The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Cultural Forum Riyadh hosted an open house Iftar ceremony at the Embassy premises. The event was held on 15 March 2025.
As part of the Embassy’s community outreach initiative, an open invitation was extended to the members of the Sri Lankan community in Saudi Arabia to participate in the special Iftar event. More than 600 Sri Lankan expatriates representing different faiths and cultures from all walks of life participated in the event and shared the essence of Ramadhan, reflecting the true spirit of Sri Lanka’s unity in diversity.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad highlighted that the objective of the initiative was to reach out to the members of the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom and to connect them with the Embassy activities. He also pointed out that such events would provide an opportunity for the members of the Sri Lankan community, irrespective of their faiths and cultural backgrounds, to come together and celebrate Sri Lanka’s diversity.
Ambassador Ajwad also listed out a number of newly introduced initiatives by the Embassy to reach out to the Sri Lankan community in Saudi Arabia such as “Talk to Your Ambassador” program, “Embassy Community WhatsApp Group”, video messages on the Embassy consular and labour welfare services, Sri Lanka professional advisory groups as well as regional community clubs and urged the members of the community to make use of them.
Moulavi Zafarullah delivered a speech on the significance of Ramadan, enlightening the audience on the spiritual essence of the holy month and its benefits for an individual who is fasting during the holy month by cultivating his or her self-discipline and a sense of empathy towards fellow human beings.
In keeping with the Sri Lankan tradition, the fast was broken with Sri Lankan-style porridge (kanji) and short eats, followed by dinner.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
18 March 2025
