Saudi Crown Prince Oversees Hajj Organization from Mina

General view of Mina, where Muslims gather during the Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 4, 2025. (SPA)
General view of Mina, where Muslims gather during the Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 4, 2025. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Crown Prince Oversees Hajj Organization from Mina

General view of Mina, where Muslims gather during the Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 4, 2025. (SPA)
General view of Mina, where Muslims gather during the Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 4, 2025. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, arrived in Mina on Thursday to oversee the organization of the Hajj pilgrimage.  

He will oversee the services provided to the pilgrims and the facilitations aimed at ensuring they perform the holy rituals smoothly and safely.  

Earlier Thursday, pilgrims gathered in Arafat to spend hours in worship and contemplation. The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the holy Quran and it is where the Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon on his final Hajj. 

The Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins.   

After sunset Thursday, pilgrims headed to the desert plain of Muzdalifah to collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual. 

On Friday, they will head to the vast tent city of Mina to carry out the ritual. 



GCC Denounces Iran’s Continued Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
TT

GCC Denounces Iran’s Continued Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council strongly denounced on Sunday Iran’s continued aggression against its member states including the deliberate targeting of infrastructures and oil facilities.

The GCC rejected these hostile actions, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and norms and pose a direct threat to regional security and stability, as well as to the safety of global energy supplies.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized that Iran’s continuing aggression unveils its escalatory approach towards Gulf states. He said Iran's unacceptable acts of aggression undermine de-escalation efforts and threaten both regional and international security.

He added that Iranian claims seeking to hold GCC member states responsible for any military operations are unfounded, categorically rejected, and lack any foundation.

Albudaiwi urged the international community to condemn the attacks, take firm action, and pressure Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 to stop violations and maintain regional stability.

He reaffirmed the GCC’s unity and solidarity in facing threats, and their commitment to joint efforts to promote regional stability and peace.


Qatar Says Helicopter Crashes after Technical Malfunction, 7 Dead

People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
TT

Qatar Says Helicopter Crashes after Technical Malfunction, 7 Dead

People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Qatar said on Sunday that seven people have been confirmed killed in a Qatari helicopter crash in the country’s territorial waters.

The Defense Ministry earlier said the helicopter crashed on Saturday after suffering ⁠a ⁠technical malfunction during routine duty.

Four of those killed ⁠were Qatari armed forces ‌personnel, ‌one was from ​the Qatar-Türkiye ‌joint forces and ‌two were technicians, the Turkish and Qatari defense ministries said.

"Military cooperation and ‌coordination activities between the Republic of Türkiye and ⁠the ⁠State of Qatar continue uninterrupted within the framework of existing agreements and plans," the Turkish Defense Ministry said. 


MWL Condemns Israeli Strike on Southern Syria

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
TT

MWL Condemns Israeli Strike on Southern Syria

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the Israeli strikes targeting military infrastructure in southern Syria.

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa described the attack as a violation of international laws and norms, particularly the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

He reaffirmed full solidarity with Syria and its people against actions that undermine its sovereignty and threaten its security and stability.

Israel's military said on Friday it had struck southern Syria in response to what it called attacks against the Druze community in Sweida province.