Day: June 14, 2024

Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi received a phone call on Friday from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which they discussed the developments in the Israeli war on the Gaza enclave and the endeavors to reach a durable ceasefire deal and allow the delivery of ample relief aid to Gaza, stop the bloodshed and humanitarian suffering, and release of prisoners and hostages.

Al Busaidi and Blinken agreed on the importance of urgently ceasing the conflict and to continue to back peace efforts for the benefits of all parties and the region. Also, they underscored the importance of supporting the Palestinian National Authority politically and in material to discharge its responsibilities.

Regarding the situation in Yemen, Omani Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State stressed the importance of constantly backing peace efforts and releasing the UN detainees and other civilians as part of the pacification endeavors and preventing the escalation of the situation in the regio
n.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Mina: The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) is committed to providing essential weather data and services during the Day of Tarwiyah. It works closely with various stakeholders supporting the holy sites to ensure all parties have access to the latest weather information and weather forecasts.

NCM utilizes its technology, weather stations, and dedicated staff stationed within the holy sites to deliver these services in accordance with best international practices.

Furthermore, NCM offers a comprehensive awareness program in five languages targeting pilgrims and service providers. This program aims to educate everyone on weather risks and ensure a safe and comfortable Hajj experience.

The center forecasts high temperatures today in Mash’ar, potentially reaching 43°C with winds reaching 34 km/h. It also monitors cloud formations in the Taif highlands and their potential impact on the holy sites.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The number of casualties due to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza enclave since October 7, 2023, has risen to 37,266 martyrs and 85,102 injured, mostly women and children, Gaza’s Ministry of Health said in a statement on Friday.

The Ministry of Health highlighted that the Israeli occupation army committed four pogroms against families in the Gaza enclave during the past 24 hours, resulting in 34 martyrs and 71 injured.

Many victims are still underneath the rubble and on roads, while medical and civil defense personnel couldn’t reach them, the statement can confirm.

For the 252nd day, the unprecedented Israeli offensive in the enclave is raging primarily from sea, land, and air, resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs, wounded and missing people, in addition to massive devastation of critical infrastructure and unprecedented humanitarian cataclysm due to halting the delivery food, water, medicine and fuel supplies.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Makkah: Umm Al-Qura University has achieved second place among Saudi universities and is ranked 55th internationally.

This ranking is in line with the university’s focus on providing quality education and based on the Times classification of the impact of global universities on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2024.

The university has stated that this achievement aligns with its strategic plan and aims to establish itself as a destination for outstanding students and scholars.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Thousands of Palestinians performed Friday (Jum’ah) Prayer at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque amid stringent military measures imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on worshipers’ arrival at the Mosque.

The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem estimated that roughly 30,000 Palestinian worshipers performed the Friday Prayer at Al-Aqsa courtyards.

The Israeli occupation forces so far infiltrated Al-Aqsa during the Friday prayer and sermon, preventing a substantial number of worshippers from entering the Mosque and arresting a Palestinian young man.

The Israeli occupation army continues imposing tough restrictions on the entry to the Mosque, especially during Fridays and holidays, in addition to banning many Palestinians from performing the prayers.

Since the start of the Israeli full-scale offensive on the Palestinian people in Gaza enclave and the West Bank on October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation army has mounted military measures at the gates of the Mosque and the Old City.

Source: Qatar Ne
ws Agency

Rafha: Al-Bida’ site, also known as Al-Tha’labiah, located 90 kilometers south of Laynah village in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders Region, is an unearthed treasure trove of history and architecture.

Part of the Darb Zubaydah (Zubaydah Trail), a historic Makkah-Kufa pilgrimage route submitted to the UNESCO tentative list in 2022, the site boasts significant cultural and archaeological significance and lies within the vast Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve.

Al-Bida’ features over 120 architectural units. Its crown jewel is the magnificent circular stone well that exceeds 12 meters in diameter. The well stands out for its unique entrance — a one-meter-wide and two-meter-high corridor located at the base of the well — that leads to the ground surface on the western side. Remarkably, the well has provided fresh water for centuries, quenching the thirst of travelers along this historic route.

The surrounding area is dotted with numerous additional wells, while three fortresses and various architectural st
ructures of varying sizes and purposes hint at the site’s former bustling activity.

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, which encompasses a staggering 91,500 square kilometers, protects over 400 kilometers of the Zubaydah Trail.

Besides Al-Bida’, the reserve shelters numerous significant landmarks within its boundaries. These historical, archaeological, and cultural gems, most centered around the Zubaydah Trail, offer a glimpse into the past, with remnants whispering tales of pilgrims and traders who traversed this path for centuries.

The reserve’s diverse topography, encompassing valleys, mountains, and the vast Nafud Desert, further enriches the visitors’ experience.

Source: Saudi Press Agency