RIYADH: A cross section of Saudi society including the Shoura Council, intellectuals, economists and Saudi diplomats welcomed the outcome of the Riyadh summits attended by US President Donald Trump and Arab and Muslim leaders.
At the outset of the 37th ordinary session on Monday, the Shoura Council said the outcome of the Saudi-US summit would bolster the existing strategic ties between the two countries.
“President Trump’s selection of Saudi Arabia to be his first foreign visit is a proof of the strong position occupied by the Kingdom worldwide, its importance to Muslims and the influential political weight enjoyed by King Salman at the regional and world levels,” a statement by the Shoura said.
The Shoura Council also appreciated the signing of the joint strategic vision between the Kingdom and the US, a matter that will transform relations from the strategic dimension to higher levels through the intensified consultations and cooperation in addition to its economic dimension to boost Vision 2030.
The council also lauded the convening of the GCC consultative meeting, which stressed the solidarity of the GCC countries for their security and well being of their citizens and the Riyadh Declaration at the end of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit.
The Riyadh Declaration forged a unified stance to fight terrorism and stamp out the Iranian threats and other terrorist groups, it said.
The council appreciated the participation of Muslim countries and the launching of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh to promote moderation and counter extremism.
Commending President Trump’s historic visit, Mohamed Alkhunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, told Arab News, “We are really glad that President Trump came to Saudi Arabia on his maiden foreign tour as this signifies the depth of relations now enjoyed by the two countries.”
King Salman took this opportunity to invite Arab and Muslim leaders for the summit with President Trump where the leaders discussed key issues including Palestine, he said.
The visit is also significant from the economic and investment dimension between these two countries, Alkhunaizi added.
Youssef Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), congratulated King Salman on the success of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit and praised his speech on terrorism and extremism.
Majed Abdullah Al-Hedayan, a legal consultant and investment law expert, said President Trump arriving Saudi Arabia on his very first foreign tour and receiving a warm welcome in Riyadh is reflective of warmth in Saudi-US relations and will help bolster bilateral cooperation.
President Trump choosing Saudi Arabia for the first foreign tour also signifies the importance of the Kingdom in international affairs, he added.
Moreover, this visit reflects the importance of the Kingdom and its role in the making of safety and security of the world, he noted.
The CEO forum with top business leaders from the two countries sharing views on enhancing cooperation further helped bolster bilateral relations, he underlined.
Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, head of foreign trade agency at the ministry of commerce and investment, said the Trump visit comes to signify the depth of relations between the two countries.
He said the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached SR142 billion in 2016 while Saudi exports to the US stood at SR66 billion.
Abdul Rahim Hassan Al-Naqi, secretary-general of the Federation of Chambers of the GCC (FCGCC) Countries, said President Trump selecting the Kingdom for his first visit stresses the role and position of the Kingdom worldwide.
Moreover, diplomats at the Saudi Embassy in Washington said that President Trump’s visit stressed the strategic partnership between the US and the Kingdom and will help bolster bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Commercial Attache Taha Al-Sharif said the visit would boost joint cooperation, notably in the trade and investment areas that conform to the Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi-US Summit bolstered strategic ties between the two countries
Saudi-US Summit bolstered strategic ties between the two countries
‘Masterpieces of Saudi Orchestra’ shine at Maraya in AlUla
- The concert on its opening night presented a seamless artistic journey, where orchestral works met Saudi musical identity
- It underlined the Music Commission’s aim to present Saudi artistry at a high professional level
RIYADH: The “Masterpieces of Saudi Orchestra” concert opened at Maraya Concert Hall in AlUla on Thursday under the patronage of the Kingdom’s Minister of Culture and Chairman of the board of the Music Commission Prince Bader bin Abdullah.
Organized by the Music Commission, the concert on its opening night presented a seamless artistic journey, where orchestral works met Saudi musical identity.
The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Maestro Hani Farhat, led audiences through carefully curated pieces reflecting heritage and modern creativity.
The repertoire combined traditional influences with orchestral scoring, offering listeners heritage-based compositions alongside recent arrangements.
Regional rhythms and layered musical textures were used to echo the Kingdom’s history, while pieces rooted in Saudi classical music tradition connected audiences with familiar cultural references in a fresh format.
The concert underlined the Music Commission’s aim to present Saudi artistry at a high professional level.
The series seeks to honor national heritage while encouraging contemporary artistic engagement, and its growing local and international presence was highlighted throughout the evening.
The program also featured a visual dimension led by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, which staged live performances of Saudi folk arts.
Audiences saw presentations of Samri, Dahha, Rafeihi, Yanbawi, Zair and Khabeeti, synchronized with the orchestra to create one integrated artistic experience.
These folk elements were arranged to complement the orchestral sound, reinforcing the richness and variety of Saudi cultural identity. The combination of music and movement aimed to show how traditional forms can engage with large-scale concert settings while retaining their historical character and community roots.
This performance is an extension of the series of successes achieved by the Saudi Orchestra’s masterpieces both locally and internationally, and reaffirms the Music Commission’s commitment to showcasing Saudi music in its finest form.
