Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech Celebrating Saudi Newspaper 'Umm Al-Qura' 100th Anniversary

Makkah, Mar 31, 2022, SPA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud affirmed the grace and blessings that Allah Almighty bestowed upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when He honored it by embracing the Two Holy Mosques and serving pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, which is the approach of this country since it was founded by late King Abdulaziz bin Abdurrahman Al Saud. This came in the speech delivered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the occasion of the 100th Hijri year anniversary of the publication of the Saudi newspaper "Umm Al-Qura". Following is the text of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' speech: In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Praise be to Allah Almighty alone, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, his family and all of his companions My dear male and females employees working in (Umm Al-Qura) newspaper, About 100 years ago, late King Abdulaziz established in Makkah Al-Mukarramah the first newspaper in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He named it: (Umm Al-Qura) newspaper, which is one of the names of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Qibla of Muslims, emphasizing the approach of this blessed country paying attention and care for the Two Holy Mosques on the one hand, and its interest in media and culture on the other. (Umm Al-Qura) newspaper has passed a century of its age to be distinct and different from other newspapers, in that it did not stop publishing during its 100 years, as most newspapers faced a crisis in the availability of paper during the Second World War, so they were stopped from publication for years, and (Umm Al-Qura) faced the same crisis in 1360 Hijri (1941), but King Abdulaziz ordered that the issue be addressed immediately, and paper was provided after a lot of effort. The newspaper did not stop being published, to be the country's voice in the service of Islam, especially in the early stages of its publication. Umm Al-Qura witnessed the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and rose with its great renaissance that included all sectors and regions of the state, and preserved in its memory the first building blocks of the enactment of regulations and laws approved by the state, with its published decisions and regulations that formed the solid legislative, developmental and economic structure, and this newspaper has remained until our present time, the State (Official) Gazette. As (Umm Al-Qura) has reported the country’s legislative decisions, regulations and laws, since it was founded about a hundred years ago, it still right now reports what the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has worked and is working on in terms of decisions, legislation, reforms and developments for the state’s organs, systems, laws and evaluation criteria, since we blessed the launch of the ambitious (Kingdom’s Vision 2030), before five years, under the direct supervision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, for a prosperous country that guarantees the future of our citizens, by harnessing an integrated system of programs that raise the level of various services, thus enhancing the competitive capabilities of the national economy, improves the quality of services and raises their efficiency, so that excellence in performance and human service becomes the basis for evaluating the efficiency level of the operating agencies in the country. While congratulating my citizens by celebrating 'Umm Al-Qura' 100th Anniversary, I would like to thank everyone who contributed with effort to this prestigious newspaper, throughout its hundred years of its long life, asking Allah Almighty to have mercy on those of them who moved to His mercy, and that Preserves the living with His grace and generosity. I also pray to Allah Almighty to grant success to all the employees of (Umm Al-Qura) and those working in the media field with its various forms, to work for the good of the nation and the citizen. Finally, and as we are celebrating the first centenary of the publication of “Umm Al-Qura", which is a dear name to all of our hearts, we recall with pride what Allah has bestowed upon us in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that we were honored by embracing the Two Holy Mosques, and serving the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors through blessed approach and path that have been chosen by this blessed country since its unification by late King Abdulaziz bin Abdurrahman Al Saud until this day. May Allah protect our country, and perpetuate His blessings upon it, and protect us and you from all harm. --SPA