Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives U.S. intelligence chief, Russian military cooperation official

Forbes magazine selects King Abdullah as one of most influential leaders worldwide

Prince Sultan Fund for Support of Women’s Enterprises sets date for training course

Second Deputy Premier endorses civil defense measures in cases of emergency during hajj season

Makkah’s mosque imam warns of attempts to “politicize” hajj

The US magazine, Forbes, has chosen Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as one of the most influential persons in the world.

The list of the most influential persons in the world included 67 heads of state, premiers and economically influential people at the world level.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques came in the list of the ten most influential people.

The magazine said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques enjoys wisdom in dealing with many crises at the world level. It highlighted his economic and social contributions and initiatives in helping disaster-stricken people, his reconciliation spirit, his respectful view of others reflected in the dialogue among followers of religions and his constant call for tolerance and dialogue instead of wars and destruction giving him world esteem.

King Abdullah received in Riyadh on Monday Leon E. Panetta, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, and the accompanying delegation.

During the audience, the US official conveyed greetings of US President Barack Obama to the king who also sent his greetings to the president.

Also in Riyadh on Monday, King Abdullah received the Head of the Russian Federal Commission of Military and Technical Cooperation Michael Dimitriv and the accompanying delegation.

The Russian official conveyed greetings of Russian leaders to the king who also sent his greetings to them.

On the other hand, the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Fund for Supporting Women’s Projects has set 25 of Dhul-Hijja a date to hold the Intlaqati Program, organized by the fund to provide training courses for women applying for finance to master the arts of administration and feasibility studies.

On the other hand, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, has endorsed a plan on carrying out procedures and measures of civil defense in cases of emergency in a bid to protect the security and safety of the pilgrims during the hajj season for the year 1430 AH.

The Higher Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced this evening that tomorrow, November 18, 2009, will be corresponding to the first day of the month of Zulhijja of the year 1430H., according to a number of reliable witnesses throughout the regions of the Kingdom.

Accordingly, this year’s Hajj (Stand on Arafat Mountain), the peak event of pilgrimage, which is the ninth day of the month of Zulhijja every year, falls on Thursday November 26, 2009 and the first day of Eid Al-Adh-ha (Greater Bairam) on Friday November 27, 2009, the court’s statement said, wishing pilgrims successful Hajj and Muslims all over the world blessed Eid.

The Governor of Communications and Information Technology Commission, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jaafari chaired a meeting with telecommunications companies providing services in this year’s Hajj season.

The meeting discussed preparations of the companies for increasing the capacity of telecommunications networks to provide services of high quality for pilgrims.

Following the meeting, the Governor made an inspection tour of sites of companies operating in the Holy Places.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Madinah Region, who is also Chairman of Hajj Committee in Madinah, chaired on Monday evening a meeting of the Committee.

The meeting discussed topics on its agenda including accomplishment of all actions pertaining to Hajj affairs during this year’s Hajj season.

The Prince thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for welcoming pilgrims during the Cabinet’s session on Monday and his directives to all sectors concerning with Hajj affairs to provide the best services and facilities for pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.

The Prince also congratulated the King, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Premier for defeating infiltrators and preserving the safety and security of citizens.

The Hajj Security Forces" commanders held a press conference to highlight preparations for this year’s Hajj.

The commanders explained the plans and organization by the Hajj Security Forces" command participating in the Hajj to serve pilgrims and provide them with security and calm.

The commanders spoke on Saudi preparations for this year’s Hajj and the service of pilgrims highlighting Public Security’s efforts in this regard.

Deputy Chairman of Religious Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Hajj Mission Dr. Fikrat Qaraman hailed Saudi efforts to serve the pilgrims.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, he expressed appreciation for the kingdom’s great services to Pilgrims.

Dr. Fouad Abdulsalam Al Farsi, the Minister of Hajj received Omani Hajj delegation led by Dr. Kahlan Nabhan Al Kharousi.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues pertaining to Omani hajj delegation’s affairs.

Meanwhile, a Saudi-East African Forum under the auspices of the Saudi business community was held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Nov.13-15. Over seven countries participated including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia and Uganda.

The Forum offers a unique opportunity for businesses to engage, promote and exhibit their products and services.

The event provided an investor’s forum, discussions and workshops, interactive and bilateral meetings that will be arranged between the visitors and local businesses, said Ambassador Mohamoud Dirir, Minister of Culture and Tourism and Supervisor of the Forum at the press conference held at Millennium Hall on Saturday, according to a report published by the Jeddah-based Saudi Gazette.

The purpose of the Forum is to promote partnership and cooperation between the business community of Saudi Arabia and East African countries, a local daily reported on Tuesday.

The Saudi investors are interested to invest in Ethiopia on infrastructure, public and private service investment, agro-industry, export oriented crops, hotel and tourism, real-estate, mining, energy, education and training, among others, Dirir said.

The Forum aims to ensure the benefits of successful relations that currently exist between the government of Saudi Arabia and East Africa.

In Riyadh, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja inaugurated in Riyadh on Sunday evening Palestinian Cultural Days Celebrations.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Palestine’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Jamal Al-Shubaki.

At first, the Minister cut a ribbon marking the opening of a plastic exhibition held on the sidelines of the festivities and activities of The Palestinian Cultural Days.

In an address on the occasion, Dr. Khoja conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior and their best wishes of success for the Palestinian Cultural Days Celebrations.

He said that our celebrations with Palestinian Cultural Days comes in culmination of continuing efforts in the Kingdom throughout the year on the occasion of celebrations of Al-Quds as the Capital of Arab Culture.

The Minister of Culture and Information stressed that the Palestinian issue in general and Al-Quds issue in particular have been on the top priorities of interest to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and the Kingdom at various political and cultural arenas.

In a statement following the ceremony, Dr. Khoja said, "Al-Quds will remain the eternal capital of Palestine and it will come back as the Capital of Arab Culture and the Capital of Islamic Culture every year".

On his part, the Palestinian Ambassador commended historical, distinguished and brotherly relations binding the two countries, noting that the King has set the best examples in his continuing support for Palestinian land, issue and Holy Al-Quds.

In the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, the 5th Saudi-Lebanese Economic Forum has commended deep and distinguished relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

It also praised the substantial support provided by Saudi Arabia to Lebanon in terms of governmental aid, soft loans or grants through The Saudi Fund for Development.

In a statement issued by the Forum recently held in Beirut, the Forum has lauded the increase in Saudi investments in Lebanon in real estates, banking and tourism sectors.

The Forum has hailed the role played by the Lebanese community in Saudi Arabia in contributing to the development of the Saudi economy.