SAUDI GROK Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Saudi Official Warns of Religious Extremism Threat [Aug 28]
“An outspoken official in Saudi Arabia’s religious police force warned Saturday that “rigidity and extremism” are a serious threat to the Kingdom. Ahmed bin Qassim al-Ghamidi, the head of the religious police for the Muslim holy city of Mecca, and known for his relatively liberal views, told the al-Arabiya satellite channel that he has been working for 20 years on preventing extremists from “clouding people’s minds.” The conservative kingdom follows a strict interpretation ofIslam yet has still been struggling with homegrown extremists and terrorists. Al-Ghamidi stirred controversy several times before with his views.. .. Earlier this year, rumours circulated that he would be fired for his liberal views on gender separation. He argued that “mixing between the sexes is natural,” and said that interaction between unrelated men and womenshould not be forbidden..” [Complete Report]
Regional Emirs’ Meeting to Focus on Problems of Youth [Aug 28]
“Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, will chair the 17th meeting of emirs of the 13 regions in Makkah on Sunday. King Abdullah will also receive the emirs who will listen to his directives on caring for and protecting the interests of the nation and its citizens. The meeting with Prince Naif will discuss “the current situation of the youth, problems and solutions,” which is of considerable importance because young people represent about 60 percent of the Kingdom’s population..” [Complete Report]
Kingdom Following Up Case of ‘Abused’ Sri Lankan Housemaid [Aug 28]
“Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman Al-Jammaz, Kingdom’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said here Friday the case of the abused Sri Lankan maid is being followed up and the embassy is in touch with officials at the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment to get clarifications. A report from Colombo said doctors removed 13 nails and five needles from the Sri Lankan maid who says the couple she worked for in Saudi Arabia hammered them into her body.. .. About 1.5 million Sri Lankans work abroad, many as maids or drivers, to earn more than they can in their own impoverished country. Nearly 400,000 work in Saudi Arabia alone..” [Complete Report]
Aramco, Exxon to Refit Yanbu Plant in 2013 [Aug 28]
“Saudi Aramco and Exxon Mobil (XOM.N: Quote) plan to shut their 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) Yanbu refinery in 2013 to bring on stream a new clean fuel project, an industry source said on Saturday. Exxon and Aramco are investing $2.5 billion to reduce sulphur from diesel and gasoline at the jointly owned refinery. The refinery, on the Red Sea coast, exports mainly gasoline and gas oil. “Most of the refinery would be down for the clean fuels project,” the source said. The shutdown would take place around February 2013 and would last 4 to 5 weeks, the source, who declined to be identified, said…” [Complete Report]
Saudi Arabia Sends Eight Aid Planes to Pakistan [Aug 28]
“Saudi Arabia has sent eight planes loads of relief goods for flood victims that arrived at Chaklala Airbase on Saturday. Official sources said that eight planes have arrived here at Chaklala Airbase with relief goods for flood victims. The relief goods received here from Saudi Kingdom include food items, daily use items, 3000 tons of dates and a field hospital. The planes carried two field hospitals consisting of 200 beds each for flood victims in the province of Sindh and Punjab. Talking to media persons, Saudi Ambassador to Islamabad, Abdul Aziz Al-Ghadeer said at least 250 Saudi doctors have been deputed at these field hospitals. He said that the Hospitals are equipped with all basic and latest facilities to provide treatment to flood affected people. A contingent comprising 130 Saudis was already engaged in rescue operation jointly with Pakistan Army at Hyderabad he added..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Shares Gain Most in One Month on Oil Price Rally [Aug 28]
“Saudi Arabian shares rose the most in a month, after U.S. and European markets advanced and oil prices rallied on a pledge by Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke to maintain the U.S. economic recovery. Saudi Basic Industries Corp., the world’s largest petrochemicals maker, known as Sabic, advanced to the highest since Aug. 23 after oil prices rose by $1.7 a barrel in the past week. The Tadawul All Share Index gauge rose as much as 1.2 percent, the most since July 24, to 6,071.53, at 11: 41 a.m. in Riyadh. The gauge has lost 3.6 percent since the start of August. “The market is reacting positively to a higher close for oil over the weekend,” said Anas Kassem, an investment analyst at Ajeej Capital in Riyadh, “in addition to Bernanke’s speech yesterday which helped western markets bounce back at the end of a difficult week.”..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Steel Agrees to Start Venture With South Korea’s TSM Tech [Aug 28]
“Saudi Steel Pipe Co., a manufacturer of welded pipes, said it agreed to start a new titanium and steel company with South Korea’s TSM Tech Co. with production from a plant to start in 2012. Saudi Steel Pipe will hold a 70 percent stake in the venture, according to a company statement on the Saudi bourse website today..” [Complete Report]
