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Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign

Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign
The Kingdom’s Jood Regions 2 housing campaign has exceeded a total of SR1.4 billion $373 million) in donations and agreements received and made, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. (AFP/File)
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Updated 20 March 2025

Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign

Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign
  • The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country
  • The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Jood Regions 2 housing campaign has exceeded a total of SR1.4 billion $373 million) in donations and agreements received and made, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country and has received support from King Salman in the form of SR100 million donation, and a SR50 million donation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at strengthening and providing housing stability for 8,690 families.
Noting that the campaign’s donations reflect the cohesion between the leadership and the community, and all parties’ commitment to support sustainable development efforts, minister of municipalities and housing and chairman of the board of trustees of the Sakani Foundation, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, expressed his pride in this national achievement.
Sakani Secretary-General Abdulaziz Al-Kraidis, emphasized that this achievement reflects the power of serving the community and its members’ awareness of the value of contributing to improving each other’s lives.
Al-Kraidis explained that the campaign embodies the commitment of various government, private, and civil society sectors to promoting charitable and housing work.
He said the Sakani Foundation’s continued efforts in strengthening partnerships to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and work toward providing more quality of life-improving programs.
The Wad Al-Iskan platform, another Sakani initiative, which aims to engage all people in supporting and enabling deserving families to obtain adequate housing by submitting contributions online, played a pivotal role in the success of the Jood Regions campaign and enhances social solidarity in Ƶ, according to Al-Kraidis.
The Jood Regions campaign was first launched during Ramadan 2024 to provide more than 10,000 housing units for the most needy families across the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.
The initiative includes events to raise awareness and encourage community participation, bringing together entrepreneurs, leaders and others to ensure citizens can access suitable housing with ease and reliability, fulfilling the goals of developmental housing initiatives.


Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children
Updated 21 July 2025

Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

Riyadh: The Baha Craftsmen Forum, organized by the Technical and Vocational Training Corp., teaches youth and children the basics of the traditional handicrafts for which the region is renowned.

Forum supervisor Nouf Al-Harbi said the forum offers 10 specialized training courses, including crochet doll-making, palm weaving, and stone and marble carving, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The courses are led by expert instructors who showcase works blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, striking a balance between preserving cultural heritage and meeting the evolving demands of today’s market.

As part of the Baha Summer Festival, the forum’s second week began on Saturday, drawing a remarkable turnout of visitors.

The month-long forum, held in partnership with governmental and private entities, offers various training programs, dialogue sessions and live interactive activities celebrating cultural heritage.

The forum aims to showcase the region’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage, while fostering interaction between artisans and the public.


Ƶ hands over 129 housing units to Tunisian families

Ƶ hands over 129 housing units to Tunisian families
Updated 21 July 2025

Ƶ hands over 129 housing units to Tunisian families

Ƶ hands over 129 housing units to Tunisian families
  • The project was funded by the Saudi Development Fund in Sousse governorate, south of Tunis

RIYADH: The Kingdom has handed over 129 housing units to families in Tunisia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The nation’s ambassador to Tunisia, Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, and Tunisia’s Minister of Equipment and Housing Salah Zouari were present for the handover ceremony.

The project was funded by the Saudi Development Fund in Sousse governorate, south of Tunis.

Zouari thanked the Kingdom for its continued support and solidarity with Tunisia, noting that the project benefits low-income families. 

Al-Saqr congratulated the beneficiaries and reaffirmed Ƶ’s commitment to supporting Tunisia’s growth and development across various sectors.

The units are a part of the first phase of a social housing program across several Tunisian governorates.

The full project aims to provide 4,715 units through concessional financing from the Saudi Development Fund, totaling $150 million.


Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York

Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York
Updated 21 July 2025

Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York

Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York

RIYADH: The Madinah Region Development Authority participated in the main session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

In the session, titled “Transformation from the Ground Up: Acting at Local Level,” the authority highlighted Madinah’s pioneering role and the Kingdom’s leadership in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abdulrahman Ibrahim, the authority’s chief data and innovation officer, said Madinah had become a model for international best practices.

Key initiatives include the 2023 Madinah City Voluntary Local Review — the first in the Kingdom and second in the Arab region; the 2024 State of Sustainable Development Report for Madinah Region — the first Voluntary Subnational Review in the Arab region; and the launch of the Atlas of Sustainable Development in Madinah City Neighborhoods, a global first for precise, neighborhood-level SDG assessment.

The session also reviewed successful local and regional approaches to accelerating sustainable SDG solutions, discussing key enablers and opportunities to expand local action.

The authority’s participation, part of the Saudi delegation led by Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development aligned with Vision 2030.

The UN forum, running through to July 23, also featured dialogue sessions on global frameworks for resilient urban development and strategies to create value for cities through data-driven trends.


Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar

Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar
Updated 20 July 2025

Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar

Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar
  • The recently restored structure is now preserved under the supervision of Ƶ’s Heritage Commission

RIYADH: In the heart of Badr Al-Janoub governorate, the historic Kasbat Al-Midmar rises proudly from the old district — a striking reminder of Ƶ’s deep architectural and cultural heritage.

Built more than 300 years ago, the kasbah, or watchtower, is a seven-story mudbrick structure designed in the traditional circular form, wide at the base and tapering as it ascends, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Originally built as a watchtower to safeguard nearby farmlands, it still looks out over the village and valley today.

FASTFACT

Ƶ’s Heritage Commission continues to protect and restore the region’s historic buildings, placing them on the National Antiquities Register as part of the Kingdom’s cultural legacy.

The recently restored structure is now preserved under the supervision of the Kingdom’s Heritage Commission.

Surrounding the kasbah are the remnants of traditional mud houses, part of a network of historical fortresses and homes that reflect the enduring legacy of the region.

These buildings illustrate the ingenuity of local architecture and the importance of such fortifications in the daily life of previous communities.

Manea Naji Al-Saad, vice president of the Najran Society for History and Archaeology, told SPA that the governorate where aware that Badr Al-Janoub is rich in archeological sites, including old mud houses and Qishla Castle, which stands atop Mount Al-Qarah.

Nearby is Al-Thaghr Palace, a structure dating back to the First Saudi State. Built by the order of Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad in 1221 AH, the four-story palace is made of stone and features a large protective wall and a deep central well.

The commission continues to protect and restore the region’s historic buildings, placing them on the National Antiquities Register as part of the Kingdom’s cultural legacy, the SPA reported.

 


Research grants to revive Ƶ’s craft heritage

Research grants to revive Ƶ’s craft heritage
Updated 20 July 2025

Research grants to revive Ƶ’s craft heritage

Research grants to revive Ƶ’s craft heritage
  • Program offers funding in six categories to explore how traditional skills sustain culture and economy

RIYADH: Ƶ’s Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, has announced a new research grant initiative to study traditional handicrafts.

As part of the Year of Handicrafts campaign, the program invites scholars to examine how traditional crafts preserve cultural knowledge, embody inherited skills, fulfill social roles, and reflect economic practices that have shaped Saudi society.

The grant covers six research categories to provide insights into handicraft studies. Applications are open until Sept. 1, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Historical research will trace the development of surviving and lost crafts over time, examining how social, economic, and political changes have influenced them.

A second category focuses on craft promotion, investigating initiatives to support and institutionalize traditional handicrafts in contemporary Saudi society.

Economic impact and creative economy studies will analyze how handicrafts contribute to the national economy, including comparisons of domestic and international markets for handmade cultural goods.

Technology integration research explores how modern techniques, design and digital tools intersect with traditional methods to create market-ready products.

Social research will examine community relationships with handicrafts and how cultural perceptions affect the sector’s growth and sustainability.

The final category addresses conceptual frameworks, critically analyzing handicraft terminology, its evolution, and making comparisons with related concepts such as cultural industries, fine arts, and the roles of craftspeople versus artists.

Applicants must hold an advanced degree, master’s or doctorate, or demonstrate equivalent expertise through substantial research. Late submissions will not be considered.

Selected researchers must produce publication-ready papers suitable for peer-reviewed journals and comply with all guidelines and documentation on the grant website. Simultaneous submission to other funding bodies is prohibited unless the applicant withdraws from this program.

Beyond supporting individual projects, the grant aims to strengthen local expertise in handicraft studies, foster researcher networks, and promote traditional handicrafts as a key element of Saudi culture. Interested researchers can apply through the ministry’s website.