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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail in Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry posted on X.
In a separate meeting on Tuesday, Al-Sati received Nodirjon Turgunov, ambassador of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia, to discuss issues of mutual interest.
RIYADH: Authorities are now accepting online applications for itikaf at the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque.
Itikaf is the act of remaining in seclusion at a mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan. While doing so, individuals devote themselves to the worship of God during what Muslims consider to be the best 10 nights of the year.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque urged those who wish to perform the ritual to choose a mosque, submit an application, watch an awareness video to familiarize themselves with the service, and review the conditions that must be fulfilled during the period of seclusion, which runs from Ramadan 20 until the end of the Isha prayer on the night before Eid Al-Fitr.
An applicant must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the Kingdom, or hold valid residency status. Itikaf permits are free and registration requests can be submitted at eserv.wmn.gov.sa.
JEDDAH: The US Consulate General in Jeddah marked the 249th US Independence Day with its annual celebration, themed “Celebrating 80 Years of the Vision of President Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz: Shaping the Future Together.”
The event highlighted the long-standing US-Saudi partnership, focusing on business, innovation, and future collaboration.
Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia Alison Dilworth and Consul General Ali Lejlic welcomed Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi as the guest of honor.
It was attended by Fareed Al-Shehri, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs branch in Makkah region, members of the diplomatic corps, and distinguished guests from various regions of the Kingdom.
Dilworth emphasized that the historic 1945 meeting between President Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz established a deep and lasting friendship that continues to strengthen US-Saudi relations today.
The event featured an American Business Expo, showcasing US companies’ contributions to Saudi Arabia’s economic development, particularly in healthcare and infrastructure, aligned with Vision 2030.
MAKKAH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz recently inaugurated the Holy Qur’an Museum in Makkah’s Hira Cultural District.
Developed under the supervision of and with support from the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, the museum highlights the Qur’an as the primary source of guidance for Muslims and is designed to enrich the religious and cultural experience for both locals and visitors.
It is home to rare manuscripts, historical copies of the Qur’an and interactive displays that allow visitors to explore the journey of Qur’anic transcription and its preservation through history, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Spanning about 67,000 sq. meters, the Hira Cultural District is a focal point for those keen to experience the spirit and history of Makkah. Centered on Mount Hira, where the first revelation descended, it includes various facilities designed to enhance the religious and educational experience.
Among them is the Revelation Exhibition, which offers an interactive portrayal of the descent of revelation, and another that allows visitors to ascend to Hira Cave which was the scene of the revelation.
Among the artifacts on display are a photographed copy of the Qur’an manuscript of Uthman bin Affan and several ancient stone inscriptions of Qur’anic verses.
The project also incorporates the Saudi Coffee Museum, the Cultural Library and Hira Park.
The Holy Qur’an Museum will remain open throughout Ramadan.
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture was recently awarded the highest level of certification from the government’s green building rating system, Mostadam.
Ithra, as it is more commonly known, is the first project in the Kingdom to achieve the top level of certification in the operations and existing buildings category.
Abdullah Al-Buqami, technical services manager at Ithra, said: “This recognition reflects our commitment to making Ithra a model of sustainability. We believe that innovation in design and environmental practices can truly shape the future.
“Being the only project receiving a certification in this category in Saudi Arabia is a major milestone in our sustainability journey, reinforcing our dedication to leading by example and inspiring others to elevate sustainability standards across the Kingdom.”
The certification is awarded to existing projects that meet the highest environmental standards and reflect local values. Seen as a benchmark for environmental and social impact, the scheme promotes sustainable practices by enhancing energy and water efficiency, improving environmental performance, optimizing resource management and reducing carbon footprint.
Developed by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, the Mostadam program is tailored to the local climate and environmental conditions. It promotes sustainability in building practices and aims to enhance the efficiency of energy, water and resource usage, while fostering economic growth and job creation. It also aligns with the wider goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Projects can achieve one of five ratings, from green to diamond, based on their adherence to the sustainability criteria.
RIYADH: The historic Al-Duwaid mosque in the Northern Borders region is among the places of worship undergoing restoration as part of a national project.
The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques focuses on preserving the building’s original Najdi architectural style, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The mosque is historically significant because of its location in Al-Duwaid village, which was a meeting point for traders from Najd and Iraq about 60 years ago.
The village is about 20 km from Rafha governorate and is the site of the remains of Souq Al-Mushahada, which still exist today.
The restoration will expand the area of the mosque from 137 sq. meters to 156 sq. meters, using high-quality materials and built according to traditional standards, setting it apart from modern structures.
After prayers at the site were suspended in years past, the SPA reported that the refurbished mosque will be able to accommodate 54 worshippers.
Al-Duwaid mosque was built 60 years ago using mud construction techniques and natural materials, renowned for their adaptation to the local environment and the hot desert climate.
The project will preserve techniques such as small square openings, strategically placed on the southern side to face the sunlight. These openings form a continuous strip along the mosque’s walls, allowing sunlight in while reducing the intake of cold air.
The mosque’s design features a low ceiling to retain warmth during the winter.
The crown prince’s project aims to balance traditional and modern construction standards to ensure the sustainability of historic mosques, according to the SPA.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the work.
Phase two of the crown prince’s project follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions of the Kingdom.
