JEDDAH: The Indo-Saudi Friendship Day celebrations were held in Jeddah with enthusiasm and active participation from members of the Indian and Saudi communities, highlighting the growing friendship, cultural harmony, and mutual respect between the two countries.
The event, organized by the Global Indian Organization (GIO) under the leadership of MalleSan in collaboration with the Global Saudi Organization (GSO) led by Dr. Sameera Aziz, brought together Saudi nationals, Indian expatriates, business professionals, community leaders, and families. The gathering was held at Secret Sitting Lounge in Jeddah.
The initiative was aimed at promoting friendship, cultural understanding, community engagement, and stronger interpersonal relationships while encouraging cooperation in social, educational, professional, and business sectors. Participants welcomed the event as a meaningful platform that reflected the longstanding friendship and expanding partnership between India and Saudi Arabia.
The program featured cultural interactions, community engagement activities, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen ties between the people of both nations. These activities were coordinated by Sreetha, President of the Saudi Arabia Keralam Association (SAKA).
Speaking on the occasion, Shoukat Ali, President of the Global Telugu Organization (GTO), emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering goodwill and enhancing bilateral relations at the grassroots level.
“Platforms such as the Indo-Saudi Friendship Day celebrations play an important role in promoting cultural diplomacy, encouraging mutual understanding, and reinforcing the strong relationship between the people of India and Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Arvind, General Secretary of GIO and a native of Mumbai, appreciated the efforts of the organizers and thanked all participants for their support. He expressed hope that similar initiatives would continue in the future to further strengthen community engagement and cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sameera Aziz, a prominent Saudi media personality and business woman, highlighted the broader significance of community-driven initiatives in strengthening international relationships.
“Events such as Indo-Saudi Friendship Day provide a valuable platform for enhancing communication between people, promoting cultural understanding, and strengthening mutual respect among our communities. They also create opportunities for networking, commercial cooperation, educational exchange, and professional partnerships,” she said.
She encouraged participants to continue promoting positivity, dialogue, and collaboration, concluding her remarks with the message: “Let us stay positive.”
Among the attendees were Nazia from Hyderabad and Mirza from Bengaluru, representing Bharat Business Network (BBN), who travelled from Riyadh with their family. They praised the initiative and highlighted its role in fostering stronger people-to-people connections between India and Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Siraj, representing the Memon community from Gujarat, noted that the successful celebration underscored the importance of community-led initiatives in supporting stronger Indo-Saudi relations and building lasting friendships between the peoples of the two nations.
Kajamohideen Meeran of Jeddah Tamil Sangham said the event reflected a shared vision of enhancing cultural diplomacy, strengthening social cohesion, and encouraging constructive engagement between India and Saudi Arabia.
The organizers expressed gratitude to all participants, volunteers, supporters, and community members whose contributions helped make the event a success. They noted that the strong turnout and positive feedback reflected a growing interest in initiatives that promote intercultural understanding, friendship, and cooperation.
The program concluded with the message, “One Vision, One Future,” delivered by Santhi MalleSan, Chairman of Global Business Network (GBN), reaffirming the commitment of both communities to continue building bridges of friendship, collaboration, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.
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