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Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry expands digital outreach with daily religious programming during Hajj season

Ƶ’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is delivering comprehensive religious programming to serve pilgrims via its YouTube channel. (Screenshot)
Ƶ’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is delivering comprehensive religious programming to serve pilgrims via its YouTube channel. (Screenshot)
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Updated 02 June 2025

Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry expands digital outreach with daily religious programming during Hajj season

Ƶ’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is delivering religious programming to serve pilgrims.
  • Digital media forms the cornerstone of the ministry’s contemporary outreach strategy, SPA said

RIYADH: Ƶ’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has intensified its digital broadcasting output throughout the current Hajj season, delivering comprehensive religious programming to serve pilgrims and global Muslim audiences via its official YouTube channel.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry’s digital strategy features four daily lectures in three distinct programs: “Barnamaj Dahawi” (Religious Program), “Khayr Al-Ayyam” (Best of Days) and the fourth iteration of “Hajj Talk,” with broadcasts continuing through 13/12/1446 AH (June 9, 2025).

“Religious Program” episodes are broadcast twice daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., while “Best of Days” airs at 4 p.m. The flagship “Hajj Talk” program concludes the daily schedule at 6 p.m. This systematic approach shows the ministry’s commitment to harnessing contemporary digital platforms, aligning with technological progress while amplifying the reach and impact of Islamic messaging. The live streaming format enables real-time engagement with audiences domestic and international audiences.

The daily programming addresses themes relevant to the pilgrimage season, including detailed explanations of Hajj purposes and legal rulings, the spiritual significance of righteous deeds during the days of Dhul-Hijjah, and proper conduct during sacred rituals.

“Hajj Talk” distinguishes itself by focusing on prophetic values, delivered through modern presentation methods while extracting practical guidance from the Prophet Mohammed’s pilgrimage example.

According to SPA, digital media forms the cornerstone of the ministry’s contemporary outreach strategy, supporting its broader mission to promote religious moderation and ensure universal access to authentic Islamic content. It allows pilgrims and viewers worldwide to access religious guidance regardless of location or time constraints.


Saudi endurance runner finds strength in mountains

Saudi endurance runner finds strength in mountains
Updated 13 September 2025

Saudi endurance runner finds strength in mountains

Saudi endurance runner finds strength in mountains
  • Nasser Hakami showcases Saudi spirit at one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons

JEDDAH: Saudi runner Nasser Hakami is making waves in the world of mountain running, carrying the Kingdom’s name from Tuwaiq Mountain to international arenas.

The 40-year-old told Arab News his long-standing passion for mountains has fueled his commitment to training and competition. 

“Passion and ambition drove me to this sport, as I have loved mountains since I was young and I love the mountainous nature,” Hakami said. “I found myself in it — my passion for nature, and it’s my way to escape from the pressures of life.”

I love representing the Kingdom and the Arabs, and I embody that through the Saudi outfit that I wear with great pride.

Nasser Hakami, Saudi endurance runner

Hakami, who lives in Riyadh, has competed in more than a dozen mountain races in the Kingdom and beyond, including AlUla Trail Race, the Ultra-Trail Chiangmai in Thailand, and the Black River Peak ultra-trail in Mauritius. 

He claims to be the first Arab runner to have completed the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, one of the world’s toughest trail ultramarathons — 171 kilometers long with elevation gain of 10,000 meters, which took place this year on Aug. 29.

“I was able to run for 44 hours to complete this challenge which goes through the stunning trails of France, Italy, and Switzerland … (and I am) the first Arab to achieve this unique accomplishment,” he said.

He described the greatest challenges of the race as the extreme cold, heavy rain, and the fight against fatigue. “The tough training was the secret to my readiness,” he added.

At the finish line, Hakami celebrated by wearing traditional Saudi attire — iqal and bisht — to highlight the Kingdom’s culture. 

“I love representing the Kingdom and the Arabs, and I embody that through the Saudi outfit that I wear with great pride. The audience’s interaction was very touching,” he said.

Despite facing rugged terrain, harsh conditions, and a lack of sponsorship, Hakami has continued to excel.

“My passion for what I do made me overcome (these challenges). When you enjoy what you love, nothing can stop you from being creative,” he said.

Hakami added that mountain running has shaped his character and developed him personally and professionally. “It has given me foresight, taught me to think outside the box and find solutions to every problem,” he explained.

His preparation includes mental conditioning as well as physical training: “I prepare myself by watching motivational videos and reading development books, in addition to training with a group of friends to break the routine and pressure of training.”

Speaking of his deep connection to the Saudi landscape, he said: “Tuwaiq Mountain is a source of inspiration for me, and many of my long training sessions are held there. I draw my strength from this mountain.”

Looking ahead, Hakami hopes to push himself even further. “I dream of representing the Kingdom in the world’s longest race in the US,” he said. “If (I can find) sponsors who support this dream.”

 


Saudi foreign minister arrives in Doha for Arab-Islamic summit on Israeli attack

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Doha for Arab-Islamic summit on Israeli attack
Updated 13 September 2025

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Doha for Arab-Islamic summit on Israeli attack

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Doha for Arab-Islamic summit on Israeli attack
  • The strike, which left several dead and wounded, was widely condemned across the Arab and Islamic world

RIYADH: Ƶ’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Doha on Saturday to attend the preparatory meeting of foreign ministers for an emergency joint Arab-Islamic summit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The summit will focus on the Israeli attack in the Qatari capital earlier this week that targeted Hamas officials.

The strike, which left several dead and wounded, was widely condemned across the Arab and Islamic world as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law.

Ƶ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the attack as an “aggressive act” and reiterated the Kingdom’s solidarity with Doha, stressing the need for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions.


Bedouin tents stand as symbols of heritage, hospitality

Bedouin tents stand as symbols of heritage, hospitality
Updated 13 September 2025

Bedouin tents stand as symbols of heritage, hospitality

Bedouin tents stand as symbols of heritage, hospitality

RIYADH: The Bedouin tent has long been a defining feature of life in the Arabian Peninsula, serving not only as shelter but also as cultural hub where traditions of hospitality, poetry and community thrive.

Jouf craftswoman Lufwa Al-Fuhaiqi inherited the art of tent-making from her mother and grandmother, and continues the tradition today.

She works with goat hair and Najdi sheep wool to preserve this historic craft, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

The process begins with shearing the wool, then washing, drying and spinning it into strands before weaving these into large panels that form the tent. 

Al-Fuhaiqi explained to SPA that tent-making is a collaborative effort, with more hands easing and speeding the work.

Seasonal needs determine the type of tent. Black goat hair is favored in winter for its warmth, while white wool is used in summer for its cooling qualities.

Using simple tools such as a spindle, tightening rods, nails and sewing thread, Al-Fuqaihi creates tents that embody Bedouin heritage. 

By passing down these skills through generations, she and other craftswomen ensure the enduring legacy of the Bedouin tent as a symbol of identity and hospitality.


Forum highlights law as pillar of state stability

Forum highlights law as pillar of state stability
Updated 13 September 2025

Forum highlights law as pillar of state stability

Forum highlights law as pillar of state stability
  • Legal diplomacy key to resolving disputes, vice foreign minister tells Riyadh event

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji inaugurated the ministry’s first forum on World Law Day in Riyadh on Saturday.

The event was held at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies in partnership with the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Participants in the opening ceremony included Walid Abanmi, chairman of the center’s board; Hamed Merah, CEO of the center; Mansour Al-Yami, deputy minister of support services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mohammed Al-Nasser, director-general of the General Administration of Legal Affairs at the ministry.

In his speech, Elkhereiji said the forum embodies a core value and a fundamental pillar of state stability and the protection of individual and community rights.

He emphasized that law is more than written texts, saying that it is an “integrated system of values and principles that guarantees justice and equality, preserves rights, and builds trust between the state and its citizens, and among states.”

Elkhereiji added that in today’s complex world, with increasing challenges and intersecting interests, international law and legal diplomacy are essential tools for resolving disputes, fostering cooperation, and achieving sustainable development.

He said that the ministry’s General Administration of Legal Affairs plays a pivotal role in representing the Kingdom internationally, safeguarding its interests, and upholding legal standards and international agreements.

Elkhereiji added that this work reflects positively on Ƶ and enhances its standing among nations.


Kingdom arrests 21,339 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,339 illegals in one week
Updated 13 September 2025

Kingdom arrests 21,339 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,339 illegals in one week
  • Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free numbers

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 21,339 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 12,955 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,198 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 4,186 for labor-related issues.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.