Saudi Arabia Appoints Third Female Ambassador

Saudi Ambassador to Sweden and Iceland Inas Al-Shahwan, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Ambassador to Sweden and Iceland Inas Al-Shahwan, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Appoints Third Female Ambassador

Saudi Ambassador to Sweden and Iceland Inas Al-Shahwan, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Ambassador to Sweden and Iceland Inas Al-Shahwan, Asharq Al-Awsat

A swearing-in ceremony for Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to Sweden and Iceland, Inas Al-Shahwan, was held on Thursday, making her the Kingdom’s third female diplomat after Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan and Amal Al-Mouallimi.

Al-Shahwan took the oath before Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud.

A number of other newly assigned diplomats also attended the ceremony, which was held via videoconference.

In 2007, Al-Shahwan joined the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She held several positions at the ministry, the last of which was the advisor to the deputy foreign minister for political affairs.

She is also the first woman to hold a department manager position at the foreign ministry’s political and economic affairs agency.

Over the years, Al-Shahwan tackled a number of important political issues and represented the Kingdom in many regional and international forums. The new diplomat also helped train several foreign ministry staffers and civil servants in various government sectors.

She did so by providing lectures and workshops on international relations.

Al-Shahwan holds a master’s degree in international relations from Australia, and she is a member of the first batch to complete the Future Leaders Program launched by foreign ministry in 2017. She also received a Certificate in Emerging Leadership from Harvard University.

The Kingdom has appointed new ambassadors to the Czech Republic, South Korea, Turkmenistan, Comoros, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Kenya, Afghanistan, Cuba, Chad, and Burkina Faso.



OIC Condemns Israeli Bombing of Journalists' Tent in Gaza

A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Bombing of Journalists' Tent in Gaza

A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned Israeli forces’ bombing of a journalists’ tent in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.

One journalist was killed and several others were injured in the attack.

The OIC stated that the incident is a clear violation of press freedom and reflects Israel’s ongoing policy of suppressing the media, concealing its actions, and preventing the international community from accessing accurate information.

The organization held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the deaths of more than 210 journalists since the beginning of the military operation in Gaza Strip, which the OIC has described as genocide.

The OIC renewed its call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to complete its investigations into all alleged crimes committed by Israel against civilians, including journalists who face targeted killings, arbitrary arrests, and physical assaults while performing their professional duties.

The organization also urged international bodies, particularly UNESCO, to take action to ensure accountability, uphold press freedom, and protect the safety of journalists working in the occupied Palestinian territories in accordance with international law.