MAM
Saudi govt launches campaign across mediums to tab extremism
MUMBAI: The government of Saudi Arabia has been carrying out a national public awareness and education campaign as part of its strategy to combat extremism.
The programme features advertisements on television, radio and billboards, as well as programmes on television, in schools and mosques, and at sporting events. The objective is to educate Saudi citizens about the true values of the Islamic faith and the importance of tolerance and moderation.
Adel Al-Jubeir who is the foreign affairs advisor to Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz says, “The campaign will help educate our public, especially our young people about the dangers of extremism and terrorism.”
The campaign, conducted over several weeks, has as one of its enterpieces a series of public service advertisements. These air up to 25 times a day on a number of Arabic satellite networks including Al-Arabiya, MBC and Future Television, as well as on Saudi TV channels.
Six government ministries are coordinating the development and execution of the programs. The Ministry of Education, for example, is sponsoring lectures at public schools that promote moderation, tolerance and peace and point out the dangers of extremism.
Al-Jubeir adds, “The bottom line is that no Saudi citizen will be able to escape the clear message that intolerance, violence and extremism are not part of our Islamic faith or Saudi culture or traditions. We are using different forms of communication to send a clear and powerful message, and we are taking serious actions to undermine the strength of those that try to misguide our young people.”
Over a two-week period, schools and mosques in the country will devote time to lectures promoting moderation and tolerance, and highlighting the evils of terrorism. The advertisements in the different media are all in Arabic. The aim is to foster concepts to destroy the mindset of hate and violence and appeal to the values that all Saudis share, to work for a better society without extremism.
There are three phases to the campaign. The first is designed to personify and humanize the victims of terrorism. Al-Jubeir points out that over the past two years, more than 500 people have been killed or injured by acts of terrorism in the Kingdom, including over 35 brave security officers who gave their lives in the line of duty and over 200 who were injured.
“The first spot depicts a father who lost a son through terrorism. Phase II of the campaign is designed to make clear that terrorism and extremism are not part of our faith, culture or society. The final phase is designed to promote values and feelings of national pride. The Saudi people have been galvanized in opposition to Al-Qaeda and terrorism in general, and this message is meant to continue to reinforce and mobilise national opinion.
“In addition to the advertising campaign, we have also developed a series of special programming, some of which is designed to reach a younger audience. We have a multi-series programme The Discourse of Mind and Logic. This is a series of documentaries that addresses how terrorist ideology was spread in the region and in the Kingdom and the effect it has had on Saudi Arabia. In this example, the narrator relates these effects on society and family, and you will meet children whose innocence and future have been altered by terrorism.
“Then there is a programme is from another series of documentaries Why? You will see members of families grieving because of acts of terrorism that have killed or injured their loved ones. The goal of this programme is to reinforce the importance of the true ideals of Islam — tolerance and peace. By relying on faith, it will help them overcome such tragedy.”
Al Jubeir explains that this national multimedia public service campaign is similar to, but more intense than, the Just Say No or Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink and Drive campaigns in the US. “We are using different forms of communication to send a clear and powerful message, and we are taking serious actions to undermine the strength of those that try to misguide our young people.
“God willing, this campaign will help educate our public, especially our young people, about the dangers of extremism, and contribute to the war against terrorism.”
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
