https://arab.news/bg67j
RIYADH: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, minister of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, awarded acting representative of the National Guard, Maj. Gen. Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al-Harbi with the Knight Medal of the International Civil Defence Organization.
The Knight Medal is a prestigious honor awarded by the ICDO in recognition of exceptional service to the organization and outstanding contributions to advancing civil defence efforts on a global scale.
RIYADH: The three-day Theater Tour initiative ended on Saturday at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Theater in Baha, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the event attracted a large audience for the award-winning play “Bahr” (Sea).
Inspired by maritime heritage, “Bahr” explores the traditions of sailors’ lives, particularly diving and pearl hunting.
The production is part of the commission’s strategy to promote culture across the Kingdom, according to the SPA.
Nasser Al-Qasabi, chairman of the commission, thanked the governor of Baha for supporting the initiative and providing the resources for its launch in the region.
The Theater Tour initiative brings exceptional performances to cities, governorates and villages throughout the Kingdom. The first phase features “Bahr,” running from April 3 to May 3.
The production debuted in Baha from April 3-5. It now moves to Jubail from April 17-19, Dammam from April 24-26 and concludes in Al-Ahsa from May 1-3.
The project aims to raise awareness of theater, increase access to cultural services in underserved areas and support local theater groups.
Written by Abdulrahman Al-Marikhi and directed by Sultan Al-Nawa, “Bahr” has won several awards, including best actor, best script and best overall production at the Riyadh Theater Festival, as well as best musical effects and best director at the 19th Gulf Theater Festival.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts — also known as Wrth — have launched an initiative called Wrth Saudi, which features signage on highways across the Kingdom marking significant locations connected with national crafts.
This initiative comes in what has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in Saudi Arabia. The first phase of Wrth Saudi will cover three highways: the Riyadh-Dammam Highway, the Makkah-Madinah Highway, and the Riyadh–Qassim Expressway, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Subsequent phases will extend the initiative to other vital roads throughout the country, the SPA added.
Wrth Saudi will showcase traditional regional arts such as Najdi door craftsmanship, mud construction, carpentry, wood carvings, and bisht making.
“Saudi Arabia’s vast road network, the largest in the world in terms of connectivity, serves as a platform to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and showcase its crafts,” the SPA reported.
The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts plays a key role in promoting Saudi traditional arts locally and internationally, supporting local artisans, and encouraging the teaching and development of these crafts.
Earlier this year, the institute also launched the Wrth Community program to raise awareness of Saudi traditional arts and cultural heritage while “empowering individuals to learn and develop these crafts locally and globally.”
The program featured discussion sessions with academics, artisans, trainers, and entrepreneurs, along with workshops. Activities focused on four key materials used in Saudi traditional arts: stone, wood, ceramics, and metals.
The Ministry of Culture designated 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts to “solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life,” according to the SPA.
Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Culture will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.
RIYADH: The Muslim World League has condemned Israeli airstrikes that hit a Saudi cultural facility and a school in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as Israel resumed military operations following the collapse of a temporary truce with Hamas.
In a statement carried on the Saudi Press Agency on Friday, MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa denounced the targeting of the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage’s warehouse, which destroyed medical supplies intended for the sick and wounded in Gaza.
He also condemned the strike on Dar Al-Arqam School, which reportedly killed and injured dozens, describing the attacks as “horrific crimes against civilians and civilian facilities.”
Al-Issa said: “These acts represent a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and norms.”
He called on the international community to take urgent action, and urged global bodies to activate accountability mechanisms and hold perpetrators responsible for what he described as war crimes.
The condemnation comes amid renewed violence in Gaza since March, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Israel has resumed its bombardment of the enclave, saying it is targeting militant infrastructure, while humanitarian agencies have warned of deepening crises and mounting civilian casualties.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,407 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 12,995 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,512 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,900 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,260 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 66 percent were Ethiopian, 28 percent Yemeni, and 6 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 67 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 21 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
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 ($260,000), 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.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, Border Guard land patrols thwarted the smuggling of 540 kg of qat.
In two other operations, authorities arrested two Ethiopians for smuggling 25 kg of qat and three Yemenis for smuggling 66 kg of qat in the same area.
Land patrols in the Al-Tawwal sector of the Jazan region foiled the smuggling of 51.4 kg of hashish.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested two Pakistanis in Riyadh with 1.6 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.
In Jeddah, authorities arrested an Ethiopian, two Yemenis, and a Palestinian with 6 kg of hashish.
The directorate also arrested a citizen in Asir with 30 kg of hashish.
Another citizen was arrested in the Jouf region for selling amphetamine.
In Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector, Border Guard patrols arrested eight Ethiopians for smuggling 144 kg of qat.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
The public is urged to report drug smuggling or sales by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be submitted confidentially to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.
