'Spying Cell' in Saudi Arabia Sought Foreign Financing

Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas
Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas
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'Spying Cell' in Saudi Arabia Sought Foreign Financing

Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas
Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas

Members of a “spying cell,” arrested by Saudi Arabia’s state security presidency two days ago, sought to “incite strife by communicating with foreign entities hostile to Saudi Arabia and to establish a false legal organization, according to information received by Asharq Al-Awsat from informed sources.

The sources said most suspects of this cell claim to have religious obligations and were using human rights as a pretext to violate the country’s systems. One of the arrested suspects had volunteered to defend people who tried to produce chaos and incite strife inside the Kingdom, according to the sources.

Another member of the cell had contacted a foreign entity “hostile to Saudi Arabia, to receive financial support in exchange of continuing to incite trouble.”

Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas, member of Shura Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday that the Kingdom is capable to overpass many security challenges thanks to the vigilance of its security apparatus.

For his part, Dr. Yusuf Al-Rumaih, professor of criminology at Al- Qassim University told Asharq Al-Awsat that “Saudi Arabia is a state built on the basis of justice and it enshrines the principal of equality of all persons before the law.”

Earlier, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the security spokesman of the Presidency of State Security as saying that 7 people have been arrested for suspicious communication with foreign entities and actions against the state.



It said authorities detected coordinated activities by a group of people, who carried out an organized work to violate the religious and national principles of the state.

“They also had communications with foreign entities to support their activities and also sought to recruit persons working in sensitive government posts as well as providing financial support to hostile elements abroad with the objective of undermining the Kingdom’s security and stability, its social peace and national cohesion,” the spokesperson added.



MWL Secretary General Meets with Pope Francis, Unveils Islamic Studies, Arabic Language Award

MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican. (SPA)
MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican. (SPA)
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MWL Secretary General Meets with Pope Francis, Unveils Islamic Studies, Arabic Language Award

MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican. (SPA)
MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican. (SPA)

Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to discuss opportunities for collaboration and issues of mutual interest, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

During his visit to Italy, Al-Issa received an Honorary Postdoctoral Fellowship in Law from the University of Bologna. The award ceremony, attended by university leaders, academics, and religious dignitaries, acknowledged his dedication to advancing the objectives of the United Nations Charter for global peace.

His initiatives to ease cultural tensions, foster interfaith dialogue, and promote cooperation across diverse communities were particularly highlighted.

Al-Issa also inaugurated the Islamic Studies and Arabic Language Award at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the university president, faculty members, students, and notable Italian Islamic leaders attended the event.

The award aims to deepen understanding of Islamic perspectives on scientific and cultural issues, while promoting the richness of the Arabic language. It covers multiple categories, encouraging scholarly contributions to Islamic studies and language education.