- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Japanese peace boat makes second visit to Jeddah
- Date: 25th April 2013
- Summary: MEMBER OF PEACE BOAT TAKING MEMORIAL PHOTO WITH SAUDI WOMEN MEMBER OF PEACE BOAT AND SAUDIS ENTERING THE SEAPORT TOWER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NIZAR MADANI, SAYING: "Saudi Arabia shares a lot of customs and traditions with Japan, which reflects the great convergence between the two peoples, especially with regard to the family, education and cultural awareness in the framework of respect for the other, and his privacy." SCREEN WITH ARABIC AND ENGLISH WRITING READING: 'PEACE BOAT' SAUDI OFFICIALS LISTENING TO MEMBER OF JAPANESE PEACE BOAT ONE OF THE SURVIVORS OF HIROSHIMA CRYING AFTER GIVING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) ONE OF THE SURVIVORS OF HIROSHIMA, UNIDENTIFIED NAME, SAYING: "With regard to nuclear weapons and nuclear power, we want everyone to study and understand just how terrible they can be. We want people to cooperate, and just as people are doing in Saudi Arabia, to put religion and national issues to one side, and work all together on this issue to get rid of them. So that there are no more tragedies like those seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in other places around the world where people have been affected by nuclear power, we want everybody to cooperate to try to reduce nuclear power and weapons right down to zero." MEMBER OF JAPANESE PEACE BOAT AND SAUDI OFFICIALS STANDING FOR MEMORIAL PHOTO SAUDI WOMEN AND MEN STANDING NEAR JAPANESE PEACE BOAT FOR MEMORIAL PHOTO
- Embargoed: 10th May 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVACUVJTODOUIDM6VJFZLZ2ONKUV
- Story Text: As part of its tour to promote world peace, the Japanese Peace Boat arrived in the Saudi port of Jeddah on Wednesday (April 24), carrying over 1000 passengers from Japan and other parts of the world.
Among the travelers were survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
Formed in 1983, 'Peace Boat', is a Japan-based NGO that travels the world to promote peace, human rights and environmental protection.
It also promotes the elimination of weapons and urges governments to renounce war as a means of resolving disagreements.
The passengers were received by the Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nizar Madani, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Youssef al-Sa'adon, along with other Saudi officials.
Passengers toured various Saudi stalls at the harbor which showcased a collection of handmade crafts and traditional costumes.
They also took part in folkloric and traditional performances.
Al-Sa'adon said he was delighted to see his country participate in the boat's peace project.
"The Peace Boat anchored for the second time in Jeddah Islamic Port, they select Saudi Arabia and that was not a random selection, the peace institution promotes peace and calls for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction," said al-Sa'adon.
State Minister for foreign affairs, Nizar Madani, said the Saudi Kingdom holds strong bonds of friendship and peace with Japan.
"Saudi Arabia share a lot of customs and traditions with Japan, which reflects the great convergence between the two peoples, especially with regard to the family, education and cultural awareness in the framework of respect for the other, and his privacy," said Madani.
As they toured the Saudi port of Jeddah, the atomic bomb survivors spoke of the effects of the deadly attacks and hoped to promote a world free of nuclear weapons.
"With regard to nuclear weapons and nuclear power, we want everyone to study and understand just how terrible they can be. We want people to cooperate, and just as people are doing in Saudi Arabia, to put religion and national issues to one side, and work all together on this issue to get rid of them. So that there are no more tragedies like those seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in other places around the world where people have been affected by nuclear power, we want everybody to cooperate to try to reduce nuclear power and weapons right down to zero," said one of the survivors of the Hiroshima.
Passengers on the boats were also given copies of a book entitled "The Voice of Change" and another book entitled "Islam's position on Extremism and Terrorism." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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