INDONESIA TO BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR FOR

FESTIVAL THIS YEAR

BY ANSAR M BHATTI

RIYADH, DEC 16 (DNA) – Prince Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of National Guard of Saudi Arabia and caretaker of the upcoming Al-Janadria cultural festival set to kick start on Thursday, said the government had made all out arrangements to the make the event a complete success.

While address in a pre-event press conference on Sunday, the Saudi minister said a large number of visitors are expected to visit the festival this year adding befitting arrangements have already been made for their facilitation.

The minister further said the purpose of holding such events is to reveal to the world in particular that Saudi Arabia is a country rich with cultural heritage and great values.

The minister termed the recently held Formula E race a total success adding the mega event fetched tens of thousands of visitors both from home and abroad.

He said to hold such events is ostensibly a daunting task however due to the leadership and vision of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, even the difficult tasks have become so easy.

To a question about facilities to persons with disabilities, the Minister said the government accords huge importance to welfare of these people for they happen to be the key players in country’s development.

Replying a question about criteria for picking up the guest of honour for the festival every year, the minister said in fact there were no set criteria and Saudi Arabia was open to everybody and it is everybody’s country.

Earlier, Alvi Sihab, Special envoy of President of Indonesia for the Middle East thanked the Saudi leadership for inviting them as Guest of Honour for this year’s festival.

He said Indonesia and Saudi Arabia enjoy excellent relations and share many commonalities.

He said Indonesia is a perfect example of tolerance and harmony where all segments are living peacefully and side by side.

He was his country was indebted to Saudi Arabia for extending support in many fields. He particularly mentioned field of education adding cooperation in other fields was also exemplary.

The ambassador of Indonesia to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel  shed light on significance of Indonesia-Saudi Arabia relations through poetry. =DNA

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