Latest news with #non-Arabic
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Saudi Justice Ministry launches unified translation services on e-Litigation platform to speed up court cases
The Ministry of Justice now handles all judicial translation requests digitally through the e-Litigation platform, improving speed and accuracy/ Image: File The Ministry of Justice in Saudi Arabia has formally launched a centralized translation service through its e-Litigation platform, streamlining all judicial translation processes to support efficient legal communication and case handling. A system-wide overhaul of judicial translation services The Unified Translation Center is now operational on the e-Litigation platform, enabling centralized management of judicial translation requests. The service encompasses the entire translation process, from the initial request by a beneficiary to completion, within a single digital workflow. The platform automates the receipt of translation requests, which can originate from lawsuits or judicial departments, and coordinates their assignment to translators. It also provides tools for monitoring and supervision, ensuring the status of each request can be tracked throughout its lifecycle. The integration allows beneficiaries, such as litigants, legal representatives, and courts, to follow the progress of their translation requests step-by-step, aiming to improve the quality, speed, and efficiency of translation services within judicial procedures. Addressing language barriers in Saudi courts The Unified Translation Center, under the Ministry of Justice, offers remote interpretation services for non-Arabic speakers during court hearings. By utilizing videoconferencing and the e-Litigation system, interpreters, including those specializing in sign language, can assist in real time, ensuring accurate understanding between judicial panels and individuals involved in legal proceedings who do not speak Arabic. This initiative was launched with a clear goal: to eliminate communication barriers in courtrooms and legal environments, providing transparent interpretation to safeguard due process and individual rights. It emphasizes accuracy and ensures that non-Arabic speakers are given full clarity and participation during legal procedures. Platform access through Najiz The Najiz platform, which serves as the Ministry of Justice's unified digital services portal, hosts the translation functionality. In August 2023, the Ministry introduced a dedicated feature on Najiz titled 'Request for an Interpreter'. This allows non-Arabic speaking users to request translation services directly online. Najiz is part of a broader effort by the Ministry to provide comprehensive judicial services digitally, aimed at improving user experience and service accessibility. Institutional context and evolution The Ministry of Justice is one of the most longstanding government entities in Saudi Arabia. Established by Royal Order in 1962, the Ministry was tasked with overseeing all courts and fulfilling their administrative and financial needs. Although it was founded in 1962, the Ministry began executing its formal duties in 1970 under the leadership of the first appointed Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bin Ali al-Harkhan, who served until 1975. Among all ministries under the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice is one of only three that has never undergone a name change, merger, or dissolution, the others being the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health. The Ministry is headquartered in Riyadh and is managed by a Minister appointed via Royal Order, who also holds membership in the Council of Ministers. Vision 2030 and strategic justice reforms The broader modernization of judicial services, including digital translation and litigation processes, is aligned with the national transformation program Saudi Vision 2030. The Ministry's active reform phase began after the first meeting of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs in 2016, where His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, launched the Vision. As part of this alignment, the Ministry of Justice adopted thirteen strategic goals, all contributing to systemic improvements across its various sectors. These sectors include: Judiciary Enforcement Documentation Reconciliation Advocacy Judicial Training Center Each plays a role in transforming legal services to be more efficient, accessible, and aligned with global standards.
Time Business News
5 days ago
- General
- Time Business News
Surah Ad-Duha & Surah Al-Mulk in English Transliteration: Divine Guidance and Spiritual Strength
The Quran is more than just scripture; it's a complete guide to life, a source of inner peace, and a light that illuminates the path for believers. For non-Arabic speakers, English transliteration bridges the gap, enabling accurate recitation and a deeper spiritual connection. Here, we focus on Surah Ad-Duha in English Transliteration and Surah Mulk in English Transliteration, two chapters with timeless lessons and immense blessings. A'uthu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem وَالضُّحَىٰ Wa ad-duhaa By the morning brightness وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ Wal-layli iza sajaa And [by] the night when it covers with darkness مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ Ma waddaa-ka rabbuka wa ma qala Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He detested [you] وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ Walal-aakhiratu khayrul-laka minal-oola And surely what comes after is better for you than what has gone before وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ Wa la-sawfa yu'teeka rabbuka fatarda And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ Alam yajid-ka yateeman fa aawaa Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge? وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَىٰ Wa wajadaka daallan fahadaa And He found you lost and guided [you Surah Ad-Duha is a chapter of hope. Its opening verses, Wadduha wallaili iza saja , reassure the believer that Allah never abandons His servants. Reading Surah Duha transliteration allows non-Arabic speakers to pronounce the verses correctly, while Surah Duha translation reveals the depth of its message, reminding us that after every darkness, there is light. For the full surah with transliteration and meaning: Surah Ad Duha in English Transliteration The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that Surah Al-Mulk protects from the punishment of the grave. It is a chapter about the dominion of Allah, the reality of life and death, and accountability. A'uthu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ Tabāraka alladhī biyadihi al-mulku wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay'in qadīr Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent. الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ Alladhī khalaqa al-mawta wa-al-ḥayāta liyabluwakum ayyukum aḥsanu ʿamalan wa huwa al-ʿazīzu al-ghafūr He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ Alladhī khalaqa sabʿa samāwātin ṭibāqan mā tarā fī khalqi al-raḥmāni min tafāwut farjiʿi al-baṣara hal tarā min fuṭūr [He] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return your vision: do you see any breaks? ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ Thumma arjiʿi al-baṣara karratayni yanqalib ilayka al-baṣaru khāsi'an wa huwa ḥasīr Then return your vision twice again. Your vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued. وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ Walaqad zayyannā al-samā'a al-dunyā bimaṣābīḥa wajaʿalnāhā rujūman lil-shayāṭīn wa-aʿtadnā lahum ʿadhāba al-saʿīr And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps and have made them [what is thrown] at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze. وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ Wa lilladhīna kafarū birabbihim ʿadhābu jahannama wa-bi'sa al-maṣīr And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ Idhā ulqū fīhā samiʿū lahā shahīqan wa hiya tafūr When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. Reading Surah Mulk transliteration nightly helps preserve correct pronunciation, while Surah Mulk translation inspires awe for Allah's power and reminds us of the purpose of creation. For the full surah with transliteration and meaning: Surah Mulk in English Transliteration For non-Arabic readers, Quran transliteration is essential it enables accurate recitation even without mastering Arabic. When combined with translation, it unlocks both the sound and the meaning, allowing a deeper spiritual connection. If you'd like to understand more about the preservation and interpretation of the Quran, explore this Wikipedia article on Quranic Studies. Surah Ad-Duha offers reassurance in times of difficulty. offers reassurance in times of difficulty. Surah Mulk offers protection and reminds us of life's true purpose. Reciting them with English transliteration and reflecting on their translation brings you closer to Allah's words, guiding your heart, protecting your soul, and strengthening your faith TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Age
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
I know what a khawd can mean. Here's why the NRL is struggling to understand Tigers gesture
And quite often, it is for fun. Like when you beat your brother 4-3 with a 90th-minute winner in a game of FIFA after he spent the whole match talking up how good he is. You give him a khawd. When Bulldogs fans gather for a photo and don't want to stand there posing awkwardly – as highlighted on social media over the past few days – they give the camera a khawd. When the Tigers wrap up a sweet victory over the Bulldogs with Lachlan Galvin at halfback after his messy mid-season walk-out, you definitely give a khawd. The Arabic community has been bemused during the past 48 hours as the rugby league news cycle discovers a gesture that has now skyrocketed in popularity, despite some horrific pronunciations by my friends in the media. It's not 'quad'. It's not 'cord'. Or khouf, as our Mediterranean brother Braith Anasta pronounced it on NRL360 on Monday night, an attempt that sounded more like a Greek island than an Arabic sledge. The 'khhh' needs to sound like you're clearing your throat, finished off with an 'awd' that is said with the kind of passion the Tigers finally played with on Sunday. The Bulldogs complained to the NRL on behalf of some of their fans who took offence to the Tigers' gesture. But did those fans take offence to the gesture, or because they were on the receiving end of it? And what does the NRL do now? Punish players for a gesture that has connotations that are as difficult to understand as the word is to pronounce for the non-Arabic speaking community? The NRL is concerned that by doing nothing it will create a rod for its back the next time a player goes down the more traditional route of flipping the bird at the crowd. They've previously handed out breaches to players for doing so, hitting Matt Lodge with a $5000 fine when he raised his middle finger to the Gold Coast Titans crowd while playing for the Warriors in 2021. Brent Naden would've become familiar with the khawd during his tenure at Belmore. He was one of three players, along with Samuela Fainu and Latu Fainu, to use the gesture towards to the crowd on Sunday. He followed it up after the game with a video of giving the khawd and saying 'f—ing dogs'. It was meant to be a private message, but ended up being shared on social media. Loading Naden will probably be fined by the NRL for doubling down. But Sunday's events should be seen as an illustration of the unmatched tribalism, rough edges and all, that sets rugby league apart from other competitions – like the potentially forthcoming Rugby 360. The Tigers have been bashed for more than a decade. I've pulled on the gloves and dispensed an uppercut or three. But Sunday afternoon was as good as it gets for their long-suffering fans, who were entitled to enjoy the moment. They beat the team whose coach rejected them. The team whose halfback walked out on them for. And did it in front of a rival supporter base who continues to take great pleasure in their misery. If ever a situation called for a khawd, Sunday was it. Play on.
Time Business News
12-07-2025
- Time Business News
Jeddah Airport to Madinah Taxi: Your Ultimate Guide
Traveling from Jeddah Airport to Madinah is not just a physical journey—it's a spiritual transition for millions of Umrah pilgrims and visitors. With the right taxi service, this trip becomes comfortable, peaceful, and memorable. Whether you're arriving for religious purposes or tourism, this guide will help you make the best choice for a smooth transfer from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to your Madinah hotel. The road distance between Jeddah Airport and Madinah is around 420 km (260 miles). It's one of the most frequently traveled routes by pilgrims. The drive takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on traffic, rest stops, and the time of day. It's mostly a highway drive, offering a smooth and scenic route. Unlike buses or trains, a taxi will take you door to door—no extra transfers or taxi rides needed once you reach Madinah. You get a vehicle to yourself (or your group), perfect for families, elderly passengers, or anyone who wants a peaceful trip. No waiting in lines or sticking to fixed departure times. Your taxi is ready when you are. Many reputable services allow online booking. You can choose your car type, see prices in advance, and get confirmation instantly. Some trusted Umrah taxi providers operate via WhatsApp for easy communication and booking—especially convenient for non-Arabic speakers. Available at the arrivals terminal, but prices may vary and waiting times can be long during peak hours. Budget-friendly and suitable for 1–3 passengers with light luggage. Great for groups, with extra legroom and luggage space. Common choices include Toyota Innova, Hyundai H1, and Kia Carnival. For travelers seeking comfort, vehicles like Lexus, GMC Yukon, or luxury vans are available with professional chauffeurs. Expect to pay between SAR 450 to SAR 650, depending on vehicle type and time of travel. Vehicle size and luxury level Number of passengers Booking time (advance or last-minute) Season (Ramadan, Hajj) Book early online Compare 2–3 providers Ask about round-trip discounts or special offers The route is a straight, well-maintained highway with fuel stations and rest areas along the way. Your driver will stop for Salah, food, and restroom breaks upon request. Most rest stations have clean prayer areas and halal restaurants. You'll pass desert landscapes, mountain ranges, and peaceful open skies—perfect for reflection and dhikr during the journey. Taxi services are especially tailored to pilgrims with Ihram-friendly stops and drivers who understand the journey's spiritual aspect. Cabs with child seats and large luggage compartments are ideal for stress-free family travel. Enjoy personalized attention, a comfortable ride, and peace of mind knowing you'll be looked after from start to finish. Always confirm that your driver and vehicle are licensed for intercity travel in Saudi Arabia. Most apps and services support live GPS tracking. Keep your family updated throughout the journey. Keep your passport, visa, Ihram (if applicable), water, and snacks in an easily accessible bag. Taxis get booked weeks in advance during busy periods. Reserve your spot early to avoid paying premium prices. Online bookings guarantee your ride and often offer fixed rates, which means no surprises on arrival. Know your cost ahead of time with no hidden fees. Many providers offer meet-and-greet services with your name card at the terminal. Drivers often assist with luggage and offer extra support for elderly travelers. Book with services that specialize in transporting families and women, offering respectful, trained drivers. Request child seats and extra legroom during your booking if needed. Fast and modern, but requires you to transfer from the airport to the train station and again from Madinah station to your hotel. Cheaper, but slower and less private. Requires more time and flexibility. Possible, but not ideal unless you're experienced with Saudi roads and licensing. Choosing a taxi from Jeddah Airport to Madinah is one of the most convenient, comfortable, and spiritually enriching ways to begin your journey. Whether you're a first-time pilgrim, a frequent visitor, or traveling with family, the peace of mind that comes with reliable private transport is priceless. Plan ahead, choose the right provider, and enjoy a safe, smooth journey to the beloved city of the Prophet ﷺ. It takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on traffic and rest stops. Yes, especially if you book with a licensed and reputable service. Many taxis operate 24/7. Prices typically range from SAR 450 to SAR 650, depending on vehicle type and season. Absolutely. Many providers offer online reservations with fixed pricing and 24/7 support. Some do, but it's best to carry cash (SAR) or confirm with the driver/service before the trip. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Arab Times
02-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti scholar highlights courage of Gulf pearl divers in a unique historical study
SHARJAH, UAE, July 2: Kuwaiti writer and researcher Talal Saad Al-Rumaidhi presented a paper on the traditional pearl diving industry in the Arabian Gulf at the Sharjah Heritage Conference on Wednesday. His research, titled 'Pearl Diving in the Gulf Through French Eyes: Humor in the Writings of Albert Londres,' explored early 20th-century French journalistic perspectives on this historic Gulf profession. Al-Rumaidhi's presentation focused on the work of Albert Londres, a renowned French journalist who visited the GCC region in 1930. Londres provided a rare and vivid account of the pearl diving trade, blending humor and humanity to depict the divers' harsh realities, resilient spirits, and the austere lifestyle they led. In an interview with KUNA, Al-Rumaidhi highlighted how Londres detailed the intricacies of diving vessels, voyage rituals, and maritime gatherings. The journalist captured the expressions and instinctive endurance of Gulf communities as they confronted daily challenges at sea. Londres was particularly struck by the divers' toughness and ability to face the dangers of the sea with primitive tools and under difficult conditions. Using witty and descriptive language, he famously described a captain who would never stop working and referred to the divers as 'men who do not go to hell,' symbolizing their courage and fearlessness. The French journalist also expressed a profound connection to the Gulf people and their environment, once stating, 'When I went down into the sea, I found myself becoming Arab.' Concluding his paper, Al-Rumaidhi emphasized the value of examining Gulf heritage through non-Arabic sources, which offers fresh ways to engage younger generations. He called for more comparative research combining Western narratives and local accounts to provide a fuller understanding of the GCC's maritime history. The Sharjah Heritage Conference, which runs through Thursday, is an annual gathering of leading scholars and researchers from across the Arab world. The event serves as a vital platform for exchanging knowledge on intangible heritage and the history of traditional professions, with this year's edition featuring extensive participation from GCC countries and experts in maritime heritage.
