MFA Press Statement: Visit by Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council His Excellency Shaikh Dr Saleh Bin Abdullah Al-Humaid, 19 - 23 November 2008

Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council His Excellency Shaikh Dr Saleh Bin Abdullah Al-Humaid is visiting Singapore from 19 to 23 November 2008 at the invitation of Speaker of Parliament Mr Abdullah Tarmugi. The Shura Council is the main advisory body to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, who appoints its 150 members.

Dr Saleh attended briefings at the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) this morning. Accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Dr Saleh was hosted to lunch by Mufti of Singapore Syed Isa Semait before attending Friday payers at Sultan Mosque. In the afternoon, Dr Saleh called on President S R Nathan and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong at the Istana.

President Nathan and Dr Saleh welcomed the exchange of parliamentary visits, which will strengthen people-to-people linkages and complement existing high-level visits on both sides. They agreed that greater educational exchanges can play an important role in enhancing cross-cultural understanding, and shared views on the importance of interfaith dialogue. President reiterated the invitation for King Abdullah to make a State Visit to Singapore.

During Dr Saleh's call on SM, they discussed the current global financial crisis and its impact on Singapore and Saudi Arabia. They also spoke on regional and international developments, noted with satisfaction that bilateral cooperation has broadened and deepened, and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Dr Saleh and his delegation will attend a dinner hosted by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-for-Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim tonight.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
21 NOVEMBER 2008