RIYADH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC), said the International Aeronautical Federation’s (FAI) choice of SAC chief executive Ayed Odeib Al-Qassimi as vice president of FAI for the MENA region represents a clear appreciation of the Kingdom’s proclaimed role in the dissemination of aviation culture worldwide.
The prince thanked King Salman for his advocacy and support for the SAC since its foundation, and all concerned with the club for this accomplishment.
The prince stressed that SAC has become a benchmark for all those interested in aviation within the Kingdom. It is undergoing an evolution in its infrastructure and branch expansion throughout the Kingdom and is about to become one of the largest and most important general aviation and air sports clubs all over the region.
The Dutch FAI president, Frits Brink, announced the selection of Al-Qassimi in a show of appreciation for the Kingdom’s role in spreading aviation culture within the Kingdom, regionally and internationally.
FAI was founded in 1905 as a non-profit international organization which aims to strengthen aviation activities and space navigation worldwide. It links more than 120 member states, forming a strong network binding all participants in aeronautical sports around the world.
SAC is considered one of the best known and largest aviation clubs in the world, and one of its most versatile considering the types and sizes of aircraft, sporting and training events it holds.
SAC was founded by a decree of the Council of Ministers in December 2000 with the aim of promoting general aviation under the banner of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Prince Sultan welcomes International Aeronautical Federation’s choice of Saudi Aviation Club CEO as new vice president
Prince Sultan welcomes International Aeronautical Federation’s choice of Saudi Aviation Club CEO as new vice president
‘Cake not hate’ campaign becomes ‘Dates not hate’ in Madinah
- Dan said he was very impressed by Saudi hospitality and that his family was warmly welcomed
- He said being in Madinah exposed him to the true diversity of Islam
LONDON: A British autistic and non-verbal boy who has been visiting UK mosques and distributing cakes to promote solidarity amid an increase in far-right support in the country has taken his message of love to Madinah.
Joshua Harris, or “The Joshie-Man” as the 12-year-old is known to his social media fans, has handed out hundreds of his baked goods to worshipers at mosques in major British cities over the last few months.
The “Cake not hate” campaign came about after an Islamophobic attack on a mosque in his home city of Peterborough in October 2025.
Harris and his father visited Masjid Darassalaam, the mosque that was targeted, with cakes that the boy had baked and distributed them to the congregation soon after the attack. Since then, Harris has visited dozens of mosques in the UK.
On a recent trip to the Middle East, he and his father visited Madinah. In a local twist that pays tribute to the holy city’s famous date varieties including ajwa and ambar, Harris handed out dates to people in the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque. The “Cake not hate” campaign became “Dates not hate” for Saudi Arabia.
“He was greeted really, really warmly. There were some really touching moments where people were kissing his hands and his head. It was really lovely,” his father, Dan Harris, said.
Dan, the founder of global charity Neurodiversity in Business, said being in Madinah exposed him to the true diversity of Islam.
“We met people from all around the world. It was amazing. It’s like the United Nations there, you get people from different countries and it just goes to show you that the Muslim community, or the Ummah more generally, is not a homogeneous group,” he said.
“We saw people from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and it was really interesting for us.”
Dan said his visit to Madinah, considered the second holiest city in Islam after Makkah for Muslims, was “profound and life-changing.”
He added: “I would say it’s my favourite city in the world due to the peace and tranquillity I felt there.”
Dan added that he was very impressed by Saudi hospitality: “Everywhere we went, people were taking down my number and insisting that we come for dinner, insisting they pick us up from the location. They were extremely attentive to Joshie as well, making sure his needs were met. We felt a great sense of welcome, something Saudi Arabia is known for.”
