Egypt's Grand Mufti Praises Pivotal Role of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Abdul Latif Al Al-Sheikh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Abdul Latif Al Al-Sheikh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt's Grand Mufti Praises Pivotal Role of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Abdul Latif Al Al-Sheikh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Abdul Latif Al Al-Sheikh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt's Grand Mufti Dr. Shawki Allam praised the "pivotal regional and international role" of Saudi Arabia and the great efforts made by the Kingdom, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, to serve Islam and Muslims.

The Grand Mufti met with the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Abdul Latif Al Al-Sheikh, during a visit to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Egypt's Dar al-Iftaa said the meeting addressed several issues of common interest, namely serving Islamic work in its various fields.

The Grand Mufti praised the role of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Minister's support in bringing together the nation's scholars and thinkers from different countries of the world to discuss the concerns of Muslims.

The statement said Allam stressed the need for cooperation and solidarity between Islamic religious institutions to confront extremist ideology, correct concepts, and explain the true religion and its tolerance for the world.

The Minister, for his part, underscored the strength of Saudi-Egyptian relations, especially at the religious level, lauding the achievements of Egypt's Dar al-Iftaa.

The Grand Mufti participated in the "Russia - Islamic World" conference, held in Jeddah, under the theme "Dialogue and Cooperation Prospects."

The conference was attended by several senior scholars and thinkers from Russia and various countries of the Islamic world and addressed issues of common interest between Russia and the Islamic world and ways of enhancing cooperation to face challenges.

Meanwhile, Al-Sheikh discussed with the Egyptian Minister of Endowments, Mohammad Mokhtar Gomaa cooperation between their ministries.

He praised the efforts of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in building, developing, reforming, and advancing the Egyptian state.

He also lauded the efforts of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed in developing and reforming Saudi Arabia.

The Egyptian Minister praised the role of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed in serving the Holy Mosques and the Arab and Islamic nations, stressing the strength and importance of the relationship between the two countries in various fields.

Gomaa also praised the efforts of the Saudi Minister in confronting extremist ideology and the "destructive" ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.



Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Wednesday the United States' designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations.

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s condemnation of extremism and terrorism, its support for all that achieves security, stability, and prosperity of Arab countries, and the security of the region and the world.


Islamic Military Coalition Launches ‘Competence’ Military Strategic Initiative in Sierra Leone

Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)
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Islamic Military Coalition Launches ‘Competence’ Military Strategic Initiative in Sierra Leone

Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)

The Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) launched on Tuesday the “Competence” military strategic training for counter-terrorism in Sierra Leone.

The launch was attended by Sierra Leonean Minister of Internal Affairs Morie Lengor, IMCTC Secretary General of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Pilot Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, senior military and security officials, civil representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Republic of Sierra Leone.

The initiative runs from January 13 to February 3, targeting the training and capacity building of 30 military and security personnel through an intensive 15-day program focused on counter-terrorism, including handling explosives, improvised devices, and unexploded ordnance, while enhancing the operational readiness of specialized forces.

The training aims to develop the skills and capabilities of personnel in counter-terrorism units and facilitate the transfer of advanced professional knowledge and expertise among member states, enabling them to address complex terrorist threats with high-level scientific and professional methods.


Saudi Govt Rejects Any Attempts to Undermine Somalia’s Sovereignty

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Rejects Any Attempts to Undermine Somalia’s Sovereignty

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

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s rejection of any attempts “to create parallel entities that undermine Somalia's unity, territorial integrity, or national sovereignty.”

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

The Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's extraordinary meeting on Somalia in Jeddah that stressed the Kingdom’s stance on Somalia.

The Cabinet reviewed recent high-level discussions between the Kingdom and various countries, focusing on regional developments, ongoing efforts to anchor security and peace, and the Kingdom's commitment to multilateral initiatives that drive global stability and foster collective responses to shared challenges.

The Cabinet reiterated the centrality of the Palestinian cause, stressing the Kingdom's unwavering support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. These efforts aim to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Cabinet commended the successful conclusion of the Gulf Shield 2026 joint military exercise, hosted by Saudi Arabia. Featuring the air and air defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the GCC Unified Military Command, the exercise underscored the commitment to boosting regional defense cooperation and strengthening collective military readiness.

The Cabinet reviewed several high-profile economic events hosted by the Kingdom, specifically highlighting the Saudi-Japan Ministerial Investment Forum and the Saudi-Canadian Business and Investment Forum. The summits resulted in numerous memoranda of understanding across strategic sectors, including space, cybersecurity, ICT, manufacturing, education, finance, water, and agriculture.