RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday applauded the recent statement issued by the foreign ministers and chiefs of staff of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen.
The weekly meeting was chaired by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The king began the session by briefing attendees on the outcome of his talks with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
That statement on Yemen explained that the coalition, established in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2216, was a response to the legitimate Yemeni government’s appeal against militias attempting to overthrow it.
The statement went on to condemn Iran for supplying the Houthi insurgents with weapons and ammunition, as well as holding Iran and its proxies responsible for endangering the security of the region.
The Cabinet also hailed the efforts being exerted by the Presidency of State Security to discover and prevent the financing of terrorism, in addition to its recent naming — in partnership with the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) — of two entities and 11 individuals identified as leaders, financiers, facilitators or supporters of Daesh in Yemen and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Cabinet also expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing of a bus transporting police in Bahrain and of two car bombs in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.
The Cabinet reaffirmed its solidarity with Bahrain and Somalia, and wished the wounded a quick recovery.
The Cabinet lauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s speech at the recently concluded Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, where he said that the will, determination and principles of the Saudi people have helped lift the Kingdom to new levels of development and progress.
Culture and Information Minister Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) after the Cabinet session that the Cabinet was delighted with the regional and global response to the crown prince’s announcement of the NEOM Project.
The high-tech project, billed as a regional Silicon Valley, embodies the Kingdom’s ambitious economic vision, as outlined by Vision 2030, and its desire to transform into a pioneering global role model.
The Cabinet pointed out that Vision 2030 will support the stability of the region in general, as well as confirming the Kingdom’s status as the heart of the Islamic world. That vision, the Cabinet explained, was a response to the Kingdom’s internal development requirements and the need to create a multi-source economy.
To that end, the Cabinet also lauded the program launched by the Public Investment Fund for 2018-2020, which includes 30 initiatives that will help to diversify the Kingdom’s economy.
Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support to Yemen’s legitimate govt
Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support to Yemen’s legitimate govt
How private Christmas celebrations in Saudi Arabia offer moments of cultural exchange
- Christmas spirit in major cities is growing as Saudi Arabia continues to embrace its religious diversity
- One of Riyadh’s decorations was held privately in a residential compound
RIYADH: As the days get colder and the year comes to an end, people across Saudi Arabia are looking to their families for warmth and their faith for comfort. For the Kingdom’s Christian residents, the holiday cheer has never been louder.
The Christmas spirit in major cities is growing as Saudi Arabia continues to embrace its religious diversity. One of Riyadh’s decorations was held privately in a residential compound.
The compound’s general manager, Jean Noujaim, told Arab News: “Christmas is being celebrated more and more … things that were frowned upon are now becoming less so.”
Guests were wrapped in fake snow while shopping around the Christmas market, admiring the illustrious decorations, enjoying the live choir, and entertaining their children with a host of games and activities.
The event also included a few very special guest stars including elves, the Grinch, and the season’s hero, Santa Claus.
The compound’s largest event thus far, approximately 1,500 residents and 2,000 visitors were in attendance.
“It showed how much people were missing these types of events,” Noujaim said.
Breaking records in “every way,” the event also saw its highest number of Saudi attendees for a Christmas celebration, having hosted similar festivities on an annual basis.
Noujaim wanted those of all faiths to feel welcome, emphasizing that it was a celebration centered around children and joy.
“Everyone who came told me they had goosebumps during the event. They felt it was magical … their children were very happy.”
The Vives Compound Christmas celebration was held on Nov. 20 and will be held annually.
While celebrations in the Kingdom remain low-key and largely private, they are increasingly shaped by a sense of community, cultural exchange, and shared hospitality, often extending to Saudi friends and colleagues.
For many expats, Christmas in Saudi Arabia is marked by intimate gatherings at home or within residential compounds. Decorations are modest, featuring Christmas trees, lights, and small festive touches that recreate a sense of home far from home.
Jazmin Soledad Huanca, a Peruvian expatriate working in Saudi Arabia, described Christmas as one of the most anticipated moments of the year for foreigners living in the Kingdom.
“Christmas represents unity and family,” she said. “The first thing many of us do is decorate our space, whether with a tree, lights, or a small reminder of Christmas. We prepare to visit close friends or family, exchange secret gifts, and share food together.”
Food, she added, plays a central role in the celebrations, ranging from cookies and hot chocolate to baked turkey served with salads. For many expats who arrived in Saudi Arabia alone, the occasion carries an added emotional weight.
“Here, many of us came individually, which makes Christmas different but equally beautiful,” Huanca said. “In some compounds, activities are organized for children, families, and single people. On that day, we all become one community.”
Inviting Saudi friends to join the celebrations has become increasingly common. “Yes, we invite Saudis,” Huanca said. “For us, Christmas is about unity and family. We want them to feel that.”
She added that hosting Saudi guests brings a special sense of joy. “It feels like having an important guest at home. You want them to feel comfortable, like this is their home too.”
International schools across Saudi Arabia have also been embracing the festive season with inclusive and joyful Christmas celebrations.
At the American International School of Jeddah the campus has been filled with holiday cheer through festive bazaars, extensive decorations including seven Christmas trees, daily morning musical performances by students and teachers, and even a surprise visit from Santa Claus.
Superintendent Robert Rinaldo said: “With more than 1,500 students representing 68 nationalities, we see Christmas celebrations as a true reflection of our diverse community. The festive atmosphere on campus, from holiday-themed decorations to daily musical performances, highlights that diversity and helps create an environment where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging and can come together to share in the joy of the season.”
Raza Ali, headmaster of Jeddah Prep and Grammar School, said: “As a British school overseas, we appropriately acknowledge Christmas during this time of year through school decorations, a winter musical, and references within certain class lessons, while always ensuring that we respect all cultural backgrounds within our community.”
Parents also value this balance. AISJ parent Victoria Joseph said: “Even though we are far from our home in California, my son is able to experience and understand the holiday season just as he would in the United States. It’s wonderful to see how the school embraces the festivities while showing such respect and adaptability toward the celebration in the Kingdom.”
As Saudi Arabia continues to grow as a multicultural society, these understated celebrations reflect a broader story of coexistence, where traditions are preserved, shared, and respectfully experienced across cultures.
