Who’s Who: Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, acting Saudi minister of Hajj and Umrah

Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed
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Updated 13 March 2021
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Who’s Who: Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, acting Saudi minister of Hajj and Umrah

  • He succeeds Mohammed Saleh Benten, who held the post since July 2016

Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, Saudi state minister and Cabinet member, was named acting minister of Hajj and Umrah  by royal decree. 

He succeeds Mohammed Saleh Benten, who has been relieved of his duties.

Bin Saeed has a doctorate with distinction in public law from Cairo University and a master’s degree in constitutional law from the same institution.

He has a bachelor’s degree in administrative sciences from King Saud University.

Bin Saeed has served in the judicial branches as both a legal researcher and as assistant to the chairman of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers, in 1984 and 2003 respectively.

In 2006, he was appointed as chief of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.

In 2015, he was appointed the interim housing minister and tasked with managing Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Development Fund, as well as having direct responsibility over the management of residential property within the Kingdom.

In April 2016, he was appointed minister of civil service, a position he would occupy until October 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.”