King Salman Approves Launch of 4th National Campaign for Charitable Work on Friday 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)
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King Salman Approves Launch of 4th National Campaign for Charitable Work on Friday 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud approved on Monday the launch of the 4th National Campaign for Charitable Work on the National Platform for Charitable Work (Ehsan) on Friday.

King Salman, a longtime patron of charitable work, authorized the initiative to bolster charitable giving and maximize its impact, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. The campaign will continue throughout Ramadan, allowing for continuous donations until the end of the month.

This move reflects the ongoing commitment of King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in supporting charitable work, a core principle of Islamic law (Sharia).

The campaign aims to provide opportunities for all citizens to participate in charitable acts and strengthen community solidarity during Ramadan, a time when good deeds are multiplied.

Chairman of the Ehsan Platform's Supervisory Committee Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed for their unwavering support of the platform since its establishment under a Royal decree to empower the non-profit sector.

He said the upcoming National Campaign for Charitable Work follows the remarkable success of previous versions.

The most recent campaign, held in 2023, saw donations exceeding SAR 760 million ($202,626,191.60). These contributions benefited over 398,000 individuals through more than 10.4 million donation transactions.

Moreover, the campaign achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest single-day donation within 24 hours, showcasing immense community solidarity, he added.

The donation was made on the 27th night of Ramadan last year.

Donors can contribute digitally to various charitable and development causes throughout the campaign. Additionally, donations can be made towards the Ehsan Endowment Fund.

Established by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) under a Royal Decree, the Ehsan platform is overseen by a supervisory committee comprised of 13 government agencies. This robust governance structure aligns with national efforts to digitally empower the charity sector and solidify the Kingdom's position as a leader in charitable giving.

Since its launch, the platform has received over SAR 5 billion ($1,338,287,450) in donations, benefiting more than 4.8 million individuals from various eligible groups.



Makkah Pact Committee to Meet in Riyadh on Monday

The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
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Makkah Pact Committee to Meet in Riyadh on Monday

The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry

A committee of the Makkah Defense Pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold talks in Riyadh on Monday.

The meeting is expected to bring together the defense and foreign ministers as well as the army chiefs of staff of the three countries.

The official Turkish Anadolu Agency, citing sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry, reported that the Turkish side is scheduled to present its vision during the meeting regarding the institutionalization process of the alliance and future steps.

It will also offer an assessment of the threats facing peace and stability in the Middle East and emphasize the importance of the progress made in the alliance's work within a short period as an important factor toward achieving lasting stability in the region, in addition to expressing Ankara's stance supporting Riyadh in facing Houthi attacks.

Istanbul hosted the first meeting of the agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee on Aug. 31, bringing together the foreign and defense ministers and military chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

During the meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their determination to work together under the Makkah agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region and continue supporting efforts to promote de-escalation and restraint.

They encouraged peaceful solutions to crises in line with their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities.

Political analyst specializing in international affairs, Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, says holding the second meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh less than two weeks after the first meeting in Istanbul clearly demonstrates the transition of coordination among the three countries into a phase of joint action.

Political analyst Faisal Al-Shammeri expects that, in light of new developments - specifically the announcement by Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi on the launch of military operations to liberate the remaining Yemeni territories - the meeting will form a real foundation for the upcoming phase.


King Salman Invites Qatar’s Emir to Participate in Second GCC-EU Summit

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).
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King Salman Invites Qatar’s Emir to Participate in Second GCC-EU Summit

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a written message to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inviting him to participate in the second Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-European Union (EU) Summit, which Saudi Arabia will host in October.

The message was delivered by Saudi Ambassador to Qatar Prince Saad bin Mansour bin Saad during the Emir's reception of him at his office at Lusail Palace, SPA reported.

The ambassador conveyed to the Emir the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, along with his wishes for continued health and happiness and for the Qatari people to enjoy further progress and prosperity.

For his part, the Qatari Emir asked the ambassador to convey his greetings to his brother, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, along with his wishes for continued health and well-being and for the Saudi people to enjoy continued prosperity and progress.

During the reception, the two sides reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to develop and strengthen them.


Saudi Arabia Provides $59.7 Million to Support Yemen's Budget, Salaries

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Provides $59.7 Million to Support Yemen's Budget, Salaries

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Under the leadership's directives, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), has provided a new financial installment of more than $59.7 million to support the Yemeni state budget.

The funding is designated to cover operational expenses and salaries, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to supporting stability and development for the brotherly Yemeni people.

The support aims to ensure the regular flow of government funds and salary payments and to improve the efficiency of fiscal policy, putting economic and social development on a more sustainable path. It is also expected to boost purchasing power, stabilize household incomes, and revive commercial markets.

Saudi Arabia is Yemen's largest supporter across the humanitarian, development, and economic fields. Its development and economic interventions totaled more than $12.6 billion between 2012 and 2026. These interventions include deposits and grants to the Central Bank of Yemen aimed at achieving fiscal balance and supporting macroeconomic stability. They have been a cornerstone in strengthening Yemeni institutions' capacity to continue delivering services and easing economic and social pressures.

To date, SDRPY has implemented 300 development projects and initiatives across eight vital sectors in Yemen, upgrading infrastructure, improving public services, building local institutional capacity, and creating job opportunities.