Bahrain, Saudi boost relations

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday attended the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, where he was received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and senior invitees. 

The two leaders praised the longstanding ties binding the two kingdoms and their people. 

“We affirm through this visit our keenness to deepen the historic ties between our two fraternal countries and peoples connected by bonds of kinship and shared destiny,” HM King Hamad said.

“We are also keen on taking forward the momentum of cooperation and boost our mutual coordination in various fields to serve our shared interests for further development and growth,” HM King Hamad said.

“Our meeting with our brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will be an opportunity to exchange visions and views on the latest developments in the region with the aim of coordination to confront the various threats and challenges facing both our countries and to ensure the consolidation of their security and stability,” His Majesty said.

After playing the Saudi national anthem and reciting several verses of the Holy Quran, the Saudi monarch inaugurated the festival closing ceremony and announced the start of the final two camel races. 

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques presented the King Abdulaziz Camel Racing Award to His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, for his Shuama’s winning Al-Mujaheem category. 

The Saudi King also presented trophies to other winners. Shaikh Nasser expressed utmost appreciation of the Saudi King’s support for the festival. 

King Hamad congratulated Shaikh Nasser on the achievement, which he said adds to Bahrain’s outstanding successes. His Majesty praised HH Shaikh Nasser’s effort in promoting initiatives for preserving inherited sports, wishing him more accomplishments to come.  

His Majesty said the festival reflects the Saudi King’s interest in maintaining the Saudi heritage and highlighting the significance of Camel throughout the history of the Arabian Peninsula.  

Wishing the festival further success, HM the King stressed that the festival revives the Saudi heritage and also reinforces the national values. 

A banquet was hosted by King Salman in honour of the guests.  HM expressed appreciation of the Saudi King’s initiation to attend the closing ceremony of the Festival.