Saudi Arabia: Indian Embassy leads yoga day celebration in Riyadh stadium
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The Embassy of India in Riyadh, in collaboration with the Saudi Yoga Committee and local partners, celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a vibrant gathering at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium. The event, which saw participation from more than 500 yoga enthusiasts from across the Kingdom, celebrated this year’s theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”.
Indian Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan welcomed the gathering with a message of gratitude and unity. He praised the growing support from Saudi authorities and emphasized Yoga’s capacity to transcend cultural boundaries, calling it a “bridge between civilizations” that promotes holistic health and global harmony.
A highlight of the event was the participation of Padma Shri awardee Ms. Nouf Al-Marwaai, a leading Yoga advocate in the region and President of the Asian Yogasan Sports Federation. She commended the Embassy’s efforts in fostering cross-cultural engagement through Yoga and noted the steady rise of Yoga in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on behalf of the Saudi Yoga Committee, CEO Ahmed Alsady reinforced the Kingdom’s efforts to integrate Yoga into its health and wellness agenda. Ms. Shahad Al-Mufti, Director at the Ministry of Sport, also graced the occasion, signaling strong institutional backing for the practice.
The session featured the Common Yoga Protocol, led by women instructors Ms. Nervin Ashram and Ms. Seema Ghanam, who guided participants through foundational postures and breathing techniques in an inclusive and energizing environment.
The Riyadh event served as the finale to a month-long series of Yoga activities organized by the Indian Embassy. These included sessions held in iconic locations such as the Edge of the World, school-based programs across Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Jubail, Khafji and Tabouk, including a curtain-raiser hosted on May 17.
The celebration highlighted the growing collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia in the fields of wellness and cultural exchange.
