Riyadh Governor Honors Benefactors at Ehsan Platform’s 3rd Annual Ceremony 

Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz honored on Sunday benefactors who used the Ehsan platform for charitable deeds. (SPA)
Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz honored on Sunday benefactors who used the Ehsan platform for charitable deeds. (SPA)
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Riyadh Governor Honors Benefactors at Ehsan Platform’s 3rd Annual Ceremony 

Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz honored on Sunday benefactors who used the Ehsan platform for charitable deeds. (SPA)
Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz honored on Sunday benefactors who used the Ehsan platform for charitable deeds. (SPA)

Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz honored on Sunday benefactors who used the National Platform for Charitable Work (Ehsan) for charitable deeds.

In a ceremony held under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Faisal expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Crown Prince for their support of charitable and humanitarian work.

He also praised the support accorded by the Crown Prince to the platform and its benefactors.

“This is the perspective of the Saudi individual, who takes the initiative to do good and engage in charitable acts in every field,” he underscored the guidance of the wise leadership that “always directs us towards goodness, aiming to give to those in need.”

Ehsan Supervising Committee head Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed for their continuous support and interest in charity work, while also praising the benefactors on their generosity.

Some 4.8 million people have benefitted from the platform since its launch in 2021. Over SAR4.8 billion were raised through over 100 e-donations. Also contributing to the success of the effort were the more than 1,600 civil society associations spread across the Kingdom.

He also hailed the role of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), government, private and non-profit entities, who ensured the success of the platform.

Also at Sunday’s event, Prince Faisal launched the Istihqaq service, which helps verify the eligibility of beneficiaries, thus complementing the work of government agencies in making reliable, credible choices, helping the charitable sector to work digitally, and ensuring that donations reach the intended beneficiaries.

Also announced at the ceremony was the Waqf Ihsan Fund, which seeks to come up with sustainable waqf (endowment) opportunities and invest money donated for waqf purposes.

The Ehsan Platform carries out awareness campaigns with the aim of promoting the culture of charitable work and community collaboration, in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.

It lends support to community projects and in humanitarian cases, and enables the community to donate through official, reliable channels.

SDAIA was tasked with establishing the Ehsan platform under a Royal Decree; it receives follow up reports from a supervisory committee composed of 13 strong and credible governmental bodies that aim to digitalize the work of the charitable sector.



GCC Denounces Iran’s Continued Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
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GCC Denounces Iran’s Continued Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council strongly denounced on Sunday Iran’s continued aggression against its member states including the deliberate targeting of infrastructures and oil facilities.

The GCC rejected these hostile actions, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and norms and pose a direct threat to regional security and stability, as well as to the safety of global energy supplies.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized that Iran’s continuing aggression unveils its escalatory approach towards Gulf states. He said Iran's unacceptable acts of aggression undermine de-escalation efforts and threaten both regional and international security.

He added that Iranian claims seeking to hold GCC member states responsible for any military operations are unfounded, categorically rejected, and lack any foundation.

Albudaiwi urged the international community to condemn the attacks, take firm action, and pressure Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 to stop violations and maintain regional stability.

He reaffirmed the GCC’s unity and solidarity in facing threats, and their commitment to joint efforts to promote regional stability and peace.


Qatar Says Helicopter Crashes after Technical Malfunction, 7 Dead

People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Qatar Says Helicopter Crashes after Technical Malfunction, 7 Dead

People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Qatar said on Sunday that seven people have been confirmed killed in a Qatari helicopter crash in the country’s territorial waters.

The Defense Ministry earlier said the helicopter crashed on Saturday after suffering ⁠a ⁠technical malfunction during routine duty.

Four of those killed ⁠were Qatari armed forces ‌personnel, ‌one was from ​the Qatar-Türkiye ‌joint forces and ‌two were technicians, the Turkish and Qatari defense ministries said.

"Military cooperation and ‌coordination activities between the Republic of Türkiye and ⁠the ⁠State of Qatar continue uninterrupted within the framework of existing agreements and plans," the Turkish Defense Ministry said. 


MWL Condemns Israeli Strike on Southern Syria

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Israeli Strike on Southern Syria

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the Israeli strikes targeting military infrastructure in southern Syria.

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa described the attack as a violation of international laws and norms, particularly the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

He reaffirmed full solidarity with Syria and its people against actions that undermine its sovereignty and threaten its security and stability.

Israel's military said on Friday it had struck southern Syria in response to what it called attacks against the Druze community in Sweida province.