-News From the Arab World-

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China enjoys good image in Arab nations



The whole image of China has surpassed that of the United States, Russia and India in the public minds of some Arab nations, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, since this year the US image has been worsened greatly, according to a poll released by US-based Zogby International on Wednesday.

Zogby International made a public-opinion poll concerning the images of the four nations, involving China, the United States, Russia and India, in the six countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Morocco in October this year.

The result shows that those who hold an favorable opinion of China are 70 per cent in Egypt, 68 per cent Jordan, 52 per cent Morocco, 46 per cent Lebanon, and 40 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

The report says that the US image has continued to turn worse due to the Iraqi War, the US attitude towards Arabians and Moslems since the begging of this year. More than 80 per cent of those surveyed in Egypt and Saudi Arabia said that the US image in their minds continued to turn worse. Sixty per cent of those surveyed in Jordan had a negative public image towards the United States. The proportions in Morocco and the United Arab Emirates were 72 and 58 per cent respectively.

A well-known public-opinion polling institution in the world, Zogby International has been tracking public opinion since 1984 in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Its survey reports have enjoyed a wide and acknowledged international authority
 
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We Must Sort Internal Differences First’



ABHA, 15 December 2005 — The second day of the Fifth National Dialogue Forum entitled “Us and Others” addressed whether Saudis should work out differences among themselves before moving to the question of dialogue with non-Saudis.

“How can we indulge in a dialogue with the others if we ourselves are scattered into different groups,” Sheikh Hasan Al-Nimer, a Shiite scholar from the Eastern Province, told Arab News yesterday.

Al-Nimer suggested that Saudis ought to recognize the existence of a variety of Islamic schools of thought inside the Kingdom.

But on the other hand, other participants were upset at what they believe deviations from the main theme of the forum.

“I believe raising the issue of differences among us is an exaggeration,” religious scholar Mohsen Al-Awaji told Arab News, adding that this was not a forum for addressing internal disagreements. He stressed the need for Saudis to express unity during a time of great change happening outside the country’s borders.

Al-Awaji said King Abdullah himself had requested a national debate at last week’s Makkah summit regarding the presence of different Islamic schools in the country and the Muslim world.

The forum kicked off yesterday by addressing the third topic of the agenda: The role of civil society in building relations between Saudis and outsiders.

Much of the day was devoted toward forming a national vision to regulate the way Saudis are to deal with others.

The participants debated all issues that they thought had a major role in establishing healthy relationships with the world, especially in the areas of media and education. Salman Al-Hatlan, editor in chief of Forbes Arabia, called for allowing foreign media to set up bureaus in the Kingdom.

“We have nothing to hide,” he said. “And I think the Western media have the right to establish main offices in cities like Jeddah and Riyadh. That would certainly benefit us greatly.”

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Humayed, president of all courts in Tabuk region, agreed with Al-Hatlan, saying that no one should object to hosting others in our country. But he also made it clear that this must be done in accordance with Shariah regulations.

Another participant criticized the local media and blamed them for not playing a better role in delivering the true perspective of Saudis to the West.

The dean of a girls’ college in Najran, Nora Al-Mehbad, said that there were obvious holes in the performance of the media.

“Our media need to renew their methods. The Saudi media have become unable to show a more positive picture about our country,” said Al-Mehbad.

Dalal Diaa from Jeddah radio refuted this criticism of Saudi media by saying that “successful media cannot be done without sufficient financial backing, which we lack in the Kingdom.”

The forum participants also explored the issue of gender in their discussions yesterday and its relationship to how Saudis interact with outsiders.

Author Badriya Al-Bisher said that to build a healthy relationship with women on the other side, the situation inside the Kingdom has to be corrected at all levels.

“The participation of women has to expand,” said Al-Bisher. “Until recently, women were even denied pensions, and they still cannot participate in the Shoura Council or municipal elections.”

Riyadh Sheikh Mousa ibn Abdul Aziz agreed with Al-Bisher and accused extremists of excluding women from participation in civic affairs.

Regarding education, many speakers said Saudi Arabia must boost its participation in international exchange programs. Mona Al-Dameg, from the girls’ educational college in Qassim, said there should be special scholarships in our universities for Muslims who are minorities in their respective countries and that the government should participate in sending Saudis to study in foreign countries in order to benefit from different cultures.

Hussein Shobokshi, an economic consultant from Makkah, said Islamic universities in the Kingdom are in great need of support, as they failed to communicate with Muslims, let alone non-Muslims.
 
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178 Municipal Councils Are Formed Across Saudi Arabia


JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Saudi Arabia yesterday announced the formation of 178 municipal councils across the country as part of political reforms introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, aimed at increasing participation of the public in the decision-making process.

“I have the pleasure to announce the completion of the formation of the municipal councils with the grace of God and with the instructions of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan,” said Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, while announcing the names of both elected and nominated members.

The announcement came eight months after landmark municipal elections that were held to pick half the members of 178 municipal councils. A total of 592 people have been elected through the polls, which started in the Riyadh region on Feb. 10, 2005.

Saudis in the Eastern and Southern regions went to polls on March 3 in the second phase while those in the Western and Northern regions voted in the final phase on April 21.

Prince Miteb said the “free and fair” municipal elections drew world applause, including the appreciation of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. “I take this opportunity to commend the maturity and understanding displayed by our citizens by exercising their right to vote,” he said.

The minister urged the elected and appointed members of the councils to work hard with responsibility for the development of their respective areas. “Not only the citizens but also the whole world are monitoring your performance,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the prince as saying.

The ministry has created a separate department to provide a broad framework within which the municipal councils will function, according to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Quayid, an elected member of the Riyadh Municipal Council.

The following are the members of Riyadh Municipal Council: The Riyadh mayor, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Quayid, Dr. Suleiman Al-Rashoudi, Dr. Saud Al-Namir, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Humaid, Abdullah Al-Suwailem, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Omari, Abdullah Al-Obaikan, Abdullah Al-Suwailem, Omar Basudan, Tarek Al-Qassabi, Dr. Farhat Tashkandi, Mashari Muammar and Dr. Misfer Al-Bawaredi.
 
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Aramco’s Operating Plan for Next Year Approved


JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Saudi Aramco has approved its operating plan for next year, anticipating a 61 percent increase in the number of development wells drilled in 2006 to support current production and future increase in demand, an official statement said yesterday.

“Due to an unprecedented corporate push to increase oil output to help meet burgeoning global demand, Saudi Aramco’s new operating plan anticipates that the company’s drilling-rig fleet will be more than double from year-end 2004 through 2006,” the statement said. The company also plans to carry out four mega-projects and seek new business opportunities in petrochemicals and other derivative products to further develop the Kingdom’s industrial base, provide new jobs for Saudis and stimulate economic growth, the statement said.

Saudi Aramco’s executive committee, chaired by its CEO Abdallah S. Jum’ah, “approved the operating plan, net direct expenditures budget and manpower budget for 2006, all anticipating a significant surge in activities in all the company’s operations,” the statement said.

The committee expressed satisfaction with the company’s achievements in 2005, given the volatile business and energy markets. It also stressed the need to place a top priority on safety in the coming year: “There can be no compromises when it comes to the safety of our operations and our people.”

Abdullah Al-Saif, senior vice president for exploration and production, said the operating plan was based on the company’s 2006-2010 business plan, which focuses on increasing Saudi Aramco’s contribution to the Kingdom’s revenues and on actively promoting development of the local economy.

He commended the efforts of Aramco employees in strengthening the company.
 
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STC Official Blames Network Upgrades for SMS Onslaught


JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Due to network upgrades, Al-Jawal customers over the past week have been experiencing an onslaught of repeated incoming SMS messages. Messages sent between mobile phone subscribers were being repeated and sent up to five times per message.

“My first concern was that my friends were being charged four or five times to send the same message,” Patrick, 32, told Arab News. “When I messaged them to tell them, they told me my message was also repeated. I tried to call Al-Jawal to find out what this was costing us, but the automated system put me on hold for 15 minutes then disconnected. I wasn’t able to get through to anyone to find out.”

Shams, another customer who has been experiencing the same technical difficulty thought the problem was with his phone. “I thought my phone had a virus so I took it in to be checked. When I picked it up it was still doing the same thing,” he told Arab News.

Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, a customer service representative at Al-Jawal, told Arab News that customers need not worry about their phones as this was a network problem that is being resolved.

“What is happening is that due to network upgrades the network is not registering that the message has been delivered, so it stays bouncing around, until it is registered as being delivered. Customers are only being charged once, not three, four, or five times,” Al-Ghamdi said.
 
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Pilgrims Evacuated After Hotel Fire


MADINAH, 15 December 2005 — About 800 Indonesian pilgrims staying in the Dallah Hotel in Madinah were evacuated following a fire that broke out in a room on the third floor, said Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Mehwas, director of civil defense in the Madinah region.

“All guests of the hotel were evacuated without causing any injuries,” Al-Mehwas said.

He commended the efforts of firefighters in quickly containing the blaze before it expanded to other floors.

Informed sources told Arab News that the fire started as a result of electricity short-circuit. The civil defense department has launched an investigation.
 
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Explosives Seized at Riyadh Villa


JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Saudi security forces have seized large quantities of explosives and chemicals at a villa in Riyadh, newspapers reported yesterday.

Home-made bombs, weapons, chemical products, computers and leaflets inciting violence were among the items seized, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported, citing an unnamed security source.

Police also found materials used for making explosives as well as computers, another report said.

The two-floor villa is located on Shakir ibn Abubakar Street in King Faisal District. Witnesses said security forces cordoned off the area from 3 to 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, commended a Saudi citizen for informing police about the villa.

“It seems some of the deviants have been using the villa as their hideout for about five months,” said Al-Turki.

Earlier this month, the ministry announced the arrest of 17 militants suspected of belonging to the Al-Qaeda network during raids in Riyadh, Al-Kharj to the south and Al-Majmaa to the north.

Saudi Arabia has launched successful campaigns against Al-Qaeda militants blamed for a series of bombings and shootings across the country since May 2003. According to official figures, at least 90 civilians, 50 security personnel and 121 militants have died since the unrest began.
 
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SubhanAllah, I was talking about this the other day.:)


Let the Children Choose: NSHR on Custody Disputes

JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has presented a proposal dealing with child custody to the Council of Ministers. The proposal seeks to allow children who have been victims of domestic violence to choose where they want to live.

The proposal suggests that in the case of divorced parents, a child should live with the parent who can provide a healthy environment, physically and psychologically.

“The proposal accords with the Children’s Rights Agreement which is concerned with offering the child the best living circumstances. The proposal suggests that when parents divorce, custody of the children goes to the best-qualified parent,” said Dr. Hussain Al-Sharif, a member of the Inspection and Follow-up Committee of the NSHR.

The Investigation and Prosecution Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, decides where the child should live after studying the circumstances, he said.
 
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I give permission to my dear brothers and sisters to take over my role as the 'Li Reporter'. You may enjoy 21 days of reporting about the Arab World.Dont get too happy, its only until My holidays are over -21 days.

ENJOY!!!

Allah ma3akum
P.S: Dont make a mess of things:playing: ...Ill be back (InshAllah).
 
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:salambox: Akh! :omg: Ya Rab!! No one has been updating my news section..*begins to sob*...after all I have done for you children!


:giggling: Im only joking...though u have all made me rather sad about my 'non updated' thread. *how could they*


Never mind, its :alright: Ill do it wen I come back :inshallah :amin:

WAllah! Mods....u are doing an :awesome: job with these adorable smilies...they are getting cute by the day.

Well, I hope that some sweet/kind person will take on my job...u beta:rant: *loooollll*

Anyway, do take care...and mods...dont edit/delete this post....i may never interact with u again.*man...I love giving the sob story:coolious:*

:salambox:
 
Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

A building housing Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia has collapsed.
Reports say there are dozens of dead and injured.

The four-storey building collapsed, with reports from the United Arab Emirates saying people were killed as rubble fell onto the streets.

More than a million Muslims have arrived in Mecca for the Haj, a five-day-long Islamic ritual attracting pilgrims from around the world.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/4584058.stm

Innaalillaahi Wa iNa Ilaahi raajicuun.
 
Re: Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

salam
may allah grant those who have lost thier lives the highest status in jannah and may allah reward them for thier efforts
Innaalillaahi Wa iNa Ilaahi raajioon
wasalam
 
Re: Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

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inna lillahi wa inna ilayee rajioun :(

but such a blessed time and place to pass away. :wub:
 
Re: Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

salam
at the time of hajj and in the blessed and holy city of makkah
wasalam
 
Re: Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

My cousins arein Makkah.........I wonder if they are ok..........Allah please do what is best for them.........Allah please give the families of those deceased peace and blessings...Ameen.
 
Re: Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca

Assalam u Alaikum..
inna lillahi wa' inna ila'hi raj'ioon..
Ameen to all the duas..
wassalam
 

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