The plan focuses on enhancing the spiritual significance of the holy month by highlighting its virtues and reinforcing the sacred status of the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Updated 55 sec ago
Arab News
MAKKAH: Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, launched the operational plan for Ramadan, in Makkah.
The plan focuses on enhancing the spiritual significance of the holy month by highlighting its virtues and reinforcing the sacred status of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It aims to provide an enriched religious experience for visitors and pilgrims through high-quality services and innovative programs.
The strategy is designed to ensure a seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience while maintaining institutional excellence, the SPA added.
Al-Sudais said that the plan includes a series of initiatives aimed at increasing worshippers’ religious and cultural engagement.
More than 120 scientific, intellectual and guidance programs have been introduced to deepen visitors’ understanding of Ramadan’s spiritual value.
The plan also features 10 enriching pathways to support the experience of those visiting the Two Holy Mosques during the holy month.
Saudi deputy minister meets Korean official in Muscat
They reviewed bilateral cooperation on various issues
Updated 7 sec ago
Arab News
MUSCAT: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi met with Eui-hae Cecilia Chung, Korea’s special representative for the Indo-Pacific, at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on Monday.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral cooperation on various issues. They also discussed regional and international developments and efforts to address them, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, the governor of Jeddah, received Kuwait’s Consul General in Jeddah Yousef Al-Tunaib on Monday.
During their meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The reserve’s development authority seeks to breed wild hares and reintroduce them into their natural habitats through conservation programs
Updated 19 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Wild hares are among the many species of wildlife found in the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, where they thrive in areas with essential plants for survival and adapt to various environments.
The gestation period for a female wild hare lasts about 40 days, and she can give birth to four to 12 young per litter, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Wild hares are characterized by their long, thin bodies, and their fur ranges in color from gray to reddish-brown. Their sharp eyesight and keen sense of smell allow them to detect danger and quickly escape predators, the SPA added.
The reserve’s development authority seeks to breed wild hares and reintroduce them into their natural habitats through conservation programs.
As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve spans 130,700 sq. km across four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk. The reserve features diverse habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations.
Recently, it earned several international environmental certifications. It was listed on the Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, becoming the first Saudi reserve to achieve this recognition.
Jeddah conference highlights Saudi-French archaeological discoveries on Farasan Islands
Updated 17 February 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: French archaeologist and researcher Solene Marion de Proce hosted a conference titled “The Saudi-French Archaeological Project in the Farasan Islands: Past and Present” at the Alliance Francaise Saudi Arabia in Hay Jameel, Jeddah, on Sunday.
The conference explored the history and recent archaeological discoveries on the Farasan Islands, highlighting the outcomes of the unique scientific collaboration between France and Saudi Arabia.
In her presentation, Marion de Proce provided a comprehensive overview of the collaborative efforts between the Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture and the University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne as part of the Saudi-French archaeological mission on the Farasan Islands.
“We discussed the project’s history, sharing both past results and the most recent discoveries, as our team just completed the winter season of 2025,” she said. “The interest in the Farasan Islands began with the discovery of a Latin inscription by Farasani scholar, writer, and poet Ibrahim Miftah. The implications for understanding ancient maritime trade and Roman history were game-changing.”
She said that subsequent surveys and excavations led to the establishment of the Saudi-French mission on the Farasan Islands.
“The archipelago is a unique archaeological laboratory. The sites are well preserved, offering a window into the region’s cultural traits over time. It acts as a time capsule, a dream for every archaeologist."
French archeologist and researcher Solene Marion de Proce provided a comprehensive overview of the collaborative efforts as part of the Saudi-French archeological mission on the Farasan Islands. (Supplied)
The Saudi-French archaeological project has unearthed several significant discoveries, and Solene highlighted some key findings.
“The archipelago hosts many sites from the Late Bronze Age to Late Antiquity, which is the focus of our project. Led by Saudi archaeologist Mohammad Ali Al-Malki and myself, the team uncovered a South Arabian-style temple, long-duration settlements, and a Roman military camp — the southernmost ever discovered.”
Marion de Proce expressed optimism about the future of archaeological research in the region. “I am confident that the future of archaeological research in the Jazan/Farasan region is promising. It has so much to offer and much remains to be discovered. People are genuinely eager to learn more about their past.”
Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise Saudi Arabia, said: “Alliance Francaise, alongside the French Consulate in Jeddah, launched a series of conferences last month where French experts and scholars shared their research on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East with our community.
“This conference is a prime example of the excellence of the Saudi-French relationship, particularly through the ongoing archaeological project on the Farasan Islands. Our goal with these lectures is to make our space a hub for knowledge and discussion, providing experts with a platform to share their work. This time, we decided to present the lecture in English so that even non-French speakers could attend.”
Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia
Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities
Updated 17 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi authorities have reported multiple drug-related arrests and seizures across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Security officers in Asir region arrested two Ethiopians for smuggling 4 kg of qat, and two Yemenis with 10 kg of qat, in separate operations in Al-Farsha governorate.
In addition, officers in Jazan region arrested three Ethiopians for selling amphetamine; and in Jeddah, a citizen was arrested for selling hashish.
Border Guard patrols in Al-Dayer governorate, Jazan, thwarted the smuggling of 116 kg of hashish; and in another operation, two Yemenis were arrested for smuggling 240 kg of qat.
Border Guard patrols in Asir’s Al-Raboah sector thwarted the smuggling of 32,900 medically-regulated tablets, and arrested five Ethiopians for smuggling 100 kg of qat.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
The authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at [email protected].
Princess Sara announces launch of Misk heritage museum ‘Asaan’ in Diriyah
The goal of the museum is to become a global cultural hub celebrating Saudi Arabia’s heritage.
The museum will cover more than 40,000 sq. meters
Updated 17 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz, the wife of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced the launch of Misk Heritage Museum program “Asaan,” a cultural institution expected to open in the coming years in Diriyah.
The goal of the museum, backed by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk,” is to become a global cultural hub celebrating Saudi Arabia’s heritage.
It will play a key role in cultural sustainability through various exhibitions and educational programs.
“Asaan will showcase the Kingdom’s rich legacy, including artifacts, customs, and societal values,” Princess Sara, chairperson of Asaan, said in a statement.
“Our goal is to cultivate a generation that takes pride in its heritage and actively works to preserve and revitalize it.”
The museum will cover more than 40,000 sq. meters and will feature Zaha Hadid Architects’ designs, and blend traditional Najdi architecture with contemporary creativity.
Exhibits will include thousands of heritage artifacts that illustrate Saudi history and cultural evolution.
The site will also feature permanent exhibitions, art galleries, an arts courtyard, and the “Asaan’s Majlis,” a dedicated space for dialogue, workshops, and cultural discussions.
The museum will also house conservation laboratories and interactive learning programs, providing visitors with immersive experiences that bring Saudi history and traditions to life.
Princess Sara is a strong advocate for cultural preservation and empowerment, particularly in supporting young people and individuals with disabilities through educational and professional initiatives. Her efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on heritage conservation and national identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Asaan is expected to become a major cultural landmark, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in heritage preservation and its commitment to celebrating its historical legacy on a global stage.
