Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Inaugurate 'King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Chair for Islamic Studies'

Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour during his meeting with Saudi Ambassador Osama Nugali in Cairo (Egyptian Ministry of Education)
Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour during his meeting with Saudi Ambassador Osama Nugali in Cairo (Egyptian Ministry of Education)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Inaugurate 'King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Chair for Islamic Studies'

Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour during his meeting with Saudi Ambassador Osama Nugali in Cairo (Egyptian Ministry of Education)
Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour during his meeting with Saudi Ambassador Osama Nugali in Cairo (Egyptian Ministry of Education)

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are preparing to inaugurate the "King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Chair for Islamic Studies," named after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at Cairo University.

The project aims to establish bridges of communication between the two countries in scientific research and support issues of the Islamic nation.

Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour met with the Saudi Ambassador Osama Nugali in Cairo.

In a press statement, Ashour said that the meeting discussed the developments of the inauguration of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Chair for Islamic Studies at Cairo University.

The Ambassador explained that the project comes within the framework of exchanging experiences in fields related to Islamic studies between Cairo and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.

The cooperation reflects the desire of both countries to highlight and boost their leading role in supporting Islamic causes and defending the nation's principles, said Nugali.

The Saudi Ambassador stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the scientific and research fields and integrating Egyptian and Saudi universities.

Saudi Arabia encourages bilateral cooperation with Egypt in the upcoming stage, seeking to achieve both countries' development and scientific goals, noted Nugali.

The meeting discussed ways to support scientific and research cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and exchange experiences, students, and faculty members between the two sides.

They also discussed preparations for the tenth King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Translation ceremony in Cairo next October, in the presence of the Egyptian and Saudi Ministers of Higher Education.

The Egyptian Minister referred to King Salman International University in South Sinai, noting that establishing the university in Egypt is a qualitative leap in cooperation between the two countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated King Salman International University in November 2020.

The Minister reiterated the importance of coordination between the two sides to reach common future visions and solve regional research problems.

At the end of the meeting, the Saudi Ambassador conveyed the thanks and appreciation of the Saudi students studying in Egyptian universities for the ministry's continuous support in facilitating their studies in Egypt.



Qatar Pledges Aid for Gaza as More Trucks Cross into the Territory

 This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
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Qatar Pledges Aid for Gaza as More Trucks Cross into the Territory

 This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)

Qatar on Monday announced plans to supply post-ceasefire Gaza with resources via a “land bridge” at Kerem Shalom, on the border between Egypt, Israel and the coastal Palestinian enclave.

After sending 25 fuel trucks to Gaza on Monday, Qatar plans to supply Gaza with 3.3 million gallons (12.5 million liters) of fuel over the next 10 days, its Foreign Ministry said. The fuel is intended to provide basic services and power hospitals and shelters.

Over the course of the 16-month war, the majority of aid has crossed into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, although it has intermittently closed amid disagreements over what kind of aid can be allowed into the strip. Israel previously restricted entry of some equipment, arguing it could be used for military purposes by Hamas.

Allowing more aid into Gaza is a central tenet of the ceasefire deal’s first phase and will be key to later reconstruction efforts. The deal allows for hundreds of trucks — more than Israel has previously allowed — to deliver aid to Gaza.

Egypt’s state-run press center said Monday that at least 300 aid trucks entered Kerem Shalom and the Nitzana crossing to the south since the ceasefire took effect, as well as 12 diesel trucks and four gas trucks.

However, some of those trucks have carried food aid labeled for UNRWA, the UN agency that Israel has vowed to ban from operating even as it remains the primary distributor of aid in Gaza.

Truck drivers told The Associated Press that throughout the war, vehicles have been turned back for minor bureaucratic infractions or not having aid properly packaged or wrapped.

“If items are approved, we unload them and head back to Egypt ... Some trucks have to drive all the way back with packages they left with that contain expired food aid or that the driver’s or truck information is not listed correctly,” driver Hamdy Emad said.