Messengers of Peace adds color to Janadriyah

Minister of State and Commander of the National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Janadriyah festival's supreme committee, will be the guest at a special program on Janadriyah to be aired by the Saudi Television Channel One at 10.45 p.m. on Thursday. During the live talk show, the prince will talk about the major highlights of the ongoing 27th National Heritage and Cultural Festival. He will also reply to queries from viewers who can participate in the program through phone calls. Taif Mayor Muhammad Al-Mokhrej visited the pavilion of Makkah Province in the festival grounds on Wednesday. He toured various stalls of the pavilion, including those featuring handcrafts, traditional Hijazi meals, heritage pieces and various products. The mayor also watched various programs and activities, especially folklore performances staged at the pavilion. A group of students from Saudi schools in Moscow have joined the "Messengers of Peace" program of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.  The students who visited the program’s stall at the pavilion of the Ministry of Education in Janadriyah were briefed on the vision, goals and working mechanism of the program aimed at giving training to scouts worldwide to promote world peace and spread the culture of dialogue. The 10-year program, initiated by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, aims to mobilize 30 million scouts across the globe to work for world peace. Eid Al-Anzi, director general of Saudi schools in Moscow who accompanied the students during their visit to the pavilion, said they are striving to encourage at least 20 million scouts to join as messengers of peace. There is a heavy rush of people taking advantage of the free eye test program being conducted at the pavilion of the National Guard’s Health Affairs. Brig. Gen. Khaled Al-Amer, deputy chairman of the health affairs committee and supervisor of the pavilion, said more than 13,000 visitors have benefited from the program during the last five days. Visitors belonging to all age groups are visiting the pavilion to carry out tests for various eye diseases. A medical team comprising more than 15 members is attending to patients at the pavilion. More than 1,000 visitors underwent tests for diabetes also. The health center under the National Guard at Janadriyah extended health care and treatment to over 3,000 visitors as of Wednesday. Lt.  Col. Saleh Al-Osaimi, director of the center, said almost all visitors who received treatment at the center are chronic patients who had health problems due to the failure of taking medication on time after spending a long time inside the festival grounds. There are several doctors and paramedical staff in addition to three ambulances at the center. Arrangements have also been made, in coordination with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, for airlifting patients in the event of any emergency cases, he added. More than 2,000 children visited a special tent where several heritage activities and popular games for kids are being held. The tent attracts hundreds of children who gather around Umm Ayesha, a grandmother, and listen to her narration of fables and stories. She arouses children’s curiosity by disclosing to them secrets of heritage games and drawing their attention to the significance of preserving the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage. Umm Ayesha explains to them features of Eid festivals and Ramadan fasting as well as the arduous pilgrimage to Makkah to perform Haj during the past. Nadia Al-Sabbag, the woman trainer at the tent, said children have a rare opportunity to acquaint with several popular games and sport events prevailed in the ancient period.