Saudi Nokia welcomes Ramadan with the launch of free new applications

Building on last year's offering, the new applications are free-of-charge and is inspired by the Holy Month of Ramadan.

"The overwhelming response and feedback that we received from last year's offering allowed us to improve and expand this year's application, making it a complete solution that gives Nokia users a single and easy access to many of the cherished experiences that Muslims like to be close to during the Holy Month,"

said Mohammed Hassan, General Manager, Nokia Saudi Arabia.

The 2008 Ramadan offering from Nokia includes the Holy Quran, which allows users to read, search, bookmark and listen to Quran recitation.

Other elements include Emsakya, Ramadaniat and Mozzaker.

Developed by ASGATech, the only Forum Nokia Premium Partner in the Middle East, all content of the Ramadan applications has been reviewed and approved by Al Azhar Al Shareef.

Building on Nokia's existing Maps platform, the new mobile services also feature locations of major mosques in Saudi Arabia, such as the two holy mosques, Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Al Nabawi in Al Madinah.

Additionally users can also navigate locations of major mosques in UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Pakistan using the Nokia Maps service.

"As the number one mobile device company in the world, we are now expanding into offering services and software that empower and enable Nokia device owners to fully realize the benefits of mobility, and the Ramadan applications come as part of this strategy. In 2007, 14% of Nokia's global net sales came from the Middle East and Africa, so this is a region that is greatly important to us and we have committed to ensuring that we are tailoring solutions that meet the local needs," added Hassan.

The range of Nokia devices to offer pre-loaded Ramadan applications in the region include: Nokia N78, Nokia N70 Music Edition, Nokia E51, Nokia 3120 Classic, Nokia 6500 Slide, Nokia 6300 and Nokia 2630.