Saudi Arabia Condemns Sweden for Allowing Extremist to Burn Quran

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Sweden for Allowing Extremist to Burn Quran

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned on Saturday Swedish authorities for allowing an extremist to burn a copy of the holy Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.

It underscored the Kingdom’s firm position that calls for the importance of spreading the values of dialogue, coexistence and shunning hatred and extremism.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also strongly condemned the burning of the Quran.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha warned that such repeated acts by far-right extremists target Muslims and offend their sacred values.

They are another example of an alarming degree of Islamophobia, intolerance and xenophobia, he added.

He called on Swedish authorities to take the necessary measures against the perpetrators of this hate crime.

He also urged the intensification of international efforts that would prevent such acts from taking place in the future and to show solidarity against Islamophobia.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf slammed the burning of the Quran, saying it will “provoke Muslim across the globe”.

He underlined the GCC’s firm stance that calls for the importance of spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence and shunning hatred and extremism.

He urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and prevent such acts from taking place.

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the “absurd, provocative and disgraceful” burning of the Quran.

MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa warned of the repercussions of such hate acts that only serve extremism.

He added that such reckless behavior abuses the concept of freedoms and their human values.

Moreover, he stressed that such barbaric acts will only increase the faith of Muslims and their steadfastness in their values that always call for peace and coexistence.



GCC Ministerial Council to Meet in Makkah to Discuss Regional, Int’l Affairs 

The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)
The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)
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GCC Ministerial Council to Meet in Makkah to Discuss Regional, Int’l Affairs 

The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)
The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)

The 163rd Ministerial Council meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be held in Makkah on Thursday to discuss the latest regional and international developments.

Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, the current president of the Ministerial Council, will preside over the meeting, which will be attended by the GCC foreign ministers.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said joint ministerial meetings will also be held with the Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Abdelatty, Syrian FM Asaad Al Shibani, Moroccan FM Nasser Bourita and Jordan’s FM and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi.

The discussions with Egypt, Syria, Morocco and Jordan will focus on boosting strategic relations and joint cooperation in various fields to achieve mutual interests, Albudaiwi said.

The meetings will continue consultation and coordination on regional and international issues with the aim of supporting regional security and stability.

Meanwhile, the GCC Ministerial Council will address several reports on the implementation of decisions taken by the Supreme Council of the GCC in Kuwait in December.

Discussions will also cover memorandums and reports submitted by ministerial and technical committees, as well as the General Secretariat.

Officials will tackle issues related to strategic dialogues and relations among the GCC, other states, and global blocs. The latest regional and international developments affecting the region will also be addressed.