Al-Issa Highlights Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting Peace

Al-Issa made remarks during a meeting in Washington with US lawmakers, think tank leaders, and policymakers. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Issa made remarks during a meeting in Washington with US lawmakers, think tank leaders, and policymakers. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Al-Issa Highlights Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting Peace

Al-Issa made remarks during a meeting in Washington with US lawmakers, think tank leaders, and policymakers. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Issa made remarks during a meeting in Washington with US lawmakers, think tank leaders, and policymakers. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat

Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, has stressed the important role of religious leaders from all faiths in promoting peace in the region, using their spiritual influence to counter religious and political extremism.

His remarks were made on Monday during a meeting in Washington with US lawmakers, think tank leaders, and policymakers, where they discussed the league's Islamic and humanitarian goals.

Al-Issa also chaired the Islamic Leadership Council of North and South America, created by the MWL to promote the principles of the “Makkah Charter” and serve as a guide for training imams in the Americas.

In an open discussion with US officials, Al-Issa addressed key international issues related to the league’s global goals.

He emphasized Islam's core values of peace and harmony, urging cooperation between nations to counter religious and civilizational conflicts through meaningful dialogue based on mutual understanding.

Al-Issa also highlighted the important role religious leaders from all faiths play in promoting peace and countering extremism.

He warned against the dangers of using distorted religious sentiments to justify harmful actions that escalate conflicts.

Al-Issa called on religious leaders worldwide to be wiser and committed to shared values that promote constructive dialogue.

He also stressed that the Palestinian issue remains central to international and Arab attention, asserting that there can be no peace without Palestine.

Al-Issa praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts, including leading the first meeting of an international coalition for a two-state solution in October, and its ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza and hold parties accountable.

He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s clear and consistent stance on the issue, stating that the two-state solution is the only fair path to peace in the region.



Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Azerbaijan after Plane Crash

A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)
TT

Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Azerbaijan after Plane Crash

A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)

Saudi Arabia offered on Wednesday its condolences to Azerbaijan following the plane crash in Kazakhstan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and to the government and people of Azerbaijan. It wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Muslim World League (MWL) also extended its condolences to the government and people of Azerbaijan following the crash.

An Embraer passenger jet flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people while 29 survivors received hospital treatment, Kazakh authorities said.

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, after what Russia's aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. But an aviation expert suggested that cause seemed unlikely.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said according to information he had received, the plane changed course due to poor weather, but he added the cause of the crash was unknown and must be fully investigated.