In accordance with the Royal Decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, presented the King Abdulaziz Medal of the First Order to retired General Michael Corella, former Commander of the United States Central Command. The ceremony took place during His Highness's reception of the former US military official at his office in Riyadh, reflecting the depth of the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.

The reception and presentation ceremony was attended by a number of senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, including His Royal Highness Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Deputy Minister of Defense; His Excellency Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of the General Staff; and His Excellency Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, Advisor to the Minister of Defense for Intelligence Affairs. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged cordial greetings, emphasizing the strong ties that bind the defense institutions of the two friendly nations.

The significance and importance of the King Abdulaziz Medal

The King Abdulaziz Medal is one of Saudi Arabia's highest honors, awarded by royal decree in recognition of distinguished service or significant contributions to the nation or humanity. The awarding of this prestigious medal, of the highest rank, to the former commander of U.S. Central Command carries profound significance, reflecting Saudi Arabia's appreciation for General Corella's role during his tenure in strengthening military cooperation and joint efforts to ensure the security and stability of the region.

Strategic partnership and defense cooperation

This recognition comes within the context of the historic strategic partnership between Riyadh and Washington, particularly in the defense and security fields. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) plays a pivotal role in military coordination in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of the regional security architecture. This tradition reflects the Kingdom's continued commitment to appreciating the efforts of allies and partners who contribute effectively to security, counterterrorism, and the protection of international waterways.

It is worth noting that cooperation between the Saudi Armed Forces and the US Army extends over many decades and includes joint training, exchange of experiences, and development of defense capabilities. This was embodied in the close relationship that brought together the Saudi Ministry of Defense under the leadership of “Corella” during his service, which contributed to raising the level of readiness and coordination to face the common challenges surrounding the region.

The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques has announced the opening of registration for those wishing to perform the Sunnah of Itikaf (seclusion for worship) in the Two Holy Mosques, for both men and women, during the blessed month of Ramadan. This announcement comes as part of the Authority's early preparations to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching Ramadan experience for those observing Itikaf and for visitors.

The authority explained in its official statement that the online application process will begin tomorrow (Friday) at 11:00 AM. The period for i'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) has been set to begin on September 20, 1447 AH, and continue until the end of the holy month on September 30, 1447 AH, in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of seeking Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Regarding the registration process, the Authority invited all those interested to visit its official website, where they can complete the process either by logging in directly, creating a new account, or using the National Unified Access Portal (Nafath) for citizens and residents. This reflects the move towards digital transformation to facilitate procedures. After logging in, applicants must choose their preferred location for Itikaf, either the Grand Mosque in Mecca or the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.

The registration process includes reviewing and agreeing to all the terms and conditions governing Itikaf, then completing the required personal information and submitting the application. The authority emphasized that all applications will be reviewed and shortlisted based on the capacity of each mosque to ensure a healthy and safe environment for those observing Itikaf.

The practice of i'tikaf (seclusion for worship) in the Two Holy Mosques holds immense spiritual and religious significance for Muslims worldwide, as it allows them to dedicate themselves to worship, remembrance of God, and recitation of the Quran in the holiest of places. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, strives to utilize all available human and technological resources to serve the pilgrims. Specific, well-equipped areas are designated for i'tikaf, providing all necessary services, thus contributing to maintaining tranquility and preventing any disturbance to other worshippers.

Organizing the registration process electronically in advance comes as part of the great organizational efforts made by the Kingdom to manage the millions of crowds during the month of Ramadan, and to ensure the safety and security of those visiting the Two Holy Mosques, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to provide the finest services to the guests of God and facilitate their spiritual journey.