Latest news with #Qassim
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market
RIYADH: Madinah has solidified its position as the Kingdom's largest producer of organic aromatic plants, contributing 78 tonnes — 26.4 percent of the national total of 296 tonnes. This reflects the region's strong agricultural productivity and its key role in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce detailed the national landscape, showing Qassim as the second-largest producer with 15.9 percent, followed by Riyadh with 14.9 percent and Jazan with 14.7 percent. Together, these four regions account for approximately 72 percent of the Kingdom's total organic medicinal and aromatic plant production, the SPA reported. The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares, followed by Qassim with 36, Riyadh with 35, and Jazan with 34 hectares — underscoring strong regional competition in the sector. Madinah mint was identified as the region's most prominent organic aromatic plant, valued for its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, according to the SPA. Its cultivation is deeply rooted in the region's agricultural heritage and presents attractive investment opportunities at various scales. Other aromatic plants grown in Madinah include basil, henna, and moringa. The report also highlighted broader investment opportunities within the aromatic plant production sector.
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Sun to Align Directly with Kaaba on Tuesday in Rare Phenomenon
The holy city of Makkah will witness a precise astronomical phenomenon on Tuesday as the sun passes directly overhead the Holy Kaaba. According to the Noor Astronomy Association in the Qassim Region, this perpendicular solar event will take place during the noon call to prayer in Makkah at 12:18 p.m., resulting in the complete disappearance of the Kaaba's shadow. President of Noor Astronomy Issa Al-Ghafili explained that this event occurs as the sun traverses between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. The alignment allows the determination of the Qibla direction from any location worldwide without the need for additional tools. During this moment of perpendicularity, the Qibla's direction is exactly opposite to the shadows cast by mosque minarets, lampposts, and tall towers, he added.
Asharq Al-Awsat
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to Deliver Arafat Day Sermon
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz approved the appointment of Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, to deliver this year's Arafat Day sermon at the Namira Mosque, Saudi Arabia's Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques said in a statement. Bin Humaid, a prominent religious and academic figure, was born in 1950 in Buraidah, in the Qassim region. He later moved to Makkah, where he completed his high school education in 1967. He earned his bachelor's degree in Islamic law from Umm Al-Qura University in 1975, followed by a master's degree in 1976 and a PhD in Islamic jurisprudence and its principles in 1981, graduating with top honors. His academic career began at the same university, where he served as a teaching assistant, lecturer, and eventually associate professor. He later became head of the university's Islamic Economics Department. Bin Humaid was the first holder of a doctoral degree to be appointed as an imam at the Grand Mosque. Over the years, he held several high-profile positions, including Deputy President for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and member of the Shura Council between 1993 and 2000. In 2000, he was appointed President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. A royal decree in 2002 named him Chairman of the Shura Council. In 2009, he became President of the Supreme Judicial Council. In 2012, he stepped down from the judiciary role at his request and was appointed a royal adviser with the rank of minister. The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced that the Mataf, the circumambulation area around the Kaaba, is fully prepared to receive pilgrims during this year's Hajj, under comprehensive organizational plans aimed at ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of worshippers. The Mataf's operational capacity has reached 107,000 pilgrims per hour, across multiple levels, including the ground floor, first floor, two mezzanine levels, and the rooftop, it added. The entire Mataf area can accommodate up to 203,000 worshippers. Officials confirmed that the entire Mataf area has been made accessible exclusively for pilgrims performing Tawaf. Multiple main and secondary entrances have been designated to ease access to the area, with certain gates reserved for emergency and service use, all while ensuring full crowd-capacity management. The measures are part of broader efforts to streamline the performance of Hajj rituals and provide high-quality services to pilgrims, in line with the directives of the Saudi leadership.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Sakan wins Qassim excellence award
RIYADH: The National Developmental Housing Corporation, or Sakan, has won the Qassim Award for Excellence and Creativity in the National Excellence Branch in its fifth session. Yazeed Al-Rasheed, vice president for shared services at Sakan, received the award on behalf of the organization. He expressed his gratitude to officials for their support and recognition of national initiatives, saying that this was an incentive to continue efforts in cooperation with all parties. Abdulaziz Al-Karidis, secretary-general of Sakan, thanked the Qassim governor for his support for Sakan's initiatives and for following up and encouraging activities that achieved the foundation's goals. Receiving the award would inspire the foundation to further enhance its performance and reinforce its core values, he said. The win marks a milestone in the foundation's journey and its commitment to excellence and innovation. The foundation continues to strive toward creating a positive and sustainable impact in the developmental housing sector by offering the best solutions and practices.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I'm an ex-cop who hunted for Jay Slater – his drug dealer ‘pal' MUST come forward and answer key questions from inquest
A FORMER Met detective who investigated Jay Slater's disappearance has said his drug dealer "pal" has to come forward and answer key questions from the inquest. Mark Williams-Thomas - 12 Jay Slater, 19, died while on holiday in Tenerife Credit: Louis Wood 12 Police have tried to track down Ayub Qassim, who rented the Airbnb Jay went back to 12 Jay posted a final Snapchat picture of him smoking on the Airbnb's doorstep 12 Mark Williams-Thomas - who worked on the Madeleine McCann case - conducted his 'own investigation' into Jay's disappearance Credit: Twitter The inquest into Jay's death was Detective turned TV-sleuth Mr Williams-Thomas said he had been in close contact during the investigation with a number of witnesses - including Jay's family and friends. Now he has urged Qassim to come forward and answer questions from the "disappointing" inquest. Qassim took the back to an Airbnb in Masca the night before he went missing on June 17. READ MORE NEWS Mr Williams-Thomas called Qassim "the most important witness" who he says gave him "crucial evidence" that "hasn't been made public" yet. The ex-detective added that the evidence he received from Qassim in his own investigation provides "greater context" as to why Jay left the villa. He and another Brit previously known only as "Rocky" had rented the Airbnb in the remote Tenerife mountains that they took Jay back to after the festival. Most read in The Sun Jay posted a final Snapchat picture of himself smoking on the doorstep of the apartment at 7.30am on June 17 before leaving shortly after. Qassim has always denied any involvement in Jay's death. Jay Slater inquest drama as mum makes shock demand…meaning MORE bombshells to come after drugs & 'missing' pals revealed Jay's disappearance sparked widespread media interest - as well as a One of those theories claimed Jay had stolen a £12,000 watch - which his mum Josh Forshaw, who met Jay as they boarded a plane from Manchester to Tenerife, said he received a message from the teen before he disappeared. It read: "Ended up getting thrown out with two Mali kids, just took an AP [luxury watch strap] off somebody and was on the way to sell it." Josh told the hearing via video link that Jay said he was planning to sell the strap for "10 quid", slang for £10,000. Josh told the hearing he received a Snapchat from Jay later in the night that claimed he "ended up getting thrown out" of the venue with two other people. He also claimed Jay sent him a photo showing "knives down his trousers" that was captioned "in case it kicks off". Josh said he didn't mention the image to Spanish police before leaving Tenerife, but did inform cops in Lancashire on his return. 12 12 The Airbnb Jay went to before he vanished Credit: Steve Reigate 12 Jay's mum Debbie Duncan pictured outside Preston Coroner's Court Credit: STEVE ALLEN 12 Dad Warren Slater and brother outside the hearing Credit: STEVE ALLEN Speaking of Josh's claim of receiving the knives image, Mr Williams-Thomas says he was told that they weren't found with him and were left in the apartment. The teen travelled to an Airbnb apartment in Masca with two men including Qassim in the early hours of June 17, before leaving at around 8am. Jay, of Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, made a heartbreaking final call to his friend Law saying he had cut his leg, was lost, dehydrated and had just one per cent battery on his phone after he left the Airbnb. On Wednesday night, They claimed she was also unaware that she had been called to give evidence at the inquest. Speaking at the family home in Burnley, Lucy's stepfather Andy Davis said: "We had no idea Jay's inquest was even being held today. "The police have only just been round today to say that she was due to give evidence. But it's the first time we knew of it." He added: "They asked if Lucy was home and I said she was abroad and they asked me if I was aware that she should have been in court, and I said I wasn't." "The police said they had sent Lucy paperwork with the dates on it, but the first I knew about it was when the police turned up earlier today." Sources in the Slater family later said they were aware where the other missing witnesses were, and had also been able to find them easily, according to the MailOnline. 12 Jay with friend Lucy Law, who he was on holiday with Credit: Instagram 12 A post-mortem examination concluded he died of traumatic head injuries Credit: Ian Whittaker 12 Jay's devastated mum Debbie beside his grave Credit: Louis Wood The family source said: "Lucy is in Tenerife. Another supposedly untraceable witness is on holiday in Greece. "If we can find this out so quickly why can't the police?" The court also heard a suggestion that witnesses may be reluctant to appear because drugs may have been involved. After Jay's body was found, officials said there were traces of cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine in his body. Dr Adeley said: "When drugs are involved in a death, the witnesses are less than forthcoming and do not wish to speak to the authorities." The inquest heard from three construction workers who said, via video link, they saw Jay on the main road through the remote village of Masca and he asked them about bus times. He was attempting the treacherous 10-hour walk back to his apartment in Los Cristianos when he called Lucy to say he was lost. DCI Rachel Higson, head of digital media investigations at Lancashire Police, told the hearing today that Jay's phone recorded "a lot of steps and inclines" between 7.59am and 8.49am. His mobile last pinged in the mountainous Rural de Teno Park after Jay walked the wrong way from the Airbnb, and DCI Higson said there was "no data recorded" after 8.49:51am. After a month-long search, Jay's body was found in a ravine on July 15 last year - near to where his phone last pinged. A post-mortem examination concluded he died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height. Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd today told the inquest Jay suffered a "heavy fall from height" and the "devastating" effects would have been "immediate". Why the inquest farce is more pain for Jay's family By Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) AS I stood in the sweltering, remote mountains of Masca I was told the news Jay Slater's loved ones dreaded - his body had been found. But for his devastated family, it didn't bring the closure they so desperately needed. Now almost a year on, his grief-stricken mum, dad and brother have been subjected to yet more torment as an inquest into his death dredged up painful details of his disappearance - while lacking any actual answers. Jay's courageous mum Debbie Duncan opened up to me just weeks after his body was found about how she was tortured by not knowing what happened to her beloved son before he fell to his death. I was humbled by the bravery she showed in the face of living every parent's worst nightmare on the world stage - relentlessly hounded by mindless trolls. Spineless witnesses failing to turn up to the hearing to provide crucial information is a kick in the teeth for Debbie and his already suffering family. The 19-year-old went missing 11 months ago, and his body tragically discovered 29 days later. So why after all these months has the court failed to bring together vital witnesses - including the two friends he was on holiday with? After months and months of battling through their grief, the last thing Jay's family needed was to face a farce of a hearing without the necessary witnesses. Read more here... 12 Flowers left by Jay's family near to near he fell to his death
