Al-Sheikh: Saudi Arabia is Land of Tolerance, Coexistence

Part of the activities of the Tolerance Forum, which was hosted by the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the activities of the Tolerance Forum, which was hosted by the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Al-Sheikh: Saudi Arabia is Land of Tolerance, Coexistence

Part of the activities of the Tolerance Forum, which was hosted by the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the activities of the Tolerance Forum, which was hosted by the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh said on Thursday that the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, recognizes the importance of calling for peaceful coexistence.

He said that Saudi Arabia is distinguished for being a land of tolerance and coexistence among its society members and social components.

Al-Sheikh stressed that the Kingdom has always sought to spread the culture of tolerance and coexistence since its establishment by late King Abdulaziz Al Saud.

He said it plays a pivotal role in establishing the concept of dialogue at the global level to contribute to formulating the right Islamic discourse based on moderation through constructive dialogue.

Saudi Arabia believes that the next stage requires all to consider the past experience in dialogue and coexistence and anticipate future aspects to lay the foundations of dialogue with others, deepen understanding among peoples and enhance global cooperation and coexistence.

Al-Sheikh pointed out that one of his ministry’s priorities is to spread tolerant Islamic principles, such as moderation, and call for dignified Islamic morals.

It also warns against the threat posed by terrorist organizations and groups that seek to engage young people in violence, extremism and terrorism, and calls for cooperation among all relevant authorities to promote tolerant Islamic principles.

It further underscored the need to protect young people from anti-Islam distractions and intellectual currents by seeking to achieve the strategic objective of the Saudi Vision 2030, which includes promoting the values of moderation and tolerance.



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.”