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King Salman to Patronize 32nd Janadriyah Festival

King Salman (SPA)
King Salman (SPA)
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King Salman to Patronize 32nd Janadriyah Festival

King Salman (SPA)
King Salman (SPA)

Saudi National Festival for Heritage and Culture 32nd Janadriyah will begin on Wednesday under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and organized by the Ministry of the National Guard. In addition to the annual grand camel race, Janadriyah is considered one of the most important national events that depicts Saudi Arabia's history.

During a press conference, Minister of the National Guard and Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the National Festival for Heritage and Culture, Prince Khaled bin Abdulaziz bin al-Ayaf, highlighted the activities and programs of the festival, in presence of Indian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whose country will serve as this year's guest of honor at this year's festival.

Ayaf thanked the Custodian for his patronage of this national event, and announced King Salman’s approval to extend the festival's duration to three weeks.

He has also lauded Crown Prince Mohammed, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, for the great support he offers for the fields of heritage and culture.

The minister declared that King Salman approved to grant King Abdulaziz First Medal to the following cultural figures: late Prince Saud al-Faisal, late Turki al-Sudairy and Dr. Khairiah al-Saqaf for their great national efforts.

During the festival, several events and seminars will discuss the honored figures at the presence of Prince Turki al-Faisal, Bahrain Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Al Khalifa, and Saudi Minister Adel a-Jubeir.

Several officials and figures including: Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, Secretary-General of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology Dr. Nasser al-Buqami, Dr. Radwan al-Sayed, Dr. Ayed al-Manea and Dr. Mohammed Al-Khasht, will also discuss topics related to combating extremism and countering terrorism in the world.

The ceremony will include speeches, song and an operetta entitled “Imams and Kings” written by Prince Badr Bin Abdulmuhsin bin Abdulaziz and talks about the first, second and third Saudi state in a theatrical atmosphere that combines drama, singing and artistic performances using screens and the latest technology in this field.

During the cultural program, the audience will discuss enhancing the role of women in society, the participation of women in public affairs, and the role of scientists and advocates in community coexistence.

This year the festival gates will remain open from 11.00 a.m. till 11.00 p.m to allow the maximum number of people visit the festival.

The Chairman of Janadriyah Supreme Committee thanked the governors of regions for their cooperation, lauding the Ministry of Culture and Information and all media institutions.

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Gulf

Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
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Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.

Gulf

OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”

Gulf

US Affirms Partnership with Riyadh is at its Strongest Level

Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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US Affirms Partnership with Riyadh is at its Strongest Level

Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

US Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, Alison Dilworth, said Sunday that the World Defense Show currently being held in Riyadh reflects the strongest manifestation of the bilateral partnership between the United States and the Kingdom, affirming that relations between the two countries “have never been stronger than they are today.”

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Show, Dilworth said the strong US participation in the exhibition clearly demonstrates the strength of cooperation between Washington and Riyadh. She pointed out that the partnership has witnessed sustained and strengthening growth in recent years.

Dilworth added that the Show brings together major global names in defense and aviation, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, alongside small and medium-sized US companies working in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced defense systems, reflecting the diversity of American participation and the broad scope of technical and industrial cooperation.

She highlighted that US companies aim to grow with Saudi partners, supporting the Kingdom’s security and prosperity in line with Vision 2030.

On the Saudi-US political momentum that has strengthened bilateral relations in recent years, Dilworth said that 2025 saw what she described as a “historic” visit by US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom, followed by a visit by the Saudi Crown Prince to Washington in November.

The two visits resulted in the signing of 23 agreements which she described as “pivotal achievements” in the trajectory of US-Saudi cooperation.

Regarding the military displays at the exhibition, the diplomat highlighted that the F-35 and the scheduled aerial demonstrations underscore the US commitment as a long-term partner to Saudi Arabia.