CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince wound up his three-day visit to Egypt on Tuesday with a symbolically significant visit to Al-Azhar.
Accompanied by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was given a tour of the mosque at the heart of old Cairo to see the outcome of three years of restoration work financed by a Saudi grant. Also at hand was Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
The mosque, built in the 10th century, is now part of a sprawling university teaching Islam as well as secular subjects and a nationwide network of schools. It is perceived to be a bastion of moderation whose teaching counters radicalism and violence.
Al-Tayeb thanked Prince Mohammed profusely for the kingdom’s help.
“This is our duty and every Saudi hopes that he can contribute, even in a simple way, to the renovation and improvement of Al-Azhar,” the Saudi heir apparent said in reply to Al-Tayeb.
The prince was given a warm welcome in Egypt, whose government views Saudi aid and investment as key to reviving the country’s battered economy. Posters featuring the prince alongside el-Sisi lined major roads in central Cairo. Pro-government television networks broadcast promotional videos about Saudi Arabia and the prince’s efforts to modernize the kingdom.
In what is perhaps a first for a Saudi heir apparent, Prince Mohammed and El-Sisi watched a play on Monday night at Cairo’s Opera House. In another first, he visited the spiritual leader of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox church, Pope Tawadros II, at the Cathedral of St. Mark in central Cairo.
He and el-Sisi traveled through one of several tunnels being built under the Suez Canal linking mainland Egypt with the Sinai peninsula. They later boarded a boat from a red-carpeted dock as an army band played marching music. The two countries have plans to build a causeway across the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba and to develop areas on both sides, including a multi-billion dollar city stretching across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.
The prince left later Tuesday for London where he would be visiting before he travels on to Washington.
Saudi crown prince winds down trip to Egypt with mosque visit
Saudi crown prince winds down trip to Egypt with mosque visit
Saudi cabinet praises Riyadh ministerial meeting on Syria
RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday praised the outcomes of a conference that gathered top European and Middle Eastern diplomats in the Saudi capital of Riyadh earlier this week to discuss Syria’s future.
During the weekly meeting chaired by Saudi King Salman, the cabinet commended the broad international participation in the ministerial meetings held in Riyadh this week on Syria.
In addition to easing sanctions, the cabinet said in its statement that the Riyadh conference discussed steps to support the Syrian people on the humanitarian and economic levels, and to provide aid as the country goes through a transitional period.
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The Cabinet also addressed the current developments on the regional and international arenas, and reiterated the Kingdom’s call on the international community to assume its responsibility to stop the ongoing Israeli violations of international laws and norms.
It also followed up on Saudi humanitarian efforts and contributions worldwide to alleviate the suffering of the needy and affected people.
Food authority chief inspects Jeddah facilities
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Hisham Aljadhey, inspected several facilities in Jeddah, including the authority’s branch office, to assess operations and ensure product safety.
He reviewed laboratory initiatives for detecting mycotoxins like aflatoxin, caused by improper storage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Aljadhey highlighted the need for skilled personnel and advanced equipment to prevent non-compliant products from reaching local markets.
He also reiterated the authority’s commitment to improving service quality and enhancing customer experiences to raise performance standards, SPA reported.
On Monday, Aljadhey met with officials from the food, drug, medical devices, and medical products sectors in the western region at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation, enabling investment, and identifying opportunities. It also provided a platform for the private sector to share challenges and suggestions, helping the authority refine its services.
Aljadhey stressed the importance of improving product quality, fostering partnerships, and supporting investment within regulatory frameworks to protect public health.
He called on the private sector to enhance self-regulation and compliance to ensure safety and quality, the SPA reported.
Private sector representatives expressed gratitude for the engagement, posed questions, and offered suggestions, which were addressed by Aljadhey and the food authority officials.
Saudi, Japan expanding cultural relations to mark 70th anniversary
- Kingdom’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka highlighted by Saudi Culture Ministry
RIYADH: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto on Monday said that cultural relations are expanding with Saudi Arabia as the two nations celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.
Matsumoto made the comments during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan bin Ibrahim Altouq at Diriyah’s Al-Bujairi District, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two officials discussed events planned for this year, with Altouq highlighting the Kingdom’s participation at the Expo 2025 Osaka.
Matsumoto arrived in Riyadh on Jan. 12 and will travel next to Jordan.
Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games
- Meeting at Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Riyadh
RIYADH: Officials representing the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto discussed on Monday plans for the hosting of the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya city in 2026.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the SOPC’s CEO and Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen attended the meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The officials discussed ways to facilitate the participation of Saudi Arabia’s sports delegation in the games.
Collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the SOPC and the Japanese Olympic Committee on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Set to begin in September, the theme of the 2026 Asian Games is “Imagine One Asia.”
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This story was originally posted on Arab News Japan
Crown prince and Brazilian president discuss strengthening ties
- During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed the strong relations between the Kingdom and Brazil
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Monday from Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Brazil and emphasized their commitment to further developing cooperation across various fields.
Discussions also encompassed a range of topics of mutual interest, highlighting the shared vision for addressing global and regional challenges and both leaders reaffirmed their countries' dedication to fostering collaboration that benefits their respective nations and contributes to global progress, SPA added.
