95-year-old Indonesian man invited by King Salman arrives for Hajj

Samri, who is believed to be the oldest person to ever perform Hajj, was welcomed by a number of Saudi officials. (SPA)
Updated 31 July 2019
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95-year-old Indonesian man invited by King Salman arrives for Hajj

JEDDAH: A 95-year-old Indonesian man invited to perform Hajj by King Salman arrived in the Kingdom Wednesday to perform Hajj in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Ohi Aidros Samri arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport with his family of six. He is being hosted by the King Salman’s Hajj and Umrah Guests Program to perform Hajj rituals this year after receiving the royal invitation.

The invite came after a video message of himself and his two daughters — holding the king’s photograph while pleading in Arabic their wish to go to Hajj in spite of their family’s limited funds— went viral and was reported to have reached Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Samri was welcomed by a number of Saudi officials on his arrival.

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RELATED: Indonesian pilgrim, 95, heads for Hajj after King Salman invite

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The oldest person to previously perform Hajj was 104-year-old Ibu Mariah Marghani Muhammad from Indonesia. She made her pilgrimage in 2017.


France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh

Updated 16 January 2026
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France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh

  • L’Institut francais, Riyadh Art will open La Fabrique on Feb. 22
  • ‘New cultural chapter’ between the nations, says France envoy

RIYADH: L’Institut francais in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Art, an initiative of the city’s royal commission, have announced the opening of La Fabrique, a space for artists, on Jan. 22.

The project is based in the Riyadh Art Hub in JAX District and will enable Saudi and French artists to create, experiment, and bring their visions to life, according to a press release from the organizers.

La Fabrique also offers the public a rare opportunity to witness creative production including movement performances, digital and immersive arts, photography, music, cinema, cuisine and poetry.

At its core, La Fabrique fosters artistic exchange between French and Saudi artists, fostering new encounters, shared practices, and co-creation.

The initiative is aligned with the vision shared by French President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have placed cultural cooperation at the heart of the renewed Saudi-French strategic partnership.

Anchored in the ambitions of Vision 2030, La Fabrique is a part of Riyadh’s transformation into a major international cultural hub.

Developed in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the project strengthens the long-standing cultural dialogue between the two nations, the press release stated.

Patrick Maisonnave, ambassador of France to Saudi Arabia, said: “La Fabrique embodies the spirit of a new cultural chapter between France and Saudi Arabia.

“By bringing our artists together, we are not only sharing techniques and traditions, we are opening a space where imaginations meet, new forms emerge, and creativity becomes a bridge between our two societies.

“This initiative reflects our belief that artistic dialogue is one of the most powerful ways to build understanding, trust, and a shared future. It stands as a concrete example of France’s contribution to the ambitions of Vision 2030.”