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RIYADH: The Cameroonian Embassy in Riyadh marked its country’s 53rd national day on Wednesday in a postponed event held under the theme “Army and nation united for a Cameroon turned toward peace and prosperity.”
Speaking at the evening occasion, Cameroon’s Ambassador to ������Ƶ Iya Tidjani said: “The Embassy of Cameroon, my wife and I welcome you all to the Cultural Palace for celebration of the 53rd national day. Cameroon’s national day is celebrated every year on May 20, a date that since 1972 marks the reunification of West Cameroon and East Cameroon into a unitary state.

“Due to scheduling constraints, we were compelled to postpone the celebration here in Riyadh. We are pleased that you were able to include this important event in your program, and to join us in celebrating, with shared joy, the renewed unity of our country,” he added.

The ambassador thanked Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf and Saudi officials for honoring the ceremony, adding: “This is undoubtedly a testament to the excellent cooperative relations that exist between the two countries.”
Tidjani hailed flourishing relations between his country and the Kingdom.
“Indeed, since 1966, the year diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, these relations have continued to deepen and diversify — politically, economically, in the security field and culturally— in the common interest of both nations,” he said.
“This positive development is the result of the unwavering and repeatedly reaffirmed will of Paul Biya, president of Cameroon, and King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
The ambassador highlighted the signing of a general cooperation agreement between his country and ������Ƶ, ratified in 2023.
It serves as a concrete legal foundation on which relations can be further developed, he said.
“I am firmly convinced that this milestone will serve to further strengthen and expand our exchanges, particularly in the fields of investment, trade, mining, agriculture, tourism, sports and beyond,” Tidjani added.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to Saudi businessmen and to Saudi companies in both the public and private sectors that the Embassy of Cameroon in Riyadh, as well as the consulate general in Jeddah, remain fully at their disposal. We also stand prepared to facilitate and organize connections with their counterparts in Cameroon,” he said.
The ambassador praised ������Ƶ for playing a major role in global politics, including through trade and finance, the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering solidarity and strengthening unity within the Ummah, as well as its efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.
������Ƶ is a key partner of Cameroon, with both countries sharing similar perspectives on many major international issues, Tidjani said.
He praised the Kingdom for mobilizing the Saudi Fund for Development and a medical caravan in aid of Cameroon. The latter has been sent annually since 2000 to deliver vital medical care to the Cameroonian population.
Tidjani highlighted Cameroon’s upcoming presidential elections on Oct. 12. The country’s diaspora in the Kingdom can exercise their voting rights by attending polling stations, he said.
Three polling stations will open at the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah on election day from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.

RIYADH: September heralds a series of celestial events eagerly awaited by astronomers, which marks the changing of seasons on Earth and a total lunar eclipse popularly known as a “blood moon.”

According to Jeddah Astronomy Society Director Majed Abu Zahra, the month’s highlights include the total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7, visible in ������Ƶ, the Arab world, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

This will be the only total lunar eclipse of the year in this region. Such eclipses are rare for a specific geographic location.

Speaking to Arab News Dr. Abouazza Elmhamdi, associate professor of physics and astronomy at King Saud University, said lunar eclipses represent a “most predictable and visually fascinating phenomena.”

This occurs when “Earth aligns precisely between the sun and moon, casting its shadow upon the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye and can be witnessed from anywhere on Earth’s night side.”

“On Sunday evening, Sept. 7, 2025, the Riyadh sky will host a remarkable astronomical display: a total lunar eclipse. As twilight fades, the full moon will rise, already entering Earth’s shadow, offering observers across the city a rare and captivating view,” said Elmhamdi.

This eclipse belongs to the so‑called Saros cycle. It is a part of series 128, a family of eclipses repeating every 18 years and 11 days, he said.

During a total eclipse, the moon will appear in shades of copper and red, the result of sunlight scattered and bent through Earth’s atmosphere, he said.

For Riyadh, the moon will be well above the horizon throughout the total phase. “Since the eclipse begins just after sunset, this will be one of the most favorable lunar eclipses in recent years for the region,” said Elmhamdi.

The moon will be approximately 2.6 days before perigee, its closest approach to Earth, making it appear slightly larger than average — a so‑called “supermoon” eclipse in popular terms, added Elmhamdi.

The AlUla Manara team is organizing an event on Sept. 7 to observe the lunar eclipse.

Specialists will provide live explanations of the eclipse’s stages, formation, and scientific significance. Attendees will also be able to use special telescopes.

A partial solar eclipse will occur on Sept. 21, but it will not be visible in the Arab world.

On Sept. 21, Saturn will be at opposition, meaning Earth will find itself in-between Saturn and the sun, temporarily lined up.

The following day, Sept. 22, marks the autumnal equinox, when the sun’s rays fall directly on the equator. This phenomenon occurs twice a year — once at the start of spring (around March 20) and once at the start of autumn (around Sept 22).

Day and night will be of equal length at the equator, and the event marks the official end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Elmhamdi added: “September offers additional sky highlights: a close approach of the moon and Venus around mid‑month, Saturn and Neptune at opposition later in the month, and the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22.

“This equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere, a moment when day and night are nearly equal in length across the globe.”

A rare celestial phenomenon will also be on display, with the shadow of Saturn’s moon, Titan, crossing the planet’s disk on Sept. 4 and 20.

For those waking up early in the wee hours, Venus and Jupiter will shine on the eastern horizon.

Moreover, on Sept. 19, the crescent moon will form a striking triangle with Venus and Regulus.