Shamlan lauded the reforms process in the country, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. She underscored the importance of translation, hoping that it would be encouraged from and into Arabic language and confirming that education and culture are twins. For his part, Senegal's Minister of Culture Dr. Mohammed Busali conveyed the greetings of the Senegalese President to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, confirming the firmness of relations between the two countries. He expressed thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Information for its initiative to translate a sizable number of Senegalese literature into Arabic language. Taking the podium, Dr. Khoja conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, to male and female literates, publishers and visitors of the exhibition. He also expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for patronizing the event. Dr. Khoja welcomed the exhibition's guest of honor for this session: the Republic of Senegal, expressing admiration of the Senegalese deep-rooted culture. He announced honoring the leaders of cultural and intellectual forums in the Kingdom during this fair. He lauded the role played by a number of governmental and semi-governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Interior, represented by Riyadh Governorate, security bodies, traffic police, the Commission for Promotion of Grace and Prevention of Vice, Red Crescent, Ministry of Health, King Fahd Medical City and Riyadh Municipality. The event was attended by a number of ministers, senior officials and a group of male and female literates.
