Ambassador Mohammed Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Region, praised Ethiopian expatriates on Sunday evening for their marked contribution to the all round development of Saudi Arabia. He was speaking as chief guest at a function organized by the Ethiopian Consulate General to commemorate the 18th Anniversary of the National Day, which was attended by several diplomats and other Ethiopian dignitaries. Al-Tayeb dwelt on the Saudi-Ethiopian relationship that, he said, is as old as Islam itself. He pointed out how the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent his Companions to Habasha (now Ethiopia) to avoid torments at the hand of the Qureish of Makkah, and how the then King Negus of Ethiopia not only gave shelter to them but also sent gifts to the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he married a migrant lady, Umm Habibah (ra), whose husband had died while living under the King's protection in that country. “It's a relationship that is 1,500 years old,” the Director General stressed. Extending his best wishes to the expatriates, he expressed his pleasure to be associated with Ethiopia's prosperity, which he said, is “a reflection of our own prosperity.” Earlier, in his welcome address, Ambassador Tekleab Kebede, the Ethiopian Consul General, outlined the country's years of struggle and difficulties before ultimately heralding on May 28, 1991 “peace, stability, and economic, social and political development.” Referring to the Saudi-Ethiopian relationship, in particular, the Ambassador said that it was “not only old and deep-rooted but was also illuminated with many recorded historical facts and incidents.” He termed the Companions' visit to his country in 615 CE as the first Hijra (migration) in Islam. Besides these historic spiritual ties, Ethiopia shared “geographical proximity, and linguistic affinities” that played their part in the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries. Ambassador Kebede cited the reasons why Ethiopia is a good place for investors from the Kingdom and other Middle Eastern countries. “The peace, stability and very low crime rate make Ethiopia very attractive to foreign investors and tourists,” he said. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, for its “generosity and for welcoming Ethiopian expatriates to the Kingdom.” Later, several diplomats, such as, Mohammed Fathy Beddah, the Consul General of Tunisia; Mohammed Bassadin, Consul General of South Africa; Saleh Affiyah, Dean of the Group of African Consuls General; and Ambassador Kebede joined Director General Al-Tayeb in cutting a cake to mark the 18th Anniversary of the National Day.
