Day: May 21, 2023

The seventh Saudi relief airplane arrived today at Port Sudan International Airport in the Republic of Sudan, carrying 30 tons of food baskets and medical supplies. This is part of the Saudi relief airlift operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This delivery reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its noble humanitarian role in assisting brotherly and friendly countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Ministry of Culture will host the second edition of the Scripts and Calligraphy exhibition, which will showcase the value of Arabic calligraphy as an integral component of Arab culture and identity. The exhibition will be held in Riyadh from 11 June to 2 September 2023 at the Irqah Hospital, and will then move to Madina from 15 October to 23 December 2023 at the Madina Arts Center.

This year’s edition will be held under the theme ‘Paths to the Soul,’ exploring the spiritual dimension of calligraphy and its contribution to the Arab and Islamic world through four subthemes: Light, Letter, Space, and Poetry. Each subtheme will be presented in a section of the exhibition, which will examine the thoughts and techniques used by the calligraphers, contemporary designers, and artists while considering the emotions that Arabic calligraphy evokes.

Acclaimed architects and scenographers Jean-Paul Boulanger, Margo Renisio, and Tang Tu design the Scripts and Calligraphy exhibition. It will feature fifty-three calligraphers and contemporary artists from 12 countries, including 16 from Saudi Arabia. In addition to the commissioned artworks, the exhibition will showcase a range of Islamic artworks and rare manuscripts from the permanent collection of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, as well as unique pieces lent from the museum of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the National Heritage Institute in Tunis, and various other works from private collectors across the region.

In 2021, the Ministry of Culture organized the first edition of the Scripts and Calligraphy exhibition titled ‘A Timeless Journey’ at the National Museum in Riyadh. The exhibition presented the roots of Arabic calligraphy and its historical development, taking visitors on a journey through time as they discover the development of the art of calligraphy and examined the relationship between calligraphy and artificial intelligence.

The Ministry of Culture is committed to preserving Arabic calligraphy as a treasured aspect of the Kingdom’s identity and cultural heritage and as a unique artistic practice. In recognition of this distinctive tradition, the Ministry of Culture has launched several programs and initiatives to celebrate its significance, such as the designation of the year 2020 as the Year of Arabic Calligraphy. In addition, Saudi Arabia led a successful collaboration with 15 Arab countries to inscribe Arabic calligraphy on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, consolidating its status as a global symbol of Arab culture.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia and the United States announced that on May 20, in Jeddah, representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces signed an Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements.

The short-term ceasefire, which enters into force 48 hours after the signing of the Agreement, shall remain in effect for seven days and may be extended with the agreement of both parties.

The parties agreed to facilitate the delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance, restore essential services, and withdraw forces from hospitals and essential public facilities, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The parties also agreed to facilitate the safe passage of humanitarian actors and commodities, allowing goods to flow unimpeded from ports of entry to populations in need.

Both parties have conveyed to the Saudi and U.S. facilitators their commitment not to seek military advantage during the 48-hour notification period after signing the agreement and prior to the start of the ceasefire.

The ceasefire will go into effect at 09:45 p.m., Khartoum time, on May 22.

The parties have previously announced ceasefires that have not been observed. Unlike previous ceasefires, the Agreement reached in Jeddah was signed by the parties and will be supported by a U.S.-Saudi and international-supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

This short-term ceasefire is in line with the step-by-step approach agreed by the parties.

It is anticipated that subsequent talks will focus on additional steps necessary to improve security and humanitarian conditions for civilians such as vacating forces from urban centers, including civilian homes, accelerating removal of impediments to the free movement of civilians and humanitarian actors, and enabling public servants to resume their regular duties.

“Given the brutality of the conflict, our immediate focus has been on stopping the fighting to relieve the suffering of the Sudanese people. The Jeddah talks have focused on a short-term ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services. They are not a political process and should not be perceived as one” the statement mentioned.

the statement also added that the Sudanese people have now suffered for five terrible weeks as a result of this devastating conflict. Saudi Arabia and the U.S. stand by them and parties shall fully abide by their commitments under this Agreement for a short-term humanitarian ceasefire to provide them with urgent and needed relief.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Bahrain achieved a new world record in the Guinness World Records in the field of medicine.

The event was held under the patronage of Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa National Security Advisor, Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council, Royal Guard Commander.

The Kingdom broke the record for 12-hour hearing tests registered in the Guinness World Records, and this achievement is considered a quantum leap in the field of medicine.

HH Shaikh Nasser delegated Major General Hamad Khalifa Al Nuaimi Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard, to attend the Guinness World Records announcement ceremony for hearing tests within 12 hours.

HH Shaikh Nasser said that this achievement is a source of pride for all and it is supported by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and encouragement of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister and the follow up of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

He affirmed that the Kingdom will continue to seek such achievements that will highlight Bahrain’s position in various fields, especially in medicine locally, regionally and internationally.

HH Shaikh Nasser said that this accomplishment is one added to BDF and Royal Guard’s tremendous achievement record.

He added that these national accomplishments represent a footprint in history for future generations, and is a testament to the patriotic efforts to the progress and prosperity of the country.

His Highness explained that the solidarity and determination of BDF and Royal Guard’s personnel to succeed is an incentive to more national accomplishments, which will work towards the aspirations of the comprehensive development process.

On this occasion, Major General Al Nuaimi conveyed, during his speech at the ceremony, the greetings of HH Shaikh Nasser to all participants, organizers, and attendees.

Major General Al Nuaimi noted that this medical accomplishment, in addition to many, is added to Bahrain’s record of achievements regionally and globally in all fields.

In his speech, he praised the directives of HM King Hamad, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to develop local and international activities that will contribute to Bahrain’s sustainable development process.

Al Nuaimi commended the follow-up of HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister in achieving the aspirations of HM the King.

He also thanked BDF Commander-in-Chief for facilitating all procedures of the event, and expressed gratitude of all to HH Shaikh Nasser for his initiatives in all fields to achieve primacy for Bahrain.

Major-General Al Nuaimi received the official certificate of accreditation on behalf of HH Shaikh Nasser.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Social Insurance Organization (SIO) processed eligible retirement pension applications through the Khatwa Home Projects Program.

This came in implementation of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to accept 236 eligible retirement pension applications

Pension salaries were disbursed retroactively to a group of approved applications that met requirements.

The remaining accepted applicants are being contacted by SIO to process their pension salaries.

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister also instructed forming a government committee to examine 69 applications and determine if they meet pension eligibility criteria, in accordance with legal framework and regulations.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a cable of congratulations to Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, on his country’s Unity Day.

HM the King wished Al Alimi abundant health and happiness and the people of Yemen further progress, prosperity, and perpetual security and stability.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Shura Council praised the wise contents of the lofty speech delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during the 32nd Arab League Jeddah summit.

HM King’s speech affirmed Bahrain’s support to all efforts that advance the joint Arab cooperation and coordination, to achieve development aspirations, prosperity and progress for the good and benefit of the Arab peoples.

The council noted that Bahrain’s approach to peace, led by HM the King, constitutes an ideal strategy for addressing the various issues facing the world, establishing international relations, and promoting world peace.

Shura council expressed pride in the Kingdom’s hosting of the 2024 Arab Summit in Manama.

The council expressed pride and appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen Arab unity and support Arab and Islamic summits, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Source: Bahrain News Agency