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Saudi Education Ministry Establishes Intellectual Awareness Units to Combat Extremism

Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Sheikh, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Sheikh, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Education Ministry Establishes Intellectual Awareness Units to Combat Extremism

Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Sheikh, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Sheikh, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has announced the establishment of intellectual awareness units dedicated to reinforcing values of tolerance and moderation in the kingdom and fighting all forms of extremism.

These unites will work on spreading the values of moderation, tolerance, and coexistence, and preventing extremism and addressing its effects, and encouraging scientific and research initiatives in intellectual issues, confirmed Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Sheikh.

Al-Sheikh asserted that the ministry recognizes the importance of promoting aware and responsible citizenship at educational institutions.

He voiced the ministry’s keenness to protect the kingdom’s education institutions from any threats that undermine their reputation.

The minister also stressed that the ministry will not allow educational institutions to be used to promote extremist ideology.

Intellectual awareness units will operate according to a specific strategy and disciplined administrative governance, explained Al-Sheikh, adding that this will help the ministry achieve its goals for immunizing and protecting education in the kingdom against extremist ideology.

The units will also implement plans, programs, activities and organize events focused on promoting tolerance and moderation among Saudis.

This initiative will help in achieving the strategic goals of Saudi Arabia’s plan for national transformation, dubbed “Kingdom Vision 2030.”

Over the years, Saudi Arabia has taken several decisions aimed at eliminating the sources of any extremism in the kingdom.

In 2016 it banned about 80 controversial books from libraries and schools.

In 2020, Al-Sheikh authorized directors of his ministry across the kingdom to remove teachers over intellectual differences.

Directors of education departments across the kingdom were given the green light to immediately turn teachers with intellectual differences from schools to administrative work until final decisions are taken against them.

More so, the education ministry is working to draft curricula in critical thinking and philosophy that are centered on developing the values ​​of freedom of thought and tolerance in the kingdom.

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Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister, Egyptian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Egyptian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Monday from Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

During the call they discussed the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of continuing bilateral coordination and consultation in this regard.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Meets with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Secretary-General Meets with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Sunday with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic relations between the GCC and Central Asian states. They also discussed ways to strengthen GCC-Uzbekistan relations and enhance investment and economic cooperation.

Additionally, they exchanged views on international and regional issues, including developments related to Iran and their implications for regional security, underlining the significance of intensifying joint efforts to enhance stability both regionally and globally.

Gulf

Development Projects at Holy Sites Seek to Improve Services for Pilgrims

Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)
Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)
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Development Projects at Holy Sites Seek to Improve Services for Pilgrims

Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)
Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)

Saudi Arabia’s holy sites are undergoing a wide range of development projects for this year’s Hajj, including infrastructure upgrades as well as service and digital initiatives aimed at ensuring pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and comfort in a safe and spiritual environment.

The projects include expanding green spaces, upgrading rest areas along pedestrian routes, building new two-story restroom complexes in Mina and improving drinking water systems. Together, they are designed to enhance infrastructure efficiency and service facilities in line with pilgrims’ needs and to deliver a more comfortable Hajj experience to the highest standards.

Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, announced Sunday the completion of the second phase of a project to build two-story restroom complexes in Mina.

The phase included replacing existing single-story restroom facilities with 18 new two-story complexes in the Al-Shuaibain area, adding to 61 complexes completed and upgraded during last year’s Hajj season.

With the completion of the second phase, the total number of upgraded complexes has reached 79, comprising 7,838 restrooms - a fourfold increase compared with last year - while reducing waiting times by 75 percent without affecting pilgrims’ accommodation space.

Al-Shuaibain, located in the northern part of Mina, is considered a key area that has seen major development projects to expand capacity and improve services. It is a strategic accommodation zone for pilgrims, with both its eastern and western sections featuring housing complexes and upgraded tents.

The two-story restroom project aims to double the capacity of sanitary facilities in line with the number of pilgrims, reducing waiting times and easing pressure on existing infrastructure while ensuring high-quality, clean and sustainable services.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to develop an integrated system of health services capable of meeting the heavy operational demands of the Hajj season, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, which aim to improve public facilities and provide a smoother, more comfortable pilgrimage.

Green spaces and integrated facilities

Green areas at the holy sites have also been tripled through the planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress, building on an initial phase that saw more than 20,000 trees planted during last year’s Hajj. The total number of trees has now exceeded 60,000 as part of a project aimed at enhancing vegetation cover, supporting environmental sustainability and improving pilgrims’ experience.

Authorities have also developed 36,000 square meters of rest areas along pedestrian routes, adding to more than 30,000 square meters completed in the first phase last year. These areas are equipped with integrated facilities to provide shaded, comfortable environments for pilgrims as they move between ritual sites.

Rest areas include seating zones, service kiosks and modern canopies fitted with misting fans, along with advanced rubber flooring designed to improve comfort. These upgrades are part of broader infrastructure improvements aimed at easing movement and supporting efforts to provide a more comfortable and seamless Hajj journey.

Rubber flooring and modern cooling systems

Traditional misting columns have been replaced with 400 advanced misting fan units in the western plaza of the Jamarat facility, following the replacement of 200 columns last year and the installation of an additional 200 units for this Hajj season.

The new technology provides enhanced cooling capacity, helping to moderate temperatures for up to 180,000 pilgrims per hour as they head to perform the stoning ritual.

Rubber flooring has also been introduced across the holy sites as an innovative engineering solution to improve pilgrims’ comfort, particularly along long pedestrian routes and in high-density areas. The material absorbs shock, reduces strain on ankles and feet, and is designed to be environmentally friendly by lowering surface temperatures, creating cooler and more comfortable walking conditions.