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Medinah Pays Tribute to Nujood with its Newest Hospital

The Governor of Madinah inspecting the hospital's wards (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Governor of Madinah inspecting the hospital's wards (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Medinah Pays Tribute to Nujood with its Newest Hospital

The Governor of Madinah inspecting the hospital's wards (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Governor of Madinah inspecting the hospital's wards (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Prince Faisal bin Salman, the Governor of Madinah, named the newly opened COVID-19 field hospital in the city after Nujood Al-Khaibari, who passed away in June after having contracted the novel coronavirus while on the frontline of the battle against the virus.

The Nujood Medical Center, part of the King Fahd Hospital, was built in partnership with the energy company ACWA Power. Equipped with the latest medical tools and equipment for treating the novel coronavirus, the hospital has 20 intensive care units, 100 beds, 40 ventilators, and 100 oxygen devices.

It also includes a general treatment center with a capacity of 80 beds, testing laboratories, a research and pharmaceutical services laboratory, in addition to an auxiliary diagnostic services department that provides patients with safe treatment that adheres to the highest safety and security standards.

Prince Faisal said that the hospital’s name, as proposed by Health Minister Dr. Tawfic Al-Rabiah, pays tribute to the Saudi nurse who passed away while taking care of coronavirus patients. He went on to thank Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman for leading the project and ACWA Power for establishing the hospital as part of the national energy system’s social responsibility initiatives.

Dr. Rabiah expressed his gratitude for the approval of his proposal, which he says commemorates Nujood, the first nurse to die from COVID-19. "This demonstrates the appreciation for the prominent role nurses play in providing the best health services in our dear countries."

For his part, the CEO of ACWA Power, Mohammed Abunayyan, stressed the company’s commitment to its social responsibilities and said that it has been dedicating all of its material capabilities and expertise to facing the challenges imposed by the virus, allowing it to finish building the field hospital equipped with the needed tools and armed with the needed professionals in record speed and before the assigned date for completion.

He also praised the role played by young national talents, who were involved in every phase of the project.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.