Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Al-Qassim region, patronized the closing ceremony of the «Peoples» Heritage Festival." The festival, organized by the university, featured the participation of international students representing over 90 nationalities. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Saqr, Undersecretary of the Al-Qassim region, along with university vice presidents and council members, and directors of government agencies. The event took place at the Al-Qassim International Conference and Exhibition Center in the city of Buraidah.
On his part, His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim Region, said: "I congratulate Al-Qassim University, its president, vice-presidents, deans, and the university council, on the idea of this international festival and its great success, and on achieving the Kingdom's goals of being a hub for all global civilizations and cultures.".
His Highness added: "This festival and the gathering of more than 90 nationalities of scholarship students at Qassim University send a message to the world that our doctrine and our holy land embrace all people without exception, and dedicate coexistence and brotherhood with all the peoples of the world.".
His Highness the Emir of the Qassim region toured the participating pavilions, which include a pavilion for the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, the Saudi Pavilion, the Qassim University Pavilion, a booth for the Ministry of Education represented by the General Department for Non-Saudi Student Scholarships, and an exhibition of educational tools in Saudi Arabia from the First to the Third Saudi State. In addition, many international student pavilions participated, presenting various events, exhibitions, competitions, and performing arts. These pavilions showcased the most prominent cultural features and heritage of the countries, including their traditional clothing, artifacts, popular foods, and special handmade and industrial textiles, as well as pictures, information, and historical and natural landmarks for each country, in addition to folklore shows, handicrafts, and other rare items specific to each nation.
His Highness attended the festival's closing ceremony, which included two promotional films about the university's efforts for international students and their feelings on the occasion of this festival. He also listened to a speech by the international students, who expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom for allowing them to study and for providing support and attention to international students to spread science and knowledge.
In addition, the General Supervisor of the festival, Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Ajlan, affirmed that the university has worked to attract a number of international students and provided them with a stimulating educational, cultural, and social environment that fosters a sense of belonging to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He pointed out that the festival reflects one of the dimensions of the university's vision, which is active national and global partnership, and also reflects its message of promoting national development and the values of belonging and justice, represented by focusing on peaceful coexistence among peoples.
Al-Ajlan explained that the festival also reflects the extent of openness to diversity and coexistence in the Kingdom and enhances the educational role of the university, which is manifested in honing students" skills and developing their capabilities. This festival presented many historical and exhibition programs on the civilizational achievements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
His Highness the Prince of Al-Qassim region honored outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students, as well as outstanding students in extracurricular activities.
His Highness also inaugurated the second edition of the award of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim Region, for memorization of the Holy Quran at Qassim University.
Furthermore, the university holds this festival with the aim of enriching cultural and civilizational diversity and gaining a close understanding of the customs and heritage of peoples through its international students, who number more than 5,000. This event is part of a series of community programs and activities that the university organizes annually.
This year's festival saw the participation of 1,200 attendees, over 900 international students, and more than 42,000 visitors to the festival, which lasted for six days.
