King Salman Orders Intensification of Efforts to Provide Best Services to Pilgrims

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Neom. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Neom. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders Intensification of Efforts to Provide Best Services to Pilgrims

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Neom. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Neom. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz ordered on Tuesday state agencies to intensify their efforts to provide the best services to pilgrims to the holy sites.

King Salman chaired a cabinet meeting that was held virtually from Neom amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

At the beginning of the meeting, he highlighted the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, hoping that it will be blessed on all Muslims.

He also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of fraternal countries, as well as the citizens and residents of the Kingdom, for their best wishes on the occasion.

He hoped that God, during this month, would ease the coronavirus pandemic on the Kingdom, Muslims and the world.

Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi told the Saudi Press Agency that the government tackled the Kingdom’s rapid development and economic drive on all levels in line with Vision 2030.

It hailed in this regard the new renewable energy projects that are being unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, that are an integral part of the Kingdom’s role in addressing joint international challenges.

The projects are an embodiment of Saudi efforts to localize its human potential and bolster local content, with the ultimate aim for the Kingdom to become a global renewable and traditional energy hub withing the next ten years.

The government also reviewed the latest local and international developments related to the pandemic, as well as the Kingdom’s vaccination drive.



OIC Secretary General Stresses Significance of Unity, Solidarity among Muslims

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha speaks at the "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" international conference in Makkah. (SPA)
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha speaks at the "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" international conference in Makkah. (SPA)
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OIC Secretary General Stresses Significance of Unity, Solidarity among Muslims

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha speaks at the "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" international conference in Makkah. (SPA)
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha speaks at the "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" international conference in Makkah. (SPA)

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha emphasized on Monday the significance of unity, solidarity and rapprochement among Muslims, as stressed in the actual teachings of Islam.

He made his remarks at the "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" international conference in the holy city of Makkah.

He encouraged OIC member states to work towards achieving the requirements of solidarity, unification of speech, and rank, and to bring sects, schools of thought, and jurisprudence closer together. This would help overcome any division that weakens them.

Taha pointed out that the Islamic heritage is replete with principles of intellectual openness and acceptance of differences. This underlines the importance of strengthening Islamic unity and the common destiny of the Ummah, placing significant responsibilities on the OIC member states to work towards this goal.

The OIC has been actively working towards bringing Islamic countries closer together in various domains, including political, economic, cultural, and social. It has also made significant efforts in promoting unity among different Islamic sects.

To this end, in 1981, the OIC established the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) as an intellectual and jurisprudential arm. The IIFA is mandated to facilitate collective ijtihad and promote consensus on matters related to jurisprudence and doctrine among the Muslim community, irrespective of their sects.

Taha expressed his optimism that the results and recommendations of this significant conference will help in consolidating jurisprudence and lead to the construction of bridges between sects while simultaneously combating extremism, fanaticism and Islamophobia.

He conveyed his unwavering support for the Palestinian people regarding the challenges they are facing and urged the global community to take on its responsibilities in this regard.


Saudi Leadership Congratulates Putin on Re-election as President of Russia

Saudi Leadership Congratulates Putin on Re-election as President of Russia
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates Putin on Re-election as President of Russia

Saudi Leadership Congratulates Putin on Re-election as President of Russia

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud sent on Monday a cable of congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his re-election for a new presidential term.

In the cable, he expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of success and prosperity to the Russian president and further progress and prosperity to the people of Russia

He praised the relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which all seek to strengthen and develop in all fields.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Putin a similar cable of congratulations.

Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed received a written message from President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev concerning relations between the two countries.

The message was received on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed bin AbdulKarim El-Khereiji, who met with Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhromjon Aloyev in Riyadh.

The officials discussed relations between their countries, ways to strengthen and develop them in all fields, and issues of common interest.


Bueno to Asharq Al-Awsat: Exempting Gulf Nationals from Schengen Visa Is on the Table

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi meets with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. (GCC file photo)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi meets with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. (GCC file photo)
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Bueno to Asharq Al-Awsat: Exempting Gulf Nationals from Schengen Visa Is on the Table

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi meets with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. (GCC file photo)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi meets with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. (GCC file photo)

European Union Arabic Spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa Luis Miguel Bueno stressed that the upcoming visit by Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi to Brussels will tackle several issues, including the Schengen visa.

Days earlier, Albudaiwi had told reporters that his visit will discuss exempting Gulf residents of the visa, saying he was optimistic about the issue.

London had announced that residents of the GCC and Jordan would no longer need to apply for a visa to travel to Britain.

On whether the EU plans on following in Britain’s footsteps, Bueno told Asharq Al-Awsat that the European Commission had suggested in 2022 that Qatar and Kuwaiti nationals be exempt from applying for the Schengen.

He said internal discussions need to take place among EU member states and the European Parliament over this issue.

The European Commission is inclined towards going ahead with the exemptions for Qatar and Kuwait, but the process is “complicated and needs to go through the European Council and European Parliament.”

Bueno said he did not expect quick results from the discussions or that they would come to light after Albudaiwi’s visit.


Kuwait Parliamentary Elections Candidates Appeal Ministry’s Annulment of their Nominations 

Kuwaiti lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of the 17th parliamentary term at the National Assembly (parliament) in Kuwait City on October 31, 2023. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
Kuwaiti lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of the 17th parliamentary term at the National Assembly (parliament) in Kuwait City on October 31, 2023. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Kuwait Parliamentary Elections Candidates Appeal Ministry’s Annulment of their Nominations 

Kuwaiti lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of the 17th parliamentary term at the National Assembly (parliament) in Kuwait City on October 31, 2023. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
Kuwaiti lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of the 17th parliamentary term at the National Assembly (parliament) in Kuwait City on October 31, 2023. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

The Administrative Court in Kuwait began receiving appeals of National Assembly candidates whose nominations were cancelled by the Interior Ministry.

The court is expected to look into the appeals on Monday.

The deadline to submit candidacies for the elections ended on Wednesday. Since then, the elections committee has been reviewing nominations to determine whether they are in line with regulations.

It has filed a report on its decision to the Interior Ministry.

The disqualified candidates are Ahmed Motieh, Jaber al-Muhailabi, Marzouq al-Habini, Marzouq al-Khalifa, Sheikh Mishal al-Malek, Mohammed al-Juwaihel, Walid Nasser, Mohammed al-Azmi, Hani Hussein, Adel al-Saeedi and Mubarak Trad.


KSrelief Distributes 760 Food Baskets in Sudan's River Nile State

KSrelief distributes 760 food baskets to the most underprivileged and displaced households in several areas in Sudan's River Nile State. (SPA)
KSrelief distributes 760 food baskets to the most underprivileged and displaced households in several areas in Sudan's River Nile State. (SPA)
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KSrelief Distributes 760 Food Baskets in Sudan's River Nile State

KSrelief distributes 760 food baskets to the most underprivileged and displaced households in several areas in Sudan's River Nile State. (SPA)
KSrelief distributes 760 food baskets to the most underprivileged and displaced households in several areas in Sudan's River Nile State. (SPA)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed on Saturday 760 food baskets to the most underprivileged and displaced households in several areas in Sudan's River Nile State.

The aid benefited 4,370 individuals as part of the second phase of a project to support food security in Sudan.

The aid is part of relief and humanitarian projects that Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, offers to several needy and affected countries and peoples around the world.

On Friday, KSrelief distributed 2,195 food baskets to the neediest and displaced families in Sudan’s Sennar State, benefiting 11,481 individuals.


King Salman Directs Disbursement of over SAR3 Bln in Ramadan Assistance to Social Security Beneficiaries

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)
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King Salman Directs Disbursement of over SAR3 Bln in Ramadan Assistance to Social Security Beneficiaries

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud directed on Sunday the disbursement of over SAR3 billion in Ramadan assistance to beneficiaries of social security, with an amount of SAR1,000 for family heads and SAR500 for dependents.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to King Salman for this generous initiative for the beneficiaries of social security.

The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in the coming hours.


Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Ireland on National Day

Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Ireland on National Day
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Ireland on National Day

Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Ireland on National Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud sent on Sunday a cable of congratulations to President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins on his country's National Day.

He wished Higgins continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Ireland steady progress and prosperity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent the Irish leader as similar cable on the occasion.


Kuwait Interior Ministry’s Call to Report Citizenship Fraud Turns into Elections Fodder

 A vendor arranges decorative items in his shop at a market in Kuwait City on March 10, 2024, ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)
A vendor arranges decorative items in his shop at a market in Kuwait City on March 10, 2024, ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)
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Kuwait Interior Ministry’s Call to Report Citizenship Fraud Turns into Elections Fodder

 A vendor arranges decorative items in his shop at a market in Kuwait City on March 10, 2024, ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)
A vendor arranges decorative items in his shop at a market in Kuwait City on March 10, 2024, ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry’s announcement on Saturday of a hotline to report cases of dual citizenship and citizenship forgery has stirred heated debate in the country.

In a statement, the ministry said the hotline was part of a legal measure as part of its efforts “to combat crime, corruption and preserve the national identity and public interest.”

Every person aware of a crime is obligated by law to report it, it stressed.

All measures taken by the ministry are in line with the constitution and laws, it went on to say after receiving a wave of criticism over the hotline.

Also on Saturday, four decrees were issued to revoke the citizenship of 26 people for various reasons.

It was the latest in such decisions. Around 30 people have had their citizenship revoked this month after it was found that they had obtained it through fraud.

Among the people targeted in the decision was opposition figure Hakim al-Mutairi, head of the Ummah Party. He was arrested and interrogated by Turkish authorities last year as Ankara attempts to improve its ties with the Gulf. Mutairi resides in Türkiye.

He was found guilty by Kuwait of involvement in the so-called “Gaddafi Leaks” case. Mutairi was accused of asking for funds from late Libyan leader Moammar al-Gaddafi to stir unrest in Gulf countries.

Elections fodder

The Interior Ministry’s request to report citizenship fraud has turned into fodder for the upcoming National Assembly elections.

Several former lawmakers and current candidates viewed the move as an attempt to “create strife” and turn people into informants.

Candidate Obeid al-Wasmi said: “It is inappropriate for the Interior Ministry to use the national identity as a subject for debate.”

“It is also inappropriate for it to recruit people as informants,” he added.

Former MP and current candidate Saud al-Asfoor said: “Making people suspicious of each other and inciting them to spy on each other will harm the country.”

Candidate Bader Sayar al-Shammari remarked: “The Kuwaitis are free people and have stuck together during the hardest times. They will not heed the call of a bankrupt discriminatory government that wants to drag them towards hatred.”


MWL to Organize 'Building Bridges between Islamic Sects' Conference in Makkah on Sunday

MWL to Organize 'Building Bridges between Islamic Sects' Conference in Makkah on Sunday
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MWL to Organize 'Building Bridges between Islamic Sects' Conference in Makkah on Sunday

MWL to Organize 'Building Bridges between Islamic Sects' Conference in Makkah on Sunday

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, a landmark conference aimed at fostering understanding and cooperation between Islamic sects will be held in Makkah on Sunday.

The Muslim World League (MWL) is organizing the international event, "Building Bridges Between Islamic Sects." Prominent Islamic figures, including muftis and senior scholars from various Islamic sects, are expected to attend.

The conference seeks to strengthen relations between different Islamic schools of thought through dialogue and collaboration. It will focus on key issues that demand a unified Islamic perspective.

A crucial aspect of the conference is countering the rhetoric and practices of sectarian extremism that have fueled conflict and damaged the image of Islam. Participants will emphasize respectful dialogue and the importance of avoiding insults or disdain towards any Islamic sect.

The conference aims to develop a roadmap for greater Islamic awareness through a "Document for Building Bridges between Islamic Sects." The document, expected to be released at the conclusion of the conference, will address various scholarly topics presented by leading Islamic scholars and muftis.

The MWL, recognizing its pivotal role in uniting Islamic scholars, highlighted the significance of the conference in fostering trust and cooperation between Islamic sects based on Islamic values.

Secretary-General of the MWL and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa expressed his deepest gratitude on behalf of the league's councils and institutions to King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, for their generous patronage of the event.


14th Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Poland to Deliver Aid to Ukrainian People

The shipment reflects Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to supporting people in need around the globe. SPA
The shipment reflects Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to supporting people in need around the globe. SPA
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14th Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Poland to Deliver Aid to Ukrainian People

The shipment reflects Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to supporting people in need around the globe. SPA
The shipment reflects Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to supporting people in need around the globe. SPA

The 14th Saudi relief plane operated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) arrived on Saturday at the Polish Rzeszow Airport, located near the Ukrainian border, carrying 80 tons of relief aid supplies, including electric generators and appliances.

The aircraft will cross the Polish border into Ukraine. This latest shipment reflects Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to supporting people in need around the globe.

KSrelief has consistently provided vital aid to those facing difficulties and emergencies, demonstrating the Kingdom's dedication to international humanitarian efforts.