Al-Issa, High-ranking Malaysian Delegation Discuss Confronting 'Islamophobia'

Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
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Al-Issa, High-ranking Malaysian Delegation Discuss Confronting 'Islamophobia'

Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Part of the meeting between Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and the high-ranking delegation headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Riyadh (SPA)

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa met with a high-ranking Malaysian delegation, headed by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zambari Abdul Qadir, at the MWL’s sub-headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the officials discussed a number of issues of common interest on the Islamic and international arenas, and the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in this regard, foremost of which is the cooperation between MWL and the Malaysian government in confronting the growing phenomenon of "Islamophobia".

They also highlighted the need to confront the general hatred speech that raises divisions within national societies and fuels conflict between cultures and civilizations.

The meeting reviewed the tasks of the Southeast Asian Scholars Council, which is considered the first scholarly solidarity in the history of the region. More than 44 scholars, muftis and religious leaders from 17 countries agreed to establish it - under the umbrella of the Muslim World League - in an unprecedented event of its kind and under the patronage of Al-Issa.

Malaysia announced hosting the council's headquarters in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, to be a platform of solidarity that organizes the efforts of the Southeast Asian scholars and leaders towards their major issues, in light of the extremely important transformations that the region is going through.

For his part, Al-Issa voiced his appreciation for Malaysia's ideal civilized model of coexistence between religious and ethnic diversity.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.