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August 2009
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Live Up to Ramadan Message, Saudi King Says

As Muslims around the world prepare for Ramadan, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia asked the followers of Islam to live up to the holy month’s message.

AP FILE

AP FILE

In a joint message with Crown Prince Sultan, the King urged Muslims to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad, and to be merciful, tolerant and generous during this time.

“We should also work to kindle the spirit of brotherhood and enhance the feelings of sympathy, mercy and giving, seeking the reward of God,” the King and Crown Prince said in their message, which was broadcasted on Saudi TV.

King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan sent Ramadan greeting cables to Muslims leaders all over the world,

Ramadan lasts from August 22nd to September 20th. It is a time of fasting from food, drink and sexual relations from sunrise till sunset. In addition, it is also a time to perform good deeds and meditate.

Muslims are also expected to perform the Umrah, or travel to Mecca. There is concern over whether swine flu would be a problem during this event.

August 22nd, 2009 | Tags: , | Category: Saudi Arabia | Leave a comment

Queen Margrethe II Commemorates Art Event in Germany

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II is on tour of Germany this weekend. She arrived Saturday afternoon and was greeted by President Horst Koehler in Berlin.

Reuters

Reuters

Despite arriving in Berlin, the Queen is really on an official visit of Dresden in Saxony. A Danish and German arts and culture event would be the point of this visit, as it commemorates a Saxon-Denmark festival that took place here in 1709. It was Queen Margrethe’s ancestor, Frederik IV, who traveled to the German city for the festival.

The first stop for Queen Margrethe’s visit was to Frauenkirchen, or Our Lady of Dresden. Crowds waited outside the cathedral waving Danish flags for the Queen.

In the evening, the Queen would attend the ballet, “Giselle,” which would be performed by the Danish Ballet at the Semper Opera House. This is another part of the Danish-Saxony bi-cultural ties.

Sunday will see the Queen and Saxony’s Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillisch open the exhibition,”The Fortune Across the Sea: Saxony and Denmark – Marriages and Alliances in the Mirror of Art (1548-1709).” A total of 260 art pieces from both Denmark and Dresden on display at the Dresden Castle. Some of the exhibits document the festival from 300 years ago.

Denmark and Saxony have a long royal history together. Several Danish princesses married Electors of Saxony back in the 17th century.

The last time the Queen of Denmark toured Dresden was for a state visit to Germany in 1994. Back then, her husband Prince Henrik accompanied her. But this time, it is Margrethe’s sister, Princess Benedikte, who is the Queen’s companion.

August 22nd, 2009 | Tags: , , , | Category: Denmark | Leave a comment

Swedish Royals Commemorate 1809 War

August 19th 2009 marked the last time war was fought on Swedish soil. It was between Sweden and Russia over the territory of Finland, in which the latter won the area. sweden pitea

To commemorate this historic event, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria have been visiting the sites of the war, starting in Ratan, in northern Sweden.

Crowds greeted the royals as they arrived in the town by ship. Once on land, the royals took time to speak to the people. Crown Princess Victoria in particular spoke to many young children. Witnesses noted that she seemed very happy and was eager to talk to people.

Once everything was settled, the royal couple and their eldest daughter watched a reenactment of the Battle of Savar.

Later on, the Swedish royals had dinner with the local governor Chris Heister. When the family posed for pictures, the King was very quick to walk away. That was when Victoria said gently chided him, “Dad! Everyone haven´t got their pictures.” King Carl XVI Gustaf obeyed and returned to have more photos be taken.

sweden finlandThe next day, the family moved on to the town of Pitsund, where they arrived by navy ships. King Carl laid a wreath at a memorial.

Later in the day, King Carl, Queen Silvia and Princess Victoria took a helicopter ride to the border town of Tornio in Finland. There, they also saw a reenactment of the war.

There is more to come for the royal couple and the Crown Princess. Next week, they travel to southern Finland.

This year, Sweden and Finland have been commemorating two hundred years since Finland split from the Scandinavian country. Earlier this year, Finnish President Tarja Harlonen had a state visit to Sweden.

August 22nd, 2009 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Sweden | Leave a comment