The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, represented by the religious attaché at the Saudi embassy in New Delhi, has launched the two programs of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman's programs for iftar and dates distribution for 1443 Hijri in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The iftar program seeks to distribute 4,500 Ramadan baskets, in addition to distributing fancy dates by the ministry according to the effective preventive health procedures in coordination with several official association in these countries. The launching ceremony was held at the embassy's headquarters in New Delhi under the patronage of Acting Charge d'Affaires Majid Al-Otaibi and the presence of Religious Attaché Sheikh Bader Al-Onzi and several officials of prominent Islamic centers in India and the neighboring countries. Al-Otaibi said that this gift, which is distributed through Saudi embassies in the world and religious attachés, expresses the high interest in our Muslim brothers and sharing them this joy of the holy month of Ramadan, where Saudi Arabia always seeks to make good deeds for Muslims around the world. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the ministry for its keenness to implement the program despite the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Sheikh Al-Onzi highlighted the importance and benefits of the two programs, especially as many people have been affected by the pandemic, stressing the ministry's keenness for these programs and gifts to reach more than 1,500 beneficiary sides in India and neighboring countries through 100 Islamic centers, noting that these efforts are in line with the directives of the wise leadership. The officials of the Islamic centers and associations extended their gratitude and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, for distributing the dates and implementing the iftar program. This will contribute to meeting the needs of underprivileged families in the holy month. They also praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its leadership in serving Islam and Muslims across the world. — SPA
