MWL Secretary-General Meets with Archbishop of Vienna in Riyadh

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa meets with Cardinal Christoph Schonbrunn in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa meets with Cardinal Christoph Schonbrunn in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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MWL Secretary-General Meets with Archbishop of Vienna in Riyadh

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa meets with Cardinal Christoph Schonbrunn in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa meets with Cardinal Christoph Schonbrunn in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, met in Riyadh on Saturday Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, who arrived with his accompanying delegation in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Muslim World League.

The two sides discussed several issues of common concern, namely efforts to build bridges between nations and peoples, and the importance of practical cooperation and communication between religious leaders in confronting the ideas and calls for the civilizational clash.

The meeting also discussed Makkah Declaration and its major global impact on relations between religions and cultures, and its active role in addressing key international crises.

The Cardinal praised the document's achievements at the global level, especially its positive messages for future generations, as it underlined the youth and their empowerment.

Cardinal Schönbrunn expressed his great interest in the MWL activities and its international initiatives, stressing his aspiration for future cooperation.



King Salman Orders Hosting of 1,300 Pilgrims from 100 Nations for Hajj 1446 AH

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders Hosting of 1,300 Pilgrims from 100 Nations for Hajj 1446 AH

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued a royal directive to host 1,300 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries to perform Hajj in the year 1446 AH, under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation, which is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, General Supervisor of the program, expressed his profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. He praised the generous directive as a testament to the wise leadership's dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's steadfast position in the Islamic world, SPA reported.
Minister Al Alsheikh stated that following the royal directive, the ministry immediately mobilized all its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to the esteemed guests. A comprehensive implementation plan has been meticulously prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural, and educational programs. These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims' spiritual and intellectual experience.
He emphasized that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation is a unique initiative designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly, and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy. Since its inception in 1417 AH, the program has hosted approximately 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries. The ministry has provided these guests with a comprehensive range of logistical, religious, health, and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj rituals.
He underscored that this hosting initiative clearly portrays the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to serving Islam and Muslims. It aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and enhance its positive presence on the global stage, thereby contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030's Islamic and humanitarian goals.