Makkah, Mar. 31 (BNA): On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khaled Al Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, , attended today the Ministry of Media celebration of the 100th Hijri anniversary of Umm Al Qura newspaper.
Saudi Acting Minister of Media, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his patronage of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Umm Al Qura Newspaper.
He described the newspaper as a great media edifice that stands as a witness to the Kingdom’s progress and achievements.
"I am happy to meet you near the Grand Mosque and I am pleased to congratulate you on the blessed month of Ramadan, may God bring it back to us, you and our country with goodness and blessings”.
He added that “we stand today in front of a 100-year history during which Umm Al-Qura newspaper lived the journey of construction and development for our beloved homeland continuing its forward-looking movement since the era of the founder King Abdulaziz – may Allah bless his soul - until this prosperous era”.
The Minister of Media underlined that Umm Al Qura by following this journey has “confirmed the depth of this country's connection to its press and the importance it accords to its media.”
The minister said the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Umm Al Qura was an important event and an occasion for appreciation of the newspaper that never stopped its coverage since its first issue.
He said that Umm Al-Qura has formed during this long period "the nation's memory” and that it bears its history and is a reliable reference for the regulative and legal development of this country.”
"The Kingdom is experiencing unprecedented efforts today in all sectors, including the media. More than five years after the launch of Vision 2030, the hopes are high for an influential media industry capable of conveying the message of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the world.”
The minister emphasized that he would work with his colleagues in the media sector to achieve this lofty goal.
The minister said that “in confirmation of the state’s interest and care, the royal approval was issued to transfer Umm Al-Qura newspaper to the Saudi Press Agency for a new stage and a major shift in all aspects of media performance and digital transformation.”
Al Qasabi announced five ambitious initiatives to advance and develop the media industry in the Kingdom.
They included the establishment of the National Archives for Saudi Media Center to archive all photos and documents, the establishment of a Saudi media museum to preserve and perpetuate the national journalistic heritage, and the establishment of the biennial “Umm Al Qura Media” forum.
The initiatives also include launching a “Mediathon” in partnership with Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC) to help the innovation of future media ideas, and the second phase of the program to support and enable Saudi press institutions undergo digital transformation.
Makkah Region Governor Prince Khaled Al Faisal inaugurated the centenary issue of Umm Al Qura newspaper. A poetic poem entitled "The Poem of Umm Al-Qura" was also recited by Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdul Maksoud Khoja.
Prince Khaled Al Faisal honored the pioneers and historians of Umm Al Qura newspaper and former Saudi media ministers.
Source: Bahrain News Agency