ARABIALINK Daily News – SAUDI ARABIA – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Flash Floods in Saudi Arabia Leave 14 Dead [Jul 25]
“Fourteen people were killed and one is still missing after flash floods hit several mountainous districts of southern Saudi Arabia, civil defence officials said on Saturday.. ..The authorities were using helicopters to ferry emergency supplies of food, water, and medicine to the stricken areas because the flooding had washed away some roads. ‘We are watching the situation closely, and we are ready to deal with any emergency incidents and to send more relief materials to areas inaccessible by ground units,’..” [Complete Report]
UNESCO Panel to Consider Al-Diriyah For World Heritage List [Jul 25]
“Al-Diriyah, a small town on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh that served as the capital of the Saudi royal family from AD 1744 to 1818, is one of the candidates for UNESCO World Heritage Site status during the UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre’s annual 10-day meeting. This year’s meet is taking place in Brasilia.. ..According to the chroniclers of Nejd, the city of Al-Diriyah was founded in AD 1446 by Mani Al-Mraydi, an ancestor of the Saudi royal family. Al-Diriyah is part of the Turief District Development Plan that aims to turn the district into a major cultural and tourist center of international repute..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Families Stranded Abroad [Jul 25]
“More than 598 Saudi families consisting of more than 1,822 members are currently stranded in a number of foreign countries, a Saudi welfare society looking after Saudis abroad announced. The situation can arise where some Saudis travel to foreign countries with the intention of entering into temporary marriages. However, foreign wives are not allowed to enter the kingdom with their children. ‘There are large numbers of Saudi sons and daughters who have been born under Misyar, Misfar, tourist and other kinds of marriages, which are permissible under Sharia rulings in these countries and on which Saudi travellers depend,’.. ..Talking to Gulf News, chairman of the society Dr Tawfiq Bin Abdul Aziz Al Suwailam said the society was providing financial help to these families including educational expenses and health care. He said the society will provide air tickets, accommodation and sustenance for three months to those wishing to come to Saudi Arabia before handing them over to one of the domestic welfare societies..” [Complete Report]
