After expelling Canadian ambassador, Saudi Arabia suspends educational programmes
Riyadh/Ottawa, Aug 7 (IBNS): Saudi Arabia has reportedly suspended all the educational programmes in Canada after expelling the Canadian ambassador citing interference in its internal matter, media reports said.
Saudi Ministry of Education spokesperson Mubarak Alosaimi tweeted to say that he had been instructed to stop all education programmes, including scholarship, training programmes and fellowships in Canada.
The Saudi Arabian Cultural in Canada said on Twitter that students, who are studying at their own expenses or government's funds, must stop studying in Canada at the end of the lunal year, CTV News reported.
Last week, Canada had expressed grave concern about the arrest of human rights activists, including Saudi-American women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi, by Saudi authorities.
Demanding release of the activists, Canada's Foreign Ministry had tweeted: "Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists."
Responding to Canada's request, Saudi Arabia said it was an attack on the kingdom and had granted the Canadian ambassador 24 hours after considering the latter persona non grata.
It said that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take further action.
Meanwhile, the recent arrests have undone the progress the country achieved under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Under the Prince, Saudi Arabia has allowed women to drive cars and have brought in a host of women friendly changes.
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