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October 28, 2005 |
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PRINCE SULTAN LAYS THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR GIRLS IN MADINAH. THE CROWN PRINCE CHAIRS THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ CHARITABLE FOUNDATION. PRINCE SULTAN: THE CONSTITUTION IS A MATTER FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE TO DECIDE AND WE HOPE THE IRAQI PEOPLE WILL UNITE IN AN INDEPENDENT ARAB COUNTRY. KING ABDULLAH IBN ABDUL AZIZ CALLED FOR THE ISLAMIC COUNTRIES' SUMMIT TO UNITE MUSLIMS. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General expresses hopes that the people of Iraq would unite in an independent Arab country following the adoption of a new constitution, which was vehemently opposed by the Sunnis. "We can't say yes or no to the constitution because this is a matter for the Iraqi people to decide and it is in our interest not to interfere," Prince Sultan told reporters when asked about the new Iraqi constitution. "But we do hope the Iraqi people will unite in an independent Arab country," the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying. The charter was approved by 78 percent of Iraqi voters in a nationwide referendum but was overwhelmingly opposed in two Sunni majority provinces. The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, which is based in Jeddah, said the adoption of the constitution would open a new chapter in Iraq's history and strengthen its democratic process. In a statement, OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu urged all Iraqi groups to overcome their differences and work together to establish peace and a democratic government. Kuwaiti leaders also voiced the hope that the constitution would help the Iraqis achieve unity. "We express our sincere wishes for Iraq and its people to achieve progress and prosperity and lay strong foundations for democracy and equality," Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah said. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah said he hoped for "more understanding, solidarity and unity" among the Iraqi people. Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein's forces in 1990, but was liberated seven months later by a US-led coalition. In his wide-ranging press conference after attending a meeting of the board of trustees of Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation in Makkah, Prince Sultan also hoped that the Dec. 7-8 OIC summit in the holy city would strengthen Muslim unity. "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has called for the summit to unite Muslims," the crown prince said and hoped that the conference, to be attended by Muslim leaders, would be a resounding success. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, who chairs the Saudi administrative reforms committee, also spoke about plans to expand job opportunities for Saudi women without affecting their children. "The committee is studying a proposal to allow women to work in two shifts in order to provide jobs for more women. God willing, a decision will be taken shortly in favor of women," he said. Asked about the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz last April to the US, while he was crown prince, and his meeting with President George W. Bush in his Texas ranch, Prince Sultan said, "It was a very fruitful visit. President Bush was impressed by the king's frankness, positive approach and national spirit." The positive result of that visit could be visible in the US press and Congress, the crown prince said. "Things have changed compared to last year as truth will prevail and falsehood will disappear," he added. Speaking about the Badil Kheir Company, a charity which was established last year, he said it had raised SR75 million, adding that within three years it would collect enough funds to cover its charitable activities. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, chaired in Makkah Al Mukaramah the 11th meeting for the Board of Trustees of Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Charitable Foundation. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Sultan highlighted the achievements accomplished by the Foundation, and said the Foundation would continue to perform its noble mission with the grace of Almighty Allah and the unlimited support being extended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. The participants of the meeting reviewed the Foundation's estimated budget for 2006 and other related issues. Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi, secretary-general of the foundation, said the meeting discussed the charity's projects for 2006. The meeting also reviewed the foundation's achievements in the past 11 years in the areas of humanitarian and medical services, educational projects, technological education and charitable housing. The board also reviewed preparations for the opening of Sultan Center for Science and Technology in Al Khobar after Eid Al-Fitr. The foundation was established on January 21 this year. It is worth mentioning that the Foundation , established in 1415AH, , is keen on extending all possible services to the needy and elderly people. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, arrived in Makkah coming from Jeddah to spend the last 10 days of the blessed month of Ramadan. The Crown Prince was received by a number of officials. In Makkah Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al-Kassemi, the Deputy Ruler of Rasal-Kheima and the accompanying delegation. They reviewed issues of mutual interest. The meeting was attended by a number of princes. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, also received at his palace Prince Rashid Ibn Al-Hassan II of Morocco and his accompanying delegation. The Crown Prince welcomed them, wishing them a good stay in their second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The prince conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the King. The audience was attended by a number of princes and officials. -- Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General received at his palace in Makkah Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh and the accompanying delegation. The Crown Prince welcomed the president to his second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing him a good stay. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments at the Arab, Islamic and international arenas, aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries and ways of their enhancement in all fields. The audience was attended by a number of princes; Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahmoud Ali Yosef and Djibouti's Ambassador to the Kingdom Dhiauddin Saeed Bamakhramah. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General received at his palace Makkah's dignitaries and citizens who came to greet him. The audience was attended by a number of princes and officials. They all had breaking-fast meal at the Crown Prince's banquet. In Al Madinah Al Munawarah Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General has donated a sum of SR 10 million to Taibah Oasis Endowment being held by the Handicapped Children Society. The Society's Secretary General Awadh Ibn Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said that in implementation of the instructions of Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chairman of the Society's Board of Directors the contract of the project is being prepared for signing under the patronization of the prince following the blessed Eid Al-Fitr. He noted that a company has won the project worth SR 41.5 million which will be executed in an area of 935 square meters in the center of Madinah. In Al Madinah Crown Prince Sultan inaugurated the Armed Forces Hospital in Madinah. The 50-bed hospital, equipped with advanced medical facilities, was established at a cost of SR50 million, according to Maj. Gen. Eshq Al-Saqer, the Madinah region commander. He said the two-story hospital has clinics for maternity, childcare, internal medicine, ENT, ophthalmology and kidney diseases. The first floor houses the hospital's intensive care unit and 50 beds for the treatment of inpatients. Prince Sultan, who arrived in Madinah to perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque and to launch a number of welfare projects, also inaugurated the housing facilities for the hospital's staff, which was established at a cost of SR6 million. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz also laid the foundation stone for the first higher technical institute for girls and open new facilities of the College of Technology in the city. Dr. Ali Al-Ghafees, governor of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOTEVOT), said the college's new facilities included training halls, workshops, laboratories, administrative offices, a mosque and support services. The college, which would accommodate 3,000 students, offers courses in administrative technology, computer science, electrical sciences and electronics. The technical institute for girls will cover an area of 120,000 square meters, and will include administrative offices, training facilities, a library, a restaurant and support services. The project is estimated to cost SR84 million, Ghafees said. He announced the organization's plan to open new training facilities in Mahd, Badr Al-Ula, Yanbu, Khaibar, Hanakiya, Wadi Al-Farae and Al-Eis in the Madinah region. Dr. Ali Al-Ghafees, governor of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOTEVOT), also said that the government had allocated SR9 billion for opening new technical colleges and training institutes and expanding existing institutions in various parts of the country. He said the new facilities at the College of Technology included 27 classrooms, 38 workshops, 45 labs and a library in addition to administrative offices, a mosque and support services. Earlier, Prince Sultan watched a documentary on GOTEVOT and its projects in Madinah and other parts of the country. Ahmed Ibn Al-Shubl, director of the media center at the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training in Madinah, said GOTEVOT had implemented projects worth nearly SR650 million in the region. He said the new institute for girls would accommodate 1,200 students. In Al Madinah Al Munawarrah Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, donated SR5 million as part of the opening of the popular donations campaign to help those who suffered from the earthquake that hit Pakistan. The campaign was launched today in line with a directive by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General paid a private visit to the Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Ibn Amin Madani and had a dinner at the minister's residence here on Thursday evening. Upon arrival at the venue, the Crown Prince was received by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Madinah Region, Dr. Ghazi Madani, former Director of Jeddah-based King Abdulaziz University and the Minister of Culture and Information. The Crown Prince was accompanied by Prince Bandar Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman, Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region and a number of princes. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General received at his palace in Madinah sheikhs; dignitaries; senior officers of the Armed Forces, Public Security and National Guard; and citizens who came to greet and congratulate him on his safe arrival and on the blessed month of Ramadan. The Crown Prince thanked them for their noble feelings, wishing many happy returns, blessing and prosperity for the Muslim nation in general and the Kingdom in particular. He prayed to Almighty Allah to preserve the Kingdom's security and stability. They all had a breakfasting meal at the Crown Prince's banquet. The reception and banquet were attended by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Bahrain's Finance Minister Sheikh Ahmed Ibn Mohammed Al Khalifa; princes; Muslim scholars and senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, graced a breaking fast party held in his honor by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Madinah region. Upon arrival at the venue, the Crown Prince was received by senior officials dignitaries and citizens who greeted and congratulated him on the blessed month of Ramadan. The party was attended by princes, Muslim scholars, sheikhs and senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, visited the Prophet's Mosque. He was welcomed by a number of senior officials. Prince Sultan had arrived in Madinah where he was welcomed at Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz Airport by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul-aziz, the Governor of Madinah region, and a number of senior officials. Prince Sultan was accompanied by a number of princes On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has thanked Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Al Al-Sheikh, his staff and all participants in the 27th King Abdulaziz International Contest for the Holy Quran Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation, for their good feelings. This came in a cable sent by the crown prince to the minister in response to a cable sent earlier to the crown prince by the minister on the occasion of the end of the contest which was organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance in Makkah recently. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul-aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General , arrived to Jeddah from Madinah. He was received at King Abdul-aziz international airport by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister; Prince Fahd Ibn Abdullah Ibn Musaed, the Assistant Defense and Aviation Minister for civil aviation affairs; Prince Mohammad Ibn Fahd, the Governor of the Eastern province, a number of princes and high-ranking officials. Ibn On departure from Madinah, Crown Prince Sultan was seen off by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Head of the General Intelligence, a number of Princes and high-ranking officials. |
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