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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 Arabia’s SDRPY Launches New Phase of Al-Abr Road Rehabilitation in Yemen

SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)
SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s SDRPY Launches New Phase of Al-Abr Road Rehabilitation in Yemen

SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)
SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) kicked off a new phase of Al-Abr Road expansion and rehabilitation project in the Marib governorate, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The new phase spans 40 kilometers, while the previous two phases totaled 90 kilometers. The project aims at boosting safe mobility along this vital road, improving infrastructure efficiency, and facilitating movement and commercial activity.

Al-Abr Road is a strategic route and an international link between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It also connects Yemeni cities and governorates.

SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates and upgrading airports to improve transport infrastructure readiness.

They also include the rehabilitation of land ports, linking Yemen with the region and the world, and boosting economic and commercial movement.

SDRPY has delivered 268 projects and initiatives across Yemen, supporting eight essential sectors: education, health, transport, energy, water, agriculture and fisheries, development programs, and government capacity building and support.

Gulf

Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Discuss Issues of Common Interest

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa meet in Diriyah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa meet in Diriyah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Discuss Issues of Common Interest

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa meet in Diriyah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa meet in Diriyah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received his Bahraini counterpart Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Diriyah on Tuesday.

They reviewed the deep-rooted fraternal relations between their countries and explored opportunities for cooperation in various fields, in addition to discussing several matters of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan; and Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Bahrain Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi.

On the Bahraini side, attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa; Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa; Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa; Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa; Minister of Cabinet Affairs Hamad bin Faisal Al-Malki; and Ambassador of Bahrain to Saudi Arabia Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Continued International Efforts to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Continued International Efforts to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday that reaffirmed support for the outcomes of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, underscoring the importance of continued international collaboration and concrete measures to combat cross-border terrorism, which poses a direct threat to the security and stability of societies.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the recent phone conversation between Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also reviewed the discussions held by the Crown Prince with President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz during their official visits to the Kingdom.

The Cabinet praised the positive outcomes of these visits, which underscored the strength of bilateral relations and the mutual commitment to furthering them at all levels.

It also lauded the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed with Türkiye, as well as those between the public and private sectors in the Kingdom and Germany, which aim to expand cooperation and coordination across various sectors, advancing shared interests and supporting development priorities.

In a statement to SPA following the session, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet for the Shura Counil's Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Issam bin Saeed said the Cabinet reviewed the latest regional developments and the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to engage with the international community in supporting regional security and stability. It called for adherence to the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, its full implementation, and progress toward a political solution leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The Cabinet praised the efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, including the visit of a Saudi delegation to Damascus to launch strategic projects and contracts in the aviation, communications, water, industry, and education sectors, which will contribute to enhancing infrastructure and advancing economic growth in Syria.

It commended the outcomes of the second edition of the AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies 2026, organized by the Kingdom in partnership with the International Monetary Fund, aimed at consolidating international cooperation, promoting economic and financial reforms, and enabling emerging economies to address global changes in a way that achieves inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Cabinet also regarded the Kingdom’s election to the presidency of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors for the 2027–2028 term as confirmation of its commitment to supporting cooperation with international organizations at various levels and strengthening leadership in this field.