US Ambassador Joseph W. Westphal hosted a Thanksgiving function on Tuesday night at Tuwaiq Palace here. A large number of guests attended the Thanksgiving dinner, including Saudi leaders from government, business, and civil society, as well as prominent foreign residents and diplomats.

The gathering offered an opportunity to Saudi guests and diplomats to talk about the significance of Thanksgiving in American society and the importance of interfaith dialogue in building a peaceful society.

“In keeping with traditions, guests were treated to a video of a Thanksgiving Day parade and a football game as they dined,” said Johann Schmonsees, a US Embassy spokesman, on Wednesday.

At the very outset of the function, Ambassador Westphal made some opening remarks about the importance of Thanksgiving in the US, its history, traditions, and values. He described his family’s own Thanksgiving traditions, as well as the pilgrims’ experience in the US and the assistance provided by Native Americans. Many Saudi guests expressed their delight at learning about this holiday and having the opportunity to celebrate with their American counterparts.

Thanksgiving is one of America’s most important holidays. The holiday began in 1621 when the founders of the Plymouth colony gave thanks for a bountiful harvest and shared a meal with Native Americans in present-day Massachusetts.

“This Thanksgiving celebration allows us to enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner together and give thanks for the strong friendship between the US and Saudi Arabia,” the spokesman said.

The two countries have forged very close ties. Saudi Arabia is also America’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa. Last year, the two-way trade between the US and Saudi Arabia exceeded $71 billion.

This is in addition to the growing cooperation in terms of people to people contacts. The US diplomatic missions in the Kingdom issued about 140,000 visas last year, enabling Saudis to visit, work and study in that country.