On 23 February 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to South Africa, Faisal bin Falah Al-Harbi, hosted a warm Ramadan Iftar at the CT Hotel, bringing together a distinguished gathering of diplomats, members of the Saudi community, officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), former Minister Dr Naledi Pandor, and Deputy Minister of Social Development Mogamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks.
The evening featured traditional iftar delicacies, fostering fellowship during the holy month of Ramadan, which began earlier in February. Attendees broke their fast in a spirit of unity and reflection, highlighting the shared values of compassion and community central to Islamic tradition.
The event underscores the enduring Islamic dimension of South Africa-Saudi Arabia relations. Saudi Arabia has long supported South Africa’s Muslim community—among the largest in the southern hemisphere—through initiatives like establishing the Islamic Council of South Africa in 1975. Diplomatic ties, formalized in 1994 under Nelson Mandela, have grown steadily, blending cultural-religious bonds with economic and political cooperation.
Such gatherings reinforce mutual respect and solidarity between the two nations, as both navigate regional and global challenges while celebrating shared heritage and faith.
