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Foreign ambassadors congratulate Saudi leadership, people on National Day

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A Saudi boy waves national flag as he hang out the window of a car during celebrations marking National Day in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (SPA)
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Saudi people walk past a poster depicting Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman during the 89th annual National Day of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 23, 2019. (REUTERS)
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Saudi people wearing traditional clothes perform during the 89th annual National Day of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 23, 2019. (REUTERS)
Updated 24 September 2019
Rashid Hassan
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Foreign ambassadors congratulate Saudi leadership, people on National Day

  • The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia is strong and multifaceted
  • The flagship initiatives of the government of India and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 complement each other
Updated 24 September 2019
Rashid Hassan

RIYADH: Heads of foreign missions in Riyadh congratulated King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people on National Day, wishing them all further progress and prosperity.

US Ambassador John Abizaid 

On behalf of President Donald Trump and all my colleagues here at the Embassy and the Consulate, I extend our congratulations to the king, the crown prince and the people of Saudi Arabia on National Day. As the president noted in his message to King Salman, the US-Saudi partnership is more vital than ever, particularly as we confront regional security challenges and work hand-in-hand to achieve shared economic and political objectives.
The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia is strong and multifaceted. We work together every day to promote prosperity and economic development, protect the security of the two countries, and build people-to-people ties that keep our relationship strong. We have supported one another for decades and look forward to many more years of beneficial partnership.
I wish the people of Saudi Arabia success and prosperity this year, and in the years to come. Happy National Day.

British Ambassador Simon Collis

Saudi Arabia has a long and rich history, and through this history the UK and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed partnership, starting when Capt. William Shakespear became the first foreign person to sign an agreement with King Abdul Aziz.
Shakespear, a British explorer and diplomat, was a trusted friend that King Abdul Aziz called “brother” and made him his military adviser, and it was due to their closeness that Britain and Saudi Arabia signed a treaty to formalize a friendship that endures to this day.
From that day until today, we have considered ourselves a friend and partner for Saudi Arabia to help achieve its ambitions and support its goals in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Australian Ambassador Ridwaan Jadwat

I would like to congratulate and extend my sincere best wishes to King Salman, the government and the people of Saudi Arabia on their National Day. Have a great day.

 

Pakistani Ambassador Raja Ali Ejaz

I am overwhelmed with joy to celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom with my Saudi brethren. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to present my heartfelt congratulations to the king, the crown prince and the people of Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are strategic allies and have always maintained close cooperation. Our relations are based on shared cultural values and common world view. The people of Pakistan hold the Saudi leadership in high esteem. The visionary leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has put Saudi Arabia on a trajectory of development, and the Kingdom is now moving fast on the track to progress and prosperity.
Saudi Arabia has always been an advocate of stability, peace and harmony in the region and the world. I, as an ambassador of Pakistan, vow to make consistent efforts to further expand bilateral cooperation in all fields for the benefit of our people.

Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, Djibouti Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Riyadh

On behalf of the diplomatic corps, I congratulate the king, the crown prince and the Saudi people on the National Day, wishing the leadership and people further progress and prosperity.
The Kingdom’s leading position and pivotal role in world politics and economics means its security and stability is important to all countries of the world.

Indian Ambassador Ausaf Sayeed

On behalf of the government, the people of India and myself, I take great pleasure in extending warm greetings to the king, the crown prince and the people of Saudi Arabia on National Day. India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. The strong political will, dynamic economic engagement and warmth and goodwill of the people have nurtured the relationship into a strategic partnership. Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trading partner and a reliable partner in meeting India’s energy needs. The flagship initiatives of the government of India and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 complement each other. The relationship between our two countries has taken an upward trajectory and transformed into a strategic partnership.                                           

 

Topics: Saudi National Day 2019 Saudi Arabia

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Crochet is more than a hobby for Saudi women

Updated 19 sec ago
Ghadi Joudah
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Crochet is more than a hobby for Saudi women

  • Younger makers are rediscovering heritage through patience, skill and design
Updated 19 sec ago
Ghadi Joudah

 

 

Byline: RIYADH

Across Saudi Arabia, a revival is unfolding as young people rediscover crafts traditionally associated with older generations and give them new life.

Among these crafts, crochet has emerged as a symbol of creativity and continuity. For many artisans, each stitch carries memory, identity, and emotional connection. 

For Harayer Al-Shammari, founder of Orchid Crochet (@Orchid_657 on Snapchat), crochet is a family legacy. Her first memories of the craft are of her late mother weaving intricate designs. “I was only 11, quietly watching her work,” she told Arab News. “One day she asked, ‘Do you want me to teach you?’ Of course, I said yes.”

What began as imitation became inheritance. “I love it and I am passionate about everything within the realm of crochet,” she said. 

Al-Shammari noted that the craft seems to be growing in popularity again. “There is more interest now, especially among young girls,” she said.

In our fast-paced, digitally-connected world, crochet has also become a form of mindfulness. Each piece requires patience, from two hours for smaller pieces to as long as four days for handmade dolls. For many creators, crochet offers a counterbalance to constant online engagement. 

“It gives me peace and enjoyment,” said Ghadi, the artist behind Ghadi Crochet (@Ghadicro1 on Snapchat). “It helps me make good use of my time instead of wasting it.”

But the online world also benefits today’s makers. “I started selling my work because I wanted people to see the art I create,” Al-Shammari said. Social media enabled her to attract attention to her work.

Today, crochet’s most active spaces are often digital. Al-Shammari shares her creations online, drawing inspiration from YouTube tutorials and connecting with followers across multiple platforms.

“It’s helped me a lot,” she said. “I get ideas, share my pieces, and even meet students who want to learn.”

Ghadi also credits digital platforms for her growth. “People’s comments and positive feedback on Instagram and TikTok make me want to improve.”

As the handmade market expands, others are following similar paths. For makers like Ghadi, encouragement from family turned passion into a small business, demonstrating how heritage and entrepreneurship can coexist. What was once a solitary activity is now a shared language.

Al-Shammari’s designs, ranging from table covers and dolls to teapot cozies and floral pieces, often reflect patterns inspired by Saudi homes and traditions. Younger makers like Ghadi tend toward minimalist styles but share the same emphasis on individuality.

Their work attracts customers who value handmade detail and customization, turning simple threads into personal expressions. Crochet is not purely decorative; it is expressive. 

Running a small creative business comes with challenges. “Delivery is the hardest part,” Ghadi said. “It’s limited to my city or nearby areas.”

Still, her optimism mirrors that of others across the Kingdom who find strength in doing what they love.

Al-Shammari focuses her energy not only on production but on empowering others.

“I taught a two-week crochet course at an orphanage,” she said. “A few days later, the director told me some girls wanted to continue learning, so I taught them online.”

Crochet in Saudi Arabia has transformed from a domestic art to a living symbol of resilience and reinvention.

Each creation, whether stitched in a family home or streamed on social media, tells a shared story; one of women weaving their past into their future, loop by loop.

-ENDS-

Topics: Saudi Arabia Crochet

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