King Salman Urges Int’l Community to Stop ‘Barbaric Crimes’ in Gaza

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
TT
20

King Salman Urges Int’l Community to Stop ‘Barbaric Crimes’ in Gaza

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz congratulated on Sunday citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia and Muslims around the world on the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

In a speech on the occasion, he said: “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the ongoing suffering of our Palestinian brothers facing relentless aggression.”

“We call on the international community to uphold its responsibilities to put an end to these barbaric crimes and ensure the establishment of safe humanitarian and relief corridors,” he added in the address that was delivered on his behalf by Media Minister Salman al-Dossary.

“Our hearts are filled with deep gratitude to God as we contemplate the blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This land, the cradle of Islam, witnessed the birth of the faith's message,” he went on to say.

“Entrusted with the service, care, and preservation of the two holy mosques, the Kingdom is honored to serve pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors. From overseeing the sacred sites to developing the architecture of the two holy mosques through continuous expansion projects, the Kingdom's leadership and its people take immense pride in this role,” stressed King Salman.

“A tradition upheld by its kings since unification under King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, this dedication to serving Islam and Muslims continues to this day, a testament to Saudi Arabia's pioneering role,” he declared.

“We also extend our congratulations to our brave soldiers stationed on the borders and frontiers. Their unwavering dedication, alongside all members of the military and security sectors, safeguards our nation,” he remarked.

“We are equally grateful to those who tirelessly serve in various state sectors, putting the betterment of our country above all else. May God reward them abundantly for their service.”

“May this blessed month be filled with goodness and peace for the Islamic nation and the entire world. May God continue to bestow security, safety, and prosperity upon our country,” he said.

King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had received cables of congratulations from Muslim leaders on the advent of Ramadan.

Also on the occasion, King Salman issued a pardon for men and women public-right prisoners.

The Ministry of Interior started implementing on Sunday measures for the amnesty ahead of their release.



Saudi Arabia Showcases Progress in Women's Economic Participation at High-Level Regional Dialogue

Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
TT
20

Saudi Arabia Showcases Progress in Women's Economic Participation at High-Level Regional Dialogue

Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
Saudi Flag / File/Reuters

Saudi Arabia participated in a high-level regional dialogue focused on enhancing women's economic participation alongside government representatives from Gulf states, including the UAE and Bahrain.

The event, held in Dubai on June 17–18, was organized by the UAE Gender Balance Council in cooperation with the World Bank.

The sessions and workshops featured the exchange of expertise and successful policy models to advance gender equality in the workforce.

Representing the Kingdom, Female Enablement General Director at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Dr. Hanadi Al-Hokair joined a panel alongside her counterparts from the UAE and Bahrain. She presented the Kingdom's practical strategies to boost women's engagement in the labor market and highlighted recent policy reforms and milestones in Saudi Arabia's economic empowerment of women.

Interactive sessions led by World Bank experts explored childcare policies that support women's employment, global best practices for integrating women into the digital economy, and reforms that facilitate women's entry into non-traditional sectors such as technology and the green economy.

Participants also reviewed global legal frameworks and successful case studies from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain.

A dedicated session addressed the methodology of the World Bank's Women, Business and the Law Index, a key global benchmark for assessing gender-related regulatory progress.

The Kingdom's efforts have yielded significant achievements, with women's labor force participation increasing from 17% in 2017 to over 36% in 2025, surpassing the original targets of Vision 2030. The ministry's participation in the event reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to empowering women and elevating their role across all sectors in line with the Vision 2030.