عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Arabia: $2.1 Bn Municipal Projects in Makkah

An aerial view shows the city of Makkah. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
An aerial view shows the city of Makkah. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia: $2.1 Bn Municipal Projects in Makkah

An aerial view shows the city of Makkah. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
An aerial view shows the city of Makkah. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)

The Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment, Majid al-Qasabi, announced that the total number of projects approved in Makkah municipality during the current year reached $2.1 billion.

The Minister was speaking during the Second Session of Makkah Economic Forum in which he explained Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is responsible for the infrastructure projects in the cities, starting with design and planning to implementation, supervision and maintenance through supervision and follow-up.

He pointed out that the municipal sector in Saudi Arabia consists of 268 municipalities and 17 secretariats, making the functions of the municipal sector huge and complex.

The sector is now aiming at improving the quality of services, engaging the private sector, encouraging cooperation and partnership with government agencies and raising the efficiency of infrastructure projects, the Minister noted.

The municipal sector is considered one of the most interdependent and interrelated with the private sector in development and investment, but cooperation between the public and private sectors had not yet reached the desired level.

Qasabi announced that the ministry is working to develop the investment and opportunities system through an investment opportunities platform and has established an electronic platform to transform the municipal service into digital.

Projects approved in the municipality during the current year amounted to SR8 billion distributed between Makkah, SR3.5 billions, Jeddah SR2.5 billion, and Taif SR2.2 billion.

The Minister stressed the need to stay up to date with all digital transformation with the adoption of the infrastructure of smart cities, pointing out that the municipal sector is working on developing a full program of partnership in order to improve services provided.

Asked about trade and investment, Qasabi explained that an integrated system and an e-commerce council have been established, adding that there are several initiatives to improve the business environment, including Tayseer and Meras.

Within two or three weeks, the Saudi Council of Economic Affairs will collect all related licenses from all parties under one digital platform, and procedures for licensing have been scaled down.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Scholars’ Gathering Affirms Islamic Consensus on Women’s Right to Education

The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat
The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Scholars’ Gathering Affirms Islamic Consensus on Women’s Right to Education

The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat
The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat

Bringing together representatives from Fiqh academies, organizations, councils, and religious committees, along with a distinguished assembly of muftis and senior scholars from various schools of thought and sects across the Islamic world, the Scholars’ Session reaffirmed the enduring consensus in Islam—both historically and contemporarily—on the legitimate right of women to education.

The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, under the leadership of Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars.

At the conclusion of the extensive scholarly dialogue, which lasted several hours, all participants unanimously affirmed—with enlightened judgment—the Islamic consensus, both historically and contemporarily, on the legitimate right of women to education.

This consensus is based on the comprehensive Islamic texts concerning the matter, affirming that women possess the same rights as their male counterparts to education at any age, level, or field of study, provided it aligns with Islamic teachings.

The discussion underscored that this right is rooted in the fundamental Islamic obligation of seeking knowledge, which applies equally to both genders, in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The dialogue included a thorough refutation of all misconceptions surrounding women's education, whether these were complete or partial. Participants emphasized that their religious declaration is intended for all individuals, institutions, and both public and private entities across the Islamic world and minority communities, adhering to the appropriate Islamic methodology for such declarations.

The scholars’ statements praised the comprehensive principles related to the legitimate empowerment of women in general, and their education in particular, as outlined in the Charter of Makkah and the Charter of Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects.

Both international conferences, which issued these charters, were supported by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.