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Funeral of Saudi student killed in UK held in Makkah

Update Funeral of Saudi student killed in UK held in Makkah
The body of Mohammed Al-Qasim, the 20-year-old student stabbed to death in the UK, is transferred to the Al-Shuhada cemetery in Makkah. (X/@AlArabiya_KSA)
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Updated 08 August 2025

Funeral of Saudi student killed in UK held in Makkah

Funeral of Saudi student killed in UK held in Makkah
  • Mohammed Al-Qasim, 20, was laid to rest at Al-Shuhada cemetery
  • Funds raised will build a mosque in his name, provide water for needy

RIYADH: Mohammed Al-Qasim, who was fatally stabbed in the UK last Friday, has been laid to rest at the Al-Shuhada cemetery in Makkah, Al Arabiya reported.

His remains were repatriated from the UK and transferred to the cemetery after Friday prayers were held at the Grand Mosque.

Men can offer their condolences at the family’s home in Makkah’s Al-Alawi neighborhood between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday.

Al-Qasim, a 20-year-old English-language student, died after being stabbed just before midnight on Friday, Aug. 1, in Cambridge.

Two men were arrested following the incident: a 21-year-old from Cambridge on suspicion of murder, and a 50-year-old on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Chas Corrigan has appeared in court this week charged with the murder and possessing a knife in a public place.

About SR1.8 million ($477,463) has been donated to charity in his honor at the time of writing.

The Road Mosques Care Association, or Msajidona, collected over SR1.7 million in just two days.

There were more than 38,628 donations, with SR20,000 the highest recorded.

This sum will go toward building the Mohammed Al-Qasim Mosque in his memory.

Another fundraiser through the official Ehsan platform has so far collected SR90,057, which will go toward providing water for families in need in ֱ.


Saudi and Russian climate envoys meet at UNGA

Saudi and Russian climate envoys meet at UNGA
Updated 10 min 32 sec ago

Saudi and Russian climate envoys meet at UNGA

Saudi and Russian climate envoys meet at UNGA

NEW YORK: Adel Al-Jubeir, ֱ’s minister of state for foreign affairs and climate envoy, met with Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Russian presidential aide and special representative for climate issues, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly yesterday. The two discussed environmental issues, climate change and related international efforts.

The two countries are focusing on further boosting their ties. Recently, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, represented by Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, conducted a five-day marketing tour to Russia aimed at attracting investment and building partnerships.

Led by JCPDI CEO Hussain Fadhli, the Saudi delegation met with leading Russian companies to showcase the city’s infrastructure, incentives, and competitive advantages.


KSrelief supervisor-general, executive director of WFP discuss relief efforts

KSrelief supervisor-general, executive director of WFP discuss relief efforts
Updated 25 September 2025

KSrelief supervisor-general, executive director of WFP discuss relief efforts

KSrelief supervisor-general, executive director of WFP discuss relief efforts

NEW YORK: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, on Thursday met with Cindy Hensley McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The discussions focused on topics of mutual interest concerning humanitarian and relief efforts, as well as updates on food-related projects implemented by both parties, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

McCain commended KSrelief’s achievements in humanitarian, relief, and development work, highlighting its relentless dedication to assisting countries and communities in need worldwide.

Also, speaking at the session “Humanitarian Diplomacy in Action: Collective Response to the Crises in the Middle East,” Al-Rabeeah stressed that humanitarian diplomacy is essential for achieving peace and stability, and that combining humanitarian efforts with diplomacy fosters productive dialogue, despite the challenges involved. 


Mount Muhajjah — a living record of ancient civilization 

Mount Muhajjah — a living record of ancient civilization 
Updated 25 September 2025

Mount Muhajjah — a living record of ancient civilization 

Mount Muhajjah — a living record of ancient civilization 
  • The mountain is home to a vast collection of Thamudic rock inscriptions and drawings of people, camels, horses, gazelles, and lions, dating back to ancient civilizations and eras

RIYADH: Mount Muhajjah, one of the Hail region’s most well-known natural landmarks, is an example of the Kingdom’s history and culture. 

Situated 240 kilometers southwest of the Hail region, the rocky cavities of the mountain take on a range of shapes and layered gradients, revealing details of ancient earth layers and the effects of past eras, due to sand erosion and weathering on the mountain.

The mountain, in Al-Shamli Governorate, holds exceptional historical and geological significance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Its sandy, sedimentary rock formations contrast starkly with striking natural features resembling pathways and arches.

Mount Muhajjah is also surrounded by sand dunes, with desert plants such as arta, ramth, and various spring flora thriving in its low-lying pasturelands.

With its clear skies and diverse terrain, the site is an ideal destination for outdoor adventurers, tourists, visitors, and locals alike, especially during the winter and spring seasons.

The Heritage Commission said that Mount Muhajjah is a living record of ancient civilizations, a prominent landmark, and a destination for natural and cultural tourism.

It is distinguished by its special drawings and engravings, along with the surrounding sites that have been recorded and discovered through survey and rock art documentation projects.

The mountain is home to a vast collection of Thamudic rock inscriptions and drawings of people, camels, horses, gazelles, and lions, dating back to ancient civilizations and eras. 

Documented among the Thamudic inscriptions is “traveler’s journal” — traces left by travelers who passed through the area because it lay along ancient caravan and trade routes.

The mountain has long attracted the attention of travelers, both ancient and modern, as well as Saudi and Western researchers, leading to the publication of several studies and books focused on the interpretation of Thamudic inscriptions and the broader analysis of rock art in the region.

The Heritage Commission affirmed its ongoing efforts to protect the Mount Muhajjah site and highlight its scientific and cultural significance.

These efforts reflect the Hail region’s status as a hub of antiquities and rock art and supports the goals of ֱ’s Vision 2030 to preserve national heritage and elevate its global profile.


 


ֱ to host 2027 IASP World Conference

ֱ to host 2027 IASP World Conference
Updated 25 September 2025

ֱ to host 2027 IASP World Conference

ֱ to host 2027 IASP World Conference
  • Successful bid to host the 2027 World Conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation
  • Dhahran Techno Valley saw off competition from science parks in Norrkoping in Sweden and Chiang Mai in Thailand

DHAHRAN: ֱ, represented by Dhahran Techno Valley at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, has won its bid to host the 2027 World Conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.

The decision was announced during the IASP General Assembly Beijing, with the Kingdom beating off competition from science parks in Norrkoping in Sweden and Chiang Mai in Thailand.

The conference will underline ֱ’s position as a leader on the global innovation map and reflects its growing capabilities in the areas of energy, sustainability and future technologies.

It also highlights the Kingdom’s attractive and supportive environment for innovation and investment, with the event expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees including academics, investors and entrepreneurs.

Dhahran Techno Valley secured 87 votes out of 118 participating members, surpassing the 59 votes required to win in the final round.

The 2026 IASP World Conference will be held in Sophia Antipolis, France, before the spotlight turns to Dhahran.


ֱ, OIC officials discuss labor issues in Baku

ֱ, OIC officials discuss labor issues in Baku
Updated 25 September 2025

ֱ, OIC officials discuss labor issues in Baku

ֱ, OIC officials discuss labor issues in Baku
  • OIC plays a critical role in promoting sustainable development
  • Abdullah Abuthnain, Saudi’s vice minister, attended the meeting

RIYADH: Abdullah Abuthnain, ֱ’s vice minister of human resources and social development for labor, led the Kingdom’s delegation to the executive council meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Labour Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Sep. 23 and 24.

The meeting included ministers and senior officials from OIC member states and addressed issues including employment and social protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

It also examined the major challenges facing labor markets across the Islamic world and explored opportunities for growth and sustainable employment.

In his remarks, the minister highlighted the pivotal role of the OIC’s Labour Centre in coordinating efforts and facilitating the exchange of expertise among member states.

He underscored the need to sustain this cooperation to overcome labor market challenges, strengthen social protection, and promote sustainable development across the Islamic world.

He also underlined key initiatives in the Kingdom’s labor market aimed at empowering youth, enhancing their economic participation, and advancing digital transformation in service delivery.

Abuthnain also took part in a roundtable titled “Innovative Labor and Employment Strategies in a Changing World: Global Challenges – National Solutions”, which was attended by ministers and representatives from nearly 30 OIC member states.

The meeting concluded by stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation among member states and adopting innovative labor policies that foster the development of human capital across member states.