Tag: Arabia

G20 meet: FMs of Saudi Arabia, China, Spain arrive in India

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New Delhi: Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, Spain and Croatia on Thursday arrived in India to participate in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being held in New Delhi from March 1-2.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, and Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman on Thursday arrived in India for the meeting.
The Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also arrived for the foreign minister’ meeting on Thursday.
“Greetings to FM Qin Gang of China, FM @Menlu_RI of Indonesia @Kemlu_RI, FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia @KSAmofaEN and DG @wto @NOIweala on their arrival in India for the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. FMs of Indonesia & Saudi Arabia will also join #Raisina2023,” Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted on Thursday.
UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday arrived in India to participate in the G20FMM.
“Welcome to India, FM Sameh Shoukry of Egypt @MfaEgypt, FM @ABZayed of UAE @MoFAICUAE and @SecBlinken of USA @StateDept. Looking forward to deliberations at the #G20FMM. @SecBlinken & FM Shoukry will also participate in #Raisina2023,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign ministers of Canada, Argentina, Netherlands, Singapore and Bangladesh also arrived in Delhi for the meeting.
The G20FMM will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and nearly 40 delegations are expected to participate in the meeting.

This will be second ministerial meeting being held under India’s Presidency so far. The first ministerial meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held in Bengaluru.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said it is one of the largest gathering of Foreign Ministers hosted by any G20 presidency.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 2, 2023
Saudi Arabia supports Ukraine with $410 million worth aid package

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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) provided two packages of humanitarian aid to Ukraine worth 410 million dollars, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Saudi-Ukrainian meeting in Kiev on Sunday, witnessed the signing of an agreement and a memorandum of understanding, with financing amounting to $400 million.
The agreement includes a joint cooperation program to provide humanitarian aid from the Kingdom to Ukraine at a value of $100 million.
The memorandum of understanding also includes financing oil derivatives worth 300 million dollars as a grant provided by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Fund for Development for Ukraine.
On Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, first of its kind visit by a Saudi official since the start of the war nearly a year ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received Prince Faisal in Kiev on Sunday.
In a press conference reported by the media, from Kiev, the Saudi foreign minister said that his country is keen to end the Ukrainian-Russian crisis peacefully and is looking for opportunities for settlement with all parties.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that the signing of the agreement and memorandum reflects the Kingdom’s support for Ukraine in facing social and economic challenges.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, which was followed by angry international reactions and the imposition of “tough” economic and financial sanctions on Moscow.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 27, 2023
Saudi Arabia: No limit on number of times pilgrims can perform Umrah

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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) said there is no maximum or minimum limit on the number of times for a piligrim to perform Umrah in the kingdom, local media reported.
“However, it is mandatory to comply with the directive to take an appointment for the specific time for performing the pilgrimage,” the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah said while replying to queries.
The ministry stressed the importance of adhering to guidelines for making an appointment to perform the pilgrimage.
The ministry said that whoever arrived in the Kingdom on a visit, tourist or work visa can perform Umrah.
The pilgrim can also change the means of transportation he used for his arrival while leaving the kingdom.
In January 2023, Saudi Arabia launched a stopover transit visa that allows the holder to perform Umrah, visit the Prophet’s Mosque, and attend various events across the kingdom. The four-day transit visa is valid for 90 days.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a range of facilities for Muslims wishing to come to the country to perform the Umrah.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah for Muslims, which can be performed at any time of the year. It consists of performing rituals in the Masjid Al Haram. In other words, one performs Umrah to rid the soul of past sins.

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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 27, 2023
Saudi Arabia displays military might, culture in ‘Al-Maserah’ parade

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Riyadh: On the concluding ceremony of its three-day ‘Founding Day’ celebrations, Saudi Arabia on Friday showcased its military might, a plethora of cultures from across the country in ‘Al-Maserah’ parade bringing Turki Awal Road in Riyadh alive with song and dance.
Armed men and women commandoes, horse riders with swords, several tableaux, and women and children in colourful attires moved on the Turki Awal Road where the nearly three-hour long ‘Al-Maserah’ parade was organised.
‘Al-Maserah’ is a huge parade that tells the story of authenticity, connectivity, development, and narration of courage, perfection and generosity that the soldiers of the Saudi Arabian kingdom and its countrymen tell through a parade involving horses, camels and giant artistic figures.
This was the second time that Saudi Arabia organised its ‘Founding Day’ celebrations. The country again chose the Turki Awal Road, located between King Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Anas Ibn Malik Road, to display ‘Al-Maserah’.
Parade, balloon flights, painting competitions, melodies and family events were among other engagements across the nation as Saudi Arabia on Wednesday marked its second ‘Founding Day’ celebrations highlighting its 300 years of history through culture and artistic events activities and a four-day holiday.
The Kingdom’s capital rang in ‘Founding Day’ celebrations with parades and live performances in locations across the city. Streets filled with celebration as families dressed in traditional attire gathered to watch.
The Ministry of Culture held a musical theatre performance highlighting the history of Saudi Arabia in Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall. The show which premiered on February 20 will continue till February 27.
The Ministry also hosted a parade at the intersections of Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road and King Salman Road in Riyadh featuring Arabian horses, traditional attire and colourful performances highlighting three centuries of the Kingdom’s history.

The historical site Diriyah hosted a ‘Founding Day’ parade and other family activities in four locations, including JAX Park and Riyadh Skate Park.
One of the most popular family festivities was the Majlis, an educational event spotlighting the heritage and culture of the First Saudi State through lectures, panel discussions and workshops hosted in King Fahd National Library.
Al Liwan cultural event was also organised in Riyadh to commemorate the ‘Founding Day’ of Saudi Arabia grabbing attractions of visitors as it brought together the country’s three centuries’ history, tradition and growth through modern infrastructure.
Organised at King Abdullah Financial District in Saudi Arabia’s capital here, the event showcased the dynamism of traditional markets and the originality of traditional Saudi attire.
Founding Day’, celebrated on February 22 to commemorate the country’s founding by Imam Mohammed bin Saud, was declared a national holiday last year following a royal decree by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 25, 2023
Saudi Arabia: Registration starts for Haj housing in Madinah

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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrims Housing Committee in Madinah has announced the start of receiving requests for housing permits for pilgrims for the Haj season of 1444 AH, local media reported.
Madinah region on a Twitter platform, calls on all those wishing to apply quickly to complete the procedures on time.
After performing the rituals of Haj, Muslim pilgrims usually flock to Madinah, home to Prophet Mohammed’s Mosque and tomb.
The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has facilitated access to electronic services related to Haj, including choosing an electronic path for domestic pilgrims and a specific program for Haj.
On January 5, Kingdom announced the start of the registration period for the Haj pilgrimage 2023 for citizens and residents in the Kingdom.
On January 10, Kingdom announced that it will no longer impose limits on the number of pilgrims for this year’s Haj after three years of restrictions to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
On February 8, the Saudi Ministry of Haj announced the launch of Nusuk online platform, to facilitate the registration of Muslim pilgrims from Europe, America and Australia for those who wish to perform Haj this year.
The Haj pilgrimage to Makkah is a mandatory religious duty that must be performed by those Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in a lifetime.

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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 16, 2023
Umrah pilgrims can arrive, depart through any airport in Saudi Arabia

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Riyadh: In an effort to facilitate Umrah pilgrims from across the world, the government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allowed Umrah pilgrims to arrive and depart on scheduled flights through any international airport in the Kingdom.
In a circular issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation on Tuesday, February 14, all national and foreign airlines were instructed to allow Umrah passengers to arrive and depart on flight schedules through any international airport in the Kingdom.
The airlines have been warned to ensure compliance with government orders or else, prepare to face the consequences.
“Failure to comply with circulars issued by GACA is an explicit violation of Government’s orders. Legal procedures shall be initiated against violators who will be held responsible,” the authority warned.
Earlier, Umrah pilgrims only travelled from Jeddah and Madinah airports; but the new regulation provides more freedom of choice for pilgrims.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah for Muslims, which can be performed at any time of the year. It consists of performing rituals in the Masjid Al Haram. In other words, one performs Umrah to rid the soul of past sins.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 15, 2023
Saudi Arabia to host FIFA Club World Cup 2023

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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Football Association announced, on Tuesday, the approval of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) for the Kingdom’s request to host the Club World Cup 2023.
The 2023 tournament will take place in Kingdom for first time from December 12 to December 22.
Thus, the Kingdom will be the sixth host country for the FIFA Club World Cup since its inception in 2000.
“With regard to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held under the current system with the participation of 7 clubs, the FIFA Council unanimously appointed the Saudi Football Association as the host of the tournament from December 12 to 22, 2023,” said a FIFA statement on the sidelines of its council meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.
Saudi Arabia has been active in hosting tournaments and major sporting events, as hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time comes a few days after it was announced that it would host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup for the first time in its history, in addition to hosting the Spanish and Italian Super Championships.
As per media reports, Saudi Arabia plans to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 alongside Egypt and Greece, and is preparing a strong propaganda campaign to be announced soon.
The Kingdom has previously hosted many football events several times, including the Italian and Spanish Super Cups, and it also won the hosting of the 2027 Asian Nations Cup and the 2034 Asian Games.

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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 15, 2023
Saudi Arabia: Asian woman working in men’s barber shop arrested

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Riyadh: The authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Sunday announced the arrest of an Asian worker working in a men’s barber shop in the city of Al-Khobar in the Eastern Province, local media reported.
Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) spokesman Saad Al-Hammad said that the field control teams of the ministry’s branch in Al-Khobar arrested an Asian worker working in a men’s barber shop.
According to Arabic daily Sabq, he further said that ministry officials inspected the shop after they noticed a commercial advertisement stating that there was a female worker providing services to clients in the salon.
It is reported that, the violation was caught in accordance with the unified regulation of the work environment in the private sector and announced on the Ministry’s website mail.
The regulation stipulates that the employer may not employ women in facilities designated for men only, such as— men’s sports clubs, men’s barbershops, and others.
Al-Hammad stressed that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) is following up the implementation of the unified regulation of the work environment in the private sector and monitoring violators.
He called on everyone to report any violation related to the regulations or violations of the labor system in general through the application of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), which is available on smart phones.

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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 13, 2023
Saudi Arabia names first female astronaut to send into space

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In its endeavor to build national capabilities in the field of manned space flights, and to take advantage of the promising opportunities offered by the space sector and its industries globally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), on Sunday, revealed the name of the first female astronaut to send to the International Space Station (ISS) during the second quarter of the year 2023.
First Saudi female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi, and a male astronaut, Ali AlQarni, will join the crew of the AX-2 space mission, which is scheduled to launch from the United States, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
“Every journey has its pioneers and every mission has its heroes,” Saudi Space Commission said on Twitter.
Two other astronauts, Mariam Firdous and Ali Al-Ghamdi, will train in the Saudi human spaceflight program for all mission requirements.
This step also aims to contribute to scientific research that is in the interest of serving humanity in a number of priority areas such as health, sustainability and space technology.
There is a growing interest in space exploration on the part of other Gulf countries. In December 2022, Emirati space explorer “Rashid” set off towards the moon on a Japanese spacecraft on a 5-month journey.
This explorer will study the properties of the soil, rocks and geology of the moon and the movement of dust and plasma and the photoelectrosphere.
In September 2022, the Saudi Space Authority launched the Kingdom’s program for astronauts, with goals including: qualifying Saudi cadres for long- and short-term space flights, and participating in scientific experiments, international research, and future space-related missions and contribute to raising the status of the Kingdom and contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s vision 2030.

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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 13, 2023
Saudi Arabia sends 3 more relief planes to earthquake-hit Turkey, Syria

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Friday sent three more relief planes to earthquake-hit areas in Turkey and Syria after the devastating catastrophe killed more than 26,000 people across the region.
The fourth and fifth planes, within the air bridge, are carrying “the Saudi search and rescue team, with all the equipment it needs, including mechanisms, equipment, pumps, medical medicines, technical equipment, and others,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The sixth plane contained 98 tons of aid, including foodstuffs, tents, blankets, rugs, shelter bags and medical supplies.
The team proceeds with its work according to practical and scientific methods, dealing with it in the best way.
The teams include the Saudi search and rescue team from the General Directorate of Civil Defense, a medical team from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, and volunteer field teams from all specialties.
This comes within the framework of the Saudi Relief Bridge, which is being run by the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid.
On Monday, a 7.7 and 7.6 Richter scale magnitude earthquakes hit southern Turkey, at a depth of 7 kilometers, causing enormous damage and loss of life.
In Syria, the earthquake struck the governorates of Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, and Hama, as was felt by residents in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Greece, Cyprus, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, and some regions in Egypt.

Death toll has risen to more than 26,000, while the number of injured has reached more than 85,000, by Saturday evening.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 11, 2023