Ambassadors extend Eid greetings 

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Denmark’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Liselotte Plesner. (AN Photo: Huda Bashatah)
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Italy’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Roberto Cantone. (Supplied)
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EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Simonnet. (Supplied)
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Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah. (Supplied)
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Updated 23 April 2023
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Ambassadors extend Eid greetings 

  • Denmark’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Liselotte Plesner: I am looking forward to spending Eid here. I wish everyone a blessed holiday with their loved ones
  • EU Ambassador Patrick Simonnet: It gives me great pleasure to extend my warm wishes and sincerest congratulations to Muslims around the world on Eid Al-Fitr

RIYADH: Ambassadors to Saudi Arabia have extended warm wishes and greetings to the Kingdom and Muslims around the world celebrating Eid Al-Fitr.

Denmark’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Liselotte Plesner, wished all a blessed Eid. 

“I am grateful to have spent my first Ramadan in Saudi Arabia. It has been an amazing experience full of togetherness and joy with friends and family. Now I am looking forward to spending Eid here. I wish everyone a blessed holiday with their loved ones,” Plesner said.

EU Ambassador Patrick Simonnet said: “It gives me great pleasure to extend my warm wishes and sincerest congratulations to Muslims around the world on Eid Al-Fitr. One of the happiest occasions that Muslims celebrate around the world every year after the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

“I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Eid, and health and happiness for the coming year. Eid Mubarak.”

Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan said: “I wish a very happy, prosperous and joyful Eid to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Indian community across the Kingdom. May this Eid bring blessings, peace, and prosperity for the entire humanity. Eid Mubarak to all.”

Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah said: “I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all Muslims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and around the world. I pray that Allah Almighty showers His blessings, fulfills all your dreams, and answers all your prayers.”

Roberto Cantone, Italy’s ambassador to the Kingdom, said: “I express my warmest wishes of peace and joy to the people of Saudi Arabia as well as to all our Muslim friends for Eid Al-Fitr 2023.

“It is an honor to join the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s society in celebrating the holiday. Italy is home to a sizable Muslim community, actively contributing to its success and cultural richness. Eid celebrations help reinforce the long-standing and ever-growing friendship between our nations. It provides us with a chance to reflect on the values of kindness and altruism and to foster mutual understanding among people and countries.”

US Charge d’Affaires Denison Offutt said: “On behalf of the US Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I would like to wish all Muslims throughout the Kingdom and around the world a blessed Eid Mubarak. This holiday marks the end of Ramadan and is a time for celebration across Muslim communities in America and throughout the world.

“I am honored to celebrate with you and greatly appreciate the generous hospitality of our Saudi friends, colleagues, and partners. The blessings of this joyous time highlight so many of the wonderful characteristics and values that define the Saudi people and all that my colleagues, their families, and I have come to cherish in our time here. We wish you a heartfelt and peaceful Eid Mubarak.”


Saudi Arabia to promote rural development at global trade fair

More than 1,600 global exhibitors will take part in IPM Essen from Jan. 28-31.
Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to promote rural development at global trade fair

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will showcase its advances in agriculture and promote a range of local products at one of the world's leading horticulture trade fairs in Germany.

More than 1,600 global exhibitors will take part in IPM Essen from Jan. 28-31, with the Kingdom participating through its Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program.

The goal is to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in advancing agriculture, supporting farmers, and promoting local rural products globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The program will showcase its rural community development initiatives and support for small farmers, while emphasizing partnerships and collaboration with experts.

Majed Al-Buraikan, the program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said that participation aims to attract foreign investment, strengthen international cooperation, and align with Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, improve food security, and enhance Saudi Arabia’s global agricultural standing.

The event offers an opportunity to explore innovations and solutions that could benefit small farmers in Saudi Arabia, Al-Buraikan added.

The Saudi pavilion will present its support programs, and distribute informational materials on subsidized sectors, including Saudi coffee, honey, and aromatic plants.

The fair will feature sustainable agricultural solutions, along with conferences and workshops addressing sector challenges and opportunities.


Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla.
Updated 26 January 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla

  • Two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday.

The two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pictured at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday. (SPA)

They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest during the meeting. 

Meloni arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday. 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is pictured at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday. (SPA)

 


Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference

Updated 26 January 2025
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Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference

RIYADH: Participants in Bangkok on Sunday at the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stressed Islam’s foundation in worshipping Allah and following the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, urging Muslims to promote moderation while contributing to progress.

In a final communique of the two-day event, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, participants called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse.

They highlighted the importance of following the path of the Prophet’s companions, combating extremism, and rejecting groups that misused religion for personal gain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Participants stressed the need to leverage modern media and technology to promote Islam, counter misinformation through research, and develop programs instilling Islamic values and tolerance in young people.

Participants at the event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse. (SPA)

The conference focused on research papers by various scholars and aimed to strengthen communication among Islamic leaders and institutions to advance civilization.

Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh on Saturday emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and uphold Islamic identity through solidarity and adherence to the truth.

He said that scholars had a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security issues facing the world.

Al-Asheikh added: “This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith.”


Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah

Updated 26 January 2025
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Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah

RIYADH: The third group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured several historical and religious sites in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

As part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the visit aimed to enrich the cultural experience of visitors and Umrah performers in the holy city.

The group, consisting of 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries, visited the Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.

At Quba Mosque, the guests performed prayers and were briefed on its facilities and the ongoing expansion projects designed to increase capacity and enhance services for worshippers.

The guests also learned about the mosque’s historical and religious significance as the first mosque built after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Madinah.

Additionally, they toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah, where they explored the technical and administrative departments and learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an and its translation into multiple languages.

The visit also showcased the complex’s efforts in recording Qur’anic recitations, interpreting its meanings, advancing Qur’anic sciences, and supporting Islamic research and studies.

The guests were introduced to the complex’s written and audio publications, which aim to spread Islamic teachings worldwide. At the end of the tour, representatives of the complex presented copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.

This third group is part of a larger initiative to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries this year. After their visit to Madinah, the guests will travel to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.


Saudi project clears 840 Houthi mines in Yemen

Updated 26 January 2025
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Saudi project clears 840 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 38 anti-tank mines, 800 unexploded ordnances and two explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 479,794 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.