Saudi Arabia Demands EU Countries Address Practices that Fuel Hatred

Saudi Arabia Demands EU Countries Address Practices that Fuel Hatred
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Saudi Arabia Demands EU Countries Address Practices that Fuel Hatred

Saudi Arabia Demands EU Countries Address Practices that Fuel Hatred

Saudi Arabia strongly rejected all the blatant acts of burning copies of the Holy Quran, which were repeated in several European capitals under the pretext of freedom of expression, and called on the European governments to urgently address these practices that contribute to fueling hatred and conflict between followers of religions.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the burning of copies of the Holy Quran by extremists in the Danish capital Copenhagen, in a new provocative step to the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.

It reiterated the Kingdom's position firmly, rejecting all these blatant acts, which have been repeated in several European capitals recently under the pretext of freedom of expression, without an apparent reaction towards stopping these practices.

The Ministry stressed the Kingdom's demand for all European governments in which these extremist violations occurred and the importance of urgently addressing all these practices that fuel hatred and conflict among followers of religions.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also condemned the extremists' burning of the Holy Quran.

GCC Sec-Gen Nayef al-Hajraf affirmed the council's firm stance, which calls for promoting the values of dialogue, coexistence, and tolerance and rejects hatred and radicalism.

Hajraf lamented the absence of a clear and firm official reaction to such blatant acts, which, unfortunately, have recently been repeated in several European capitals under the pretext of freedom of expression.

Furthermore, Sec-Gen of Muslim World League (MWL) Mohammad al-Isa denounced extremists' insistence on repeating these reckless actions under the pretext of freedom of expression.

He reiterated his warning against the risks of hateful practices and provoking religious sentiments, which only serve the agendas of extremism.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.