Al-Issa, High-ranking Malaysian Delegation Discuss Confronting 'Islamophobia'

Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
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Al-Issa, High-ranking Malaysian Delegation Discuss Confronting 'Islamophobia'

Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa met with a high-ranking Malaysian delegation, headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zambari Abdul Qadir, at the MWL’s sub-headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the officials discussed a number of issues of common interest on the Islamic and international arenas, and the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in this regard, foremost of which is the cooperation between MWL and the Malaysian government in confronting the growing phenomenon of "Islamophobia".

They also highlighted the need to confront the general hatred speech that raises divisions within national societies and fuels conflict between cultures and civilizations.

The meeting reviewed the tasks of the Southeast Asian Scholars Council, which is considered the first scholarly solidarity in the history of the region. More than 44 scholars, muftis and religious leaders from 17 countries agreed to establish it - under the umbrella of the Muslim World League - in an unprecedented event of its kind and under the patronage of Al-Issa.

Malaysia announced hosting the council's headquarters in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, to be a platform of solidarity that organizes the efforts of the Southeast Asian scholars and leaders towards their major issues, in light of the extremely important transformations that the region is going through.

For his part, Al-Issa voiced his appreciation for Malaysia's ideal civilized model of coexistence between religious and ethnic diversity.



New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
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New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)

A new humanitarian aid convoy from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) crossed the Rafah border into Gaza on Friday with essential food baskets for Palestinians affected by the ongoing crisis, as part of the Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, has established several new camps in Al-Qarara area of southern Gaza and Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in preparation for winter.

Through these efforts, KSrelief aims to alleviate the severe suffering caused by the dire living conditions in Gaza, ensuring that vital food and shelter reach those in the most vulnerable areas.


Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
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Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)

The joint military "Gulf Shield Exercise 2026" concluded in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with the participation of the air forces and air-defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, alongside the GCC Unified Military Command, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exercise was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional defense cooperation and enhance combat readiness.

Its maneuvers included advanced operational scenarios featuring simulations of multidimensional air and missile threats, joint air maneuvers, and integrated field exercises, with a focus on improving operational integration, strengthening command-and-control systems, and enhancing operational efficiency within a joint operational environment.
The exercise seeks to develop qualitative military capabilities, bolster combat readiness to confront current, emerging, and future threats, and entrench the concepts of collective defense and flexible deterrence, thereby contributing to the region's security and stability.

Gulf Shield Exercise 2026 is regarded as one of the key pillars of military cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance defense integration and strengthen the capacity to respond to regional and international challenges.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the participating forces carried out a joint aerial display that demonstrated a high level of harmony and operational integration, as well as their ability to plan and execute in accordance with unified operational concepts and advanced professional standards.


Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Saturday the Kingdom’s deep regret over the damage sustained by the Qatari Embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a result of recent shelling.

The ministry stressed the need to protect diplomatic missions and their personnel in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The ministry reiterated the Kingdom's support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through peaceful means.