His Royal Highness the Advisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, sponsors the "Alternative Sanctions" workshop that is organized by Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Deanship of Scientific Research. The workshop is scheduled to be held during the period from 15-16 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1440 A.H. (20-21 February 2019), at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall in Al-Abdiyyah.

His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, pointed out that the University Vice Presidency for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, represented by the Deanship of Scientific Research, is keen in organizing this workshop; as it seeks to implement its strategic vision in accordance with the National Transformation Plan 2020 and the Kingdom's Vision for 2030. This vision aims at employing scientific research, and making its key cornerstones pour into converting the outputs of the university's research and studies to projects that achieve the development goals and serve public interest.

The Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Thamir Al-Harbi, explained that the "Alternative Sanctions" workshop pursues the accomplishment of six main objectives, including: carrying out a critical study of the origin of alternative sanctions according to the Shari`ah and their fulfillment of the objectives of the Shari`ah and judicial applications, benefitting from the experience of the countries that implemented alternative sanctions, identifying research needs in the area of alternative sanctions and introducing national initiatives that bring together various field and research agencies to study the impacts of applying alternative sanctions, providing the necessary feedback for continuous improvement, investigating the role of psycho-social rehabilitation in the subject at hand, and creating research partnerships between the university, represented by the Deanship of Scientific Research, and the field authorities related to alternative sanctions.

A number of prominent personalities will attend the workshop, including: the Advisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; His Excellency Dr. Salih bin Humaid, Member of the Council of Senior Scholars and Advisor to the Royal Court; His Excellency Dr. Sa`d Al-Shathri, Member of the Council of Senior Scholars and Advisor to the Royal Court; and His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Al-Uqala, former President of the Islamic University.

Moreover, many relevant government sectors will participate in the workshop, represented by the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Education (Umm Al-Qura University), Labor, and Social Development, in addition to the Public Prosecution Office, the general administration of prisons, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, and several academic members from a number of different Saudi universities. The workshop also seeks to bring together all concerned actors, under one roof, to discuss and exchange views and expertise in this field, come up with practical proposals for the application of alternative sanctions, along with research projects that study these sanctions and their effects, and propose national initiatives that can promote such a concept.

The "Alternative Sanctions" workshop will cover four main topics. First: The concept of alternative sanctions and a critical study of its origin, according to the Shari`ah. Second: Psycho-social intervention and the role it plays in the activation of alternative sanctions. Third: Judicial applications and the models proposed for alternative sanctions. Fourth: International experience in the application of alternative sanctions and its relatedness to the Kingdom's Vision for 2030.