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.

The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) has announced the opening of registration for the “Ibdaa Science and Engineering Exhibition 2026,” the Kingdom’s premier scientific event showcasing the brightest young minds in the field. The Foundation invites all members of society—students, teachers, parents, and anyone interested in science and innovation—to attend and participate in this inspiring event, which will be held at the Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

A national platform for young innovators

The exhibition serves as the culmination of the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, where 200 gifted students will showcase their innovative scientific projects across 22 diverse scientific fields. These participants represent the culmination of a competition that saw thousands of students from across the Kingdom participate, having qualified after passing through multiple judging stages that demonstrated their merit and the excellence of their research. The exhibition aims to select the best projects to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at prestigious international scientific events.

Background on “Mawhiba” and its role in Vision 2030

The Mawhiba Foundation is a leading national organization established to discover and nurture talented and creative individuals in the Kingdom and provide them with a stimulating environment. The Foundation plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in developing human capital and building a knowledge-based economy. The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity is one of its most prominent programs, aiming to promote a culture of scientific research and encourage students to develop their skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The importance of the event and its international impact

The importance of the “Ibdaa” exhibition extends beyond its local nature; it serves as a primary gateway for Saudi students to reach international recognition. Winners of this Olympiad qualify to participate in major international exhibitions, most notably the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States, the world’s largest pre-college science competition. The Kingdom has achieved commendable success in recent years, with its students winning numerous prestigious awards, reflecting the high quality of educational and research outcomes from Saudi Arabia’s gifted student programs.

A call to participate and support national talents

Mawhiba emphasized that visiting the exhibition offers a valuable opportunity for visitors to learn about promising student role models and draw inspiration from their experiences that led them to excellence. The exhibition also allows students, teachers, and parents to interact directly with participants and learn about the mechanisms for evaluating scientific projects, enriching their knowledge and broadening their horizons. Public attendance not only provides moral support to the students but also represents a societal celebration of science and talent, affirming that innovation is a fundamental pillar for the nation's future. The foundation invited those interested in attending to register via the provided link to become part of this national scientific event.