Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns New Zealand Mosque Attacks

A victim taken to hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. AFP
A victim taken to hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. AFP
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns New Zealand Mosque Attacks

A victim taken to hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. AFP
A victim taken to hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. AFP

The Saudi Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” on Friday mosque attacks in New Zealand that left scores of people dead and wounded.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia denounces all types of terrorism,” a ministry statement said, citing an official source.

The source reiterated the importance of respecting religions, and extended condolences to the families of victims and the government and people of New Zealand.

The statement also wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

The Saudi Embassy in New Zealand said two Saudi citizens were wounded in the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch.

Political and Islamic leaders in the Arab world offered their sympathies.

Among those quickly condemning the attack was Anwar Gargash, the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs.

He tweeted "heartfelt condolences" to New Zealand.

Gargash wrote: "Our collective work against violence & hate must continue with renewed vigor. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims."

Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tweeted his condolences, noting that "on a day of peace like Friday and at a place of worship like the mosque, we witnessed the most heinous crime of religious hatred."

In a statement, Egypt’s Al-Azhar University said the attacks had "violated the sanctity of the houses of God".

"We warn the attack is a dangerous indicator of the dire consequences of escalating hate speech, xenophobia, and the spread of Islamophobia."

More had to be done to promote the co-existence of different religions and cultures, the university said.

The Palestinian chief peace negotiator, Saeb Erekat, called the attack a “consequence of racist ideologies that continue trying to promote religious wars”.

Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman also condemned the attack.

The secretary-general of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Youssef al-Othaimeen, said in a statement the attack "served as a further warning on the obvious dangers of hate, intolerance, and Islamophobia."

Al-Othaimeen called on New Zealand "to provide more protection to the Muslim communities living in the country."

He also offered his condolences for those affected by the mass shooting.

The UN said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "is shocked and appalled at the terrorist attack" and is urging people everywhere to work better together "counter Islamophobia and eliminate intolerance and violent extremism."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday that the UN chief stressed "the sanctity of mosques and all places of worship."

Pakistan's foreign ministry says four Pakistanis were wounded in the mass shootings.

Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal tweeted that five other Pakistani citizens are missing after Friday's attacks.

Separately, the ministry said Pakistan views the attacks as an "assault on the values of freedom of conscience and association common to all mankind."

It asked New Zealand to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of the Muslim community.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at least three Turkish citizens were injured in the attacks and that he has spoken to one of them.

Addressing an election rally on Friday, Erdogan described a suspect in the attacks as "impertinent, immoral, vile and scum" and said he had chosen innocent worshippers as an easy target.



Saudi Govt: Escalation in Yemen Not Aligned with UAE’s Pledges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt: Escalation in Yemen Not Aligned with UAE’s Pledges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday that the Kingdom “will not hesitate in taking the necessary steps and measures to confront any violation or threat to its national security.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The cabinet “reiterated its commitment to the security, stability and sovereignty of Yemen and its full support to Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi and his government.”

It regretted that “Saudi Arabia’s efforts to restore calm in Yemen were met with unjustified escalation that go against the foundations of the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen.”

“The escalation does not serve efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen and goes against all the pledges Saudi Arabia had received from the United Arab Emirates,” added the cabinet.

The cabinet expressed Saudi Arabia’s hope that “wisdom would prevail and that priority would be given to the principles of fraternity and good neighborliness and close relations between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members.”

It hoped that “the UAE would comply with the Yemeni republic’s demand that it withdraw its forces from the country withing 24 hours and that it would cease all military and financial support to the Southern Transitional Council and any other party in Yemen.”

It hoped that “the UAE would take the desired step to maintain bilateral relations between the two countries, which Saudi Arabia is keen on bolstering.”

The cabinet also reviewed regional and international developments.

It hailed the role of the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen in protecting civilians in the Hadhramaut and Mahra governorates.

The cabinet renewed Saudi Arabia’s support to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity, rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and warning that the move encourages separatist agendas that violate international law.

King Salman also briefed the cabinet on the message he received on Tuesday from Russian President Vladimir Putin that tackled bilateral ties between their countries.


UAE to Pull Forces Out of Yemen

The UAE flag. (WAM)
The UAE flag. (WAM)
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UAE to Pull Forces Out of Yemen

The UAE flag. (WAM)
The UAE flag. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen.

In a statement, it said: “In light of recent developments and their potential implications for the safety and effectiveness of counterterrorism missions, the Ministry of Defense announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen of its own volition, in a manner that ensures the safety of its personnel and in coordination with the concerned partners.”

It added that the UAE “has participated as part of the Arab Coalition since 2015 in support of legitimacy in Yemen, in backing international efforts to combat terrorist organizations, and in pursuit of security and stability for the brotherly Yemeni people. The UAE has made great sacrifices in achieving these objectives.”

“The UAE Armed Forces concluded their military presence in Yemen in 2019 after completing the assigned missions within the agreed official frameworks,” it noted. “The remaining presence was limited to specialized personnel as part of counterterrorism efforts, in coordination with relevant international partners.”

It stressed that “this measure comes within the context of a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the current phase, and in line with the commitments of the UAE and its role in supporting security and stability in the region.”


Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty
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Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty

The Muslim World League (MWL) has affirmed its full support for the supplementary statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding recent escalatory actions by the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen's Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.

The league expressed its support for the statement from the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen concerning the unauthorized movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy vehicles from the Port of Fujairah to the Port of Mukalla, SPA reported.

 

These shipments were reportedly transported without the necessary official permits from the coalition’s Joint Forces Command. The MWL emphasized its unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its national security.

In an official statement by General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa commended the decisive and wise content of the Saudi statement.

 

Speaking on behalf of the league’s global assemblies and councils, Al-Issa noted that these measures are vital to ensuring peace, security, and the unity of the Yemeni people under their internationally recognized leadership.

Al-Issa highlighted that the priority remains preserving stability in Yemen and the broader region. He noted that outstanding issues, including the Southern cause, must be resolved through dialogue within established legal and legitimate frameworks.

Furthermore, he warned that supporting illegitimate practices only deepens internal divisions and serves those who do not have Yemen’s best interests at heart. He cautioned that any further steps deviating from the legitimate path would only ignite sedition, the heavy cost of which would be borne by the Yemeni people.

Concluding the statement, Al-Issa called upon all Yemeni parties to prioritize wisdom and the national interest. He urged them to unite under their legitimate leadership to preserve the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, paving the way for a secure and prosperous future for Yemen.