The Minister of Culture and Information also expressed, in his own name and on behalf of the intellectuals, his deep thanks to Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah region who is also the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Souq Okaz for his great efforts as one of the pioneers of thought, culture and the arts in this festival, which its success has proven year after year through the sheer number of visitors Souq Okaz witnesses every year, describing it as a pride of the kingdom, transferring the festival from the local level to the global one. This came during a press conference held by the Minister Altoraifi following the launch of the activities of Souq Okaz at its 10th session last night in Taif. He said that "Souq Okaz has become a global gathering, not only in the Kingdom, where we saw Arab and international artists having their contributions and awards at Okaz market." The Minister of Culture and Information also described this great cultural gathering, as a symbol of the Arabs, the tolerance of the Islamic religion and an expression of the wonderful image of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the eyes of the world. --More 20:21 LOCAL TIME 17:21 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w