Expo 2020 Dubai Hosts Forum Promoting Peace, Valuing Contents of Makkah Declaration

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the issue of comprehensive citizenship is an essential expression of confidence and hope in the future of humanity, Asharq Al-Awsat.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the issue of comprehensive citizenship is an essential expression of confidence and hope in the future of humanity, Asharq Al-Awsat.
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Expo 2020 Dubai Hosts Forum Promoting Peace, Valuing Contents of Makkah Declaration

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the issue of comprehensive citizenship is an essential expression of confidence and hope in the future of humanity, Asharq Al-Awsat.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the issue of comprehensive citizenship is an essential expression of confidence and hope in the future of humanity, Asharq Al-Awsat.

On Monday, Expo 2020 Dubai saw the launch of the eighth annual Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.

Under the theme ‘Comprehensive Citizenship: From Shared Existence to Shared Conscience,’ the three–day forum includes UAE, regional and international participation.

It shed light on the significance of the Makkah Declaration, which was sponsored by Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in anchoring and solidifying the values of comprehensive citizenship.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the issue of comprehensive citizenship is an essential expression of confidence and hope in the future of humanity.

Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah, the Minister of Tolerance of Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan opened the 8th Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies at Al Wasl Plaza in Expo 2020 Dubai.

Addressing the inaugural session of the event, which will run until December 7th, Sheikh Nahyan underlined the efforts made by the UAE leadership to promote the values of peaceful coexistence between all peoples of the world and enable all community members to contribute to sustainable development.

Presided by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Emirates Fatwa Council, the forum brings together leading Islamic scholars, religious leaders, and peace advocates.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, also delivered a speech at the forum’s opening session.

In his speech, Al-Issa noted that the issue of comprehensive citizenship, predicated on its common religious and cultural values and human values with their general natural law, its unique and general constitutional texts and principles, its laws, charters, and international norms, means within its local framework, coexistence on the national lands with fundamental rights, duties and equal opportunities in the full sense of fair equality.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh Monday Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák.

They reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests and discussed regional and international developments, SPA reported.

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Slovak Republic, aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields.


Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
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Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.


OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”