Muslim World League Chief Visits Macedonia to Reinforce Ties

Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
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Muslim World League Chief Visits Macedonia to Reinforce Ties

Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)

President Dr. Stevo Pendarovski of the Republic of North Macedonia met in Skopje the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.

During the meeting, Pendarovski commended Al-Issa's role in promoting tolerance and coexistence in the world. He added that Europe considers him as the most influential Islamic figure.

Al-Issa said the MWL is keen to build bridges between peoples in order to enhance peace worldwide.

Also, Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament, Dr. Talat Xhaferi held talks with Al-Issa, and they discussed ways to enhance joint action, in the presence of the heads of parliamentary committees and senior Macedonian statesmen.

Al-Issa later visited the Islamic Sheikhdom in North Macedonia and met with the Chief Scholar, Sheikh Hafiz Shakir Effendi, in the presence of muftis and scholars.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation and several issues of common interest.

Al-Issa also delivered a lecture on the nature of human diversity, according to Islamic concepts. The Sheikhdom decided to translate the lecture into all the languages of the Balkan countries

Moreover, Skopje Cathedral welcomed the Secretary-General's visit, highlighting its significance.

For his part, Al-Issa underscored that Macedonia is a distinguished model of coexistence.

He further convened with members of the Governmental Committee for Relations with Sects and Religious Groups at its headquarters in Skopje. He also discussed with the Director of the Committee, advisers, senior government officials, and advisors several vital matters.



OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned on Sunday the continued crimes committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, most recently the shelling of a school sheltering displaced persons.

Seven Palestinians were killed and dozens of civilians were injured in the attack, which the OIC slammed as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”.

The OIC renewed its call on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, “to assume its responsibilities by putting an end to all Israeli crimes and violations, securing a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, ensuring sufficient and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and guaranteeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”

It further emphasized “the need to activate international criminal justice mechanisms to pursue and hold accountable all Israeli officials involved in committing these grave crimes and to ensure that they do not evade punishment.”


UAE, French Presidents Discuss Bilateral Ties

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
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UAE, French Presidents Discuss Bilateral Ties

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received in Abu Dhabi on Sunday French President Emmanuel Macron who is on a working visit to the UAE.

Meeting at the Zayed National Museum, the leaders discussed the historical and strategic relations between the UAE and France and explored opportunities to further strengthen ties, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, and culture, as well as renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and other areas aligned with the two countries’ shared vision for development and prosperity.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; a number of minister and senior officials, reported the UAE's state news agency (WAM).

The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the French President, which included a number of ministers and senior officials.

The UAE President hosted a luncheon in honor of Macron and the accompanying delegation.

Macron arrived in the UAE earlier on Sunday, where he was received at the Presidential Flight in Abu Dhabi by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and several senior officials.


Saudi Arabia Opens New Emergency Camp in Gaza for Families Displaced by Storms

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Opens New Emergency Camp in Gaza for Families Displaced by Storms

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in the central Gaza Strip, providing immediate shelter with more than 250 tents for hundreds of recently displaced families. The move is part of the ongoing Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

Overseen by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, the camp was fast-tracked to support families whose temporary shelters were destroyed by recent severe weather, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Field reports indicate that heavy storms and flooding have decimated hundreds of tents across the region, significantly worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis.

Affected families expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing the aid as a "lifeline" that restored a sense of security. Families noted that the new shelters have provided vital protection against the harsh winter conditions and volatile weather that had previously left them exposed during an arduous period of hardship.

This initiative is a continuation of the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to the Palestinian people. By providing essential relief and high-quality shelter, KSrelief aims to alleviate the suffering of families facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges.