Saudi Arabia Expresses Concern over Military Escalation in Yemen after Israeli Airstrikes

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Expresses Concern over Military Escalation in Yemen after Israeli Airstrikes

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern on Sunday over the latest military escalation in Yemen after the Israeli attacks in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
The statement stressed that these developments "exacerbate the current tension in the region”.
In a statement on X platform, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The Ministry is following with great concern the military escalation in Yemen following the Israeli attacks that targeted Hodeidah province on Saturday, July 20, 2024,” emphasizing that “these developments aggravate the current tension in the region and undermine ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza”.
The ministry also called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to distance the region and its people from the dangers of war. It also called on the international community and active influential parties to fulfill their responsibilities to end conflicts in the region.
Moreover, the ministry affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's continued efforts to end the war on Gaza and affirmed its continuous support for peace efforts in Yemen to spare its people more suffering and achieve security and peace in the region.
On Sunday, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, affirmed that Saudi Arabia has no relation to or participation in the targeting of the Yemeni city of Hodeidah. 
He emphasized in a statement posted on the ministry's X platform account that Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace to be violated from any direction.
 



Islamabad Declaration for Girls’ Education Launched at Conclusion of Global Conference

MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa
MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa
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Islamabad Declaration for Girls’ Education Launched at Conclusion of Global Conference

MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa
MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa

The Muslim World League's (MWL) global conference on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities concluded in Islamabad on Monday with the launch of the “Islamabad Declaration for Girls’ Education,” receiving widespread approval from senior scholars, Islamic jurisprudence councils, international organizations, and activists.

The event also saw the establishment of a platform for international partnerships, acting as the initiative's executive arm, with over 20 agreements and pledges signed by scholars, United Nations organizations, and leaders from academic, media, and civil institutions.

The announcement was attended by MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, alongside representatives from Pakistan’s government and parliament.

The conference also featured global education activist Malala Yousafzai, senior muftis and scholars from the Islamic world, ministers of education from Islamic countries, and representatives from the United Nations University for Peace and the League of Islamic Universities.

The Islamabad Declaration drew inspiration from two landmark documents, the “Charter of Makkah” and the “Charter of Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects,” both issued by MWL under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

These charters emphasize the empowerment of women in education across all levels, aligning with the goals of the MWL’s initiative.

Key partnerships formed during the conference included a memorandum of understanding between the MWL and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to establish a strategic alliance supporting the education of girls.

The conference also prioritized providing scholarships to Muslim girls, enhancing their leadership and problem-solving skills.

Agreements were reached between the MWL and Islamic and international universities, the League of Islamic Universities, the United Nations University for Peace, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and UNICEF.

In addition, the MWL partnered with international organizations to conduct research and publish reports on women's issues. Media campaigns aimed at raising awareness about girls' right to education were also launched.

The conference concluded with pledges from global academic institutions and organizations to support girls' education through scholarships, grants, and programs designed to improve access to quality education.

This initiative underscores the MWL’s commitment to empowering girls in Muslim communities and fostering international cooperation for sustainable development.