Maldives President Awards MWL Chief ‘Order of Honor of the Republic’

President of the Maldives awards MWL Secretary-General Order of Honor of the Republic. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
President of the Maldives awards MWL Secretary-General Order of Honor of the Republic. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Maldives President Awards MWL Chief ‘Order of Honor of the Republic’

President of the Maldives awards MWL Secretary-General Order of Honor of the Republic. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
President of the Maldives awards MWL Secretary-General Order of Honor of the Republic. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met at the presidential palace on Monday with a Muslim World League (MWL) delegation, led by its Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad al-Issa.

The visiting delegation arrived in Male in response to an official invitation by the president.

During the meeting, Solih awarded Issa the Order of Honor of the Republic in recognition of his efforts to serve Islam and world peace.

They later announced the inauguration of an MWL's regional office in the Maldives to serve the Maldives and other regional countries.

The office will include an exhibition of Prophet Mohammed's biography and training sessions on the Charter of Makkah.

The President congratulated Issa on behalf of his country’s government for receiving the Order of Honor, which represents an extension of the long legacy left by Sultan Ibrahim, who ruled the Maldives from 1585 until 1609.

Issa, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the award and considered it a motivation to work more and serve Islam and humanity.

He gave a lecture on the means of “combating extremism and terrorism intellectually and electronically.”

Issa later met with the Maldivian Minister of Defense, Mariya Didi, during which talks focused on mechanisms of joint action in combating extremism.

He was briefed on the activities of the Maldives' National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC).

Issa also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khalil and then held a joint press conference tackling the key topics of the visit. The conference was broadcast live on Maldivian television stations.

As part of the visit’s agenda, Issa held talks with the Maldivian Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Zahir.

He also visited the Islamic Center in Male and was briefed on its activities and most prominent works.



Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
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Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)

Oman and Bahrain held expanded talks this week aimed at bolstering their strong bilateral relations and widening their partnership.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Muscat on Tuesday to discuss opportunities to develop their economic and investment partnership.

They stressed the importance of encouraging the public and private sectors to diversify their fields to meet the aspirations of their people and countries. They also welcomed the establishment of the Omani-Bahraini Investment Company.

King Hamad was in Oman at the head of a senior delegation on January 14 and 15.

The leaders praised the growth of the historic relations between their countries.

They hailed the success of the Omani-Bahraini business council and its role in boosting bilateral cooperation and execution of joint projects that meet their countries’ aspirations.

King Hamad and Sultan Haitham discussed the work of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its success in boosting collective work. They hoped to deepen cooperation and integration between its countries.

They reviewed regional and international developments, underscoring the importance of resolving crises and disputes through peaceful means and bolstering dialogue and international cooperation.

Oman and Bahrain signed 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding during King Hamad’s visit. They covered double taxation, endowments, zakat, meteorology, the stock market, health, media, scientific and educational cooperation, investment opportunities, food security, agricultural production and development and other issues.