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OIC Calls for Collective Measures to Prevent Quran Desecration

The 57-member body met at its headquarters in Jeddah. SPA
The 57-member body met at its headquarters in Jeddah. SPA
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OIC Calls for Collective Measures to Prevent Quran Desecration

The 57-member body met at its headquarters in Jeddah. SPA
The 57-member body met at its headquarters in Jeddah. SPA

The Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called for collective measures to prevent acts of desecration of the Quran.

The 57-member body met at its headquarters in Jeddah to respond to Wednesday’s incident in which a man living in Sweden set several pages of the Quran alight.

The OIC urged member states to “take unified and collective measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents of desecration of copies of the” Quran, according to a statement released after the extraordinary meeting.

"We must send constant reminders to the international community regarding the urgent application of international law, which clearly prohibits any advocacy of religious hatred," OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha said.

The Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the OIC, Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, in the Kingdom's speech, expressed high appreciation for the active attendance “to discuss the blatant provocative actions and the repeated despicable acts of attacking the sanctity of the Quran in Sweden.”

Dr. Al-Suhaibani said: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of these repeated despicable acts and stresses that these hateful acts cannot be accepted under any justification as they clearly incite hatred, exclusion, and racism.”

“The Kingdom calls for harmony, peace, and rapprochement. These acts directly contradict international efforts seeking to spread the values of tolerance, moderation, and rejection of extremism, and undermine the principles of mutual respect necessary for relations among peoples and states,” he added.

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185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
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185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), launched a vital $2.25 million project to improve sanitation services for over 185,000 people in Maarib, including host communities and internally displaced persons.
This 12-month initiative aims to provide essential sanitation and hygiene support through enhanced facilities and strengthened local waste management capacity, fostering safer, healthier living conditions and building long-term resilience for communities heavily impacted by Yemen’s ongoing conflict.
Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen said, “This project is a lifeline for the people of Maarib, who are facing some of Yemen’s most challenging conditions.”
He added that with hundreds of thousands struggling to access basic sanitation, this initiative provides immediate relief while laying the groundwork for lasting, community-led solutions.
“By providing critical support, we are not only meeting urgent needs but also helping communities regain a sense of dignity, safety, and stability,” Esoev said.
Largest concentration of displaced people
As the area with Yemen’s largest concentration of displaced people, Maarib has become the country’s largest host of internally displaced persons, sheltering nearly 1.6 million people who have fled conflict, insecurity, and deteriorating living conditions across the country.
Once a governorate of 350,000 people, Maarib’s population has now surged to over two million, placing an immense strain on its infrastructure and basic services.
This unprecedented magnitude of displacement has led to overcrowded displacement sites and heightened pressure on local resources, leaving many without access to adequate sanitation, clean water, and waste management systems.
Al Jufainah site alone, Yemen’s largest displacement settlement, hosts more than 73,000 people, many of whom rely on external aid to meet their most basic needs.
Coordinated Response
Recognizing the strain on local resources and the urgent need for expanded sanitation services, IOM, with KSrelief’s substantial funding, is implementing a coordinated response to address these critical needs.
Planned interventions include the construction of 200 household latrines, the rehabilitation of 600 cesspits, and the provision of essential equipment to enhance local waste management.
The project will further support Maarib’s Hygiene Improvement Fund (HIF) with the provision of garbage and vacuum trucks to strengthen waste collection and fecal sludge management, ensuring cleaner, safer environments.
By increasing local capacity and infrastructure, this initiative provides immediate relief and promotes long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for Maarib’s communities.
This partnership with KSrelief is a continuation of its sustained commitment to supporting IOM’s humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where millions face acute needs.
As the project progresses, IOM will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure the delivery of effective, sustainable sanitation and hygiene solutions that protect public health, support social stability, and offer hope to those most affected by Yemen’s ongoing crisis.