The Afghan diaspora celebrated its 94th Independence Day on Monday in the Kingdom.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah congratulated Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the people of Afghanistan on the occasion.
The king sent a cable of congratulations to President Karzai of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day, said the Saudi Press Agency.
In his cable, the king wished the president good health and happiness and the people of Afghanistan steady progress and prosperity.
Saudi Arabia has a strong influence on Afghanistan as one of the major providers of funds to the country. The Kingdom has provided and remains committed to providing to the Islamic Republic with more than $475 million (SR1,780 million), in addition to in-kind assistance and technical and academic aid.
Reaffirming its continual provision of assistance and support to promote stability and development in Afghanistan, the Kingdom recently expressed its great interest in the development of cooperative relations with Afghanistan at various economic, cultural and investment fields and on bilateral, regional and international levels.
The Kingdom is one of the major helpers in the reconstruction of the country. It funded the main highway project, as well as the largest mosque in Afghanistan.
The Afghan Embassy in Riyadh observed the day, marking it as a holiday.
Observing the day with joy, the Afghani people in Riyadh greeted each other on the occasion.
A group of Afghani people who run a restaurant here said they were observing the day as a holiday. “There are special picnic parties during the day.”
Independence Day is celebrated around the world on Aug. 19 to commemorate the Anglo-Afghan treaty of 1919, which granted complete independence from Britain, although Afghanistan was never part of the British Empire.
The British fought three wars with Afghanistan, but they were always defeated or withdrew their decision to annex the territory.
This events of 1919 is celebrated every year in Afghanistan as a national day.
Afghan diaspora celebrates 94th Independence Day
