Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister: Palestine is Not Issue of Palestinians Alone, It Belongs to Islamic and Arab Nations

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been firmly standing with the Palestinian people.
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been firmly standing with the Palestinian people.
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Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister: Palestine is Not Issue of Palestinians Alone, It Belongs to Islamic and Arab Nations

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been firmly standing with the Palestinian people.
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been firmly standing with the Palestinian people.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), since its establishment, has been firmly standing with the Palestinian people, SPA said on Thursday.

He said the GCC has been supporting the Palestinian cause, rejecting and denouncing hostile policies and actions against the Palestinians. He added that this is a central issue for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its policy in supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.

In his speech, while leading the Kingdom's delegation at the 9th meeting of GCC Ministers for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf held in Muscat, Oman, he emphasized that Palestine is not solely the concern of Palestinians, but a matter that affects all of us. It is a cause that unifies Islamic and Arab nations, as well as humanity as a whole.

He emphasized the importance of bringing this issue to the forefront of our collective consciousness and religious discussions. Additionally, he stressed the need to raise awareness among young people that their personal opinions should not stray from the official positions of their governments. Leaders, being better equipped to handle these matters, should guide their actions and decisions, he noted.

Al-Sheikh said that similar topics should be addressed under the protection of religious, moral and family values in GCC societies, especially in the age of technological advancements, where barriers between countries and societies have diminished.

He acknowledged that there are forces attempting to separate individuals and societies from their religious beliefs and values. These forces manifest through various methods, both explicit and implicit, that encourage rebellion against noble values.

He emphasized the significant responsibility of the ministries of Islamic and religious affairs and awqaf in instilling young people with strong values, morals, and a deep understanding of the Islamic faith.

This is essential in effectively countering this globalized trend with awareness and conviction. He emphasized that achieving this goal can only occur within the family unit, which is the cornerstone of shaping future generations.



New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
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New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)

A new humanitarian aid convoy from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) crossed the Rafah border into Gaza on Friday with essential food baskets for Palestinians affected by the ongoing crisis, as part of the Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, has established several new camps in Al-Qarara area of southern Gaza and Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in preparation for winter.

Through these efforts, KSrelief aims to alleviate the severe suffering caused by the dire living conditions in Gaza, ensuring that vital food and shelter reach those in the most vulnerable areas.


Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
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Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)

The joint military "Gulf Shield Exercise 2026" concluded in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with the participation of the air forces and air-defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, alongside the GCC Unified Military Command, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exercise was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional defense cooperation and enhance combat readiness.

Its maneuvers included advanced operational scenarios featuring simulations of multidimensional air and missile threats, joint air maneuvers, and integrated field exercises, with a focus on improving operational integration, strengthening command-and-control systems, and enhancing operational efficiency within a joint operational environment.
The exercise seeks to develop qualitative military capabilities, bolster combat readiness to confront current, emerging, and future threats, and entrench the concepts of collective defense and flexible deterrence, thereby contributing to the region's security and stability.

Gulf Shield Exercise 2026 is regarded as one of the key pillars of military cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance defense integration and strengthen the capacity to respond to regional and international challenges.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the participating forces carried out a joint aerial display that demonstrated a high level of harmony and operational integration, as well as their ability to plan and execute in accordance with unified operational concepts and advanced professional standards.


Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Saturday the Kingdom’s deep regret over the damage sustained by the Qatari Embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a result of recent shelling.

The ministry stressed the need to protect diplomatic missions and their personnel in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The ministry reiterated the Kingdom's support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through peaceful means.