Fakhreddin Stirs Turkey-UAE Feud

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. File: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. File: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
TT

Fakhreddin Stirs Turkey-UAE Feud

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. File: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. File: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Crisis escalated between Turkey and UAE after UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan retweeted a tweet on his official Twitter account that accused Ottoman governor Fakhreddin Pasha of committing crimes against the local Arab population during his rule over Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The tweet indicated that Fakhreddin "committed a crime against the people of Medina by stealing their money, kidnapping them and putting them on trains that took them to Syria and Istanbul. Those are the ancestors of Erdogan and this is the history that they have with Arab Muslims."

Upon the retweet, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at the Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah saying: “Hey, the pathetic person who is slandering us: Where were your forefathers when Fakhreddin Pasha was defending Medina?"

Erdogan reiterated that Arab people are "our brothers" however, he added, "the enmity of some leaders in Arab countries is meant to hide their own incompetence and even treason.”

After that, Turkey summoned a senior UAE diplomat to complain about the tweet by an Emirati minister.

The Turkish foreign ministry summoned the Emirati charge d'affaires in Ankara on Thursday and complained about the post.



Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)

The last group of pilgrims from this year’s Hajj season departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday aboard a Saudia flight from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The flight carried 320 pilgrims to Kertajati, Indonesia, after they completed their Hajj rituals. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, hosted a farewell ceremony, concluding its 74-day Hajj operations.

The first flight for this year’s Hajj season arrived in Madinah on May 9 from India with 283 pilgrims.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Saudi Arabia facilitated 7,700 flights through six airports and provided over 27,000 buses to ease pilgrim transportation. The Haramain High-Speed Railway operated more than 5,000 trips during the season.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the last Hajj season. Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed there were no health issues or outbreaks.

The organization of Hajj was praised by leaders of Arab and Islamic countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the excellent organization and services provided to millions of pilgrims.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the meticulous organization and services.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appreciated the modern smart services and technologies.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management.