Though it came a week late, the Saudi Arabian community in Indonesia joyfully celebrated its National Day in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.

Saudi Arabian National Day falls on Sept. 23 every year, but due to the Idul Fitri celebrations, the Royal Saudi Embassy postponed the reception to Sept. 30.

As it does every year, the Royal Saudi Embassy hosted a grand reception, this time at the Shangri-La Hotel, to mark the occasion.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulrahman Mohammed Amen Al-Khayyat personally welcomed each and every guest, some of them dignitaries of the highest order.

Ambassador Khayyat was very happy about the presence of  former president B.J. Habibie, who rarely attends diplomatic functions in Jakarta, and senior officials and ministers at the reception.

People’s Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid, Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni, State Minister for Women’s Empowerment Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono, Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin, and the Foreign Ministry’s secretary-general, Imron Cotan, and director general for Asia-Pacific and African affairs, T.M. Hamzah Thayeb, were among those attending the colorful reception.

Hundreds of guests enjoyed the evening, especially Saudi Arabia’s traditional dishes, dates and drinks.

The celebration was a two-day event.

“Yesterday [Tuesday] we had a special reception at my residence for Saudi citizens living in Indonesia,” Ambassador Khayyat said.

“Today [Wednesday] we are celebrating with our Indonesian and foreign friends.”

Around 50,000 Saudi Arabians live in Indonesia, while more than 1 million Indonesians live in the birthplace of Islam.

Khayyat said Saudi Arabia has very good friendly relations with Indonesia. The countries’ two-way trade reached almost US$6 billion in 2008.

Popular

Undoing the sweet aftermath of Eid festivities

Indonesia may offer dual citizenship to attract overseas workers

Indonesia may offer dual citizenship to attract overseas workers, minister says