Arab News Japan

Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Fumio Iwai posted a video on Twitter of him and the governor of Shaqra, Adel Al Bawardi, indulging in a local dish while incorporating traditional Saudi Arabian customs.

In the short clip, Iwai is seen practicing traditional Arab dining etiquette while eating “Muftah” a traditional meat and rice dish with a distinctive blend of spices that originates from the Arabian Peninsula.

Eating from a communal plate, Iwai is seen using his right hand to scoop rice with his fingers while imitating the actions being demonstrated by Al Bawardi while performing the hand-to-mouth technique.

جربت تناول المفطح بالخمسة في وجبة الغداء واستعنت بنصائح من سعادة المحافظ حتى أجيد تناول الطعام بالخمس 😅 pic.twitter.com/hEx8w6Cznt

— Iwai Fumio🇯🇵 (@FumioIwai) September 6, 2021

Iwai’s participation in Saudi-Arabian customs while eating a local dish serves as a representation of his willingness to connect with the people of Saudi Arabia and their different traditions.