The UN General Assembly in September 2015 responded positively to India’s request that June 21 be commemorated worldwide each year as International Yoga Day Saudi yoga trainer Dr. Nouf Marwaai has been honored with one of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, for popularizing yoga RIYADH: The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has organized an event to celebrate the fourth International Day of Yoga on Thursday. It will be held at the Al-Madi Park in the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh under the supervision of Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed. The program is expected to be attended by Saudi men and women, as well as foreign diplomats and members of the Indian community. The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on June 21 since its inception in 2015. The UN General Assembly in September 2015 responded positively to India’s request that June 21 be commemorated worldwide each year as International Yoga Day. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice attributed to India; June 21 is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and shares special significance in some parts of the world. In the run-up to the celebration, the embassy organized the yoga day function at the International Indian School-Riyadh (IISR). About 200 IISR male and female students participated in the program in the school auditorium. Saudi yoga trainer Dr. Nouf Marwaai has also been honored with one of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, for popularizing yoga. She was the first certified yoga instructor in Saudi Arabia. Marwaai is also the founder of the Arab Yoga Foundation, which was established in 2010. It was the first yoga organization in the Gulf region.