July 2009
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal today met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss a host of issues vital to both countries. The bilateral meeting and working lunch took place at the Department of State in Washington, DC.
During the meeting, Prince Saud emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to working towards peace in the Middle East and expressed the view that “a bold and historic step is required to end this conflict and divert the resources of the region from war and destruction to peace and development.”
Deputy Education Minister Faisal bin Moammar received in his office at the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue in Riyadh on Tuesday U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Saudi Arabia Richard Erdman. Mr. Erdman was briefed on the Center’s achievements and its current activities aimed at promoting a culture of dialogue between the various segments of Saudi society.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with Sudan to donate more than $18 million for developmental and humanitarian projects in Darfur. Announcing the arrangement on July 21, Deputy President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society Fayez Al-Ahmadi said the money will be used to establish 21 water stations and 21 health units in Darfur. The aid will also fund nine health centers and provide emergency food support.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – United States Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner commended Saudi Arabia Tuesday for the steps it has taken to combat the financing of terrorist groups and the spread of nuclear weapons. Secretary Geithner, visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time since his appointment, addressed the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on July 14. Following his address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, received Secretary Geithner and his accompanying delegation at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Yanbu.
(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers ratified a law on July 13 that adopted a tougher stance on human trafficking. The new law will ban all forms of human trafficking and put in place more severe consequences, including a sentence of up to 15 years and/or a fine of up to $267,000.
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice released more details on the rulings announced on July 8, 2009 regarding 330 terror-suspects indicted on 179 terror-related cases.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has delivered more than 100,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka in the past week. The Sri Lankan government received the second shipment of emergency assistance, including foodstuffs, medicines, rugs, blankets and tents, in Colombo today. The first shipment of supplies was delivered on July 8.
The emergency provisions delivered this week were contributed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to aid to the humanitarian crisis caused by the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was commended in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee for the government’s effective efforts to rehabilitate and deradicalize recently released Guantanamo Bay detainees. The comments came during a Committee hearing on July 7. Under the direction of the Minister of Interior, Saudi Arabia has institutionalized a comprehensive rehabilitation program to prepare former detainees for reintegration into the society.
Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh stressed the importance of accepting differing viewpoints, rather than forcing a single perspective on society, Arab News reported Sunday.
Speaking at the opening of the Certified Trainers Forum for Promoting Dialogue July 4, Sheikh Al-Asheikh said Islamic scholars are "willing to answer questions, listen to advice, and discuss and debate for the benefit of people." He added that the idea is to "cooperate by accepting other viewpoints and not enforcing one point of view for the sake of the unity of society.”
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia hosted a luncheon on July 2 for a group of Saudi students participating in the Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel A. Al-Jubeir met with the students and discussed their experiences living in the U.S.
(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Saudi Cultural Mission held a ceremony on July 4 for the second graduating class of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz scholarship program. The ceremony was attended by Saudi Minister of Higher Education, His Excellency Dr. Khalid Al-Angary and Saudi Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Adel A. Al-Jubeir.
The Saudi Scholarship Program is an opportunity for Saudi students to attend institutions of higher learning across the globe and receive a world-class education funded by the Saudi government.
Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh stressed the importance of accepting differing viewpoints, rather than forcing a single perspective on society, Arab News reported Sunday.
Speaking at the opening of the Certified Trainers Forum for Promoting Dialogue July 4, Sheikh Al-Asheikh said Islamic scholars are "willing to answer questions, listen to advice, and discuss and debate for the benefit of people." He added that the idea is to "cooperate by accepting other viewpoints and not enforcing one point of view for the sake of the unity of society.”
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today issued the following statement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: