OIC Members Consider Reviewing Ties with Countries that ‘Desecrate Holy Quran’

A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)
A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)
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OIC Members Consider Reviewing Ties with Countries that ‘Desecrate Holy Quran’

A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)
A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)

The member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are currently contemplating suitable measures in response to instances of Quran desecration and burning, particularly in Sweden and Denmark.

These actions may involve the implementation of crucial political decisions and measures, such as the summoning of their respective ambassadors to Sweden and Denmark for consultation.

The foreign ministers of the member states of the OIC held an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah on Monday to tackle the repeated desecration of the Quran, issuing an extraordinary resolution regarding these acts.

In a statement, the OIC stressed the need for a reevaluation, whether on the economic, cultural, or other levels, to express nations’ rejection of the repeated insults to the sanctity of the Quran and Islamic symbols.

It also commended the measures taken by OIC member states in their relations with Sweden and Denmark as part of their condemnation of this offense.

The resolution welcomed the decision of the OIC Secretary-General to suspend the status of Sweden’s special envoy to the organization.

This suspension aligns with the final statement of the Executive Committee during its meeting on July 2, until Swedish authorities take necessary measures to criminalize acts of disrespect towards sacred Islamic symbols and prevent their recurrence.

Moreover, the resolution strongly condemned any form of hate speech that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence, whether disseminated through printed media, audiovisual means, electronic platforms, social media, or any other channels.

It vehemently denounced the repeated and flagrant attacks on the sanctity of the Quran, with the lates incident taking place in Stockholm on July 20 and Copenhagen on July 24.

The resolution expressed deep concern over the recurrence of such offenses and expressed profound regret for the Swedish authorities’ continued issuance of permits that allow them, and for their failure to take necessary measures to prevent them in both Sweden and Denmark.

The ministers decided to dispatch a delegation from the OIC, led by the Secretary-General, to urge the European Commission to express condemnation on behalf of the organization’s members for the crime of desecrating the Quran.

They called for necessary measures to be taken to ensure that such criminal acts are not repeated under the pretext of freedom of expression.



New Attack Targets Riyadh Airport; Coalition Intercepts Two Missiles, a Drone

This image from CCTV video released by Saudi Arabia's Media Ministry shows passengers taking cover as flames and smoke fill part of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during what authorities described as a strike at the airport on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)
This image from CCTV video released by Saudi Arabia's Media Ministry shows passengers taking cover as flames and smoke fill part of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during what authorities described as a strike at the airport on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)
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New Attack Targets Riyadh Airport; Coalition Intercepts Two Missiles, a Drone

This image from CCTV video released by Saudi Arabia's Media Ministry shows passengers taking cover as flames and smoke fill part of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during what authorities described as a strike at the airport on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)
This image from CCTV video released by Saudi Arabia's Media Ministry shows passengers taking cover as flames and smoke fill part of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during what authorities described as a strike at the airport on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)

Houthi attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia continued Monday with a projectile striking Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport, while air defenses intercepted another cruise missile near the airport, Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said.

Al-Malki added that a ballistic missile targeting Khamis Mushait was intercepted and destroyed, while a drone was intercepted in the Eastern Province.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s airport to verify facility safety and operational readiness.

Earlier it said one resident was killed and 11 others injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and civilian infrastructure have drawn widespread Arab and international condemnation, along with expressions of solidarity with the kingdom.


King Khalid Int’l Airport, One of the Region’s Key Global Aviation Hubs

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)
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King Khalid Int’l Airport, One of the Region’s Key Global Aviation Hubs

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (SPA)

King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is one of the world’s major aviation hubs and a key air transport gateway for Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Since opening four decades ago, it has reflected the kingdom’s urban and economic development.

Opened in 1983, the airport has played a central role in keeping pace with Riyadh’s rapid growth and meeting rising domestic and international travel demand. It serves as an international gateway to the country and connects the capital with the rest of the world.

The airport is located about 35 km north of central Riyadh and covers an area of nearly 225 square km. Its facilities include five main passenger terminals offering a wide range of services, as well as a royal terminal and two private aviation terminals.

To ensure smooth operations, the airport has 40 passenger boarding bridges and parking facilities with capacity for more than 11,600 vehicles.

The airport operates with a central control tower and two parallel runways, each measuring 4,260 meters (13,980 feet), enabling it to accommodate various types of aircraft and maintain round-the-clock operations.

Extensive operations

King Khalid International Airport is a major hub for an extensive air transport network, with more than 64 international and domestic airlines connecting Riyadh to over 121 destinations worldwide.

The scale of its operations reflects heavy air traffic, with more than 299,000 flights annually and over 40 million passengers served each year.

As part of efforts to improve operational efficiency and upgrade the airport’s infrastructure, Riyadh Airports Company took over the management and operation of the airport. The company was established in 2016 as part of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector privatization program.

The company is working to operate, modernize and expand existing facilities, while adding new services and amenities to improve the passenger experience and meet the Saudi capital’s future needs.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Talks with Bahraini Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Talks with Bahraini Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, who conveyed his condolences over the deaths resulting from Houthi attacks.

Al-Zayani conveyed Bahrain's sincere condolences to Saudi Arabia over the deaths of citizens and residents in a terrorist attack by the Houthi militia on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

He affirmed Bahrain's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its complete support for all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protect its citizens and residents.

The two ministers also discussed regional developments and their brotherly countries' efforts to maintain the region's security and stability.