Saudi Arabia thanked for economic aid to Cameroon

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Cameroon Ambassador Iya Tidjani with Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf at the Cultural Palace reception. (Supplied)
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Updated 22 May 2023
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Saudi Arabia thanked for economic aid to Cameroon

  • Envoy lauds Kingdom’s support at 51st National Day celebrations
  • Diplomatic relations established in 1966 between the 2 nations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is a “faithful friend” that continues to support Cameroon’s economic development.

This is according to Cameroon’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iya Tidjani, who was speaking in Riyadh on Sunday to mark his country’s 51st National Day.

Those in attendance at the Diplomatic Quarter’s Cultural Palace included Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, and Mayor of Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf.

Tidjani said: “Since 1966, the year when diplomatic relations between the two countries were established, these relations have continued to deepen and cooperation has diversified for the mutual benefit.”

“Thanks to the will, repeatedly affirmed, of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a new dawn was reached with the signing on Nov. 21, 2021, in Yaounde of the General Cooperation Agreement between Cameroon and Saudi Arabia.

“It will considerably boost the excellent historical relations between our two countries, particularly in the areas of investment, trade, mining, agriculture, tourism, sports and the fight against terrorism.”

“This agreement, therefore, opens great prospects for cooperation between the two countries, especially as it reinforces the air agreement signed on March 7, 2017, thus paving the way for the acceleration and expansion of trade and tourism between the two countries,” said the envoy.

“Saudi Arabia is a faithful friend and a major player in international relations, as is sufficiently confirmed by the eminent role that this country is playing in the world economy, the solidarity and cohesion of the Ummah, the fight against terrorism, the promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond,” said Tidjani.




Cameroon Ambassador Iya Tidjani cuts cake with Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi & Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf at the Cultural Palace reception. (Supplied)

He said that officials of the two nations are in regular contact to discuss major international issues. “It is in this context that Cameroonian Foreign Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during the visit to Cameroon in October 2020,” he added.

“I would like to express the Cameroonian government’s gratitude to the Saudi authorities for the multifaceted support they are providing to our country, through the Saudi Development Fund, and the Saudi medical caravan which since the year 2000, has been sent every year to bring medical care to the population,” said the envoy.

Moreover, a joint medical team from the Al-Balsam Organization and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, or KSrelief, is currently in Cameroon within this framework, he added.

Cameroon celebrates May 20 as its national day, and the embassy in Riyadh celebrated the 51st anniversary of the advent of the unitary state on Sunday, May 21, he said.

The 51st national day was celebrated under the theme “Defense forces and Cameroonian people, in harmony to safeguard peace and national unity, bedrock of a strong and prosperous Cameroon.” The day is also known as the National Unity Day of Cameroon.

The activities in Riyadh included a cultural program and exhibition, and was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials and members of the community.


98-year-old Egyptian pilgrim fulfilling lifelong dream

Updated 17 sec ago
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98-year-old Egyptian pilgrim fulfilling lifelong dream

  • Ahmed Tamim is among the oldest pilgrims on Hajj this year
  • Son Muhammed says ‘his eyes filled with tears’ when selected

JEDDAH: Ahmed Tamim, 98, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing Hajj this year.

Tamim is a native of Egypt’s Sohag governorate, located on the west bank of the Nile, and is one of the oldest pilgrims on this year’s Hajj.

He arrived in Madinah on May 18 accompanied by his son, to embark on the sacred journey that is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it.

They are among 13,062 Egyptian pilgrims who were selected through the annual lottery to perform the pilgrimage this year.

His son Muhammed told Arab News: “It all started with a phone call from my friends who said the Hajj lottery is open, aren’t you going to apply for your father?

“I tried to contact the lottery mission, and they told me tomorrow is the last day (and) anyone who hasn’t applied can still apply.

“At the time, we hadn’t applied, but after that call, I decided to apply for my father, and thank God, his name was added to the reserve list due to his advanced age.”

He added: “Every year he used to wish to perform Hajj or Umrah. This time, when he found out his name was called after all these years, his eyes filled with tears and he reacted with happiness, he couldn’t believe it.”

Muhammed said his father is insisting on performing all the rituals unaided despite his difficulties in walking and hearing.

“He always (said) ‘this is an opportunity Allah has chosen me, and I want to experience it to the fullest.’”

Muhammad added: “Everyone in Sohag is happy for my father, because he’s not only the oldest pilgrim, but he’s a very respected religious person in the governorate.

“May Allah accept his Hajj and we are all so glad that he finally made Hajj.”


Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat

Updated 04 June 2025
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Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel recently visited a Hajj pilgrim who had received emergency cardiac surgery at East Arafat Hospital.

The minister, who is also chairman of the Health Holding Co., made the visit during an inspection tour of healthcare facilities before the pilgrimage begins later this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The hospital is one of several medical facilities serving the holy sites during the Hajj.

 


Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation

Updated 04 June 2025
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Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation

  • A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine

RIYADH: A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media.

The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation.

A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime.

The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations.

Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.

 


KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo

Updated 04 June 2025
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KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a pediatric cardiac surgery and catheterization program in Syria’s Aleppo, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Volunteer medical workers carried out the project — a part of the Saudi Amal Program for Syrians — which ran from May 16 to 23, the SPA reported.

The teams performed 28 cardiac catheterizations and two open-heart operations.

In addition, 30 diagnostic radiology services were provided, 30 laboratory tests conducted, and medications dispensed to 30 patients.

The project is an extension of the specialized volunteer medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief to help people in Syria.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy

Updated 04 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has provided 2,339 food parcels to vulnerable people in the Syrian Arab Republic and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Syrians in Aleppo received 1,339 parcels, while in Sudan’s Blue Nile State 1,000 were delivered for 4,686 people, the report added.

Saudi Arabia continues to provide much-needed aid to communities in crisis across the world, the SPA reported.