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Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
Dates and water disturbed during a Ramadan iftar at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina. (SPA)
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Updated 18 March 2025

Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
  • Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.

The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.

In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.


KSrelief ends medical project for burn patients in Port Sudan

KSrelief ends medical project for burn patients in Port Sudan
Updated 22 September 2025

KSrelief ends medical project for burn patients in Port Sudan

KSrelief ends medical project for burn patients in Port Sudan
  • 17 specialist volunteers participate in the initiative
  • Team conducts 92 surgeries, trains 40 Sudan medics

PORT SUDAN: Ƶ’s aid agency KSrelief has concluded its volunteer cosmetic-surgery project in Port Sudan for patients with burns and disfigurements.

Seventeen specialist volunteers from the Kingdom participated in the initiative, which ran from Sept. 13 to 20, according to a recent Saudi Press Agency report.

The team performed 92 surgeries and trained 40 Sudanese medical personnel, the report stated.

The project is a part of Ƶ’s ongoing voluntary medical initiatives, through KSrelief, aimed at assisting vulnerable communities worldwide.

A young Sudanese receives treatment at a hospital in Port Sudan during the KSrelief medical mission. (SPA)

Since its establishment as Ƶ’s main humanitarian body in 2015, KSrelief has delivered 172 aid projects in 33 nations, with Yemen as the largest beneficiary.

The other major beneficiaries include Syria, Palestine, Somalia, Pakistan and Sudan.

KSrelief has worked in partnership with 98 partners to carry out projects on food security, shelter, camp management, education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, emergency communications, and logistics.


Ƶ welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states

Ƶ welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states
Updated 16 min 24 sec ago

Ƶ welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states

Ƶ welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states
  • The UK and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step

RIYADH: Ƶ on Sunday welcomed the decision by the UK, Australia, Canada and Portugal to recognize the State of Palestine, calling it an important step toward advancing the peace process.

The Kingdom said the move demonstrated the “serious commitment of friendly countries” to supporting efforts for a two-state solution in line with international legitimacy resolutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It added that it hopes more countries will follow suit and take further positive measures that would help the Palestinian people achieve their aspirations to live in peace and enable the Palestinian Authority to carry out its responsibilities, SPA added.

Ƶ reiterated its position in support of a just and comprehensive settlement that ensures security, stability and prosperity for the Palestinian people.

Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal on Sunday recognized a Palestinian state in a seismic shift in decades of Western foreign policy.

The UK and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step, with France and other nations expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens Monday in New York.

Meanwhile, Qatar on Monday also welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal, saying the move supported efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the region. 


King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference

King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference
Updated 21 September 2025

King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference

King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference
  • King Faisal University’s membership in IASP positions it within a distinguished global network of science and innovation hubs

RIYADH: King Faisal University has been formally admitted as an “Innovation District” by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.

The announcement was made during the 42nd IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, held in Beijing, China, from Sept. 15-19. 

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Lily,  vice president for postgraduate studies and scientific research and acting head of the innovation and business development sector, accepted the designation on behalf of King Faisal University.

Al-Lily praised the recognition as an important achievement for the university and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research and innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

He added that the Innovation District status strengthens the university’s role within global research and innovation networks and creates new opportunities for collaboration with leading institutions worldwide.

King Faisal University’s membership in IASP positions it within a distinguished global network of science and innovation hubs.

This milestone also underscores the steadfast support of the Council of Universities’ Affairs and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, whose efforts are empowering Saudi universities to emerge as drivers of knowledge and innovation, contributing to strengthening the Kingdom’s presence on the global innovation map.

 


Darah publishes book on Ƶ’s National Day history

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)
The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)
Updated 21 September 2025

Darah publishes book on Ƶ’s National Day history

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)
  • National Day celebrations have witnessed a significant evolution consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, also known as Darah, has published a book documenting the history of Ƶ’s National Day celebrations, from the era of founding King Abdulaziz to the times of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The book documents the origins and stages of the National Day celebration, based on official documents, sources, and national archives.

It features photographs capturing popular and official celebrations held across various royal eras.

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)

The publication explores the early beginnings of celebrations during the reign of King Abdulaziz and sees the history through to its culmination in the prosperous reign of King Salman.

National Day celebrations have witnessed a significant evolution consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The book highlights both official functions and people’s celebrations at home; the involvement of government and private entities; the role of Saudi diplomatic missions abroad; and the participation of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries in the national occasion.

Darah affirmed that the publication of the book aligns with its goals to preserve and document the history of the Kingdom of Ƶ and highlight the national achievements of King Abdulaziz and his sons.

It noted that the work aims to enrich historical studies and provide researchers and those interested in the field with a comprehensive scientific resource that reflects the depth of the Saudi national experience.

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage.

It embodies Darah’s commitment to its national role in documenting the journey of the Saudi state and disseminating knowledge to future generations.

The book can be obtained from Darah’s pavilion at the Riyadh International Book Fair or purchased directly from Darah’s publication sales centers.

It is also available through Darah’s digital store on its online platform, and authorized distributors.

 


Taif governor receives Malaysian consul general

Prince Saud bin Nahar (R) holds talks with Roslan bin Sharif in Taif. (Supplied)
Prince Saud bin Nahar (R) holds talks with Roslan bin Sharif in Taif. (Supplied)
Updated 21 September 2025

Taif governor receives Malaysian consul general

Prince Saud bin Nahar (R) holds talks with Roslan bin Sharif in Taif. (Supplied)
  • Governor received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail

TAIF: Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar received Malaysian Consul General Roslan bin Sharif in Taif on Sunday. 

In a separate meeting, he received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest.