SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
IN
SAUDI ARABIA
Preview ,
This sight highlights the achievements of the Fifth Plan period in the areas of health care, social, youth and information services, culture, and religious and judicial services. The chapter also deals with key issues, to be addressed during the Sixth Plan period, Saudiization, economic efficiency, and private sector opportunities. Finally, the chapter outlines the objectives, policies and programs of these sectors over the Sixth Plan period.
1 HEALTH SERVICES
1.1 PRESENT CONDITIONS
The Kingdom's health services are provided by a wide range of institutions covering many different functions. In broad terms, the provision of health care is organized through a referral system into a Kingdom-wide network of primary health centers, general and specialist hospitals, although a number of government agencies provide health care services directly to their employees. The Ministry of Health is the government agency with overall responsibility for health care in the Kingdom. The National Guard, the Ministry of Defense and Aviation and the Ministry of Interior provide primary, secondary and advanced levels of health care directly for their staff and segments of the general population. The Red Crescent Society provides emergency services and assists pilgrims during the Hajj. High level specialized health care is provided in the Kingdom by specialist hospitals, while the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu provides health facilities for employees at the two industrial cities. School health units attend to the immediate primary health care needs of students. The General Organization for Social Insurance and the Presidency of Youth Welfare provide health facilities for certain parts of the population. Through their programs and medical colleges, the universities provide primary and specialized health care services, conduct essential health research and provide medical education programs. Finally, the medical services of the private sector play an increasingly important role in the Kingdom and are coordinated with the referral network and the regulatory requirements of the health sector as a whole.
In recent years, the health services have made great progress at both preventive and curative levels:
The emphasis on primary health care has raised immunization rates to 94 percent for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, to 99 percent for TB, to 90 percent for measles and to 92 percent for hepatitis. These immunization programs have succeeded in almost eliminating these diseases, while the rates of endemic diseases such as malaria, bilharzia and leshmania have also decreased.
The incidence of newborns whose weights at birth are not less than 2,500 grams increased to almost 94 percent, while the incidence of children below 5 years of age whose weights are in accordance to their age increased to 92.7 percent.
The proportion of pregnant women supervised by trained health professionals increased to 86.6 percent, while deliveries supervised by trained health professional increased to 90 percent.
At the same time, great advances have been made in the efficient provision of health services by reducing unnecessary burdens on the hospital services. The referral system and the widespread use of primary health care (PHC centers in the Kingdom aim to achieve the full integration of health services from the general practitioner (GP) right through to the high level specialized health services. The PHC centers provide basic health services to most patients, enabling the hospitals to concentrate on those cases needing more specialized curative services. The system has had great success in reducing the burden on hospital services at the secondary (general) and tertiary (specialist) levels, thus raising the efficiency of curative services in general and optimizing the use of health service resources in meeting the needs of all citizens. Between 1409>>10 and 1413>>14, for example, the number of patient visits to primary health care (PHC centers increased by about 42.2 percent, while the number of hospital visits declined by 28.9 percent (Table I 1. I ).
Resources in the Kingdom's health service have also expanded rapidly between 1409/10 and 1413/14, as shown in Tables 11.2 and 11.3. Thus, the number of hospitals rose by II. I percent, the number of hospital beds by 7.3 percent, PHC centers by 4.1 percent, doctors by 22.7 percent, nurses by 24.5 percent and assistant technicians by 13.8 percent (Figure 11.2).By any standards, this is a remarkable achievement.The private sector contributed significantly to this expansion, and at the end of this period accounted for 50 percent of hospitals, 36.4 percent of hospital beds, 47 percent of doctors and 25.9 percent of
11.1.2 KEY ISSUES
While the Kingdom's health services have developed and improved at a very rapid pace, there are a number of key issues that must be addressed in order to ensure continuous improvement in the provision of health care for all citizens.
nurses.
Financing the Health Services
Health care systems throughout the world are facing a growing demand for services combined with rising costs and shortages of finance. In this respect Saudi Arabia, with its growing population, is no exception, although its ability to adapt to these new conditions is far greater than that of many other countries. Thus, the provision of high quality health services to all the population is placing a growing burden on the government budget. A need exists, therefore, to attract more private sector finance into the provision of health services.
Saudiization in the Health Services
The size of the health care work force has risen rapidly in line with the overall expansion of the health services, so that in 1413>>1414 there were over 27,000 doctors, about 57,000 nurses and more than 28,000 health technicians. The proportion of these positions filled by Saudi nationals is very low, at only 13 percent of doctors, 11.2 percent of nurses and 38 percent of health technicians. The health care sector is one where the rates of Saudiization should be highest, particularly with respect to general practitioners and assistant technicians. Current indications from the educational and training institutions are that the supply of Saudi nationals into the health services will not be sufficient to reduce this gap significantly by the end of the Sixth Plan. Thus, an expansion of training programs for Saudi manpower in health occupations is needed.
Regional Balance in the Distribution of Primary Health Care Centers
The enormous size of the country and the scattered distribution of the population pose an enormous challenge to the provision of primary health care centers to all the Kingdom's population. Current indicators highlight the importance of ongoing provision of these centers according to accepted demographic criteria based on the health care needs of each region.
1.3 SAUDIIZATION
Ministry of Health: Total MOH manpower reached 89,817 employees by the end of 1413/1414, of whom 44,600 (or 49.7 percent) were Saudis and 45,217 were non-Saudis. The Sixth Development Plan aims to increase the total manpower of the MOH to 103,720 by the year 1419/1420, along with the steady replacement of non- Saudis by Saudis, so that the Saudi work force shall reach 57,403, or 55 percent of the Ministry's total manpower, by the end of the Plan period.
Saudi Red Crescent Society:.- Total manpower of the Saudi Red Crescent Society reached 2,603 employees by the end of 1413>>1414, of whom 2,162 (or 83.1 percent) were Saudis and 441 were non-Suadis. The Sixth Plan aims to increase the Society's total manpower to 3,641 in 1419>>1420, along with the continuous replacement of non-Saudis by Saudis, so that, by the end of the Plan, the number of Saudi employees shall reach 3,379, or 92.8 percent of the Society's total manpower.
1.4 PRIVATE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES
The following steps have been taken by the government in support of greater private sector participation in the development process:
( a ) providing interest-free long term loans for the construction and operation of hospitals and clinics, and pertinent support services;
( b ) providing opportunities to contractors for constructing and preparing government health
facilities through direct finance from the state budget;
( c providing opportunities to contractors for the maintenance and cleaning of all health facilities, and the full operation of some hospitals;
( d supporting the manufacture and marketing of drugs and medicines.
With encouragement from the public sector, the private sector has contributed to the
provision of health services through:
the provision of curative services through 75 hospitals with 7,477 beds, or 18 percent of all hospital beds in the Kingdom;
the provision of health care through 510 dispensaries and 673 clinics;
the provision of drugs and medicines through 2,703 pharmacies and 3 1 0 pharmaceutical warehouses;
the manufacture of drugs and medicines;
the supply and marketing of medical equipment;
the complete operation of 45 hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health.
In addition to the government support identified above, the private sector will be given the opportunity to finance the construction of many health facilities during the Sixth Plan period, under appropriate arrangements with the government agencies concerned. These projects are:
constructing primary health care centers;
establishing intermediate health colleges;
establishing health institutes;
establishing t raining centers for emergency medical services;
establishing emergency centers.
1.5 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The Sixth Plan's development strategy for the health sector will be implemented through the
following objectives, policies and programs.
1.5.1 Objectives
to continue upgrading the health standards of citizens and providing preventive and curative health care efficiently;
to focus more attention on the control of communicable diseases and to eradicate or reduce the incidence of such diseases to the lowest possible level;
to emphasize primary health care programs, particularly mother and child programs, and to attain full vaccination coverage of children against infectious diseases;
to support the referral system aimed at integrating and providing health services of a high standard.
1.5.2 Policies
Improving Health Standards of the Population: The primary health care centers (PHCs) represent the main instrument through which improved levels of health will be promoted. The implementation of a wide range of PHC procedures will be intensified in the Sixth Plan period. Health awareness programs will be expanded in the fields of nutrition, mother and child care, and the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Periodical health checks for children will be organized, with vaccination coverage against infectious diseases extended to all children. Follow-up procedures and the provision of health care by trained professionals will be implemented for the most vulnerable sections of the community, including the elderly, the handicapped and those with chronic illnesses. An expansion in pregnancy check-up services will be implemented by trained health professionals. The information feedback system between PHC sand hospitals will also be expanded, while environmental health awareness will be promoted through more effective coordination with other relevant government agencies.
Regional Distribution of Primary Heath Care Services: The number of PHCs will be increased in the regions according to the following criteria:
cities whose population exceeds 200,000 will be served by one PHC per 10,000 persons;
cities with a population less than 200,000 will have one PHC for every 5,000 to 6,000 persons;
villages and remote populations will be served by one PHC per 500 to 2,000 persons.
Demographic maps will be prepared showing the regional population distribution and the location of existing health services, so that a more equitable regional provision of services can be properly planned. All PHCs will be provided with necessary equipment, as needed, such as X-ray services, laboratories, dental clinics and other basic services. Each PHC will be formally connected to the nearest possible referral hospital in the region.
Saudiization in the Health Services: The potential of existing medical colleges and health institutes to attract more Saudi nationals amongst their students and trainees will be expanded, and new intermediate health colleges opened, while the number of training programs and scholarships for Saudis will be increased, particularly bachelor's degree programs. The private sector will be encouraged to provide more health training programs for Saudis.
Health Service Financing Support: In order to broaden the funding base for an expansion in the health services, a system of health insurance will be expanded for non-Saudis and their families In addition, methods will be studied and implemented to encourage private financial institutions, such as insurance companies, to establish health care facilities.
Upgrading Curative Medical Care: The number of hospital beds in both government and private hospitals will continue to expand in order to reach the targeted ratio, while optimal utilization will be made of hospital beds in accordance with the policy to improve efficiency. Strict quality control standards will be effected for all health services, including methods to develop and control the provision, storage, delivery and use of drugs and medical equipment. A study will be conducted in order to find the best method of administering and operating Ministry of Health hospitals to achieve greater flexibility and the optimal utilization of financial and human resources, and to evaluate the full operation approach that has been applied to some MOH hospitals, with a view to determining the feasibility of this system with respect to raising their efficiency and Saudiization rates and lowering costs.
Private Sector Investment in Health Services: All methods for increasing the private sector's role in the provision of health services will be studied.
1.5.3 Programs
The Sixth Development Plan includes programs and projects aimed at realizing the health sector's objectives and policies. These programs and projects focus on a group of activities, including the provision and development of preventive and curative health care services, the establishment of hospitals, primary health care centers and emergency medical service centers, other health support facilities, upgrading health manpower efficiency, increasing the number of Saudis in the health care work force, and the completion of applied studies and research on upgrading health standards.
1.6 SIXTH DEVELOPMENT PLAN TARGETS
The government is committed to raising the health levels of the population by improving the existing health services network in the Kingdom. The most important targets of the Sixth Plan include the following:
maintaining the current penetration rate of hospital beds to 2.4 beds per 1,000 population;
reducing the morbidity rate of infectious diseases per 100,000 population through immunization to
0.01 cases per 100,000 population for diphtheria, 0.4 for whooping cough 40 for measles and 8 for TB, and eliminating tetanus and poliomyelitis altogether.
reducing the frequency of diarrhea in children to 2 per child;
reducing the morbidity rate of endemic diseases per 100,000 population to 200 cases of malaria in high rate areas, below 100 cases in medium rate areas, maintaining other areas free of malaria, and to 500 cases of bilharzia;
increasing the immunization coverage to 97 percent for each of diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and poliomyelitis, 95 percent for hepatitis, and maintaining the 99 percent rate for immunization against TB;
decreasing the incidence of new born children whose weights are less than 2,500 grams to 2 percent, and increasing the percentage of children of less than five years old whose weights are commensurate to their ages to 98 percent;
raising the percentage of pregnant mothers who are providedmith health care by health professionals to 97 percent and increasing the delivery rate by health professionals to 95 percent;
increasing the immunization coverage of pregnant mothers against tetanus to 85 percent.
2 SOCIAL, YOUTH AND INFORMATION SERVICES
2.1 PRESENT CONDITIONS
The wide range of social, youth and information services provided by the government helps to improve the quality of life for the population and enable individuals to contribute to the development process and to address the impacts of rapid social, economic and cultural change. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) - through the Deputy Ministry for Social Affairs (DMSA) - encourages local participation and enhances awareness of social and civic duties through its network of social work and development centers. It also provides rehabilitation and care through foster families or institutions which provide shelter and home care for physically or mentally disabled persons, as well as those who are deprived due to their social conditions. Pensions and relief assistance to needy persons are provided by the Deputy Ministry of Social Security (DMSS). The General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) and the Retirement Pensions Fund provide pensions and social insurance for retired employees of the public and private sectors. The social assistance and services provided by private charitable societies also help to raise the incomes of needy persons and to relieve their burdens. Cash subsidies for livestock and crops contribute to raising incomes in rural areas. The Saudi Credit Bank provides easy loans to low income individuals and households as emergency help or to establish small scale enterprises. Housing loans from the Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) reduce the costs of housing for families, thereby allowing incomes to be spent on other goods and services.
The General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) is responsible for services and programs leading to the mental and physical development of young people in cultural, scientific and athletic fields. The GPYW has provided sports facilities (such as centers, halls, youth camps, public playgrounds and fully equipped clubs) and has granted subsidies to literary and sports clubs and specialized private institutions in a manner supporting the role of the private sector in youth welfare. The GPYW also organizes national and international competitions in sports and cultural fields and aims to achieve international levels in all youth related fields. Furthermore, the GPYW grants the state prize in arts.
The Ministry of Information plays an important and complementary role in the field of social development to that of the social services and youth welfare institutions. Together, these institutions cooperate in improving the quality of life in general, and its cultural and psychological aspects in particular. This role is achieved through media activities aimed at extending a diverse and balanced range of information services throughout the Kingdom, including its more remote areas. These activities include specialized and general cultural programs, religious programs, programs dealing with social issues, drama programs and symposia, other news services designed to keep citizens informed about world events, and cultural and recreational programs for children.
Overall, the social, youth and information services agencies seek solutions to emerging social problems or adverse phenomena that arise out of general conditions in society. The services provided by these agencies to address such problems are enhanced through cooperation between the public and private sectors, and, in general, these services have succeeded in improving social and economic conditions for individuals and society as a whole.
From the outset of development planning in the Kingdom, great attention has been paid to the provision of social and youth services in all regions. Table 11.4 shows the range of social and youth services and the number of units providing such services at the end of the Fifth Plan period. In the field of community development, the number of development committees increased from 37 to 52. In the field of social welfare, the number of rehabilitation centers and institutions for handicapped and paralyzed children increased from 15 to 24. The number of orphanages, care homes for the elderly and residential nurseries increased from 29 to 31.
Financial support and assistance for family care also increased during the Fifth Plan. The number of handicapped beneficiaries of financial support for care at home rose from 19,074 to 37,400, while the number of beneficiary orphans and children with special conditions increased from 1,219 to 3,300.
The number of paralyzed children beneficiaries reached 3, 1 00 by the end of the Fifth Plan,
compared with 2,843 at the end of the Fourth Plan. The number of charitable societies increased during the Fifth Plan from 105 to 125.
The amounts disbursed on social security increased from SR 7.1 billion at the end of the Fourth Plan to more than SR 9 billion by the end of the Fifth Plan (an increase of 27 percent), as a result of the Royal Grant issued by the Council of Ministers' Resolution No. 75 (dated 6/6/1413) which approved an increase in social security allocations ranging between 43 percent and 138 percent, as of the fiscal year 1413/1414, so as to upgrade citizens' standards of living.
The youth services sector has been extremely successful, due to the provision of infrastructure such as sport stadiums, pavilions and clubs with the most advanced sports equipment. In the cultural field, the GPYW organized 108 story contests and 38 poetry contests at local level, and 8 story and 8 poetry contests at the national level, as well as 160 Holy Koran contests and 120 cultural weeks. In the social field, the GPYW organized 877 youth recreational camps, 11 work camps, 726 tours and 753 public service projects. In the field of sport, the GPYW was responsible for training 15,166 youths, and participated in the organization of 2,549 youth competitions at local level and 331 at international level.
The culmination of the GPYW's efforts saw the Kingdom's senior national football team win the Asian Championship Cup twice, while the national youth football team qualified for the World Youth Cup in 1413/14 (1993). The Kingdom's junior team won the World Junior Football Cup in 1409/10 (1989).
In addition, the Saudi equestrian team achieved first, third and fourth positions in the non-professional World Cup at Los Angeles and first position in the World Championship in Canada in 1412/13 (1992). The senior national football team had an historic achievement by qualifying for the second round of the World Cup Finals in the United States in 1414/15 (1994).
The information services sector's achievements in the Fifth Plan period were in line with the objectives and polices of the development plans, as the number of television transmission stations reached 115, of which 26 were fixed stations, thus increasing the transmission coverage of Channel One to 85 percent of the total population. Many Arabic and foreign language programs were broadcast on radio, including the general program, the Holy Koran, the English program, the French program, the music program, the second program and the Call of Islam. Total broadcasting hours reached 78 hours per day, distributed over 22 short-wave and medium-wave broadcasting stations and 16 FM stations. In the field of press and publishing, the number of Arabic newspapers reached II daily and 2 weekly, while there are 3 daily newspapers in English. In addition, there are 8 weekly, 21 monthly and 18 quarterly magazines. The Directorate General for Information Centers (through its eight centers in Riyadh, Makkah, Hassa, Qassim, Abha, Madinah, Jeddah and Dammam) issues informative publications and booklets on matters of social interest. For example, the number of informative publications in one year reached 32 books in three languages and two editions for each book. The total number of these books printed reached 1,205,000 copies, in addition to other publications such as posters.
There are also three information centers which monitor items about the Kingdom published or broadcast abroad and promote links with information agencies and international media throughout the world by clarifying the Kingdom's viewpoint on various matters to all nations, governments, organizations, associations and societies through books, publications, photographs and films produced by the Ministry of Information, and through press interviews and radio and TV programs about the Kingdom.
2.2 Key Issues
Notwithstanding these achievements in the domain of social and youth services, and the availability of an integrated network of such services, one key issue must be addressed so that the long term service capacity of these institutions and their effectiveness can be increased.
Shortage of Social Information and Indicators
The collection, publication and widespread dissemination of accurate information and statistics are important for policy formulation and decision making in the social services sector. At present, the social services institutions lack information on basic social indicators, as well as the necessary capability for conducting social surveys and projecting future demand for these services.
Several scientific institutions in the Kingdom carry out social research and studies, including the social studies departments and faculties at the universities, the Security Research and Studies Institute at Riyadh, the Center for Training and Applied Social Research at Al-Dhariyah and other related government agencies. More coordination among these agencies concerning their research and study activities is needed in order to define the real needs of the community and to provide decision makers with the necessary information on the scale and extent of social problems.
Thus, the Training and Social Research Center should be supported and developed in order to undertake the responsibility of providing a broad base of social information, data and indicators to be used by decision makers in preparing the development plans, programs and policies. This center should be provided with the necessary facilities to train and qualify Saudi nationals in conducting the required social field surveys and research. Coordination can take place between this center and the other concerned agencies in following up and assessing the various social phenomena.
2.3 SAUDIIZATION
Deputy Ministry for Social Affairs (DMSA)
By the end of the Fifth Plan, the Saudiization rate in the DMSA had reached 88.5 percent. The Sixth Plan aims to fill all vacancies, while continuing the replacement of non-Saudi manpower by Saudis by bringing the Saudiization rate to 96 percent by the end of the Sixth Plan.
Deputy Ministry for Social Security (DMSS)
By the end of the Fifth Plan, the Saudiization rate in the DMSS had reached 98.4 percent. The Sixth Plan aims to fill all vacancies, while continuing the replacement of non-Saudi manpower by Saudis by bringing the Saudiization rate to 100 percent by the end of the plan.
Social Insurance
By the end of the Fifth Plan, the Saudiization rate in the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) had reached 93 percent. The Sixth Plan aims to continue the replacement of non-Saudis by Saudis by bringing the Saudiization rate to 100 percent by the end of the plan.
General Presidency for Youth Welfare (GPYW)
By the end of 1413/14, 93 percent of the total manpower of the GPYW were Saudis. The Sixth Plan aims to fill all vacancies and to continue replacing non-Saudis by Saudis, thus bringing the Saudiization rate to 97 percent by the end of the Plan.
Ministry of Information
By the end of 1413/1414, 92 percent of the total manpower in the Ministry of Information were Saudis. The Sixth Plan aims to fill all vacancies and to continue replacing non-Saudis, thus bringing the Saudiization rate to 95 percent by the end of the Plan.
2.4 ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY
By their very nature, government expenditure programs on social and youth services are expected to yield a social as opposed to a direct financial return. Nevertheless, there is an obligation on government agencies in this sector to ensure that financial resources are utilized in the most efficient way to achieve a high quality service. This objective can be achieved through the following steps:
· optimizing the utilization of existing service facilities to ensure the maximum possible number of beneficiaries;
· preserving and maintaining such facilities;
· developing Saudi manpower in the social services and assigning the best qualified persons to work in these fields;
· studying the effectiveness and efficiency of the social services programs.
2.5 OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR
In its efforts to encourage greater private sector participation in the development process, the government has contracted out to the private sector a range of activities in the social, youth and information services sectors. These include opportunities to construct, furnish, clean and maintain all social, youth and information services facilities through direct finance from the government budget, and to provide nursing care to residents of social care homes and institutions. The government also encourages and supports the private sector in the production, publication and distribution of literary works and is committed to purchasing a number of privately produced publications at support prices.
The Ministry of Information will continue to expand its cooperation with the private sector to enable it to play a major role in radio and television productions. A major incentive in this respect has been the government's support to the private sector for the purchase of photographic equipment and materials.
In continuation of government support to this sector, the private sector will continue to be given the opportunity to establish, equip and furnish new projects for the social, youth and information services, based on direct finance from the government budget, as well as the maintenance and cleaning of all facilities.
2.6 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The development strategy of the social, youth and information services sector will be implemented through the following objectives, policies and programs during the Sixth Plan.
2.6.1 Objectives
The ongoing development of the social, youth and information services sector will be guided by the following objectives in the Sixth Plan:
to develop Saudi society by providing needed social welfare programs and to protect society against adverse phenomena;
to raise citizens' participation in supporting social development and social welfare programs and enhance awareness of civic duties;
to achieve balanced regional growth in the provision of social services throughout the Kingdom;
to increase the incomes of needy persons through assistance and the encouragement of self-help;
to strengthen family structures and relations, and to place emphasis on child care, early education and disciplined parenting;
to develop youth welfare programs in ways that enhance the mental and physical capabilities of youth in social, cultural and sporting fields;
to upgrade the quality of broadcast information programs in terms of their social and cultural contents.
2.6.2 Policies
The social, youth and information services sector aims to achieve these development objectives through the following policies:
Continue the provision of social welfare support through the establishment of social homes, centers and institutions to meet the needs of those entitled to such services, and to raise the effectiveness of these institutions in developing the self reliance capacity of individuals.
Support non-institutional social care programs by: encouraging the concept of foster families taking care of orphan children and those with special needs and conditions; supporting families through the handicapped subsidies program; promoting voluntary social action through the formation of private charitable and cooperative societies; and providing technical and financial assistance to these societies to be more active in rendering their social services.
Expand community development programs to urban and rural areas in response to the growing needs of local communities, in coordination with the concerned agencies.
Continue to disburse social security subsidies and assistance, while encouraging less reliance on them by extending subsidies for the establishment of small enterprise projects for beneficiary families; coordinate with the concerned agencies to provide suitable job opportunities to some members of these families according to their physical capabilities and health.
Expand the social insurance system to cover all workers in both private and government sectors by applying the pensions scheme to all Saudis in employment, by requiring all employers who employ five or more workers to make social insurance contributions, and by applying the occupational hazards scheme to all Saudi and non-Saudi workers in establishments with five or more employees.
Inculcate Islamic principles in bringing up the nation's youth.
Develop youth welfare activities in all parts of the Kingdom and expand local community programs for children and youths, with special emphasis on the handicapped; promote excellence in all youth activities up to international standards.
Set specific criteria for reviewing and evaluating the production of radio and television programs, through:
adopting Islamic and ethical values and the traditions of Saudi society as the basis for assessing the propriety of a program's information content;
emphasizing the consideration of important social issues and of family-related and childhood issues in an attractive and interesting manner;
selecting writers, producers of artistic and scientific material for programs, and technical staff according to certain criteria;
adapting the duration of news, recreational, cultural and religious programs according to the needs of all segments of society;
identifying fields of technical cooperation and exchange with other information agencies outside the Kingdom.
2.6.3 Programs
The main programs which will support the policies of the social, youth and information services include: institutional care of the elderly and children with special needs and conditions; care and rehabilitation for the handicapped (males and females); social care to individuals in their own environment; family care and the encouragement of family solidarity; social development; promotion and guidance of indigenous and cooperative activities; youth welfare programs; information programs; and social studies and research.
3 Culture
Never before in the history of civilization has culture received such an attention as it has in recent decades, or raised such an influx of concepts, approaches and definitions about its nature, functions, relations, institutions and tools, as well as the role it plays in formulating social sentiment and present and future life in general. Indeed, the concept of culture has never approached, as it does today, the concept of civilization in so close and interrelated a manner that the two concepts have become almost identical Culture has become the twin of civilization, embodying its characteristics spiritual, material, intellectual, scientific, sentimental. It encompasses the knowledge, values and the ethical commitment which are deeply rooted in culture, resulting from the strongly founded articles and teachings of Islam. it also embodies the methods of thinking and of the production of aesthetic, epistemological and technical creations, as well as the norms of behavior, methods of expression and the patterns of life. It, furthermore, comprises man's aspirations towards high ideals and his frequent attempts to review his achievements, and his continuous search for new significations for his life, values and future, as well as the creation of all that maximizes self-realization.
This civilized perspective towards culture includes completely the movement of society in all its categories and fields, responding, at the same time, to any qualitative change that takes place in society or its outputs. Such a perspective covers all environmental and human variations, making its diversities unique characteristics that enrich culture and boost its capabilities of development and interrelatedness.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the civilization and historical depth of the Arab Peninsula, having a geographical and non-geographical dimension. It is located at the crossroads of civilization and trading since prehistory. This made it a haven for artifacts, cultures, arts, crafts and industries, all of which have accumulated through trade exchange, neighborliness, invasions and migration, in a unique diversity, that combined the cultures of the sea and of the desert, of the village and of the town, of the coastal areas and of the inland. This ultimately led, under the strong canopy of the human and ethical values of Islam, to unity in diversity, to integration in disparity, which boosted the process of social cohesion, deepened patriotism and gave our culture its unique character and contemporaneity.
Such a comprehensive perspective of culture and its focus on the reality of cultural life in the Kingdom and its events, taking into consideration all the historical backgrounds that have created a momentum to the Kingdom's civilized heritage and all the cultural achievements realized during its modern history, necessitates that the perspective on culture in the Kingdom should include the following facts:
First : The culture of the Kingdom is an inseparable part of Islamic civilization in terms of religion and morals, as it is an inseparable part of Arab civilization in terms of language, history and literary heritage. Such a connection is an eternal destiny, historically and traditionally.
Second : The spread of advanced communication technologies and satellite networks and the influx of information from space which has transformed the world into a global village, have necessitated the interconnection with foreign cultures intellectually, literally and artistically, not only for the enrichment of our Arab culture but also for the rationalization of such a communication in general.
3.1 Present Conditions :
No doubt, social life in the Kingdom has faced challenges associated with the development process, and has resulted in forms of cultural expression which are important signals of the extent of sentimental response to the material achievements of development and the resultant influx of new information and knowledge. These helped, in an accumulative manner, to prepare for an intellectual formulation that has created a pattern of awareness, trying to understand and assimilate those results of modem development, and the resultant technologies, tools, knowledges and approaches. In other words, the radical changes made by the development plans in the life patterns in the Kingdom and their impact on social sentiment, definitely lead cultural life into a new path.
Such a new path of culture can be analyzed through considering the events in which the Kingdom has played a historical role or in which it has contributed at both national and international levels. This means that one should take into account the historical background of the Kingdom and all actions in which it has participated throughout its modern history. This will be best explained by an analysis of the present condition of culture.
In this context the following remarks are cogent:
The cultural and artistic tasks performed by some government agencies had been associated with the initial stages of the development process, and had played their role satisfactorily. They can surely play a new role in the current and subsequent ambitious plans.
Since the material and technical achievements are accumulating in an accelerating manner, both in terms of quantity and quality, the cultural agencies, in turn, have to face the challenge of producing a similar accumulation. This may entail new and deeper contexts and formulations for the activities of the cultural agencies, which improve the quality of those activities, making them more efficient sources of cultural production, particularly because they are potentially capable.
The cultural production having as one of its objectives the encouragement of all individual initiatives, and to be more flexible in this respect, possesses the potential for working towards a wider and greater movement.Such a production (of books, etc.,) can cross the local level and reach out to the Arab and world markets, as a contribution to Arab culture.
The facilities provided for the Arabic book can play a significant role in activating its circulation and in using it to fill the gap in the local production of books and in facilitating the interrelatedness of Arabic culture.
The evolving concept of culture demands that we transcend the traditional concept of literature and arts (poetry, short story, novel, drama, criticism, music, folklore, ... etc..) which gives most people the impression that culture is the privilege of the elites, and that its institutions are forums only for artists and men of letters. This new concept should take cultural work out of its isolation in order to interact with all segments of society.
The cultural discourse towards adults necessitates a parallel discourse towards children, that is not left to individual initiative, and does not form a specific trend or a vital cultural movement.
In the light of the aforementioned, the development strategy envisages a set of objectives and policies consistent with the present condition, to pull it towards the desired goals. These objectives should be derived from the section about culture in the (General Objectives and Strategic Principles) of the Sixth Development Plan.
3.2 Basic Issues
1- Development of cultural life in consistency with material achievements
Cultural is not a direct product of a project or a program measured, for example, by the output of a factory, and it is not a material product which can be designed and shaped as desired, directed and controlled. It is, by its very nature, spontaneous emanations of the cultural mentality, constituting, as a whole, the cultural life in its various levels. Consequently, it is better for the government not to interfere directly in cultural activity, or plan it in the same way it does in agricultural or industrial projects. However, the government, in its comprehensive planning, should not exclude culture, assuming that cultural activity can flourish only under its intrinsic conditions of spontaneity, particularly, as this area should coincide with the material achievements of development. In reviewing the present condition of culture, it appears that it has done whatever it possibly could within the limits of the available institutions and machinery that began with the inception of development. However, the increasing developmental achievements and the resultant new style of social life, have made it necessary that culture should develop in a manner consistent with these achievements, and envisage wider horizons of creation. Such a task is usually undertaken by the educated through their intellectual activities, and by the government in creating the appropriate climate and providing all resources and incentives, enabling them to express themselves in an ever increasing momentum.
As examples of what the government can do to boost cultural and intellectual life, these can be cited: a) providing opportunities for publication, distribution and circulation of books; b) encouraging cultural contacts and dialogues with various cultures in terms of exchanging experiences; c) providing means of serving the cultural heritage by documenting, recording and studying it, and then showing and preserving it. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the intellectuals, thinkers and authors to develop cultural life through the adequate resources and the appropriate climate available to them.
2- New formulations for combining the efforts of cultural institutions to underline their effectiveness and develop their output.
It was natural, in the early stage of the development process, for the cultural services to be distributed among several government agencies and institutions concerned in one form or other with cultural work, in order to maximize such services. In that stage there was a need for such a distribution in the context of a general concept of culture, in which education efforts and youth and information services enhance each other. Those agencies and institutions have gone beyond their expected role in carrying out their duties, because they were strongly motivated to continue the achievements of the preceding pioneering generations.
However, the material progress made by the Kingdom, the distinguished position it occupies at the global level and the new concepts that emerged in cultural life, all of these necessitate the creation of a new formula to combine all cultural services within one institution that works within a comprehensive national plan, and for which the tools of continuous assessment and decision making will be available. If the 'development of cultural life in conformity with the material achievement' becomes the basic cultural issue in terms of content, then 'creating a new formula to combine the efforts of the cultural institutions to enhance their effectiveness' becomes the second issue in terms of form.
3.3 Development Strategy:
3.3.1 Objectives :
Strict adherence to the values of Islamic Civilization as the core of the cultural identity.
Creating the appropriate conditions and necessary potentials to enrich the personality of the citizens and build its integrity, to enhance their awareness of faith and their capability to participate in the process of human development.
Enriching and continuously developing the intellectual structure through scholarly and academic studies, since culture is a basic cornerstone in the civilization of the nation.
Achieving integration between heritage elements and the renewable human experience.
Developing the intellectual, literary and artistic output in such a way that it can enter into dialogue with other cultures.
Developing and enriching child culture in order to equip the young generations to play their anticipated role.
3.3.2 Policies
1. Maintaining the Islamic and Arab identity of culture through
Encouraging research in various fields of Islamic heritage (Islamic studies, Arts, Architecture, Sciences), using its noble values in educational curricula and materials.
Encouraging the compilation and verification of the heritage by supporting those working in this field
Publishing encyclopedias and dictionaries needed in Arab culture.
2. Expanding the dialogue between national cultural products and similar ones in Arab, Islamic and Foreign Countries, through :
· Making the maximum possible use of the cultural exchange between the Kingdom and other countries, and of all opportunities made available by others and by regional and international organizations of which the Kingdom is a member.
Increasing the Kingdom's participation in the international book fairs and art exhibitions.
Adopting a national plan for translation in which the highest priorities and required directions are clearly defined.
Supporting the national festival for heritage and culture (Al-Janadriyyah) and making use of its successful experience in deepening the awareness of the national heritage, and in providing opportunities for holding meetings for intellectuals and men of letters from various Arab countries, and organizing the Saudi Cultural Week in Arab and foreign countries as well as hosting similar weeks in the Kingdom.
Supporting the participation of Saudi intellectuals and men of letters in international cultural conferences, festivals, symposia and exhibitions.
Intensifying the participation in dramatic and artistic activities in Arab and International forums.
3. Supporting and developing cultural institutions and those working in the field, and establishing the institutions needed to complete the facilities, through:
Continuing to support King Fahd Library after the success of its experience, and considering the idea of establishing branches for it in other regions.
Developing the literary clubs and the Saudi Society of Culture and Arts and its branches, to make its services available to all.
Linking the efforts of the literary clubs and the Saudi Society of Culture and Arts in the field of publication with the national book plan, and direct their forum activities to tackle the problems facing society in general as well as the issues relating to culture, thought and art.
Disseminating the concept of culture in educational institutions through courses in general culture and class periods devoted to the library and free readings.
Supporting the exhibition of plastic arts by developing the existing exhibition halls and considering the establishment of additional ones, and encouraging the acquisition of some plastic arts as a groundwork for a permanent art exhibition.
Considering the best ways to supply public libraries and their branches with new materials, including modern technology, to ensure their continuous updating and accessibility to readers most of the time, as well as developing school libraries.
Developing existing museums and activating their programs so that they open during holidays and after work hours, and providing them with documentaries, historical and artistic publications.
Considering the establishment of specialized museums, mobile museums, and folklore museums in various parts of the Kingdom.
Studying the methods of completing the acquisition of cultural facilities, supporting them with qualified manpower and giving the private sector the opportunity to participate.
4. Activating book production and circulation inside and outside the Kingdom, through:
Creating more opportunities for the publication and distribution of national cultural and intellectual products, and developing a national plan for the book which makes use of scholarly studies and researches and appropriate university theses (in addition to serving heritage and translation activities) in order to link the scholarly efforts with cultural activity, to enhance its efficiency.
Taking the necessary measures to facilitate book exchange and circulation to and from the Kingdom.
Making locally produced books available in the libraries of educational institutions and in private and government agencies.
Supporting the book fairs held periodically by the government or relevant agencies.
Supporting the private sector dealing with printing, publishing and distributing; including it to participate in producing books at reduced cost.
5. Creating the proper conditions for the intellectuals, men of letter and artists to produce, through:
· Supporting all ideas leading to the creation of an intellectual milieu wherein creative works flourish, especially in the light of what the two Royal Decrees (No. M/I 1, dated 19/5/1410 related to author patent rights protection, and M/26 dated 7/9/1412 related to depository law) have given intellectuals, men of letters and artists of rights and privileges, which represent an important step towards the completion of the cultural structure of the Kingdom.
· Considering the idea of establishing a fund for writers and artists to assist them in emergencies.
· Encouraging writers, translators, researchers and artists to perfect their work by establishing state prizes for the distinguished as an official appreciation for their efforts.
· Providing opportunities for writers or artists of distinguished talent to devote their full time to their creative work.
6 Giving attention to child culture, through:
Considering the idea of establishing centers for the development of child culture equipped with simple scientific tools, hobby practicing methods, small libraries and children theatre.
Giving attention to children libraries and the children sections in public libraries, providing them with new issues of books and magazines.
Activating the production of cultural materials for children such as publications ( emphasizing quality series like simplified scientific books, great authors or artists worldwide), educational and cultural programs, oriented towards the family in general and the mother in particular, and supporting the specialists in the field.
Including simple cultural programs in school curricula in the first levels.
7. Expanding the cultural base to reach a comprehensive concept for culture, through:
Increasing the number of cultural programs in radio and TV. that have simple cultural materials sugarcoated with entertainment, and expanding radio transmission of cultural activities.
Strengthening the relationship between intellectuals and artists on the one hand and mass media and other cultural centers on the other hand, removing any obstacle that might stand in the road. These agencies should make the maximum use of their expertise for the benefit of all.
Establishing a government cultural data base, serving individuals and organizations.
Linking, as much as possible, cultural products with the realities of life in the Kingdom, particularly cultural activities such as seminars, readings from literature and art exhibitions.
3.3.3 Programs:
1- Public Commission for Literature, Arts and Science.
A study will be done on the feasibility of establishing a 'Public Commission for Literature, Arts and Science,' in coordination with the relevant agencies, to undertake two important tasks, namely, to take good care of the artistic and literary heritage of the Kingdom, and to provide accessibility to the various aspects of foreign culture.
The responsibility of this commission will be :
· to record, document, study and preserve the artistic and literary heritage of the Kingdom,
to produce the Arabic book and facilitate its circulation.
to activate the translation from and into Arabic.
to strengthen international cultural relations, cultural exchange agreements, and to support Arabic and international cultural weeks and festivals.
The study should suggest the organizational structure of this commission; which may include :
The Saudi Book House ( a department for publication, a heritage department, a translation department, a magazine department, a printing press, a distribution department )
The National Folklore Center ( a section for artifacts registration, a section for audio-visual records, a folklore museum, a specialized library, a section for models production and transcription
Festivals Department.
Cultural Exchange Department.
2. Arts Academy
A study will be done on the feasibility of establishing an arts academy to undertake the task of creating and supporting specialized cadres in the fields of arts and arts criticism, capable, in the short term, of training a generation of workers in these fields, which will guide and evaluate artistic activities, and, thereby, develop these subjects.
The arts academy may include specialized postgraduate institutes, such as:
The Higher Institute for Drama Studies
The Higher Institute for Art Criticism
The arts academy will start with two institutes, to which others will be added gradually.
4 RELIGIOUS AND JUDICIAL SERVICES
4.1
PRESENT CONDITONSSince its foundation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has based all its political, economic and social development efforts on the principles and faith of the Islamic religion and has followed the Holy Quran and Sunna as its governing code, thereby confirming and enforcing Allah's Sharia, propagating the Islamic call and maintaining justice. As a protector of the Holy Places, the Kingdom performs its responsibilities in serving and taking care of the two Holy Mosques, and fulfills its vital and particular duty to Islam and Muslims all over the world.
Through the religious and judicial affairs agencies, the Kingdom preserves Islamic values, and duly observes, disseminates and confirms Allah's Sharia (God's Divine Law). Furthermore, it encourages morality and enhances brotherhood, cooperation and collaboration in all aspects for the benefit of Islam and Muslims, while at the same time maintaining justice and social stability.
The Ministry of Justice provides and administers judicial services in accordance with the Sharia rules, as the basis of the legal system in all dealings and transactions. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance is responsible for propagation of the faith (inside and outside the Kingdom) and for printing, translating and distributing the Holy Quran, and religious books and conducting research, organizing symposia and lectures and awareness of pilgrims on religious matters, in addition to its responsibility for management and proper investment of the philanthropic endowments for the benefit of Muslims and taking care of the destitute (Al-Arbatah). Also, it directly supervises the construction and maintenance of mosques all over the Kingdom, and takes care of Muslims abroad and calls non-Muslims to adopt Islam. The Ministry of Hajj takes care of pilgrims and visitors and provides services and facilities that assist them in performing the Hajj and Umra rites at the Holy Places. It also provide them with religious guidance. The Kingdom give special care to the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, where the General Presidency for the Holy Mosques also provides services and facilities that assist pilgrims and visitors to perform the Hajj and Umra rites.
The General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta is responsible for issuing judicial opinions (Fatawi) on Sharia matters. It is also responsible for conducting and distributing Islamic research and studies. The General Presidency for the Morality Committees is responsible for preserving local mores and high standards of public behavior and for encouraging people to adhere to Islamic teachings.
The achievements of the religious and judicial affairs sector during the Fifth Plan have been significant, the most significant of which was the expansion of the total area of the Holy Mosque in Makkah to about 356,000 square meters. At the same time, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah was expanded to 418,000 square meters. The Ministry of Justice decided upon a number of legal cases and suits heard before a number of courts and notaries public.
All mosques and prayer facilities in the Kingdom (more than 35,000) have been supervised and maintained, as has the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran, which produces 7 million copies of the Holy Quran per year. These are being distributed all over the Kingdom and to all Islamic countries. The complex also records and translates the interpretation of the Holy Quran which are also being distributed to Muslims.
With regard to the investment of the philanthropic endowments returns, a number of housing complexes were constructed in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif, as well as the charity endowments markets in Riyadh, taking care of the homes and improving the standard of living of the destitute (Al-Arbatah),
as well as supporting and maintaining the endowed libraries all over the Kingdom. The Ministry of Hajj, in coordination with the other concerned agencies, have supervised all services and facilities that have greatly assisted pilgrims to perform pilgrimage rites and facilitated their movement to and from the Holy Places. The Ministry, in cooperation with the other concerned religious agencies, also supervised the religious guidance of pilgrims on matters relating to performance of their religious rituals and continued supervising and directing the Guidance (Tawwafah) organizations, the pilgrims' transport vehicles syndicate and the consolidated (Zamazemah) office.
Furthermore, the continuous and intensified efforts in the field of call (dawa) and guidance and related publications have led to the predominance of Islamic behavior in all aspects of life and to the increase, strengthening and stabilization of social relations. Also, the Holy Quran memorization societies have played their role in the memorization of the Holy Quran and the efforts made to encourage the Holy Quran Memorization Competitions have led to an increase in the number of participants and have attracted Muslims to read and memorize it in a manner serving religious issues.
4.2 KEYISSUES
In spite of the remarkable achievements realized in the sector, there are still some key issues that need further attention and concentration during the Sixth Plan period.
Insufficient Information and Statistical Indicators
The availability of data and statistics from various sources is essential for socioeconomic planning and for formulating the objectives and policies of the religious and judicial affairs sector so that appropriate decisions can be made. However, the concerned agencies in the sector lack a broad information and statistical data base and definite indicators that reflect the magnitude of social problems. Although several scientific institutions in the Kingdom conduct research and studies in the area of religious and judicial services, such as the universities and the Institute for Security Studies and Research in Riyadh, this sector still needs to:
establish a specialized unit in all religious and judicial agencies to follow up the newly conducted research or studies on religious or social issues, in order to derive the conclusions and recommendations which assist the sector to find appropriate solutions for the problems and constraints which it faces;.give more attention to field surveys, in order to identify the nature and scale of problems that are hindering the means of providing religious and judicial services;
intensify training programs for Saudi nationals so that they will be able to undertake the required research in various religious areas;
make use of modern technology such as computers.
Manpower in the Judicial Services
Due to the substantial socioeconomic growth caused by the development process and the continuous increase in demand for judicial services, the judicial system needs substantial support to develop its manpower and to attract specialized Saudi nationals to work in the judicial system. This calls for greater emphasis on the curricula of the Sharia faculties and of the Higher Institute for Judges. The Royal Decree which increased employee salaries in the judicial system has been a great support for the judicial body and has made employment in judicial services attractive, thereby reflecting the special attention given by the government in support of the judiciary. However, similar attention should be placed on curriculum development.
Specialization in Judicial Services
In response to the substantial socioeconomic development witnessed by the Kingdom, the scope and number of legal transactions, court suits and litigation have expanded. The Fifth Development Plan stressed the significance of establishing specialized courts (commercial, conjugal, juvenile, traffic) to be geographically distributed according to the needs of the various regions and physical growth. However, the need for advance in this direction still exists.
4.3 SAUDIIZATION
By the end of the Fifth Plan, Saudiization rates had reached high levels in all the relevant agencies in this sector: Ministry of Hajj (97.307o), Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance (98.4%), Ministry of Justice (98. 1 %), General Presidency for the Holy Mosques (99.7%), General Presidency for the Morality Committees (99.9%), Presidency of Scientific Research and Ifta (99%). The target of the Sixth Plan is to fill all vacant posts and to replace all non-Saudis by Saudis in all agencies.
4.4 PRIVATE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES
In the context of its policy to encourage the private sector's participation in the development process, the government has supported the religious and judicial sector through the following:
providing opportunities for the contracting sector to construct and furnish facilities such as mosques, prayer facilities, homes for needy people, charitable foundations and housing for the Al-Arbatah (indigent) population;
providing opportunities for the contracting sector to supply maintenance and cleaning services for the many religious and judicial facilities, both in the government agencies and at the holy places.
4.5 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The religious and judicial services sector's development strategy will be implemented through the following objectives, policies and programs:
4.5.1 Objectives
To safeguard Islamic values by duly observing, disseminating and confirming Allah's Sharia God's Divine Law,"
To focus on the development of Saudi society by providing religious care, facilitating litigation procedures and protecting society against adverse influences;
To upgrade the intellectual and cultural standards of callers and Imams in a manner that would enable them to deliver their message in the proper manner.
4.5.2 Policies
Provide the means to enable the judicial services to ensure the timely settlement of legal cases and transactions;
Provide religious and judicial facilities in areas not covered by such services, in addition to improving existing facilities;
Increase the number of general and specialized courts and distribute them according to the needs of the various regions;
Increase the number of notaries public to contribute in the timely settlement of cases and transactions.
Intensify and diversify training programs in the religious and judicial sector in general, and for judicial field staff in particular;
Continue to operate and diversify the output of the King Fahd Complex for holy Quran printing;
Continue to support the process of maintaining mosques and prayer facilities throughout the Kingdom;
Continue to take care of Islamic centers within the Kingdom and abroad;
Intensify the procedures for classification and control of endowments, increasing their revenues while maintaining and renovating their buildings;
Continue construction of Al-Arbatah homes and improve the conditions of their residents;
Continue the supervision and development of institutes for Imams, Khatibs and Callers and of benevolent religious schools and the endowed Islamic libraries;
Devote attention to the various aspects of Islameditc heritage and open two centers in Makkah and Madinah, each encompassing a library, a museum for Islamic heritage, antiquities and manuscripts, along with caring for and studying such manuscripts and making them available to researchers;
Continue to support the care of pilgrim service and care stations, rest houses, and centers for awareness and guidance;
Continue coordination with the Hajj central committee, the Hajj missions and concerned government agencies in order to provide pilgrims with the best services;
Continue to supervise and direct Hajj organizations within the Kingdom and abroad;
4.5.3 Programs
The programs and projects of all agencies providing religious and judicial services aim at realizing the objectives and policies of the religious sector for the benefit of all citizens. These programs and projects focus on a series of themes: providing and facilitating religious and judicial services; the establishment of specialized courts; construction and maintenance of mosques and Islamic centers; taking care of and developing Al-Arbatah homes and orphanages; control and maintenance of endowments and development of their investments; upgrading the efficiency of manpower at all religious and judicial agencies; and exerting the utmost efforts to increase the percentage of national cadres therein.
4.6 Growth Targets During the Sixth Plan:
- Increase notaries public capability to ensure the timely issuance of deeds transactions.
- Increase legal courts capability to ensure the timely settlement of legal cases.
- continue to operate and diversify the output of King Fahd Complex for Holy Quran printing and issue more than (7) million copies per year.
- Continue to organize local and international Quran memorization and recitation and Prophet's Suna Competition.
- Continue to supervise and direct guidance (Tawwafa) organizations in the development of their services to pilgrims.
- continue to coordinate with Haj Mission.
- Continue to produce the Kaaba Kiswah and the Prophet Chambers Sitra (Curtain).
Continue the maintenance and cleaning of the two Holy Mosques and the process of maintaining mosques which reached (35,000) throughout the Kingdom, increasing their numbers and encouraging benevolent societies to construct more mosques.
Continue the survey and control of endowments, protect them and increase their revenues.
Continue the supervision and development of institutes for Imams, Khatibs and callers and of benevolent religious schools and the endowed Islamic Libraries.
Continue the material, moral and education support of Muslims abroad, particularly where there are Islamic minorities.
Continue to support Islamic centers, Societies, Organizations and Institutes abroad.Continue to encourage Muslims to adhere to their religion and to call non-Muslims to adopt Islam.
continue to call non-Muslims to adopt Islam by wisdom and proper advice.
On-the-job training for the sector's employees.
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