The minister made the remark during his visit to the headquarters of the Ministry of Radio and Television and the Saudi Press Agency and information centers in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina on Thursday evening (August 16) to check on the preparations to receive the local and global mediapersons.
Al-Awad explained that the ministry has equipped several media centers in Makkah and holy places this year to serve its guests, journalists and media professionals from inside and outside the Kingdom, and provided them with all the services needed, including technology, communication networks, computers and studios.
Al-Awad added it was a great effort to host a large number of guests of the Lord and facilitate their obligatory performance, with six official radio stations and 10 international broadcasters in 10 languages, providing news bulletins and daily programs on Hajj, and 16 direct digital publishing channels in six languages, working around-the-clock covering the pilgrimage season in a creative, fast and innovative way.
Al-Awad said that in recognition of the Ministry of Information`s effort about the importance of digital media and its influential role in the world of modern technology and the speed of its information delivery, last year, it launched the International CIC and its account on Twitter @CICSaudi.
This is meant to strengthen relations with the international media, and to pursue a more open policy with the public, and to begin to broadcast information and documented data on events and facts, humanitarian work and services by Saudi Arabia in several languages, primarily English, French and German.
Also, the digital media for the government communication center is meant to document the digital creative work of government agencies, and to highlight its efforts, and disseminate the message of the Kingdom locally and internationally, and media work of the government under a single platform, in addition to the existing platforms and bodies of the Ministry.
Al Awad reviewed the efforts exerted by the ministry`s departments and sectors to cover the pilgrimage, with more than 1,000 administrative, media, technical staff, a number of media centers and studios in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Madinah and the holy places.
The media centers have been equipped with a number of Saudi technicians, media professionals, editors, photographers and designers to provide support to their fellow Arab and foreign journalists involved in the Hajj coverage for conducting interviews with their guests.
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On the occasion, the minister also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, for the continuous efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom to provide the best services, security and safety to those who set foot in this blessed land, and for harnessing all the resources and facilities for the pilgrimage and providing access to holy places for all Muslims without discrimination.
Al-Awad pointed out that Saudi Arabia welcomes all Muslims in the world to perform this religious ritual, stressing its categorical rejection of attempts to politicize Hajj or use it for the purpose of disturbing this worship.
The Minister of Information pointed out that the ministry chose its slogan for this year "the world in the heart of the Kingdom", which derives its spirituality from the prayer of the father of the prophets Abraham, peace be upon him.
This slogan derives its credibility from the Kingdom`s achievements in expanding the two holy mosques and the development of the surrounding urban area, and the construction and infrastructure in the holy sites, which has enabled Muslims from all over the world to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility.
Al-Awad praised the performance of the government agencies that worked for the success of the Mecca Road Initiative, which comes in line with the direction of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince, for the development that will facilitate the pilgrimage and for upgrading the services provided to pilgrims.
The Minister of Information affirmed that the message of the pilgrimage is to affirm moderation and to renounce extremism and terrorism and promote the idea of the humanity of Islam, and that Hajj, is a platform for transmitting the message of peace and security.
Editing by O. Tamindael
Reporter: Libertina W. Ambari
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
