PERTH, 18 April 2008 — The Kingdom’s embassy in Australia has banned Saudis studying in the country from giving donations to any organization without the prior permission from the Foreign Ministry through the embassy or consulates. This was announced by Hassan Nazir, the Saudi ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, during a meeting with Saudi students in Perth, in western Australia.
“Any student who makes even a petty donation to an Islamic organization, the activities of which the Australian government watches with suspicion, would be subjected to police interrogations and other embarrassing situations,” Nazir told the meeting, which was organized to congratulate Saudis who passed with outstanding credits from Australian universities recently.
Nazir said any one who wished to make donations should consult the embassy first. The embassy would inquire from the concerned government department whether the organization was listed for receiving donations or not. The move is aimed at protecting the interests of the Saudi students, the ambassador said.
Nazir also disclosed Australian government’s plan to restart consular services in the Kingdom this year. The move would be a great relief for Saudi students and other visitors to Australia. According to the present arrangement, the visa applications are being sent to Dubai for processing which results in a delay of at least three weeks, according to Al-Eqtisadiah daily.
“I discussed the issue with the Australian foreign minister in a recent meeting. The minister promised me that the consular services would be available in the Kingdom not later than June. I also asked him to simplify the student visa formalities,” Nazir said.
The ambassador urged the students to stick to Islamic values and avoid locations of dubious reputation. “You must be the cultural ambassadors of your country and committed to the goal for which you have come here,” he said.
There are more than 9,000 Saudis currently studying in Australia. Some of them have their families with them.
The Saudi cultural attaché, Ali Al-Bishri, told the students that he has been asked by the Kingdom’s government to visit areas with concentration of Saudi students in order to assist them in solving problems that they may face.
