RIYADH: The Afghan Embassy in Riyadh hosted a reception to mark the 100th anniversary of independence from British rule.
Dr. Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudairy, undersecretary of Riyadh governorate, attended the reception on behalf of Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar.
Other attendees included Azzam bin Abdul-Karim Al-Qain, undersecretary at the Saudi Foreign Ministry for protocol affairs, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom, and Afghan expatriates.
Speaking at the event, Afghan Ambassador Sayed Jalal Karim reviewed his country’s history, heritage and struggle against colonialism.
He praised the history of Afghan-Saudi relations, saying his country was the first Islamic one to recognize the rule of King Abdul Aziz in 1932.
Karim expressed pride in the new heights reached in bilateral relations under the leadership of King Salman and Afghan President Mohammed Ashraf Ghani.
The reception included a parade by an Afghan folk band. At the ceremony’s conclusion, Karim presented a memorial gift to Al-Sudairy and Al-Qain, and thanked attendees.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, recently received one of Afghanistan’s highest honors, the Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan medal, for his work to strengthen Afghan independence.
Karim and Afghan Finance Minister Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi presented the medal to Prince Turki in Riyadh.
They commended his efforts to support national sovereignty and provide political, social and cultural backing for Afghanistan.
