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Saudi Arabia Combats Radical Ideology by Reforming National Curriculum

Saudi Education Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Issa. (SPA)
Saudi Education Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Issa. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Combats Radical Ideology by Reforming National Curriculum

Saudi Education Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Issa. (SPA)
Saudi Education Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Issa. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is saving no effort in combating extremist ideologies, especially those spread by the Muslim Brotherhood. The Kingdom announced on Wednesday that it was taking new measures to address shortcomings of some educational curricula.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS television in an interview Sunday that elements of the Muslim Brotherhood, designated as a "terror group" by the Kingdom, had infiltrated Saudi schools.

The government will "fight extremist ideologies by reviewing school curricula and books to ensure they are free of the banned Muslim Brotherhood's agenda", Saudi Education Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Issa said in a statement.

It also seeks to "ban books attributed to the Muslim Brotherhood from all schools and universities and remove all those who sympathize with the group", he added.

Former Shura Council member, academic scholar Dr. Mohammed Al-Mafrah explained that the Crown Prince's speech confirms that the current phase is focused on reviewing curricula and developing new policies that serve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

All programs will be put under revision along with the objectives they relay and all content aimed attracting some ideological schools will be purged, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Time has proven the greed of these political groups and their eagerness to spread their poison and feed hatred in society,” he added.

He said that the government will aim to uproot radical tendencies and set the Kingdom’s society on the road to moderation, away from political rivalries and ideological extremism.

Moreover, the Education Ministry emphasized that university administrators, ministry officials and education monitors throughout the Kingdom have been warned against rolling back in fighting this ideology. It encouraged them instead to exert every effort possible to clean up the education system from radicalism.

The ministry has been working on a number of measures that promote moderation, including reformulating curricula and developing textbooks and ridding them of any skewed thought. The ministry had already banned all Muslim Brotherhood related books.

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Gulf

Bahrain Busts Cell for Collaborating with Iran

General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. (Reuters)
General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. (Reuters)
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Bahrain Busts Cell for Collaborating with Iran

General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. (Reuters)
General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. (Reuters)

Bahrain announced on Monday the arrest of a several individuals for collaborating with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps.

The Public Prosecution said they were found to have been involved with Iranian intelligence and the IRGC.

They were tasked by foreign parties to monitor vital installations inside the kingdom and collecting detailed information about them that they relayed to the parties so that they can be targeted in attacks.

They were also tasked with taking photos of the site of the attacks.

The detainees indeed carried out these tasks, said the Public Prosecution following their interrogation.

On the ground, Bahrain’s defenses intercepted and downed two drones in the past 24 hours.

Bahrain has destroyed 188 rockets and 468 drones since the eruption of the US-Israel war on Iran.

Gulf

Saudi FM Meets Jordanian Counterpart, Holds Phone Talks with Peruvian Foreign Minister

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Meets Jordanian Counterpart, Holds Phone Talks with Peruvian Foreign Minister

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah on Monday met in Riyadh with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, and held phone talks with his Peruvian counterpart Hugo de Zela, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During his meeting with Safadi, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to expand cooperation across all sectors, in line with the directives of their countries’ leaderships.

They also discussed the latest regional developments, underscoring their solidarity in confronting Iranian aggression against their countries and several other Arab states, and rejecting what they described as a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness.

They affirmed their support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the sovereignty and security of states, in accordance with international law and conventions.

The meeting also addressed developments in Syria and Palestine. The two sides stressed the need to halt Israeli violations, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and support efforts to promote security, stability, and de-escalation across the region.

The meeting was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Manal Radwan.

During his phone call with Zela, the two officials discussed bilateral relations and discussed regional developments and ongoing efforts to address them.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Russia Agreement on Visa-Free Travel Takes Effect on May 11

The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in December. (SPA)
The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in December. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Russia Agreement on Visa-Free Travel Takes Effect on May 11

The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in December. (SPA)
The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in December. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Russia’s agreement to mutually exempt visitors from a travel visa goes into effect on May 11, announced the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry.

The agreement, first signed on December 1, 2025, allows citizens of both countries to travel to each other without a visa.

Travelers can stay for up to 90 days, either continuously or intermittently, within a year.

The exemption applies to visits for tourism, business, and family purposes. It does not extend to people traveling for work, study, residency, or Hajj, and appropriate visas must be obtained for those purposes.

The agreement underscores the commitment of both countries in facilitating entry procedures for their citizens, which will increase reciprocal visits and boost tourism, economic, and cultural cooperation.

It will also contribute to strengthening various sectors and expanding cooperation and partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Russia.