In an atmosphere of faith reflecting the wise leadership's commitment to the Holy Quran, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, honored the winners of the top prizes in the Al-Qadisiyah Club's Quran memorization and recitation competition on Wednesday. This took place during His Highness's reception at his office in the Governorate building of Mr. Bader bin Sulaiman Al-Ruziza, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Qadisiyah Club Company, accompanied by the winners of the competition, which was held as part of the third annual Al-Qadisiyah Ramadan Season activities.

An extension of the state's approach to caring for the Holy Quran

During the meeting, Prince Saud bin Nayef emphasized that the great care that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gives to the Holy Quran is not a recent development, but rather a deeply rooted and authentic approach upon which this country has been founded since its establishment by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman – may God have mercy on him. His Highness pointed out that this continuous attention from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – reflects the Islamic identity of the Kingdom. He stressed that encouraging children and youth to engage with the Book of God through memorization, contemplation, and recitation is a fundamental pillar in building a conscious generation, committed to the values ​​of its religion, proud of its national identity, and fortified by the virtuous morals it derives from the guidance of the Quran.

Details of the third edition: Wide participation and fair competition

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Qadisiyah Club, Bader Al-Ruziza, reviewed the details of the third edition of the competition, explaining that it witnessed a remarkable turnout this year, reflecting the success of the club's Ramadan season in attracting diverse segments of society. The number of registered participants reached 721, who underwent rigorous screening and elimination processes in cooperation with the Eastern Province Charitable Society for Memorizing the Holy Quran to ensure the application of the highest judging standards.

Al-Ruzayza noted that the preliminary rounds resulted in 375 contestants qualifying for the final stages. These contestants were divided into five main categories to ensure a level playing field. The first category had 70 participants, the second 70, the third 80, and the fourth 80, while the fifth category, dedicated to the recitation track, had 75 participants. The organizing committee allocated valuable cash prizes totaling 75,000 riyals, which were distributed among 20 winners who demonstrated excellence in performance and mastery.

The societal role of sports clubs and keeping pace with the vision

This initiative from Al-Qadisiyah Club underscores the qualitative shift in the role of sports clubs in the Kingdom. Their roles are no longer limited to athletic competitions but have expanded to encompass cultural and social aspects, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which calls for building a vibrant society and promoting social responsibility. The inclusion of the "Recitation" track this year is a significant addition that has broadened participation, highlighting the club's commitment to developing its programs to appeal to diverse age groups and instill Quranic values ​​within the Eastern Province community.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Al-Ruzayza expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness the Prince of the Eastern Province for his generous patronage and unlimited support for the club's activities, stressing that this honor represents a great incentive for the club's management and its members to continue providing initiatives that serve religion, the nation and society.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced today, Wednesday, the issuance of a royal decree extending the service of His Excellency Engineer Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer as Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, at the Excellent Grade, for another four years. This royal decree reflects the great confidence in qualified national talents to lead one of the most vital sectors upon which the Kingdom relies to diversify its sources of economic income, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

Leadership career and accumulated experience in the mining sector

The extension decision is based on Engineer Khalid Al-Mudaifer's distinguished professional record, spanning over 30 years in the industrial and engineering sectors. Prior to assuming his government post, Al-Mudaifer served as CEO of the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden), where he led the company through a period of significant expansion, establishing it as a major player in the global mining market. His Excellency holds advanced academic qualifications combining technical and managerial expertise, including a postgraduate diploma in global business from Oxford University, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Mining: The third pillar of Saudi industry

This extension is of paramount strategic importance given the economic transformations underway in the Kingdom. According to Vision 2030, the mining sector has been designated as the "third pillar" of national industry, alongside oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Al-Mudaifer and his team at the Ministry are working to maximize the value derived from the Kingdom's mineral wealth, estimated at trillions of riyals, which includes vital minerals such as gold, phosphate, copper, and rare earth elements used in future industries and clean energy.

Developing the legislative environment and attracting investment

Since his initial appointment in 2018 (when the sector was under the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources), Al-Mudaifer has played a pivotal role in restructuring the sector. He directly oversaw the launch of the new Mining Investment Law, one of the most competitive and transparent systems globally, designed to attract both foreign and domestic investment. The Ministry's efforts also contributed to launching initiatives such as the General Geological Survey and establishing digital platforms to streamline the issuance of mining licenses, thereby reducing processing times and enhancing the sector's appeal to international investors.

Administrative stability to face global challenges

The four-year extension ensures the continuity of the Ministry's strategic approach, particularly at a time when the world is engaged in a fierce race to secure supply chains for critical minerals. The Kingdom is currently working to solidify its position as a global minerals hub by hosting major international conferences such as the International Mining Conference in Riyadh. Retaining experienced leadership in their roles is crucial for completing mega-projects and implementing the comprehensive mining strategy, which aims to increase the sector's contribution to GDP and create thousands of jobs for Saudi citizens.