96th National Day of Saudi Arabia celebrated colorfully in the Maldives

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Maldives hosted a grand reception to commemorate the 96th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The prestigious event, held at Kurumba Maldives, was graced by the President and the First Lady. The ceremony was also attended by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, as well as foreign ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions stationed in the Maldives. A special cake-cutting ceremony was held during the function to mark the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, His Excellency Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to elevating the long-standing fraternal ties between the two nations to new heights. Highlighting that this year’s National Day is celebrated under the theme "Our Pride is Our Nature," the Ambassador paid tribute to the historic efforts of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in unifying the Kingdom.

Furthermore, the Ambassador underscored the visionary leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He noted that under "Saudi Vision 2030," the Kingdom is diversifying its economy and achieving unprecedented milestones in development.

Reflecting on the bilateral relationship, Ambassador Al-Qahtani stated that the bond between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia is anchored in Islamic brotherhood, mutual trust, and respect. He specifically noted that the official meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in June 2025 significantly bolstered the partnership between the two countries.

Emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key development partner for the Maldives, the Ambassador revealed that since 1978, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has extended approximately USD 488 million in assistance across various sectors, including transport, healthcare, housing, fisheries, and infrastructure. Additionally, he noted that the recent visit by a high-level Saudi delegation for the "Maldives-Saudi Investment Forum" has paved the way for substantial investments in tourism, renewable energy, trade, and technology.

Regarding defense and security cooperation, the Ambassador welcomed the official visits to the Kingdom by the Maldivian Minister of Defence, Hassan Rasheed, and the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. He also commended the Maldives’ role as a founding member of the "Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition" (MMDC) to ensure maritime security, and highly praised its active participation in the Saudi-led "Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition."

Concluding his remarks, the Ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude to the President, the First Lady, the Government, and the people of the Maldives for honoring the event. He extended his best wishes and prayers for the continued friendship, peace, and prosperity of both nations