Day: April 13, 2024

Paris, April 12 – The Ministry of Culture is set to hold a special celebration of the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding and Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. On this occasion, an exhibition highlighting the Qatari cultural heritage will be held at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on April 15.

The exhibition aims to highlight the efforts of the State of Qatar in protecting and preserving intangible cultural heritage, as the agreement recognized the need to protect living heritage and promote dialogue between peoples, cultural diversity, and human creativity.

The exhibition highlights “The Majlis: A Social and Cultural Space,” traditional crafts and industries, and examples of the “falconry” heritage, which was added to the UNESCO representative list in 2015 in addition to folk arts and folk culinary arts. The exhibition also includes a pavilion of photos that highlight the achievements of the St
ate of Qatar in preserving heritage.

In this context, Director of the Heritage and Identity Department at the Ministry of Culture Sheikha Nagla Faisal Al-Thani, said that the exhibition comes out of a desire to celebrate more than twenty years since first convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, which was adopted by the General Conference of the UNESCO in Paris on October 17, 2003.

She added that the exhibition, which is organized by the Ministry of Culture, features many activities that contribute to activating the agreement, including registering a number of its elements on the UNESCO representative list, such as the Majlis, coffee, falconry, and palm trees.

The Ministry is currently working on preparing a documentary about the elements of Qatari intangible cultural heritage registered on the convention’s lists, she said noting that the Ministry of Culture always seeks, by holding these events, to spread awareness among the local community and inform the international communit
y on the role of the State of Qatar in protecting and preserving intangible cultural heritage that represents the identity of Qatari society.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian arm King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), has been providing various forms of relief and humanitarian assistance to needy people worldwide.

Part of these humanitarian efforts is ensuring food security through the Zakat Al-Fitr (an obligatory charitable donation of food to the needy that must be given at the end of Ramadan before the Eid Al-Fitr prayer) for 1445 Hijri.

KSrelief’s Zakat Al-Fitr in Somalia consisted of 40,920 bags of rice, weighing 20 kilograms each, from which 245,520 individuals benefited.

In Yemen it consisted of 31,333 bags of rice, 20 kilograms each, benefiting 219,331 individuals, and in Syria of 62,250 bags of wheat, each weighing 25 kilograms, from which 373,500 underprivileged individuals benefited.

Since its establishment, KSrelief has reached 98 countries and implemented 2,829 humanitarian and relief projects worth $6 billion. The projects targeted vital sectors such as food, education, health, nutr
ition, water, environmental sanitation, and shelter, and helped millions of the most vulnerable and neediest people in the target countries, without discrimination.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi announced that the second ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC countries and Central Asian states will be held on April 15, 2024, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrhman bin Jassim Al Thani, who is currently the president of the Ministerial Council, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov. Attending will be ministers of foreign affairs from GCC and Central Asian countries.

Albudaiwi stressed that the meeting confirms the desire of the two sides to boost relations, and their keenness to strengthen strategic dialogue and work to serve their common interests, in accordance with their shared values, interests, and historical ties, and with the Joint Action Plan for the period 2023-2027, they signed in September 2022.

According to Albudaiwi, disc
ussions will focus on ways to enhance relations between the two sides, and regional and international developments.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Makkah, The “Makkah Greets Us” event is taking place and providing citizens and visitors with an exciting and unique Eid Al-Fitr celebration. The event has been running for three days in Makkah and offers a variety of entertainment, amusement, and shopping opportunities.

Visitors and citizens can participate in several competitions, games, and giveaways. There are also various attractions to enjoy, such as the Noor Theater, Eid Park and Tent, classic car displays, handicrafts market, and the Eid Center, which has a range of family activities and competitions, including folk art performances, falcon shows, and sound and light shows.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Sakaka, The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Festival, organized by the Reserve Development Authority, will take place from April 14th to 18th at the Cultural Center in Al-Qurayyat Governorate. The festival aims to showcase tourist and recreational sites within the reserve and encourage local community involvement in reserve activities.

The festival offers a variety of activities that will take visitors on a fun journey through recreational, cultural, artistic, and awareness activities. These include a children’s area with games and drawing areas, an afforestation and planting area to promote afforestation culture and vegetation development, an artisan’s market that celebrates Saudi heritage and traditional crafts, a wildlife area, and a performing arts theater. The theater will present cultural shows and segments highlighting heritage, history, poetry evenings, theatrical performances, and folk arts.

The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in the Middle East, span
ning over 130,000 square kilometers. It also contains archaeological areas registered with the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Khartoum, The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) provided 233 shelter bags yesterday to needy and displaced families in the Karari locality of Khartoum State in Sudan.

This project provided urgent shelter aid to Sudan and benefited 1,357 individuals.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides humanitarian and relief assistance through the Center to needy and affected countries and people worldwide.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Hajjah, Yemen, In February 2024, the Mobile Medical Clinic of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in Yemen’s Hajjah Governorate provided medical services to 2,072 beneficiaries.

During the same period, the epidemiological diseases clinic treated 551 patients, the emergency clinic attended to 620 individuals, the internal medicine clinic served 879 beneficiaries, and the reproductive health clinic handled 14 cases. Additionally, the awareness and education department assisted 8 beneficiaries.

In accompanying services, the nursing services department treated 825 patients, conducted two waste disposal activities, dispensed medications to 1,927 individuals, and provided services to 55 beneficiaries through the surgery and dressing department.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: Over a period of two days, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh received 60 horses transported from the city of Liege in Belgium. These horses will participate in the upcoming 2024 FEI World Cup Series Finals in Dressage and Jumping, commencing next Tuesday and lasting for four days.

The horses competing in the global event were transported in specialized trucks to their stables at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, which serves as the event’s headquarters. Considered some of the world’s most expensive, these horses will compete alongside some of the world’s top riders.

The organizing committee of the global event has implemented essential measures to ensure the safety of the horses. They will be monitored 24/7 by humans and machines to comply with international quarantine laws.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has released the official list of participants for the upcoming event to be hosted in Riyadh, marking the first time the event will be held in the
Middle East. Among the 34 participating riders, the top 6 in the world rankings will be present. Additionally, 17 elite male and female riders will compete in the dressage competitions.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Aden, Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), has allocated $6.2 million to support approximately 827,000 children in Yemen, ensuring their access to quality education opportunities. This initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF noted that the funding provided by KSrelief facilitated access to public and private education for girls and boys from vulnerable groups. The funding supported over 527,000 children in participating in national final exams for the 2022-2023 academic year. Additionally, 300,000 male and female students received school bags and recreational supplies, aimed at motivating and encouraging their return to school while alleviating the financial burden on families.

Moreover, the Kingdom’s support through the Center enhanced teaching and learning practices in classrooms. This was accomplished by training 7,520 male and female teachers across 17 governorates. Additionally, hygiene supplies
were procured and distributed to 71,956 children and 120 schools.

KSrelief’s assistance also facilitated UNICEF’s outreach to nearly 4.9 million individuals, including caregivers, through the implementation of five awareness campaigns. Outreach activities reached approximately 26,000 community leaders, officials, and 2,500 families.

UNICEF Representative to Yemen Peter Hawkins remarked, “One in every four primary school-aged children in Yemen is currently out of school. Moreover, educational outcomes for those able to attend do not align with their age. Thanks to contributions from partners such as KSrelief, UNICEF continues to address the educational needs of vulnerable girls and boys in Yemen.”

KSrelief remains a steadfast partner of UNICEF, providing continuous funding for life-saving interventions that enable UNICEF to address the most critical needs of vulnerable children in Yemen.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saada, Yemen, The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has continued its implementation of various projects aimed at providing primary healthcare and water services to the displaced individuals in Razih District, Saada Governorate, Republic of Yemen, benefiting 269 individuals during February.

Within the project, various clinics provided medical services to the local population. The Epidemic Diseases Control Clinic treated 74 patients, while the Emergency Clinic attended to 49 patients. The Internal Medicine Clinic served 104 patients while, 21 cases received care at the Reproductive Health Clinic, and 21 cases sought assistance from the Awareness and Education Department.

Additionally, 100 beneficiaries visited the Nursing Services Clinic, 3 patients received help from the Surgery and Dressing Clinic, and 20 patients benefited from the Medical Referral Department. Medicines were dispensed to 245 patients as well.

Apart from these medical services, the project also conducted 8 waste di
sposal programs and pumped 59,400 liters of potable water into the district.

Source: Saudi Press Agency