Day: August 24, 2024

The National Center for Meteorology warned in today's weather report of heavy rain in Makkah and Al-Jumum Governorate, including the centers of Rahat, Madraka, as well as open areas and highways. The rain is expected to be accompanied by strong winds, reduced horizontal visibility, thunderstorms, hail, and the potential for torrents. The center indicated that this weather is expected to continue until 11 p.m. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Muslim World League (MWL) has expressed strong support and appreciation for the efforts of the "Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS)" group, which is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, saving lives, and working toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. In an official statement, Secretary General of the MWL and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa praised the ALPS group. The coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United States, the Swiss Confederation, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations, operates under the framework of the Jeddah Declaration and is led by Saudi Arabia. The MWL commended the ALPS group's steadfast commitment to the Sudanese people, highlighting their continued efforts in delivering humanitarian aid, protecting civilians, supporting ceasefire initiatives, and striving to end the conflict in Sudan. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) has arrested a citizen in the Riyadh Region for attempting to sell 59 kilograms of hashish. Legal action has been taken against him, and he has been referred to the Public Prosecution. The security authorities urge citizens and residents to report any information related to drug smuggling or selling to the GDNC by calling 911 for Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, or 999 for the rest of the regions, or by emailing 995@gdnc.gov.sa. All reports are treated confidentially. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi Arabian Scout Association concluded its participation in the 43rd World Scout Conference, held in Cairo from August 17 to 23, 2024. The event gathered over 2,000 participants representing 176 countries, marking a significant global collaboration within the Scouting community. The head of the Saudi delegation, Director General of the National Center for Assessment Dr. Abdulrahman Almedaires expressed gratitude to Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Scout Association Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan for his unwavering support, encouragement, and active involvement in the association's participation. He also extended thanks to the various scouting sectors and the Executive Office of the Association for their contributions, which ensured the delegation's impactful presence at the conference, reflecting positively on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's image. The final day of the conference featured a series of ceremonial activities. Chairman of the World Scout Co mmittee Andy Chapman along with the outgoing members and youth advisors, were honored for their service. The transition of leadership was symbolized by the presentation of the Purple World Scout Scarves to the newly elected members of the World Scout Committee. Newly elected Chairman of the World Scout Committee for the 2024-2027 term Daniël Corsen delivered a speech outlining his vision for the future of Scouting. He emphasized the importance of making Scouting safer, supporting youth-led climate initiatives, fostering growth, and expanding partnerships to amplify the Movement's global impact. Corsen highlighted that the decisions made at this conference would be translated into actionable results, enhancing the influence of National Scout Organizations and benefiting youth worldwide. As the conference drew to a close, the World Scout Flag was ceremoniously handed over to Scouts UK, the host of the 44th World Scout Conference in 2027. Several Scout Associations were recognized with prestigious awards, in cluding the Growth Award for outstanding efforts in expanding membership and reaching new communities. Other honors included the first Intergenerational Leadership Award, the Centenary Diploma, and the Bronze Wolf Award, which was presented to distinguished individuals. The Saudi Arabian Scout Association's participation in the conference underscored its commitment to the global Scouting Movement and its dedication to fostering leadership and community engagement among youth in the Kingdom. Source: Saudi Press Agency

President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Chad Dr. Mohammed Khater Isa yesterday visited Hira Cultural District in Makkah where he was briefed on the sections of the Revelation Exhibition where one can learn about various aspects of the story of the revelation of the Prophet Mohammed. Following the visit, Khater praised the content of the exhibition, the technology used to make it interesting, and the valuable efforts and purposeful messages provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enrich the religious and cultural experience of visitors. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Hebron - Ma'an - Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin said: "We will not be lenient with aggressors and those who steal water from water lines and networks, and they will be pursued and held legally accountable." Governor Dudin's statements came during his inspection of the work of the committee tasked with following up and removing encroachments on water lines, in the town of Beit Ummar today, Saturday. Governor Dudin stressed that the campaign to detect encroachments and thefts will continue until its goals are achieved and all encroachments are removed. The campaign has detected, during its work and since its beginning, about 35 illegal connections to the Deir Shaar water line, the main feeder for the governorate, which has caused thousands of cups of lost water daily, depriving citizens of their water share. Dudin called on citizens to report any encroachment on water lines, to put an end to the vandals who aim to harm water lines without caring about the suffering of citizens, praising the work of the committ ee assigned by the Water Authority, the local government and the governorate, with the support of the security services, in uncovering these connections, closing them and bringing the aggressors to justice. Source: Maan News Agency

President of the Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais announced today the launch of an important project entailing translation into 20 languages of the sessions of the second edition of the Fatwa Symposium, to be held in Madinah this Tuesday. The translation will be done to ensure that message, objectives, and outcomes of the symposium are effectively communicated to Muslims worldwide. Al-Sudais said that 50 million people are expected to benefit from this step. He said the initiative is significant, and a reflection of the strong support the Saudi leadership lends the programs of the presidency of religious affairs. He emphasized the importance of making the symposium's outcome available to the global Muslim community, and also the fact that translations help enrich the experience of visitors to the two holy mosques, enabling them to better grasp the content since in their native languages. This endeavor aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to modern ize religious services. Translations into English, French, Indonesian, Urdu, Persian, Spanish, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Bengali, Chinese, Turkish, Hausa, Amharic, Italian, Swahili, German, Filipino, Bosnian, and Malayalam will be available through various platforms, including a dedicated mobile application, the presidency's website, and the Manarat Al-Haramain platform. This initiative is a significant step forward in the attempt to increase the global outreach of religious discourse from the two holy mosques, ensuring that their messages resonate with Muslims worldwide. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Bethlehem - Ma'an - A number of citizens suffered from suffocation on Saturday evening during clashes with Israeli occupation forces in the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem. A local source reported that the clashes were concentrated in the "Al-Matina" area at the eastern entrance to the village, during which the occupation soldiers fired live bullets, sound bombs and toxic tear gas, which led to a number of citizens suffering from suffocation due to inhaling the toxic gas, and they were treated in the field. The source added that the occupation forces closed the main street of the village and prevented the movement of citizens and vehicles. The director of the Husan village council, Rami Hamamra, reported that the occupation forces detained a young man in the 'Al-Matina' area, and abused him, and closed a side road in the 'Al-Khallah' area that connects the village with the neighboring town of Battir. Source: Maan News Agency

Arab Parliament Speaker Adel bin Abdulrahman Al-Asoomi has underscored the importance of digital transformation in strengthening communication in the parliamentary sphere. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Arab Parliamentary Diplomacy Center's training program, Al-Asoomi stressed that digital advancements play an important role in supporting and boosting the interaction among parliaments. In a statement released by the Arab Parliament today, Al-Asoomi highlighted the role of digital tools in fostering communication between parliaments and citizens. He also pointed out the need to develop the skills of media officials in parliaments, particularly through the use of modern digital technologies. He noted the successful implementation of digital parliamentary initiatives across various Arab nations, which make them models in the region's shift toward digital governance. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Governorates - Ma'an - The occupation forces arrested a number of citizens from different areas in the West Bank today, Saturday, and blew up parts of an uninhabited house during their raid on the city of Nablus. Local sources reported that the occupation forces stormed the city of Nablus and blew up parts of a house in the Al-Amiriya area of ??the city, which was uninhabited and owned by the Al-Risha family. Lawyer Hussam Bastami was also arrested from his home on Asira Street, while young man Khaled Abu Namous was arrested from his home in the town of Beit Iba. They also stormed the village of Tal, firing gunfire and using toxic gas, and arrested the young man, Moataz Asida, after raiding his house. In Tulkarm , the occupation forces arrested the young man Ibrahim Yasser Ghanem after raiding his house in the town of Deir al-Ghusun, north of Tulkarm. In Jenin, the occupation forces arrested two young men from the village of Burqin, southwest of Jenin, namely: the freed prisoner Abdul Hussein Subh, and t he young man Muhammad Atiq from Burqin, while they were passing through the 17th military checkpoint north of Nablus. Source: Maan News Agency