Al-Baha prepares massive holiday celebration

JEDDAH: The defense ministers of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic met in Jeddah on Thursday, Asharq reported.

The Syrian delegation was headed by Murhaf Abu Qasra and the Lebanese delegation was led by Michel Menassa.

The two ministers discussed enhancing border security and demarcation between both countries.

Border tensions flared up earlier in March after the new authorities in Syria accused Lebanese armed group Hezbollah of kidnapping three soldiers into Lebanon and killing them.

The Iran-backed group, which fought alongside the forces of toppled Syrian president Bashar Assad, denied involvement.

Cross-border clashes that followed left seven Lebanese dead.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia said it supported Syria and Lebanon resolving their differences through political and diplomatic dialogue while upholding sovereignty, stability, and international law, according to Asharq.

The Kingdom also highlighted the importance of security coordination, especially in border control, to address shared challenges such as smuggling and the influence of armed groups.

RIYADH: Twelve services are being provided to 4,000 itikaf observers from 120 nationalities in 48 designated locations within the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Itikaf is the act of staying in a mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan in seclusion. The person devotes themselves to worshipping God during what are considered to be the most virtuous ten nights of the year by Muslims, and when rewards are multiplied.

The services include daily meals, water supply services, multilingual translation, awareness and guidance screens explaining itikaf requirements, luggage storage lockers, medical and first aid clinics, sleeping essentials, laundry services, charging stations for mobile devices, and personal care kits. Each itikaf observer has also received a wristband to facilitate entry and exit from the designated itikaf areas.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has urged itikaf observers to adhere to several requirements throughout this period, including dedicating their time to prayer and other acts of worship, avoiding disturbances during tarawih and night prayers, maintaining tranquility within the Prophet’s Mosque, wearing clean and presentable attire, using pleasant fragrances, and refraining from any behavior that may inconvenience fellow observers.

They are also encouraged to help keep the mosque clean, ensure their belongings are stored in designated lockers, remain within their assigned areas according to their registration number, follow health guidelines, and comply with safety instructions when using movement pathways for entry and exit.

It is prohibited to bring unauthorized food, beverages, or luggage into the itikaf areas, hold study sessions, receive visitors, or bring children to the itikaf sites, the authority said.