SUSRIS Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Saudi Youths in Trouble Over MTV Reality Show [Jun 1]
“Saudi Arabia’s religious police are trying to bring to court three Saudi youths for challenging the kingdom’s austere lifestyle on an MTV reality show – a new test of the country’s stated commitment to reform. Divisions have emerged within the influential religious establishment, including the religious police body itself, over long-held restrictions that have been enforced in the world’s leading oil producing country and key US ally. An official at the Jeddah court confirmed the filing of the lawsuit for the crime of “openly declaring sin” and said it would take at least one week for the Islamic sharia court to decide whether to proceed with a trial or dismiss the case.. ..Aired last month, MTV’s “True Life – Resist the Power, Saudi Arabia” followed how three Saudi youths and a heavy metal band cope with the strictures they encounter in their daily life in Jeddah, seen as the kingdom’s most liberal city..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Fund Fuelling Terror in Afghanistan [Jun 1]
“Millions of dollars from Saudi donors routed to Afghanistan through Pakistan’s tribal areas, have fuelled terrorism in the country during the last four years, Afghan financial intelligence unit has claimed. The funds, totalling more than 920 million pounds, entered from Pakistan where they are converted into rupees or dollars, the favoured currency for terrorist operations, the Afghan financial intelligence unit FinTraca has claimed.. ..Although Saudi Arabia – the home of the bin Laden family – is considered a key ally in the war against terror, a US government report last year said that private Saudi backers were the chief source of finance for the Taleban..” [Complete Report]
Kingdom’s Appointment as UN Body Head Noted [Jun 1]
“The Council of Ministers has, at its weekly meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, expressed its satisfaction that the Kingdom has been appointed to head the consultative committee for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees starting from July. Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to occupy the position.. ..The king also briefed ministers on the message he received from Spain’s King Juan Carlos I and discussions with US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano..” [Complete Report]
Suit Filed Against Co-education in Primary School [Jun 1]
” An Islamic scholar has filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Education for allowing female teachers in girls schools to teach male pupils in the first, second and third elementary years. Sheikh Youssef Al-Ahmad, a lecturer at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, has filed the lawsuit with the Court of Appeals in Riyadh to stop female teachers from teaching boys. He has also called on the court to process the lawsuit according to the Kingdom’s regulations and to hold those responsible to account. Al-Ahmad, a lecturer in Fiqh at the university’s Shariah College, said he filed the complaint after Noura Al-Faiz, deputy minister of education, allowed female teachers in private girls schools to teach boys in the first three years of elementary education. Sources said Al-Ahmad had written letters to both of the Kingdom’s deputy ministers of education and to the president of the Control and Investigation Board that included “religious advice” about the need to stop female teachers from teaching male students..” [Complete Report]
Arabian American and AMAK Announce $88 Million in Financing for Saudi Mine Development [Jun 1]
“Arabian American Development Co. (Nasdaq: ARSD) today announced that the Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company (AMAK) has received a letter of commitment and term sheet for a 330 Million Saudi Riyal ($88.0 million USD) loan facility from the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF). The loan will be used for completion of the site development including underground work, the purchase of machinery, equipment, and vehicles, working capital and contingency funds for the construction of the mine in the Al-Masane area of Saudi Arabia. The SIDF has asked for personal guarantees from the shareholders, which includes a corporate guarantee from Arabian American as a condition of closing. Funding of draws on the loan must be completed by the end of 2011, and the seven year, semi-annual amortization would begin approximately two years later. A further condition states that AMAK must negotiate with the Ministry of Finance to extend the $11 million dollar note which was transferred from Arabian American to a long term arrangement..” [Complete Report]
King Abdulaziz University Opens the First Institute of Tourism in Saudi Arabia [Jun 1]
“Under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Jeddah, King Abdulaziz University launched its Institute of Tourism. Classes in the Institute of Tourism started in the second semester of this year, where a group of academics and instructors from top hotels operating in Saudi Arabia provides academic and practical lessons to 14 students. Study at the Institute focuses on the practical side so that graduates will achieve academic excellence and professional competence necessary to land them in high-paying jobs in the sector. After a tour of the Institute’s premises, Prince Mishaal was impressed about the facilities, saying: ‘Our confidence in the Saudi youths is significant.’..” [Complete Report]
