No leniency for Haj law violators

September 3, 2013

Haj_lawJeddah, Sep 3: Saudi Arabia will not be lenient with violators of Haj regulations, the Council of Ministers said Monday, reaffirming the Kingdom’s move to prevent Saudis and expatriates from performing the annual pilgrimage without Haj permits.

“The Kingdom will be strict in executing punishment on violators of Haj regulations,” said Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja after the Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.

The Cabinet was referring to the public awareness campaign titled “Haj is Worship and Civilized Behavior,” which was launched by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Sunday, ahead of the pilgrimage that begins on Oct. 13.

Expatriates going for Haj without valid permits would be deported immediately and will not be allowed to come back to Saudi Arabia for 10 years, Prince Khaled said during the launching ceremony. Tough punishments will be imposed on unauthorized Haj agencies and owners of vehicles that help undocumented pilgrims reach the holy sites.

The Cabinet urged all government departments and private agencies to make all preparations to provide the best possible services to the guests of God. The government has decided to reduce the number of foreign pilgrims by 20 percent and domestic pilgrims by 50 percent this year because of ongoing expansion works at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Khoja said the Cabinet discussed a number of cultural, scientific and economic activities witnessed by the Kingdom last week. It commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for endorsing a program to support the steadfastness of Palestinian cities and donating $200 million for the project.

The program, which was announced at a conference of Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities in Makkah on Sunday by Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb, aims at developing Palestinian cities.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the Kingdom's participation in the Beijing International Book Fair. The Saudi pavilion at the fair attracted a large number of visitors. The Cabinet thanked China for selecting the Kingdom as the first Arab and Muslim guest of honor of the Beijing Book Fair.

The Cabinet meeting also appreciated the measures taken to ease the burdens of litigation with the opening of the qualitative specialization sections within specialized courts and the intensification of training support for judges.

The Cabinet approved the agreement with Kuwait in the field of air transport services, which was signed in Jeddah on last Oct. 1. It endorsed the membership of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance in the Standing Committee for Money Laundering.

The Cabinet decided to add a representative of the Investigation and Public Prosecution Bureau to the committee on combating organized crimes and human trafficking at the Human Rights Commission.

It appointed Sulaiman bin Saleh Al-Nasyan assistant undersecretary for school affairs at the Ministry of Education; Abdulmohsen bin Musaed Suwailem consultant engineer at Riyadh Mayoralty; Adi bin Faleh Al-Buqami secretary of the Regional Council at Eastern Province Governorate; Saud bin Abdullah Al-Obaisi assistant undersecretary for services at Riyadh Mayoralty; and Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Rajeh assistant undersecretary for security affairs at Baha Governorate.

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News Network
May 5,2020

Dubai, May 5: A Saudi ministerial decision issued on Monday allows companies in the private sector to reduce salaries by 40 per cent and allows termination of contracts owing to the economic hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to daily newspaper Al Sharq Awsat.

The new decision was still not published by the cabinet according to the newspaper.

The decision which the newspaper saw a copy of was signed by Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to regulate the labour contract in the current period, allows employers to reduce the employees salaries by 40 percent of the actual effective wage for a period of 6 months, in proportion to the hours of work and allowing the termination of employee contract after 6 months of the COVID-19 circumstances.

The new decision has also included a provision in which the employer would be allowed to cut wages even he or she benefits from the subsidy provided by the goverment, such as those for helping pay workers wages or exemption from government fees.

The decision also stressed that employers are not allowed to terminate any employee, unless three conditions are met.

1.            First the passing of six months since the measures of salary cut has been taken

2.            Reducing pay, annual leave and exceptional leave were all used

3.            Company proves that its facing financial troubles due to the circumstances.

The memo, which goes into affect as soon as its published in the government’s official newspaper, ensures that the employee will receive his/her salary if on annual leave within the period of 6 months.

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News Network
May 7,2020

Dubai, May 7: The holy month of Ramadan is expected to be a 30-day month this year, said Ibrahim Al Jarwan, member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

According to Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm, he said that Sunday, May 24, will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal.

Additionally, he said that the crescent of Shawwal will occur on Friday, May 22, at 9.39pm, after sunset, and will be visible on Sunday, May 24, the beginning of Shawal, which makes Ramadan a 30-day month this year.

He added that the next Ramadan is expected to start on April 13, 2021, and the one after that on April 2, 2022.

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KT
April 13,2020

Dubai, Apr 13: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on Monday announced 172 new recoveries in the country, taking the total recoveries to 852 cases.

"With today's 172 cases, the total number of fully recovered Covid-19 patients has become 852, while three residents of different nationalities were declared dead, taking the total number of deaths to 25," Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the ministry, said.

"We have also carried out up to 23,380 new tests on Monday all over the country."

Also read: UAE residency, visit visas valid until end-2020

Dr Hosani said His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has launched the national home-based testing programme for determined people, be they nationals or residents.

"The program, targeting this important segment of the society who have difficulty doing tests outdoors, is part of the national drive-through testing national program."

Addressing some baseless rumours that are viral on social media, Dr Al Hosani confirmed that no one can fix a date for the peak of infected cases.

"So many studies have affirmed that physical distancing is so critical in reducing not only the number of Cobid-19 new cases but also the infection curve."

Dr Al Hosani advised the public to wear gloves whenever they go out. "However, do not touch your personal stuff when wearing gloves, particularly when using your phone, and safely dispose of them."

It is still so critical to clean your hands with water and soap on a regular basis, she underlined. "Cleaning and washing our hands are much better and safer than wearing gloves."

Wearing one-time disposable surgical gloves is highly advisable, she said. "If not available, hand-made cloth masks can be used but need to be cleaned regularly with water and soap."

Masks should be worn properly covering the nose, mouth and the chin, she pointed out. "Do not touch the internal or external parts of the face masks, while the blue colour side must be always outward."

Priority in drive-through tests are given for those with respiratory issues, senior people, and pregnant women, she said in answer to a question raised by media people.

"If you are developing no Covid-19 infection symptoms and just wish to make sure you are sound, you need to book an appointment, be aware that it will cost you Dh370."

"If developing minor symptoms, the public is urged to stay home and call any of these toll-free numbers for help: (800011111), (8001717), (800342)."

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