Virus Cases Rise to 274 in Saudi Arabia

Precautionary measures taken at Saudi airports to fight the coronavirus outbreak. SPA file photo
Precautionary measures taken at Saudi airports to fight the coronavirus outbreak. SPA file photo
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Virus Cases Rise to 274 in Saudi Arabia

Precautionary measures taken at Saudi airports to fight the coronavirus outbreak. SPA file photo
Precautionary measures taken at Saudi airports to fight the coronavirus outbreak. SPA file photo

The Saudi Health Ministry announced 36 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the total in the Kingdom to 274.

Among the new cases, 17 people had arrived from abroad, including Morocco, Britain, Spain, Iran, Pakistan, Kuwait and Iraq. The rest were infected after coming into contact with people who have the COVID-19 disease.

According to the ministry, eight people have recovered, including two on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia cancelled on Thursday "Jeddah Season", a weeks-long entertainment and cultural festival in the Red Sea port city, as part of measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak, state television reported.

The event had been scheduled for June and July.



MWL Launches Girls' Education in Muslim Communities Initiative

The initiative aims to raise awareness in Muslim communities about the importance of girls' education. SPA
The initiative aims to raise awareness in Muslim communities about the importance of girls' education. SPA
TT

MWL Launches Girls' Education in Muslim Communities Initiative

The initiative aims to raise awareness in Muslim communities about the importance of girls' education. SPA
The initiative aims to raise awareness in Muslim communities about the importance of girls' education. SPA

The Muslim World League (MWL), represented by its Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, launched on Saturday its international initiative, Girls' Education in Muslim Communities, in Islamabad.

The initiative is sponsored by Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The conference was attended by Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha. Several prominent figures and institutions were also present, including muftis from across the Islamic world, members of Islamic scholarly councils, the Islamic Fiqh Academy of the MWL, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the OIC, senior education officials, and leaders from the League of Islamic Universities.

The initiative aims to raise awareness in Muslim communities about the importance of girls' education through various themes, joint programs, and collaborative agreements. It includes the issuance of the Islamabad declaration for girls' education, which will be presented to international governmental and non-governmental organizations. The declaration calls for the establishment of an international day dedicated to advancing its primary goal.

The initiative also entails launching a platform for international partnerships, including the signing of several agreements with regional and international organizations focused on women's empowerment and girls' education.

Al-Issa lauded the initiative as a transformative step for advancing girls' education, emphasizing its practical and results-oriented approach. He highlighted that the initiative is underpinned by high-quality agreements designed to ensure tangible outcomes. He further stated that the Islamabad declaration for girls' education will serve to solidify and strengthen the initiative.

Sharif commended the MWL for its dedication to education, emphasizing that ensuring equal access to education for girls remains one of the most pressing challenges.

Taha affirmed the OIC's readiness to support the initiative and contribute to its success for the benefit of girls across the Islamic world.