Saudi Crown Prince Inaugurates 2nd Phase of Historic Mosques Development Project

The second phase of the project will cover 30 historic mosques. (SPA)
The second phase of the project will cover 30 historic mosques. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Inaugurates 2nd Phase of Historic Mosques Development Project

The second phase of the project will cover 30 historic mosques. (SPA)
The second phase of the project will cover 30 historic mosques. (SPA)

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, inaugurated on Tuesday the second phase of Prince Mohammed bin Salman project to develop historic mosques.

The project aims to rehabilitate and restore 130 historical mosques throughout the Kingdom.

The second phase of the project covers 30 mosques: six in the Riyadh region, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, two in each of the the Eastern Region, al-Jawf and Jazan, and one in each of the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim.

Saudi companies specialized in heritage buildings have been tasked by Crown Prince Mohammed to carry out the restoration process.

Crown Prince Mohammed was keen on involving Saudi engineers in the process to ensure the preservation of the original urban identity of each mosque.

The first phase of the project was launched in 2018 and covered 30 historical mosques at a cost of nearly 50 million riyals. Each mosque was restored to accommodate around 4,400 worshippers.

The oldest mosque included in the first phase dates back to 2011.

Crown Prince Mohammed’s project for the development of historical mosques is based on four strategic goals: restoring historic mosques for worship and prayer; restoring the urban authenticity of the mosques; highlighting Saudi culture; and boosting the religious and cultural status of these mosques.



Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub stated that intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to Malaysian authorities enabled the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Anti-Narcotics Unit to thwart an attempt to smuggle 505.6 kilograms of ketamine.

Bin Shalhoub praised the ongoing operational coordination between the two nations in intercepting illicit drugs, emphasizing that this joint success reflects tight security integration to counter transnational organized crime networks, SPA reported on Friday.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains vigilant in tracking and dismantling criminal syndicates that target national security and youth with narcotics, continuing coordinated global efforts to protect societies from the illicit drug trade, SPA added.


UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
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UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon on Friday for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on 27th August 2026 of the offences with which he was charged and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of AED200,000.

The ruling was first issued on August 27, 2026, after finding Al-Qaradawi guilty of the charges against him.

According to Friday's announcement, the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon.


Saudi Embassy: Closely Monitoring Condition of Saudi Citizen Stabbed in Mayfair

Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Embassy: Closely Monitoring Condition of Saudi Citizen Stabbed in Mayfair

Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom said Friday that it is closely monitoring the condition of a Saudi citizen who was stabbed in the Mayfair area, adding that it is coordinating with the relevant authorities and working to provide him with the necessary care and support until he is discharged from the hospital safely.

In a statement posted on its X account, the embassy said it was following up with the relevant security authorities on the circumstances of the incident.

It stressed the importance of expediting the investigation, uncovering all the details of the incident, holding those responsible accountable under the law, and taking the necessary measures to enhance the safety of citizens and visitors in public areas.

The embassy urged Saudi men and women to exercise caution and avoid carrying valuable belongings in public places. It also called on citizens to immediately contact the Saudi Affairs emergency hotline at 00447799519495 in case of an emergency.