salman academy has hosted Arabic Language Month programs in a number of countries, including Indonesia, China, India, France and Brazil.

Last month, the academy hosted Arabic Language Month in France, featuring educational activities aimed at developing Arabic curricula.

The program included visits and meetings with French educational institutions offering Arabic programs and centers focused on teaching and promoting the Arabic language.


Riyadh hosts Hawi Baloot Tournament

Riyadh hosts Hawi Baloot Tournament
Updated 24 min 33 sec ago
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Riyadh hosts Hawi Baloot Tournament

Riyadh hosts Hawi Baloot Tournament
  • The tournament aims to promote the popular card game, and encourage individuals to pursue their interests

RIYADH: The National Portal for Hobbies, Hawi, a part of the Quality of Life Program, is hosting the Hawi Baloot Tournament in Riyadh on Nov. 14-15.

The tournament aims to promote the popular card game, and encourage individuals to pursue their interests, contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030 goals in the hobby sector.

The event will be held at King Saud University. Interested participants can register via the Hawi app.

Open to all Baloot enthusiasts in Riyadh, the tournament will follow the Swiss system format, with five rounds of play. The top four teams will qualify for the knockout stage to compete for the top spots.

The total prize pool is SR20,000 ($5,300). Participants must also adhere to public morals, including the dress code.

Hawi has previously organized several tournaments across the Kingdom, including one in Makkah last month, with more planned for the coming months.

The initiative encourages people of all ages to engage in hobbies, particularly Baloot, fostering friendly competition within society.

The hobby sector in the Kingdom has rapidly grown since being placed under the Quality of Life Program, which, in collaboration with 12 government entities, established Hawi to oversee the sector.

Hawi supports both male and female hobbyists, raising awareness about the importance of hobbies in achieving Saudi Vision 2030 goals.


Saudi Arabia can be aviation hub for Middle East, air show boss says

Saudi Arabia can be aviation hub for Middle East, air show boss says
Updated 2 min 45 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia can be aviation hub for Middle East, air show boss says

Saudi Arabia can be aviation hub for Middle East, air show boss says
  • Saudi General Aviation Airshow 2024 opens in Riyadh next week
  • Event reflects nation’s ‘dedication to expanding its aviation capabilities,’ Prince Sultan bin Salman says

RIYADH: The Kingdom is committed to becoming a leading aviation hub for the Middle East, the head of the Saudi Aviation Club said on Wednesday ahead of this year’s Saudi General Aviation Airshow.

Also known as Sand & Fun 2024, the event will run from Nov. 19-23 at Al-Thumamah Airport in Riyadh.

Club chairman and founder Prince Sultan bin Salman said the show had a significant role to play in advancing the nation’s aviation sector.

“Sand and Fun 2024 reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to expanding its aviation capabilities and nurturing a thriving industry that will inspire generations to come.

“Through Vision 2030, we are committed to making Saudi Arabia a regional leader in aviation, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for our youth.”

Dr. Ahmed bin Fahad Alfahaid, the club’s director general, said: “This event is more than just a display of aviation in the Kingdom. It is a convergence of minds and ideas that will help us shape the future of aviation in Saudi Arabia and the region.

“At the Saudi Aviation Club we are aiming to increase the number of aviators, number of planes, number of airports … We need to increase the numbers with other partners such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation.”

Capt. Fareess Muneer, who sits of the club’s board, said: “Sand & Fun 2024 serves as an inspiration for young Saudis interested in aviation careers, supporting the Kingdom’s goals to cultivate a skilled and passionate workforce in this sector.”

More than 100 exhibitors from around the world are taking part in the event, which will feature aerial displays, interactive exhibitions and the latest advancements in aviation technology. About 100,000 visitors are expected to attend.

The main attraction is likely to be the SkyVentures Air Show, featuring more than 15 international teams, including the Saudi Hawks and the Phoenix Paramotors Display Team from Poland, showing off their aerobatic artistry.


Winners of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water honored in Vienna

Winners of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water honored in Vienna
Updated 13 November 2024
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Winners of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water honored in Vienna

Winners of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water honored in Vienna
  • Billions of people living without safe drinking water, UN secretary-general says
  • Previous winners have helped develop sustainable water resources, Saudi environment minster says

RIYADH: The Saudi environment minister called on scientists and researchers to work together to find practical solutions to global water challenges as he attended this year’s Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water at the UN offices in Vienna on Wednesday.
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli congratulated the winners of the 11th cycle of the awards, which are held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Press Agency reported
Their work, he said, had contributed to the development and sustainability of water resources. He also praised the Kingdom’s leadership for supporting research and innovation in the sector.
“This confirms the importance of government institutions worldwide coordinating and organizing to transfer these innovations into practice,” he said.
Experts should work together to find practical solutions to the world’s water challenges, Al-Fadhli said.
“It has become important for water sectors in the world to embrace and enhance these researches and innovations and adopt the principle of integrated water resources management in a manner that suits the nature and geography of each country, taking into account economic, financial and environmental sustainability.”
He thanked the award’s board members and secretary-general for their efforts and said the Kingdom would continue to play its part in addressing water-related challenges at the local, regional and international levels.
The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Toula said: “In 2023, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the establishment of a global water organization, which aims to enhance integration between countries and organizations to address the challenges of water availability in a comprehensive manner and make it a platform for exchanging best technical practices, supporting research, development and innovation and enabling priority quality projects and facilitating their financing, in an effort to ensure the sustainability of water resources and enhance safe access opportunities for all.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “Water is life, yet billions of people live without safe drinking water, sanitation services or basic hygiene facilities and water scarcity is increasing and people and communities pay the price.”
Dr. Badran bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, chairman of the award’s board, said: “The late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud anticipated the water crisis we face today, as a growing population suffers from increasing demand for food, water and hygiene under conditions exacerbated by uncertainty about climate change. He realized that scientific solutions were needed to alleviate this crisis.”
The Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water was a unique scientific award dedicated to advanced innovations, focused on tangible achievements in finding creative solutions to humanity’s water needs, he said.
The award’s secretary-general, Dr. Abdulmalik bin Abdulrahman Al-Sheikh, said the award had been created in response to the global water situation and that previous winners were working together to overcome the challenges of providing sufficient potable water for people all around the world.
The Kingdom’s ambassadors to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia also attended the awards ceremony.
This year’s winners were from 14 institutions in six countries: China, the Czech Republic, Italy, Singapore, the UK and the US.
Dr. Qiuhua Liang from Loughborough University, UK, and his team won the Surface Water Award.
Dr. Chunmiao Zeng from the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China, and his team won the Groundwater Award.
Dr. Virender K. Sharma from Texas A&M University, US, and his team members attained the Alternative Water Resources Award.
Dr. Joseph Hon Wei Lee from the Macau University of Science and Technology, China, and his teammates won the Water Resources Management and Protection Award.
Anyone who wishes to nominate their project for consideration for the 12th cycle of the awards should do so at psipw.org before the end of December 2025.