GCC’s 158th Ministerial Meeting to be Held in Qatar on Monday

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi
The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC’s 158th Ministerial Meeting to be Held in Qatar on Monday

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi
The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, has confirmed the convening of the 158th Ministerial Meeting in Qatar on Monday.

This gathering serves as preparation for the 44th session of the Supreme Council of the GCC, slated to take place in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, holds the chairmanship for this current session, with the participation of the GCC Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

Albudaiwi clarified that the GCC ministerial meeting will discuss various reports, including the implementation status of decisions issued by the Supreme Council of the GCC during the 43rd summit in Riyadh, as well as memoranda and reports presented by ministerial and technical committees along with the General Secretariat.

The meeting's agenda extends to topics concerning dialogues and strategic relations between the GCC nations and other countries and blocs. Furthermore, it will address the latest developments in the region and the world.



Scholars’ Gathering Affirms Islamic Consensus on Women’s Right to Education

The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat
The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Scholars’ Gathering Affirms Islamic Consensus on Women’s Right to Education

The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat
The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad. Asharq Al-Awsat

Bringing together representatives from Fiqh academies, organizations, councils, and religious committees, along with a distinguished assembly of muftis and senior scholars from various schools of thought and sects across the Islamic world, the Scholars’ Session reaffirmed the enduring consensus in Islam—both historically and contemporarily—on the legitimate right of women to education.

The exclusive Scholars’ Session, part of the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities” initiative, was held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, under the leadership of Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars.

At the conclusion of the extensive scholarly dialogue, which lasted several hours, all participants unanimously affirmed—with enlightened judgment—the Islamic consensus, both historically and contemporarily, on the legitimate right of women to education.

This consensus is based on the comprehensive Islamic texts concerning the matter, affirming that women possess the same rights as their male counterparts to education at any age, level, or field of study, provided it aligns with Islamic teachings.

The discussion underscored that this right is rooted in the fundamental Islamic obligation of seeking knowledge, which applies equally to both genders, in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The dialogue included a thorough refutation of all misconceptions surrounding women's education, whether these were complete or partial. Participants emphasized that their religious declaration is intended for all individuals, institutions, and both public and private entities across the Islamic world and minority communities, adhering to the appropriate Islamic methodology for such declarations.

The scholars’ statements praised the comprehensive principles related to the legitimate empowerment of women in general, and their education in particular, as outlined in the Charter of Makkah and the Charter of Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects.

Both international conferences, which issued these charters, were supported by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.