Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
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Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday donated 10 million Omani riyals (26 million US dollars) to confront the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the Omani News Agency reported.

The donation came as Haitham bin Tariq chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee in charge of dealing with the spread of the pandemic.

Oman's sultan stressed that the government will spare no effort to confront the new virus and limit its spread, in order to preserve the health of citizens and residents.

The number of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oman has risen to 109, out of whom 23 have recovered, the health ministry announced on Thursday. Most cases were related to travels to other countries.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus recovering cases in Bahrain reached 204 as of Thursday, according to the country’s ministry of health, which also revealed that another seven were discharged from quarantine after testing negative for the coronavirus.

Up to 30% of the Bahraini citizens who were evacuated from Iran on a chartered flight that arrived Wednesday night tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are receiving treatment.

This was announced last night at a press conference of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus.

Bahraini Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh underlined Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister’s comprehensive approach to stem the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing tailored effective and preventative strategies, such as the decision to limit public gatherings to 5 people.

The minister went on to highlight expectations regarding the upcoming closure of non-essential businesses set to take place between 26 March 2020 to April 9 2020, during which only hypermarkets, supermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies, and banks will remain open, and restaurants will limit their service to delivery and takeout only.



GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has strongly condemned the intrusion of an extremist minister from the Israeli occupation government into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General, Secretary General Albudaiwi stated that the continuation of these illegal practices in the Palestinian territories represents a blatant provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
"This reflects the Israeli occupation forces' deliberate disregard for all international laws and humanitarian charters and threatens the security and stability of the region," he pointed out, SPA reported.
Albudaiwi affirmed that encroaching on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites and terrorising civilians has become a normal practice for the Israeli occupation government.
He stressed that this government does not respect international laws and regulations, does not believe in human rights, and pursues arrogant and inhumane policies that contradict the fundamental principles of justice and humanitarian values.

"This requires serious, prompt, and effective international action to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights."