Dr. Fahd Al-Mutairi, diplomat at the KSA’s UN Mission in Geneva

Updated 30 March 2019
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Dr. Fahd Al-Mutairi, diplomat at the KSA’s UN Mission in Geneva

Dr. Fahd Al-Mutairi has been the head of the human rights section at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland since July 2016.

In February, he was given the additional responsibility to work as a counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Al-Mutairi obtained a master’s degree in law from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, California in 2008. He earned his Ph.D. in political science and government from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea in 2016.

Following the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, Al-Mutairi said: “The Kingdom has warned repeatedly of the dangers of racist rhetoric.”

Speaking during a discussion panel on the mitigation and countering of rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Al-Mutairi expressed his deepest condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack in New Zealand. 

He expressed concern about some racist speeches and policies in certain countries, including Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Britain, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

Al-Mutairi expressed the Kingdom’s deep concern about the leniency and favoritism shown to some of those who support the rhetoric of extremism, hatred and violence.

“There are those who welcome these despicable speeches in some parliaments of these countries while welcoming the pretext of freedom of opinion and expression,” he said. “We call on these countries to pass laws that limit racism against Muslims.”


Saudi officials meet Egyptian, Greek ambassadors in Riyadh

Updated 11 sec ago
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Saudi officials meet Egyptian, Greek ambassadors in Riyadh

RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Farouk Tawfik in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The meeting marked the conclusion of Tawfik’s tenure as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Faisal expressed his gratitude for the ambassador’s efforts during his service and wished him success in his future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati met with Greek Ambassador Alexis Konstantopoulos in Riyadh. The two men discussed bilateral relations and topics of common concern, said the Foreign Ministry on X.


Saudi crown prince receives call from Ukraine’s Zelensky

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 13 min 41 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince receives call from Ukraine’s Zelensky

  • Two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts made to resolve it

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

During the call, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts made to resolve it. 

They also reviewed Saudi-Ukrainian relations and discussed issues of common interest. Regional and international developments were also discussed. 


Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 features first display of Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah outside Makkah

Updated 08 January 2025
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Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 features first display of Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah outside Makkah

  • Exhibition will highlight Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims
  • Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts”

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will feature, from Jan. 25 to May 25, the first public display outside Makkah of the whole Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba.

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is hosting the unprecedented event at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, titled “And All That Is In Between.”

Visitors can admire the intricate weaving and embroidery of the Kiswah, the cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, featuring silk, gold and silver threads.

Since 1927, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa has been producing decorative embroidered clothes for the Holy Kaaba, which is replaced annually.

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation said that the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba, with its distinctive inscriptions and ornamentations, is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts” and holds significance in the lives of Muslims worldwide.

The exhibition will highlight Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims over the decades and showcase the exceptional skills and craftsmanship of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba.

Alongside the Kiswah display, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will exhibit a collection of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks. The organizers aim to surpass the 600,000 visitors who attended the 2023 event.

The event also aims to enhance pilgrims’ religious and cultural experiences while preserving the Kingdom’s Islamic heritage as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.


Deal to enhance heritage conservation in AlUla, China

Royal Commission for AlUla and Dunhuang Academy have signed a strategic partnership to enhance collaborations.
Updated 08 January 2025
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Deal to enhance heritage conservation in AlUla, China

  • Agreement unites expertise in cultural preservation and tourism growth 

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla and Dunhuang Academy have signed a strategic partnership to enhance cultural, tourism and heritage collaborations between Saudi Arabia and China.

This partnership marks a key milestone in Saudi Arabia-China relations, combining the academy’s 80 years of expertise in heritage research and cultural conservation with the commission’s dedication to preserving AlUla’s cultural heritage. 

The academy manages the Magao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 735 Buddhist caves in Gansu province, famous for their murals and sculptures that reflect Silk Road cultural influences.

The agreement unites the organizations as guardians of unique heritage, history and traditions, according to a recent press release.

The academy’s successful preservation of the Magao Grottoes has earned praise from UNESCO, the World Bank, and the Chinese government.

Both entities will collaborate on a conservation program for historic sites and artifacts in AlUla and western China. They will also organize academic exhibitions and exchange programs for staff and scholars.

Silvia Barbone, vice president of strategic partnerships at the commission, said that China and Saudi Arabia share a rich legacy that has connected people and places across vast distances and centuries.

“Today, our work in global heritage is strengthened by successful collaborations with leading institutions and destinations.”

Barbone added that the academy joins the commission in “our goal to establish northwest Arabia as a hub for research, exploration, and discovery in culture, heritage, tourism, and more, as we drive the regeneration of AlUla.” 

The partnership follows the Saudi Travel Expo, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority, where AlUla was prominently featured. The event, held in Beijing’s Tian Tan Garden in October 2024, highlighted AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.

Su Bomin, director of Dunhuang Academy, said this collaboration was a significant step in “bridging our cultural histories and advancing heritage conservation efforts.

“By sharing our expertise and resources, we aim to foster cultural exchange, deepen mutual understanding, and create innovative programs that will benefit communities in both China and Saudi Arabia.”

In January 2024, the “AlUla, Wonder of Arabia” exhibition, featuring artifacts from the commission’s archaeological collection on public display for the first time, was hosted at Beijing’s Forbidden City UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attracting over 220,000 visitors, the exhibition followed the signing of a partnership agreement between the commission and the Cultural Heritage Administration of China’s Henan province.


Saudi FM discusses Middle East issues with Spanish, British counterparts, UNRWA chief

Updated 08 January 2025
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Saudi FM discusses Middle East issues with Spanish, British counterparts, UNRWA chief

  • Prince Faisal meets Philippe Lazzarini in Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received separate phone calls from Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday.

He discussed recent developments in the Middle East with his Spanish and British counterparts, and efforts to address them.

The Saudi foreign minister also met the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Philippe Lazzarini, in Riyadh. They discussed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to cooperate with UNRWA on projects benefiting the Palestinian people.