Category: General

The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence today inaugurated, in cooperation with the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), the “Green Houses of Worship” programme.

The inauguration ceremony was held at Derasat headquarters, in the presence of officials, experts, researchers and media personnel.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the boards of trustees of both the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and Derasat, affirmed that the keynote speech delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the World Climate Action Summit, held as part of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), hosted by Dubai, the UAE, had charted a pioneering and all-inclusive framework of the kingdom’s efforts to achieve environmental security, within a cohesive society whose members enjoy harmony and prosperity.

He indicated that the “Green Houses of W
orship” programme is a joint initiative launched by the two centres to promote sustainability at houses of worship by applying the best methods in environmental balance.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa commended the close follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, and create sustainable opportunities in the new green economy.

He also paid tribute to the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), led by His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Personal Representative, for the positive role it is playing to preserve the environment, according to the best international standards.

He underlined the importance of introducing innovative and influential initiatives that reflect the reality of the Kingdom, as the land of peace and coexistence, stressing the need to invest in this unique model to address environmental challenges.

He indicated that this initiative aims to activat
e community participation in reducing harmful emissions and combating climate change, in addition to developing scientific research in applications that are compatible with places of worship, such as architecture, the use of renewable energy, and waste management efficiency.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa affirmed that under HM the King’s comprehensive development process, the kingdom presents an enlightened global vision that seeks to achieve the best for humanity, and stresses the need for the prevalence of tolerance and solidarity, as the best means to confront common challenges.

He added the cooperation between the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and Derasat embodies their commitment to consolidating sustainable practices for society, through smart partnerships based on complementarity between scientific research and religious institutions, which will serve Bahrain and the entire humanity.

Reverend Dr. Richard Fermer, the Dean Designate of St Christopher’s Cathedral, in his s
tatement, lauded the launch of the “Green Houses of Worship” programme, noting that it reflects the importance of merging environmental supervision with religious practices in raising social awareness about climate issues.

He affirmed the role played by houses of worship in enhancing sustainable development, as well as in contributing to creating a world that is capable of facing challenges related environmental sustainability.

During the ceremony, Derasat announced the completion of the first phase of its Artificial Intelligence Renewable Energy Laboratory, which will play a pivotal role in supporting shift to green energy in the kingdom, by providing accurate analytical data to support stakeholders and researchers in field of renewable energy.

The event also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and Derasat to encourage religious institutions in the kingdom to engage in environment-friendly applications.

Dr. Abdulla Al Abbasi,
the Director of Derasat’s Energy and Environment Programme, gave a presentation about the technical aspects of the “Green Houses of Worship” programme.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Israeli entity renewed its shelling of villages and towns in southern Lebanon Sunday.

Field sources reported that Israeli warplanes launched a series of missiles air strikes, targeting the towns of Tayr Harfa and Maroun al-Ras, which are among the villages of Bint Jbeil district in Nabatieh Governorate. The village of Maroun al-Ras is located two km from the Lebanese-Palestinian border.

The Israeli army also fired heavy machine-gun from its position in Jal al-Alam towards Labouneh and Alma al-Shaab (Tyre district).

Additionally, Israeli warplanes launched an air strike with missiles targeting the town of Hanin (one of the villages of Bint Jbeil District in Nabatieh Governorate).

The Israeli entity continues its aggression against towns and villages in southern Lebanon, in parallel with its heinous and ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, resulting in casualties and injuries among civilians and forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s Corporate Social Service has held an entertainment event for patients coming from the Gaza Strip who are receiving treatment at the corporation’s hospitals.

The event included interactive activities, such as entertaining competitions, a football show, and coloring activities for children, along with offering healthy snacks.

An HMC statement on Sunday said the initiative aimed to entertain patients to enhance their mental health, welcome them to the State of Qatar, where they receive high quality treatment, and give them the necessary support, especially psychologically, due to the difficult repercussions due to the ongoing events in the Gaza Strip.

Corporate Social Service representatives attended the event at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City Park, along with members of the HMC’s Gaza patients Community Support Team and representatives of some private Qatari hospitals.

Executive Director of the Corporate Social Service and chair of Gaza patients Community Support Team
, Bashayr Al Rashid stated that the “Corporate Social Service at Hamad Medical Corporation considers this humanitarian mission a privilege, enabling us to apply the core ethics and principles of social work by empowering patients and fulfilling their holistic needs.

“Through our dedicated efforts, we strive to alleviate the burden on patients and their families by offering a range of services tailored to their individual circumstances.” Assistant Executive Director of Corporate Social Service and a member of the Gaza patients Community Support Team, Maleeha Al Shamali said, “the goal of this event was to create an atmosphere of joy and fun to our guests; Gaza patients and their companions, by holding activities and games that are compatible with their needs, and aim to improve their mood.

“The Corporate Social Service department believes in the importance of patients participation and their social integration in various activities that contribute to relieving stress resulting from the long period of treatme
nt or rehabilitation”.

Meanwhile, Asma Ahmadi – a social worker at the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute and a member of Gaza patients Community Support Team, said that the primary goal of organizing entertainment activities for patients and their companions is to enhance psychological well-being, and reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and overthinking, as well as to encourage social interaction and building social relationships that support them.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Riyadh: April 28, 2024 — King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), managed and operated by Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), received the first flight from Shanghai on Sunday, operated by China Eastern Airlines. This marks the commencement of three weekly flights provided by China Eastern Airlines between Riyadh and Shanghai, representing the first-ever service on this route.

The launch of this route is the result of concerted efforts and collaboration among various entities, including the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP), the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), and RAC. The initiative aims to meet the increasing demand and offer enhanced facilities, services, and products to enrich the travel experience for Chinese visitors.

This service provides an opportunity for travelers to explore unique destinations, tourist attractions, cultural diversity, and global events in the Kingdom, while experiencing the renowned hospitality of Saudi society.

CEO of Riyadh Airpor
ts Company Ayman Abdulaziz AboAbah expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between RAC and China Eastern Airlines. He highlighted that this milestone further strengthens the leading role of King Khalid International Airport in establishing the Kingdom as a leading global aviation hub in the Middle East.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

President Mahmoud Abbas said during his speech at the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, “If Israel invades Rafah, it will cause the greatest disaster in the history of our people.”

President Abbas said, “I fear that Israel will turn to the West Bank after Gaza to deport its people towards Jordan.”

He said that there must be a political solution that brings together the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in an independent Palestinian state through an international conference.

In his intervention before the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today, Sunday, he renewed the demand to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and to bring food and basic supplies to citizens in all parts of the Strip immediately.

The President stressed that we will not, under any circumstances, accept the displacement of Palestinians, whether from Gaza or the West Bank, outside their homeland, and we will not allow the tragedies of 1948 and 1967 to
be repeated.

His Excellency warned again of an imminent Israeli attack on the city of Rafah, where 2.2 million Palestinians are currently located, which means a new catastrophe that will befall the Palestinian people.

The President called for pressure on Israel to stop the invasion of the city of Rafah, especially the United States of America because it is the only country capable of preventing it from committing this crime.

His Excellency said: The situation in Gaza is very unfortunate. More than 200 days have passed during which Israel took advantage of the opportunity to attack our people in Gaza under the pretext of taking revenge on Hamas, but in reality it is taking revenge on the entire Palestinian people.

The president added: Israel killed more than 34,000 citizens, most of whom were children, women, and the elderly, and wounded 75,000, and destroyed 75% of buildings, institutions, roads, mosques, and universities in the Strip.

He pointed out to me that what is happening in Gaza applies in one wa
y or another to the West Bank, and he expressed his fear that after the end of its aggression against Gaza, Israel will move to deport the Palestinians from the West Bank, stressing that Jordan and Egypt have categorically refused to deport the Palestinians from their countries to their lands.

He called on the countries of the world that did not recognize the State of Palestine to do so immediately as they recognize Israel, and after that we will negotiate with Israel on the borders and so on

Source: Maan News Agency

Gaza: Al-Qassam Brigades announced the bombing of the headquarters of the occupation leadership in southern Gaza.

The Brigades said, “We bombed the headquarters of the occupation leadership in the Netzarim axis, south of Gaza City, with mortar shells

Source: Maan News Agency

Doha: HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and enhance them.

The message was received by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani during his meeting on Sunday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Najib Mikati, the caretaker Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, met with Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Affairs Minister is on a visit to Lebanon as part of an Arab tour.

Mikati requested Dr. Al Zayani to relay his greetings to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, and wished Bahrain further success and prosperity.

He praised the strong historical relations between Lebanon and Bahrain, emphasising the government of Lebanon’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Mikati expressed confidence in the success of the 33rd Arab Summit hosted by Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty the King.

Dr. Al Zayani conveyed the greetings of His Majesty and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to HH the Amir, and wishes for Lebanon and its people of further success and prosperity.

Dr. Al Zayani praised the development and growth o
f bilateral cooperation between the two countries across various domains.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, the Shura Council Chairman, met with Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, the Speaker of the Qatari Shura Council, on the sidelines of his participation in the Sixth Conference of the Arab Parliament.

Abdulrahman Mohammed Jamsheer, Member of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee of the Shura Council, attended the meeting.

Al Saleh emphasised the strong and deep-rooted relations between Bahrain and Qatar, highlighting the growing cooperation in development and parliamentary fields.

He expressed pride in the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, for further strengthening the ties between the two countries.

Al Saleh emphasised the importance of investing in these ties to achieve common interests that support the development and progress of both countries and their people.

He underscored the council’s interest in enhancing cooperation and exchange of legislative
expertise between the two countries.

For his part, Al Ghanim expressed pride in the strong Bahraini-Qatari relations and the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.

He commended the fruitful partnerships, cooperation, and integration in various significant fields between Qatar and Bahrain.

Al Ghanim praised the keenness of the Shura Councils of Qatar and Bahrain to exchange parliamentary visions and development ideas.

He also highlighted the continuous consultation between the two councils on topics and issues discussed in Arab and international parliamentary forums.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Doha: The State of Qatar voiced strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted the Khor Mor gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan, leaving Yemeni workers killed and two injured.

In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence, terrorism and criminal acts, regardless of the motives and reasons; and affirmed full solidarity with the sisterly Republic of Iraq in all the measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.

The Ministry expressed the State of Qatar’s condolences to families of the victims, and to the government and people of brotherly Yemen, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Qatar News Agency