Day: June 6, 2024

Madinah, SPA cameras captured scenes of deep devotion at the Prophet's Mosque as pilgrims from around the world converged on the holy site. The worshippers, united by their faith and purpose, performed rituals and prayers, hoping for Allah's acceptance. The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is providing numerous services to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling Hajj for all. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, Ali bin Al Shaikh Abdulhussain Al Asfoor, Northern Governor held the annual meeting with the heads of maatams (Community Centres) to discuss preparations for Ashoora and track requirements and suggestions. Speaking at the meeting, the governor said that preparations align with the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for ensuring the free practice of religious rituals for all citizens and residents in the kingdom. The Northern Governor conveyed to the attendees the greetings of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Interior Minister. He pointed out that the goal of the meeting was to determine the needs of maatams in terms of services, recommendations, and solutions for challenges that might occur during the season. The governor praised the role of the maatams' heads and their collaboration with government agencies and the governorate's service coordination committee, which led to the success of the previous seasons. Brigadier Saleh Rashid Fahad Al Dossari, Director G eneral of the Northern Governorate Police Directorate, underscored the importance of holding Hussaini rituals in designated areas only within the set timeframe, with prior coordination. Brigadier General Ali Mohammed Jassim Al Kubaisi, Director General of Civil Defence, emphasised the importance of cooperating with Civil Defence to ensure the safety of the mourners and attendees in the event of an emergency. Dr. Mohamed Abdulmajeed Alawadhi, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, said that it is essential to ensure the safety of food by keeping it in closed places at suitable temperatures. The attendees praised the role of the Northern Governorate in cooperating with the heads of maatams to maintain security and public order during Ashoora. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Riyadh, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), received Dr. Shaya Al Zindani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs of the Republic of Yemen today at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh, according to a press release from the GCC General Secretariat. Albudaiwi congratulated the minister on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs in the Republic of Yemen and wished him success in performing his duties. During the meeting, the importance of the joint ministerial meeting of the foreign ministers of the GCC and Yemen, which will be held on June 11, 2024, in Doha, was emphasized to contribute to advancing the security and stability process for the brotherly Yemeni people. According to the release, Albudaiwi stressed the importance of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council statement during its 44th session in December 2023 in Doha. The statement expressed full support for the Presidential Leadership Co uncil, headed by Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al Alimi, and the entities supporting him in achieving security and stability in Yemen. The latest developments in Yemen were also reviewed, as was the impact of the Houthi operations in the Red Sea on the regional and global economic conditions, in addition to international efforts to contribute to resolving the Yemeni issue. Furthermore, Albudaiwi renewed the GCC’s support for all efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis under the three terms of reference represented by the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and Security Council Resolution 2216 to achieve security and stability in Yemen. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, The Supreme Council for Environment obtained the ISO 9001:2015 in quality management systems. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Oil and Environment Minister, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, expressed his pride in the council for obtaining this certificate which recognise's the council's quality of workflow. Dr. Bin Daina emphasised the council's commitment to enhancing work quality and developing it to maintain sustainability of services. The minister said that obtaining this certificate motivates the council's members to continue to provide services with high efficiency, praising the quality team's efforts in promoting awareness of the importance of obtaining this certificate. Dr. Bin Daina thanked the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) for supporting the quality team in the council throughout the project of implementing the best practices in the field of quality management and playing an important role in achieving this accomplishment. He also thanked the council's employees for their diligence in par ticipating in this achievement, wishing them further success in obtaining more internationally recognised certificates in institutional development. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Riyadh, The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) has signed a cooperation agreement with Cathay Pacific Airlines to launch direct flights between the Kingdom and Hong Kong in October 2024. The agreement was announced in Hong Kong in the presence of the Saudi Consul General, Hamad Al-Jibreen, the Hong Kong Minister of Transport and Logistics, Lam Sai-hung, the Executive Management of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program and Cathay Pacific Airlines. CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, Majid Khan, emphasized the convenience of the new direct flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh with Cathay Pacific. He stated: "This new route will significantly strengthen the air connectivity network in the Kingdom, making it more accessible to our main markets and attracting inbound tourism. Passengers from Hong Kong and the Cathay Pacific network, including China, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, will now have a convenient and direct way to explore the vast tourism p otential of Saudi Arabia. We eagerly anticipate the opportunities this will bring in the coming years." Cathay Pacific Group CEO Ronald Lam confirmed that the announcement of the launch of flights linking Hong Kong and Riyadh next October will strengthen their network in the Middle East and enhance air connectivity between Hong Kong and the GCC region. He added that these new flights would not only provide more travel options and greater comfort for customers travelling to and from Saudi Arabia but also open up significant opportunities for business, trade, and tourism, fostering a sense of optimism and hope for the future. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, Yousef bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Jaffari Endowments Council, chaired the meeting of the Jaafari Endowments Council. The meeting discussed the ongoing preparations for Ashoora, for the year 1446 AH. Al Saleh commended the continuous support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the commemoration of religious rituals, and the support of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime minister. He commended the Kingdom's efforts in providing comprehensive facilities and services for Hajj pilgrims, under the leadership of HM King Hamad and supported by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Al Saleh highlighted the efforts of the High Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, chaired by Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, and the Bahrain Pilgrimage Mission, led by Shaikh Adnan bin Abdullah Al Qattan. He commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia in ensuring the success of the Hajj sea son by providing necessary care and services, under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Al Saleh emphasised the council's readiness to meet the needs of Hussaini Maatams (community centres) and distribute necessary allocations for Ashoora. The meeting discussed the preparations made with relevant ministries and government agencies, and arranging the annual meeting of the heads of Hussaini maatams (Community centres) in Bahrain, to ensure that all necessary requirements are met for Ashoora. Source: Bahrain News Agency