Al-Issa: Cambodian Model Inspires Countries of Religious Diversity

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni receives in Phnom Penh MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa (Royal Palace)
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni receives in Phnom Penh MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa (Royal Palace)
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Al-Issa: Cambodian Model Inspires Countries of Religious Diversity

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni receives in Phnom Penh MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa (Royal Palace)
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni receives in Phnom Penh MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa (Royal Palace)

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni praised on Saturday the Muslim World League (MWL) for strengthening alliances between diverse people and religions around the world.

Sihamoni’s comments came during his meeting in Phnom Penh with MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, who is visiting the country upon an official invitation from the Cambodian side.

Al-Issa affirmed that the Cambodian model inspires countries of religious diversity.

He expressed his appreciation for the distinguished Cambodian national model in its coexistence and the harmony of its societal diversity, especially its embrace of Islamic national component and the full empowerment of its religious privacy and national rights.

The Secretary General’s visit to Cambodia comes within the framework of the MWL’s mission to promote coexistence and tolerance among societies.

Al-Issa held a series of meetings with government and parliamentary figures. He was received by the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the government headquarters in the capital, Phnom Penh.

He also visited the Cambodian Parliament at its headquarters in Phnom Penh, where he met with its President Heng Samrin and members of Parliament.

The Cambodian Speaker commended MWL’s global and pivotal role in promoting harmony among national societies, stressing that the Cambodian Islamic component enjoys freedom and affection with the rest of the national components and that for Cambodia, this constitutional value represents a constant and national priority.

Al-Issa also held meetings with the President of the Cambodian Senate Say Chhum, and several Senate members.



Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
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Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatar will reopen its embassy in Syria on Tuesday after it was closed for more than 13 years, the Gulf country's foreign ministry said on Sunday, a week after Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.

Qatar's embassy in Damascus has been shut since July 2011 when it withdrew its ambassador from Damascus after a series of deadly crackdowns by Assad's regime on protesters - violence that led to the 13-year-long civil war.

Doha in recent years did not join efforts by several Arab countries to mend relations with Assad's government and re-establish diplomatic relations with Damascus.

A lightning advance by the opposition, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led to the ouster of Assad on Dec. 8.

Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement its decision to reopen the embassy reflects its support for the Syrian people and their "struggle to attain their legitimate rights for a dignified life".