Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait thank Saudi leaders for hosting GCC-ASEAN summit

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Updated 20 October 2023
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Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait thank Saudi leaders for hosting GCC-ASEAN summit

  • The first gathering of its kind featuring members of both organizations took place in Riyadh on Friday, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Leaders of several countries sent messages of thanks to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman following the conclusion on Friday of the first joint summit of Gulf Cooperation Council and Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, which took place in Riyadh.

Bahrain’s King Hamad expressed his gratitude to his Saudi counterpart for hosting the event, which was chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and hailed the deep-rooted historic relations and close cooperation between their two countries and their peoples, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday

He also commended the outcomes of the summit, which he said will help to strengthen and consolidate relations with ASEAN countries, and wished Saudi Arabia further progress and prosperity.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad thanked the Saudi king and crown prince for their hospitality during the summit. In two separate messages, he expressed his hopes that the event will help to enhance relations between GCC and ASEAN states, and his sincerest best wishes for the good health of the king and crown prince, and for further progress and prosperity for the Kingdom.

Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah similarly praised Saudi Arabia for hosting the summit, which he said consolidated the important and pivotal role of the Kingdom at the regional and global levels.

It also reflected the Saudi leadership’s desire to develop and expand cooperation and existing relations among the participating countries in all fields, and to enhance discussions about issues of mutual concern amid ongoing global challenges, he added.

Sheikh Mishal commended the work that had contributed to the success of the summit, and said he hopes the fruitful discussions and recommendations during the event will succeed in enhancing the Gulf-Asian partnership and help build a prosperous future for all of the participating states.

He thanked the Saudi king and crown prince for the warm welcome and generous hospitality that he and his delegation had received, which he said embodied the deep fraternal ties and strong historical connections between the two countries and their peoples.


Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

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Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

RIYADH: A new center for Arabic calligraphy under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially opened in Madinah on Monday.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah region.

He was joined by Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, touring the new facility’s exhibition spaces and receiving briefings on cultural programming and the center’s achievements.

They also viewed collections highlighting Arabic calligraphy’s artistic and historical importance.

Speaking at the opening, Prince Badr said: “From this land of enlightenment and scholarship, we proudly launch a global platform dedicated to Arabic calligraphy as an invaluable cultural asset.”

He went on to credit the crown prince’s “generous and boundless support” for the cultural sector.

The minister said that the center demonstrated to the world the legacy of Arabic calligraphy while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural identity and heritage.

According to Prince Badr, the facility represents an ambitious vision to elevate Arabic calligraphy as both a universal communication tool and an integral element of Arab heritage, art, architecture and design.

The center further aims to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural identity and strengthen its international presence, targeting calligraphers, emerging talents, visual artists, Islamic arts researchers, educational and cultural institutions, as well as art and heritage enthusiasts worldwide.

It will deliver specialized programs including research and archival services, calligraphy instruction, academic grants, a permanent museum, touring exhibitions, an international calligraphy association and a business incubator supporting calligraphy enterprises.

Additional offerings feature artist residency programs, expert-led workshops, and standardized curriculum development, complemented by international educational partnerships aimed at heritage conservation and expanding global appreciation for this time-honored art form.

The center’s establishment in Madinah carries particular significance, given the city’s historical role as the cradle of Arabic calligraphy and its association with transcribing the Qur’an and preserving Islamic knowledge.