Latest news with #SalmanbinSultanbinAbdulaziz


Asharq Al-Awsat
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Prophet's Mosque Security ahead of Hajj
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz conducted an inspection tour on Saturday of the Security Operations Center at the Prophet's Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj. He reviewed ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and smooth movement of worshippers. Accompanied by the Governor of the Medina Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the interior minister was briefed on the center's functions. The center utilizes top-tier technology to monitor worshipper movement and manage crowd flow within the mosque and its surrounding courtyards. During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud praised the efforts of the center's staff to serve visitors and worshippers.


Asharq Al-Awsat
01-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
22 Endangered Wildlife Species Released in Madinah's Al-Bayda Park
Under the patronage of Governor of Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, released 22 endangered wildlife species in Al-Bayda Wildlife Park in Madinah. The initiative is part of ongoing national efforts to reintroduce native species into their natural habitats, enrich biodiversity, and promote ecological balance in protected areas. The released species include six mountain ibex, four Arabian antelopes, four griffon vultures, six kestrels, and two collared doves. The animals were equipped with collars and satellite tracking devices to ensure effective monitoring, allowing experts to follow their movements, assess adaptation rates, and gather data to support breeding and sustainability programs. The initiative reflects the Kingdom's broader commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental restoration, which aligns with national strategies to protect endangered species and combat desertification.


Arab News
17-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Islamic banking forum inaugurated in Madinah
Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah, inaugurated on Wednesday the 45th AlBaraka Islamic Economics Symposium, themed 'Islamic Banking in 50 Years: Past Achievements and Future Aspirations,' at Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University in Madinah. The two-day symposium convened leading experts in economics, finance, and investment. During his address at the event, Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri, Royal Court adviser and Council of Senior Scholars member, emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to Islamic banking, noting that over 85 percent of the Kingdom's banking operations adhere to Islamic principles, a globally unmatched percentage.


Asharq Al-Awsat
16-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Banks on Tech to Boost Pilgrimage Services
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is banking on technology and digital transformation to enhance services for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors from around the world, aiming to deliver a seamless and comfortable experience. The ministry has made significant strides in digitizing procedures, using technology to simplify access and improve convenience for those visiting the Kingdom's holy sites. This focus on innovation took center stage during the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF) in Madinah, officially inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Madinah. The event drew key figures and leading companies from the Hajj, Umrah, and hospitality sectors. Panel discussions underscored the ministry's strategy of leveraging technology as a cornerstone in its efforts to improve the pilgrim experience, reflecting a broader national push towards digitalization across vital sectors. Prince Salman underlined Saudi Arabia's deep commitment to the development of Makkah and Madinah, stressing the Kingdom's dedication to enhancing the religious, historical and cultural significance of the two holy cities. Speaking at the forum, he said the Saudi leadership and people consider it an honor to serve the holy cities, a tradition upheld by the Kingdom's rulers since its founding. 'God has blessed this country, its people and its leadership with the privilege of serving the holy sites,' the prince said. 'Our leadership continues to lead in serving Islam and Muslims, ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims.' People visit the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF). (UZF) He highlighted that major projects, including the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and the ongoing development of services for pilgrims, reflect this commitment. 'These achievements are part of a prosperous era led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,' he added. He also underscored the ongoing development of the Prophet's Mosque and surrounding Islamic heritage sites as part of a broader effort to enrich the spiritual journey of pilgrims and visitors, while reinforcing their connection to the life of the Prophet Mohammed. Prince Salman said the upgrades aim to provide a meaningful and faith-aligned experience that reflects the Kingdom's humanitarian mission rooted in Islam, Arab heritage, and universal values of peace. The forum, he continued, serves as a key platform for decision-makers, investors, innovators, and sector leaders from across Saudi Arabia and abroad to collaborate, exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and explore opportunities in the Umrah and visitation ecosystem. The forum features more than 60 sessions and workshops, focusing on three pillars shaping the future of pilgrimage: aviation, smart cities, and the development of sacred sites. Discussions revolve around leveraging technology and transformative logistics to boost the visitor experience. 'This forum is a strategic platform to chart a new course for the future of Umrah and pilgrimage,' the governor said. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah underscored the pivotal role of digital transformation in streamlining services for pilgrims, citing significant progress in digital platforms aimed at enriching the spiritual journey to the Kingdom's holy sites. He noted the success of the Nusuk app, which now offers more than 100 services and has attracted over 18 million users. He said the app, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's digital Hajj and Umrah strategy, allows users to book permits for Umrah, access to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, Haramain High-Speed Railway tickets, and browse through the integrated 'Nusuk Market.' It also includes a rich selection of historical sites, cultural destinations, and museums to enrich the pilgrim experience. Al-Rabiah pointed to the concrete results of this digital drive, revealing that in the first quarter of 2025, more than 6.5 million Umrah performers and visitors arrived from outside the Kingdom—an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. He also highlighted improvements to the experience of visiting Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, where daily capacity has tripled since 2022 to accommodate over 52,000 visitors per day. Moreover, satisfaction rates have climbed from 57% in 2022 to 81% in 2024, he added, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to empower and facilitate the journey of pilgrims. The UZF serves as a key platform for shaping the future of Saudi Arabia's pilgrimage services, said Amr Al-Maddah, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Pilgrim Services. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Maddah said the forum helps define strategic priorities for the Umrah and visitation ecosystem, with a clear aim of bolstering the experience for visitors and pilgrims. He noted that the event also functions as a marketplace, facilitating partnerships between companies and agents, boosting sector competitiveness, and honoring high-performing service providers. It also provides clarity on operational mechanisms for the upcoming pilgrimage season. On the role of technology, Al-Maddah emphasized that digitalization remains the cornerstone of the ministry's approach to improving service delivery. 'With Saudi Arabia's advanced digital infrastructure and the ministry's adoption of cutting-edge technologies, we are focused on raising the quality of services provided to pilgrims,' he stressed.


Zawya
06-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
The Precision Oncology Saudi Summit launches with the participation of renowned global and local experts
Madinah; Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah Region, and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Alfayyadh, CEO of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), the Precision Oncology Saudi Summit has officially commenced. The three-day summit, held at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Madinah, aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and clinical applications in precision oncology. Organized by KFSHRC, the summit seeks to develop effective strategies for utilizing genetic and immunological technologies to enhance the precision of cancer diagnosis and treatment. It focuses on exploring innovative solutions and future trends in the field to achieve more effective therapeutic outcomes with fewer side effects. The summit, bringing together leading international and local experts, aims to strengthen international cooperation in the field of precision oncology by building strategic partnerships with leading global healthcare institutions, to advance research, exchange expertise, and develop new standards for specialized healthcare. The summit's agenda features scientific lectures, interactive workshops, and specialized discussion sessions to enable physicians and researchers to share experiences and best practices in this advanced field. Additionally, the program spotlights the latest advancements in cancer treatment through precision technologies, with sessions covering topics such as genetic medicine and its application in early diagnosis and personalized treatment, as well as innovations in immunotherapy and the latest developments in genetically engineered T-cell therapies. Hosting the summit in Madinah reinforces the Kingdom's position as a regional leader in medical research and development, in line with KFSHRC's vision of being the premier choice for patients by providing specialized healthcare driven by novel technologies and medical innovations. It is noteworthy that KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 15th globally in the list of the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, it was included in the World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit or contact our media team at mediacoverage@