150 Muslim Scholars, Muftis Emphasize Control of Fatwas, Confronting Islam Defamation

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh attended the international Islamic conference in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh attended the international Islamic conference in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

150 Muslim Scholars, Muftis Emphasize Control of Fatwas, Confronting Islam Defamation

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh attended the international Islamic conference in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh attended the international Islamic conference in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The international Islamic conference, held over the course of two days in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, concluded with 13 recommendations that collectively emphasized the importance of aligning religious edicts with the tenets of Islamic Sharia law.

The conference, “Communication with the Departments of Religious Affairs, Ifta and Sheikhdoms in the World,” highlighted the need to exercise caution against deviant fatwas, while addressing attempts to distort Islam and condemning heinous acts such as the burning of copies of the holy Quran.

Additionally, the conference called for enhanced communication, integration, and deepening partnerships in the realm of Islamic affairs among religious affairs administrations, jurisprudential bodies, and religious leaderships worldwide.

Attended by 150 scholars and muftis representing heads of Islamic centers and associations from 85 countries, the conference extended gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for approving the convening of the gathering.

Moreover, the conference commended the significant efforts undertaken by the Saudi leadership in serving Islam and Muslims, fostering communication with religious affairs administrations, jurisprudential bodies, and religious leaderships worldwide, and achieving integration among them.

Recommendations launched at the conference encompassed a reaffirmation of the responsibilities of religious affairs administrations, jurisprudential bodies, and religious leaderships worldwide in promoting the principles of moderation and temperance in preaching and educational methodologies.

This includes the qualification and training of imams and preachers, along with the intensification of related programs.

The conference emphasized the need to combat extremism, radicalism, and moral decay, while also stressing the importance of preserving family values, safeguarding youth, and reinforcing fundamental principles.

These efforts aim to protect societies from waves of atheism and moral degradation through quality preventive and corrective programs.

Participants at the conference also called for enhanced communication, integration, and deeper partnerships in the field of Islamic affairs among religious affairs administrations, jurisprudential bodies, and religious leaderships worldwide.

The ultimate objective is to achieve unity and consensus among Muslims, asserting that the foundation of Islamic unity lies in monotheism. Upholding the Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic teachings) is the cornerstone of the faith, providing immunity against misguidance and deviation.



Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Seek to Develop Defense Industries, Localize Technology

A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)
A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Seek to Develop Defense Industries, Localize Technology

A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)
A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)

Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are seeking closer cooperation in defense manufacturing and local production, as growing opportunities in the sector and mounting regional challenges drive the two countries to strengthen their partnership.

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi minister of state, cabinet member and acting governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), said cooperation with Türkiye had gained momentum since Riyadh unveiled its industrial and mining strategies, with both countries stepping up efforts to develop their defense industries.

Private sector takes center stage

Alkhorayef praised Türkiye's success in developing its defense industry, saying regional challenges underscored the need for closer cooperation to localize production across a range of industrial sectors.

He was speaking at the two-day Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul, which concluded on Thursday evening after bringing together more than 100 Turkish companies and 25 Saudi firms to explore cooperation opportunities.

Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia had made significant strides in attracting investment to its defense industry and was seeking to build on that progress through partnerships between Saudi and Turkish companies.

The event, jointly organized by Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK), Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and defense industry cluster SAHA Istanbul, reflected growing defense ties between the two countries, particularly in manufacturing, technology transfer and local production.

It followed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on Aug. 7.

Alkhorayef said private companies would spearhead investment and development in the defense sector, stressing that Saudi-Turkish cooperation rested on shared interests.

The two governments' main task was to clear the way for private investment by focusing on three priorities: identifying key areas for cooperation and investment; providing the infrastructure and financing businesses need; and securing contracts that would give companies the confidence to invest and greater visibility over future demand, he explained.

Saudi Arabia's priorities

Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia was directing investment toward priority technologies, both for immediate needs and the near future, while underscoring the critical role of education and human capital in shaping the defense industry's future.

He said emerging technologies would significantly transform military and defense manufacturing, with skilled workers, young talent and education playing a decisive role in that shift.

Both Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have considerable opportunities in these fields, he remarked.

Alkhorayef said the Kingdom was looking to attract defense companies with established expertise and advanced technological capabilities, highlighting the role of SAMI and its RUKN Local Content Program in expanding investment and cooperation opportunities.

Speaking at SAMI's RUKN Supplier Day, held alongside the Istanbul event, Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia was continuing, with the support of its leadership, to build advanced domestic industrial capabilities and attract high-value investment to its defense sector.

The push is aimed at meeting a key Saudi Vision 2030 target: localizing more than 50% of defense industries by 2030.

Alkhorayef said the Saudi-Turkish partnership in military manufacturing centered on close cooperation, technology and knowledge transfer, and workforce development, all aimed at advancing localization and making companies more competitive internationally.

He hoped that the growing relationship would translate into lasting investments and long-term partnerships.

Türkiye seeks deeper partnership

Haluk Gorgun, president of Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), said Ankara was working to forge sustainable defense industry partnerships with Saudi Arabia by sharing expertise and expanding cooperation in technology, research and development.

He pointed to Türkiye's substantial advances in defense manufacturing over the past two decades as a foundation for closer ties.

Gorgun called for broader cooperation with Saudi Arabia across procurement, research and development, workforce training and program management.

He said the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days had placed particular emphasis on bringing small and medium-sized enterprises from both countries closer together, strengthening supply chains and opening up opportunities for joint projects.

Potential areas of cooperation include research and development, talent and skills development, management of research infrastructure and programs, improved procurement and program management, and joint investment opportunities.

Gorgun said the Presidency of Defense Industries was developing programs to connect Turkish companies with local Saudi partners, noting that successful models of cooperation were already in place.

He said Türkiye had held several similar events with Saudi Arabia over the past three years and continued to organize them. The two countries have held more than 75 meetings on defense industries during that period.


Arab Parliament Moves to Designate Houthis as a Terrorist Organization

A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
TT

Arab Parliament Moves to Designate Houthis as a Terrorist Organization

A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)

The Arab Parliament has launched a broad regional and international parliamentary action plan to confront the Houthi militia and its repeated attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The initiative aims to rally a firm international stance against the group's assaults, work toward designating it as a terrorist organization, dry up its sources of funding and armament, and hold those responsible for its crimes and violations accountable under international law.

The plan tackles four main tracks, starting with the diplomatic track, which targets global decision-making capitals through direct engagement with the parliaments of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The plan aims to leverage parliamentary diplomacy to rally regional and international support for designating the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization among countries and international bodies that have not yet done so, foremost among them the European Union, through direct engagement with the European Parliament presidency and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

It seeks to urge relevant European institutions to complete the necessary legal procedures to add the militia to the bloc's official list of terrorist organizations under established legal mechanisms, and to expand restrictive measures and sanctions against its leaders as well as entities linked to and supporting its terrorist activities.

The parliament also aims to activate international justice and legal accountability mechanisms by compiling a comprehensive, documented legal file detailing Houthi attacks and violations, which amount to full-fledged war crimes and other offenses within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and submitting a formal referral to the Office of the ICC Prosecutor.

The parliament stressed that the repercussions of Houthi attacks extend beyond threatening Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents. They pose a direct threat to maritime and air navigation, the stability of global energy supplies, supply chains, and international trade, undermining Arab national security, as well as regional and international peace and security.


Coalition Announces Destruction of Drone in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Civil defense teams issued early warnings in the Jazan region before lifting it minutes later. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Civil defense teams issued early warnings in the Jazan region before lifting it minutes later. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
TT

Coalition Announces Destruction of Drone in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Civil defense teams issued early warnings in the Jazan region before lifting it minutes later. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Civil defense teams issued early warnings in the Jazan region before lifting it minutes later. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced on Friday the destruction of a drone fired at Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region.

The Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia had earlier fired four drones at the Riyadh and Eastern Regions that were downed by the coalition.

Civil defense teams issued early warnings in the Jazan region before lifting it minutes later.

The UN Security Council had on Thursday condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and their threats to commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea, underscoring the Kingdom’s right to defend itself.

The Council also adopted a resolution calling for intensified efforts to combat the smuggling of weapons to the Houthi militia by land and sea, and for tighter controls on supplying them with drone and ballistic missile components, tasking the Panel of Experts with tracking the Houthis' sources of funding and revenues.

Resolution 2837 was welcomed by the Gulf and praised for Britain's efforts in drafting it. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi described the resolution as an important step toward strengthening the international stance rejecting treacherous Houthi attacks.

He stressed the need to translate the resolution into a tangible commitment that halts these attacks, protects civilian lives and facilities, and puts an end to threats to regional security and the safety of international navigation.

He reiterated Gulf support for all efforts backing the legitimate Yemeni government to preserve Yemen's sovereignty, unity, security, and stability, and to fulfill its people's aspirations for peace and development.