As part of the extensive preparations to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, the General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina has announced the official schedule for Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers at the Two Holy Mosques during the holy month of Ramadan this year, 1447 AH. This announcement comes in response to the aspirations of millions of Muslims worldwide who eagerly anticipate and yearn for the spiritual atmosphere of the Two Holy Mosques during this blessed month.

List of Imams of the Grand Mosque in Ramadan 1447 AH

The approved schedule for the Grand Mosque included a selection of reciters and sheikhs whose voices are deeply ingrained in the memories and devotion of worshippers. The list included:

• His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais.
• His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Juhaini.
• His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Yasser Al-Dosari.
• His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Bandar Balila.
• Sheikh Badr Al-Turki.

Their Eminences will take turns leading the worshippers in the Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers according to the schedule set by the Presidency, to ensure a humble and spiritual experience for the worshippers.

Imams of the Prophet's Mosque

Within the precincts of the Prophet's Mosque (peace and blessings be upon him), the Presidency approved a schedule that includes a group of distinguished sheikhs to lead the prayers, namely:

• His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Qasim.
• Sheikh Salah Al-Budair.
• Sheikh Abdullah Al-Qarafi.
• Sheikh Khalid Al-Hana.
• Sheikh Muhammad Barhaji.

In addition to a number of other sheikhs who will participate in reviving the nights of the holy month in Medina.

Operational plan: 7 strategic objectives to serve visitors

The General Presidency for Religious Affairs' preparations are not limited to scheduling; they are based on a comprehensive operational plan announced last Thursday. This plan for Ramadan 1447 AH rests on seven key strategic objectives, all aimed at enhancing the message of the Two Holy Mosques.

These objectives revolve around enhancing and enriching the religious and spiritual experience of pilgrims, with a focus on disseminating and teaching the Holy Quran and the purified Sunnah of the Prophet. The plan also places great emphasis on consolidating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's religious standing and its global leadership in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

Digital transformation and the global message

In light of rapid technological advancements, the Presidency, as part of its plan, emphasized the importance of harnessing modern technologies and digital transformation to spread guidance and enhance communication with Muslims across the globe. This includes leadership in translation and language services to ensure that the tolerant message of Islam, based on moderation and balance, reaches all visitors and pilgrims in their various languages.

This great and meticulous attention to the details of the schedule and operational plan reflects the keenness of the wise leadership and concerned authorities to provide the utmost comfort and reassurance to the guests of God, so that they may perform their rituals in an atmosphere full of tranquility and reverence during the holy month.

In a move aimed at transforming the media landscape in Saudi Arabia, the General Authority for Media Regulation signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, with direct support from the Ministry of Media. This agreement aims to activate and promote modern work models, specifically freelance and flexible work arrangements, to empower national talent and practitioners in this vital sector.

Details of the agreement and implementation mechanisms

The memorandum focuses primarily on regulating and streamlining work procedures for freelance media professionals. This includes supporting the issuance of "freelance work" documents for various media professions, as well as activating a flexible work system that allows media outlets to part-time contract with specialized talent on an hourly or project-based basis. These processes will be implemented through approved digital platforms launched by the Ministry of Human Resources, ensuring smooth and reliable procedures.

The context of Vision 2030 and the evolution of the labor market

This step aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes developing the labor market and reducing unemployment rates by adopting innovative business models that keep pace with global trends. The "gig economy" is one of the pillars the Kingdom seeks to strengthen to increase the private sector's contribution to the GDP. These new models bridge the gap between supply and demand, provide additional income opportunities for citizens, and offer employers greater flexibility in managing operating costs.

The importance of the decision for the media sector and content creators

This move is particularly important in the media sector, which by its very nature relies on creativity and evolving projects rather than traditional, static jobs. The General Authority for Media Regulation confirmed that this initiative will open up vast opportunities for holders of the "Mawthooq" license and other independent creators, granting them legal status to conduct their work. It will also contribute to eliminating the informal economy within the media sector and transforming individual hobbies and skills into organized and officially recognized commercial activities.

Insurance rights and benefits

The initiative extends beyond mere regulation to include protecting workers' rights. The accompanying awareness campaign aims to inform individuals and businesses about the registration process with the General Organization for Social Insurance, ensuring the recognition of years of service and social security benefits. Furthermore, the self-employment document allows practitioners to access financing programs, open business bank accounts, and obtain health insurance options, thus enhancing the professional and social stability of those working in this sector.