Okaz Organization for Press and Publication welcomed on Sunday consuls from Arab, Muslim and other countries to its head offices in an annual function attended this year by the Makkah Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Bin Ahmad Tayyeb, along with local businessmen, intellectuals and diplomats. In a speech marking the occasion, the Director General of Okaz, Waleed Jameel Kattan, thanked consuls for their presence and described the gathering as “an expression of your concern for the value of the ties that bind us”. “The organization, in its publications and staff, will remain loyal to its message and continue on its path toward success,” Kattan said. Muhammad Tayyeb spoke to praise Waleed Kattan for the initiative in “strengthening ties of friendship between society and members of the diplomatic corps”, and suggested that the event be turned into a cultural festival for diplomats to acquaint Saudi society with the heritage and their countries. The Consul General of Algeria, Saleh Atiya, described in his speech on behalf of guests the half-century-old Okaz Organization as a “deep-rooted institution” that “has become the number-one journalistic establishment in the Kingdom”. “Its roots extend to cities all over the world, and it is a trusted source of reference and information for researchers, students and diplomats, despite the challenges in today's world,” Atiya said. “Okaz is always the first in introducing the latest technology, and its pages cover the world abroad and home, taking into account all tastes, opinions and leanings,” he said. Atiya added that Okaz served the public and the “culture of dialogue through mutual respect”. “It seeks to show how journalism is an effective partner in national development,” he said. “Its continuous and accurate search is characterized by diversity, objectivity and credibility, and keeping pace with events and developments in all fields.” Atiya also spoke of the strong relations between Okaz and the diplomatic corps in Jeddah, “making Okaz their favorite newspaper”. At the following dinner, Waleed Kattan presented Tayyeb with a commemorative souvenir marking the occasion.
