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Rakan bin Salman Appointed Governor of Diriyah at Critical Juncture in its Transformation 

Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)
Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)
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Rakan bin Salman Appointed Governor of Diriyah at Critical Juncture in its Transformation 

Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)
Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)

Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has taken the helm of what is widely regarded as the Kingdom’s crown jewel, following the issuance of a royal order appointing him Governor of Diriyah.

The appointment came as part of a series of royal decrees issued on Thursday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, highlighting the strategic importance of Diriyah at a critical juncture in its transformation.

Diriyah holds a unique place in Saudi history as the birthplace of the Saudi state and a powerful symbol of national unity. Today, an ambitious development program is reshaping the area into a globally prominent cultural destination, echoing its historic role as a commercial hub and a flourishing center of learning and culture.

Prince Rakan bin Salman’s appointment coincides with a defining moment for the governorate, which is transitioning from a historic capital of the early Saudi state into a world-class cultural and tourism destination designed for the 21st century.

Born in 1997, Prince Rakan is the youngest son of King Salman. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh, bringing a legal background to a role that blends heritage preservation with modern governance.

His leadership comes amid unprecedented momentum in Diriyah’s development. No longer viewed merely as a historic site, Diriyah has become a vast, integrated development zone with ambitions to attract up to 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

At the forefront of the new governor’s agenda is a portfolio of landmark projects, most notably the multibillion-dollar Diriyah Gate development. The project encompasses the historic At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside broader plans to reinforce Diriyah’s position as a global hub for arts, culture, and immersive international experiences.

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Gulf

KSrelief Signs Joint Executive Program to Economically Empower Rural Women in Syria

Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
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KSrelief Signs Joint Executive Program to Economically Empower Rural Women in Syria

Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed on Monday a joint executive program to implement the rural women's economic empowerment project in Syria under the "Bathraa" initiative. In cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the project will directly benefit 520 individuals and indirectly benefit 284,320 others, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The program was signed on behalf of KSrelief by Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz, and on behalf of UNDP by United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States Director Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, at the center's headquarters in Riyadh.

The program aims to strengthen livelihoods and promote the economic empowerment of rural women by rehabilitating and equipping multipurpose production centers with food-processing units, agricultural waste composting systems, marketing kiosks, and renewable energy solutions, creating a suitable environment for production and training.

It boasts technical, entrepreneurial, and leadership capacity-building programs for rural women, as well as the provision of the tools and equipment needed to launch income-generating activities, thereby boosting their economic opportunities and improving their sources of income.

The initiative is part of the humanitarian and relief efforts of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to support the Syrian people and empower rural families while improving their living conditions.

Gulf

Preparations Begin for Kaaba Washing Ceremony Under Highest Standards of Care

The honoring, maintenance, and service of the Kaaba is a long-established tradition dating back to the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (SPA)
The honoring, maintenance, and service of the Kaaba is a long-established tradition dating back to the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (SPA)
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Preparations Begin for Kaaba Washing Ceremony Under Highest Standards of Care

The honoring, maintenance, and service of the Kaaba is a long-established tradition dating back to the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (SPA)
The honoring, maintenance, and service of the Kaaba is a long-established tradition dating back to the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (SPA)

The first stage of the Holy Kaaba washing ceremony began with the raising of the Kaaba's gate curtain, in preparation for the main stage: the washing of the Holy Kaaba itself, carried out according to the highest standards of care and precision, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque stated that the honoring, maintenance, and service of the Kaaba is a long-established tradition dating back to the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and continuing through the era of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said that the washing of the Kaaba reflects Saudi Arabia’s enduring care for the sacred site, its reverence for Islamic rites, and its commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors. 

He said the Kaaba is the qibla of Muslims and that its washing carries profound spiritual significance, reflecting the divine command to purify it.  

Al-Sudais said the presidency is dedicated to conveying the religious message of the Two Holy Mosques, enriching visitors' religious experience, and promoting the values of moderation and balance. 

He added that washing of the Kaaba reflects its sanctity and symbolizes the honor of serving it and of honoring the sacred rites of Islam. 

The Kaaba washing ceremony begins with sweeping the interior floor to remove dust before washing. (SPA)

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has mobilized its technical, operational, and human resources for the occasion, supported by specialized teams to ensure the ceremony is conducted efficiently.

The Kaaba washing ceremony begins with sweeping the interior floor to remove dust before washing. Zamzam water mixed with rose perfume and fine oud is then prepared in copper vessels, and cloths soaked in the mixture are used to wipe the interior walls of the Kaaba.

The three columns inside the Kaaba and its floor are also washed, followed by drying with specially designed cloths.

The ceremony concludes with perfuming the walls using modern tools to ensure complete coverage of the Kaaba's interior.

Gulf

Funerals Performed in Saudi Arabia for Victims of Aramco Helicopter Crash

The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
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Funerals Performed in Saudi Arabia for Victims of Aramco Helicopter Crash

The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)

Funerals were performed in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region on Monday for the 14 victims of a Saudi Aramco helicopter crash.

Governor of the Eastern Region Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz performed the funeral prayer for seven of the victims at Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. Prayers were performed for three other victims in the al-Qatif region.

The Energy Ministry and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser offered their condolences over the martyrs.

The accident occurred around 6 a.m. in Ras Tanura on Sunday, and everyone killed was a Saudi national, said the Energy Ministry in statement said. An investigation was opened into the cause of the crash.

An official source at the ministry said the aircraft was a Leonardo AW139. It was transporting oil sector workers from the underwater and offshore oil fields in the Gulf.