Presidency of Two Holy Mosques Affairs Completes Preparation of 3rd Expansion of Grand Mosque

This picture taken on April 1, 2023 during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, from the Makkah Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj al-Bait skyscraper complex, shows an aerial view of Muslim worshippers around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in the Grand Mosque complex in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. (AFP)
This picture taken on April 1, 2023 during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, from the Makkah Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj al-Bait skyscraper complex, shows an aerial view of Muslim worshippers around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in the Grand Mosque complex in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. (AFP)
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Presidency of Two Holy Mosques Affairs Completes Preparation of 3rd Expansion of Grand Mosque

This picture taken on April 1, 2023 during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, from the Makkah Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj al-Bait skyscraper complex, shows an aerial view of Muslim worshippers around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in the Grand Mosque complex in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. (AFP)
This picture taken on April 1, 2023 during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, from the Makkah Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj al-Bait skyscraper complex, shows an aerial view of Muslim worshippers around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in the Grand Mosque complex in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. (AFP)

General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais announced that the Presidency has completed the preparation of the third Saudi expansion of the Grand Mosque.

He stated that all its floors, roofs, and yards are ready to accommodate the largest number of pilgrims and visitors.

Dr. Al-Sudais extended his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the great efforts and unprecedented services they provide for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.



Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

In a unified show of Arab solidarity, several Gulf and regional nations strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a flagrant violation of international law, regional sovereignty, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Saudi Arabia led the regional response, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a sharply worded statement condemning the strike as an “unjustifiable and unacceptable act” that violated international norms. Riyadh reaffirmed its full support for Qatar, pledging to mobilize all available resources to assist its Gulf neighbor in any measures it deems necessary.

Bahrain echoed the Kingdom’s stance, condemning the IRGC’s aggression as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty and airspace. Manama’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the “bond of brotherhood and blood” that ties Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes while affirming its unwavering support for Doha.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a blatant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Qatar and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining regional stability. It warned that continued military provocations could lead the region into dangerous and irreversible consequences.

For its part, Kuwait described the strike as a “grave breach” of Qatari airspace and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry declared its total support for Qatar’s leadership and people, backing their right to respond appropriately to such an attack. Kuwait also offered to mobilize its full capabilities to support its Gulf partner.

Oman, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalation, also denounced Iran’s strike as a violation of the sovereignty of a fellow GCC member. Muscat pointed to Israel’s earlier unlawful strike on Iranian territory as a trigger for the current escalation and warned that expanding the conflict would only lead to greater instability and humanitarian suffering.

Iraq expressed deep concern about the intensifying regional conflict. Its Foreign Ministry called for immediate restraint, warning that the Iranian strike marked a dangerous turning point that could draw more actors into an already volatile confrontation.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, issued a strong statement condemning the Iranian missile attack as a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf states. He stressed that Qatar’s security is inseparable from that of the entire GCC and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions.