The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its weather forecast, indicating a continued chance of moderate to heavy thunderstorms across most regions of the Kingdom. The center warned that these storms could lead to flash floods and will be accompanied by hail and strong winds that may stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility.

Areas affected by the rainy weather

According to the center's report, the weather conditions will affect large parts of the Kingdom, most notably the Riyadh region, particularly its northern areas, as well as the regions of Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, and the Eastern Province. The report also indicated the possibility of light to moderate rain in parts of the Makkah and Al-Baha regions. The center did not rule out the formation of dense fog during the night and early morning hours in parts of these regions and the southwestern highlands, urging drivers to exercise caution.

The climatic context and the importance of rainfall for the Kingdom

This wave of rain comes within the context of a typical seasonal pattern experienced by the Kingdom during transitional periods between seasons, known locally as rainy seasons such as "Al-Wasam" and "Al-Murabba'aniyah." These rains are of paramount importance given the desert nature of most of the Kingdom's land. They contribute directly to replenishing groundwater reservoirs and dams, which are vital water sources. They also play a pivotal role in revitalizing vegetation and natural pastures, which positively impacts the agricultural and livestock sectors, particularly in regions like Al-Qassim and Hail, renowned for their agricultural production.

Expected effects and calls for caution

Locally, this weather system is expected to affect traffic in major cities like Riyadh. Authorities such as the Civil Defense and the General Directorate of Traffic are urging citizens and residents to exercise extreme caution and stay away from valleys, floodplains, and areas of water accumulation. These authorities emphasize the importance of following alerts and warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology and adhering to instructions to ensure everyone's safety. While heavy rainfall has significant benefits, it also carries risks that require public awareness and full preparedness from relevant agencies to deal with any emergencies that may arise from flash floods or strong winds.

The Saudi media landscape lost one of its most prominent figures in radio broadcasting on Saturday, the esteemed broadcaster Abdulkarim bin Saleh Al-Muqrin, who passed away in Riyadh after a battle with illness. Al-Muqrin is considered a historic voice, deeply ingrained in the memories of generations of listeners of the Holy Quran Radio and its dignified religious programming.

The deceased had been suffering from a severe health crisis since late December, following gallbladder surgery, which resulted in serious complications affecting his heart, lungs, and kidneys. His condition necessitated his transfer to intensive care, where he remained until his passing. His family announced that the funeral prayer will be held after the Asr prayer today, Saturday, at Al-Rajhi Mosque in Riyadh.

A distinguished career in the service of Islamic scholarship

Abdulkarim Al-Muqrin was more than just a broadcaster; he was a bridge of knowledge between leading scholars and the wider public in the Arab and Islamic world. His calm and composed voice became synonymous with programs that left an indelible mark, most notably "Nur Ala Al-Darb" (Light on the Path), one of the oldest and most renowned fatwa programs in the Islamic world. He co-presented this program for decades, engaging in dialogue with a select group of prominent jurists and scholars in the Kingdom, making his voice a distinctive feature for listeners seeking reliable religious rulings.

Holy Quran Radio: A Media Beacon

The passing of Al-Muqrin serves as a reminder of the historic role played by Saudi Arabia's Holy Quran Radio since its establishment in 1972. This radio station was, and remains, a beacon for disseminating the Holy Quran, its sciences, and the Prophet's Sunnah. Programs such as "Nur Ala Al-Darb" (Light on the Path) and "Fatawa" (Religious Rulings), presented by Al-Muqrin, became essential references for Muslims worldwide. These programs addressed contemporary jurisprudential issues and answered listeners' questions directly from the Council of Senior Scholars, thus earning them widespread credibility and profound influence.

Regional impact and broad interaction

Al-Muqrin's influence wasn't limited to the local audience in Saudi Arabia; his voice resonated across the airwaves, reaching millions of listeners throughout the Islamic world. Upon the announcement of his death, social media platforms were flooded with condolences from his media colleagues, admirers, and listeners, who reminisced about his distinguished career and his voice, which had been a part of their daily lives and a symbol of tranquility and intellectual reassurance. His passing represents not only a loss for Saudi media but also the loss of an influential Islamic voice that left a rich legacy in the service of religion and knowledge.

The National Center for Government Resource Systems announced a significant addition to the digital services system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by enabling government employees to inquire about their financial entitlements through the “Tawakkalna” application. This new feature allows beneficiaries to instantly view their salary updates and review their financial entitlements easily and securely, anytime and from anywhere, representing a major step forward in enhancing transparency and operational efficiency.

This service comes as part of the ongoing development of the “Tawakkalna” application, which was launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as a tool for managing health permits and contact tracing. Under the guidance of the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), it quickly transformed into a comprehensive national platform. Today, the application serves as a digital wallet for citizens and residents, containing their digital ID, driver's license, travel records, legal powers of attorney, and numerous other vital government services, making it an essential component of daily life in the Kingdom.

This step falls within the broader framework of achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places government digital transformation at the heart of its priorities. This transformation aims to build a fully integrated e-government that reduces bureaucratic procedures and improves the quality of services provided to citizens. The National Center for Government Resource Systems is working to unify and automate financial and human resources procedures in the public sector, making them available through trusted platforms such as “Tawakkalna” to ensure a seamless and unified user experience.

The importance of this service lies in enabling employees to directly monitor their financial data, thereby enhancing job satisfaction and reducing the need to visit finance departments to inquire about salary details, allowances, and other entitlements. It also contributes to raising employee financial awareness and provides an official and reliable channel for accessing information, thus mitigating the spread of rumors and inaccurate information. Nationally, this addition reflects the advanced state of the Kingdom's digital infrastructure and its capacity to deliver innovative and secure services to millions of users.

In conclusion, the launch of the financial rights inquiry service via the “Tawakkalna” app is not merely a technological update, but rather a reaffirmation of the Kingdom’s commitment to harnessing technology to serve humanity and enhance transparency and efficiency within the government apparatus. This step serves as a regional model for providing digital government services and positions the Kingdom among the world’s leading nations in e-government.