In response to the invitation from the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of India Mr. Saleh Mohd. Al-Ghamdi participated on Tuesday 6^th February 2007 in laying the foundation of India-Arab Cultural Centre being set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of India in the University campus.

  The foundation-laying ceremony was followed by a function which was jointly chaired by Ambassador Al-Ghamdi and Ambassador M.Hamid Ansari, Chairman, Minorities Commission of India. The function was attended by several dignitaries including faculty members of the University and Arab Ambassadors and was addressed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof. Mushirul Hasan and Ambassador Saleh Al-Ghamdi among others.

  In his speech on the occasion, Ambassador Al-Ghamdi expressed his happiness at being invited to the function and hoped that this Cultural Centre will play an important role in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Arab countries and India through cultural and intellectual exchanges. He appreciated the pioneering role of Jamia Millia Islamia in promoting exchanges with the Arab world and said that the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to Jamia during his State visit to India early last year demonstrated the high standing of the Univeristy and the respect it commands in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.

  It may be noted that Jamia Millia Islamia is one of the biggest Universities in India having more than 15000 students who represent diverse religious and social backgrounds. It is also one of the universities recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education of Saudi Arabia.