RIYADH: The landmark visit of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has ushered in a new era of relations between the two countries, officials and commentators said.
Mohamed Al-Khunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, told Arab News: “King Salman started the Asian tour after realizing that everything is stable inside Saudi Arabia, he made so many positive changes in the country.”
“Now he wants to (develop even stronger relations) with the Islamic countries especially Indonesia, which is a big Islamic power... we have so many things in common between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.”
“Indonesia is supporting the war in ... Yemen and supported Saudi Arabia all the time,” Al-Khunaizi added. “So the king went to Indonesia to establish relations and make more agreements for enhancing economic ties and bolstering bilateral relation.”
He pointed out that there is a huge number of Indonesians working in Saudi Arabia.
Majed Abdullah Al-Hedayan, a legal consultant and investment law expert said the royal visit reflects a “new dimension, which is strategically important in the foreign policy of the Kingdom.”
Saudi Arabia has opened new pages of cooperation with Asian countries, as reflected in the current visit to the Republic of Indonesia, he added.
Al-Hedayan said that the countries on the Saudi delegation’s tour of Asia — such as China, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia — are strong economic powers and will be helpful in the aims of the Vision 2030 reform plan.
The Asian tour will make the way for further strengthening of relations with these states, he added.
Jenur Muchlis, an official in the Jakarta city government, told Arab News that the royal tour marks “a historic visit” to two major Islamic countries.
“Of course the arrival of King Salman to Jakarta and private tour to Bali had a positive impact on world tourism and investment,” he added.
Indonesia visit adds new dimension to bilateral ties
Indonesia visit adds new dimension to bilateral ties
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RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Rain of varying intensities will fall over most parts of Saudi Arabia from Jan. 10 to 12, the National Center for Meteorology stated on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.
One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.
Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.
The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
