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BRICS Invites 6 Nations, Including Saudi Arabia, to Join the Bloc

(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
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BRICS Invites 6 Nations, Including Saudi Arabia, to Join the Bloc

(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

Leaders of the BRICS group of developing nations have invited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Ethiopia and Argentina to join the bloc.

Expansion could also pave the way for dozens of interested countries seeking admission to BRICS - currently Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting a summit of BRICS leaders, announced on Thursday that the new candidates would be admitted as members on Jan. 1, 2024.

The debate over enlargement has topped the agenda at the three-day summit taking place in Johannesburg.

More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted.

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King Salman Congratulates Muslims on Eid, Receives Congratulations from Arab leaders

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman Congratulates Muslims on Eid, Receives Congratulations from Arab leaders

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz congratulated on Saturday Muslims on the advent of Eid al-Fitr.

In a speech on the occasion, he expressed his gratitude to government sectors for their efforts to facilitate the Umrah rituals for visitors throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

Media Minister Salman al-Dossary delivered the speech on King Salman’s behalf.

He said that God “has bestowed countless blessings upon our country, foremost among which is the privilege of serving the two holy mosques and the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.”

“Eid is an occasion of joy and happiness, embodying unity, compassion, and brotherhood,” he added.

“May God continue to bestow security, peace, stability, and prosperity upon our country, the Islamic nation, and the entire world,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates declared on Saturday that Sunday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received messages of congratulations from Arab leaders on the occasion.

Crown Prince Mohammed received telephone calls from United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who congratulated him on the advent of Eid.