Saudi drug busts lead to multiple arrests

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia inaugurated its pavilion at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, held from March 31 to April 3 at the BolognaFiere Exhibition Center in Bologna, Italy.

Abdullatif Al-Wasel, CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, said that the Kingdom’s involvement aims to showcase a range of programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He added that these efforts focus on developing the publishing industry, fostering cultural engagement, supporting Saudi publishers and literary agents globally, and highlighting the Kingdom’s rich intellectual heritage and literary output.

Al-Wasel added that the fair provides a valuable platform for Saudi publishers to connect and exchange knowledge with international counterparts.

The Kingdom’s pavilion includes participation from cultural entities such as the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahd National Library and the Publishing Association.

The King Salman academy is showcasing its efforts to enhance the global presence of the Arabic language and support Arabic content in cultural and academic fields, the SPA reported.

The academy is presenting its latest publications, highlighting its contributions to linguistic and knowledge-based content development, as well as its projects in language planning, policy, computational linguistics, education and cultural initiatives.

RIYADH: Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama on Tuesday praised Saudi Arabia for its hosting of the Umrah season amid elaborate arrangements and assistance provided to worshipers in the holy cities.

Bamakhrama told Arab News: “I congratulate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the success of the Umrah season in the month of Ramadan, and the huge number visits to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

“More than 122 million people, pilgrims, visitors and worshipers paid a visit during the holy month of Ramadan to the Two Holy Mosques. All of them performed their rituals and worship with humility and tranquility, amid cleanliness and safety. The movement of the masses was organized smoothly and securely,” said the envoy.

“All of this would not have been achieved without the grace and mercy of Allah, and then the keenness and interest of the government of Saudi Arabia in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the holy lands in the most perfect manner,” he added.

“I pray to Allah to perpetuate these efforts and bless them and those who all were involved in making it a successful Umrah season,” he said.

More than 122 million people visited Islam’s two holiest mosques in Saudi Arabia during the sacred Islamic month of Ramadan that ended on Saturday, with the Eid Al-Fitr celebration beginning Sunday.

A total of 122,286,712 visitors were received at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan, the CEO of the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Ghazi Al-Shahrani, said.

Al-Shahrani added that the number of Umrah performers reached 16,558,241, while worshipers totaled 75,573,928 at the Grand Mosque and 30,154,543 at the Prophet’s Mosque.

He extended heartfelt congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support for the Umrah season and on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

Al-Shahrani also expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to serving the guests of Allah, praying that their efforts be rewarded.