Category: General

Athens, The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has received Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, at the Prime Ministry headquarters in Athens. They discussed a number of topics of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Al-Issa highlighted the Islamic values of peace, coexistence, and tolerance, expressing gratitude for the prime minister’s hospitality and his positive views on Islam’s contributions to human civilization.

Al-Issa also met with muftis, preachers, and other Islamic figures in Greece, who acknowledged the international role of the MWL in realizing the aspirations of the Muslim nation. Additionally, he visited the Athens Mosque.

The secretary-general also met with Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece. Both leaders emphasized the pivotal role of religious leaders in addressing all forms of religious and ethnic conflict around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jakarta, The Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amoudi, emphasized that the Makkah Route Initiative is part of the tremendous efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He noted that these efforts have been harnessing all human and material resources since the era of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud to the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, to serve pilgrims from all over the world, including Indonesia.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ambassador said: ‘The Makkah Route Initiative has had positive feedback at all official and popular levels in Indonesia. We observed this during the pilgrims’ departure from Jakarta Airport. This reflects the Kingdom’s efforts and leadership in the Islamic world, as well as its commitment to serving pilgrims and taking care of the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.’

He indicated that the initiative aims to facilit
ate the entry procedures for Indonesian pilgrims before they leave their country. This year, the initiative has been expanded to include the cities of Surabaya and Solo, in addition to the capital, Jakarta, benefiting a large number of Indonesian pilgrims, the ambassador noted.

Additionally, he expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian government, represented by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and all other governmental bodies, for their facilitation, fruitful cooperation, and coordination, which have contributed to the success of the initiative.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Energy Police Forces arrested an accused of smuggling petroleum products and seized his vehicle in Karbala.

The Ministry of the Interior stated in a statement: ‘The detachments of the Sixth Brigade, affiliated with the General Directorate of Energy Police in the Holy Governorate of Karbala, arrested an accused of smuggling petroleum products due to the lack of official papers authorizing him to carry the product. He was placed in detention with the vehicle seized in preparation for completing the legal procedures and referring him to the competent judiciary.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Manama: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received a cable of congratulations from His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, Advisor to HM the King, on the success of the 33rd Arab Summit hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the presidency of HM the King.

In his cable, His Highness hailed His Majesty’s keenness to support Arab causes through initiatives aimed at enabling the Arab nation and its peoples to achieve their desired goals and objectives.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Gaza: On Saturday, the city of Ashkelon was hit by a missile attack fired from the northern Gaza Strip, while sirens sounded in the city.

The Israeli army said that the defenses were able to intercept five missiles, while the rest fell in an open area.

The launching of rockets towards Ashkelon comes as the Israeli occupation army commits new massacres in the northern Gaza Strip, resulting in the death and injury of dozens of citizens

Source: Maan News Agency

Makkah, In preparation for the upcoming Hajj season, the Presidency for Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is implementing a comprehensive program to enhance the spiritual journey of millions of pilgrims. It prioritizes both deepening their faith and providing them with a wealth of knowledge.

The program offers a wider range of informative, spiritual, and counseling sessions. These enriched guidance programs will be led by scholars and teachers specifically trained to raise awareness about Sharia teachings. This focus on disseminating knowledge ensures that pilgrims return home with a deeper understanding of their faith and the significance of their Hajj experience.

The presidency recognizes the power of technology in reaching a global audience, and as such, plans to leverage artificial intelligence, and smart applications, and use various languages to deliver the moderate message of the two holy mosques.

Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the P
rophet’s Mosque, emphasized the program’s core objectives, and highlighted the importance of strengthening faith through lessons and lectures aimed at fostering a more meaningful spiritual experience for pilgrims.

He also stressed the crucial role of eminent scholars and teachers in spreading accurate Islamic knowledge and enriching the legacy of the two holy mosques. He said that integrating technology not only enhances accessibility but also broadens the reach of the mosques message of tolerance, moderation, and peaceful coexistence.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joins the world in celebrating the International Women’s Day in the Maritime Sector to emphasize the role of Saudi women and their pioneering and influential presence in the development of the maritime transport industry.

In 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the International Women’s Day in the Maritime Sector, an annual event that falls on May 18th to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience in the sector, and encourage gender equality and innovation.

Moreover, the event is designed to support education and training for women in the maritime field and navigation, while promoting sustainable development in the maritime sector.

It is held this year under the title ‘Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety’.

Saudi women continue their distinguished and influential presence in this vital industry. In 2023, Hayat Al-Yabis was appointed as permanent representative to IMO, the first Saudi woman to hold this prestigious po
st. Wijdan Al-Suhaibani was the first president of the Arab Women in Maritime Association in 2017, Najla Al-Naimi was the first certified maritime trainer in the Kingdom, and Reem Al-Khowaiter was awarded the ‘Best Young Woman of the Year’ award.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Babylon police forces arrested a ‘hired killer’ wanted for more than one murder.

The Ministry of Interior stated in a statement: ‘Specialized teams from the Babylon Police, which included the Hamzah Al-Gharbi Crime Control Division, the Tactical Regiment, the Falcons Intelligence Cell and the Information Systems Division, were able, after a careful monitoring and follow-up process, to arrest the hired killer who took refuge in Babylon Governorate after committing his crimes.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Doha: Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, led Bahrain’s delegation at the 22nd meeting of GCC Housing Ministers in Qatar.

The meeting discussed topics related to GCC efforts to develop social housing in GCC states.

Minister Al Romaihi affirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting efforts to implement the joint GCC housing action plan 2024-2030, which aims to achieve a common vision between the GCC states to develop the social housing sector.

She said the joint GCC plan embodies an integral relationship between the GCC countries to achieve common housing goals and produce quality housing outcomes for GCC citizens.

Minister Al Romaihi said that Bahrain is committed to supporting GCC housing efforts, particularly in city planning standards, housing projects, applying of the principles of sustainability in housing services, diversifying housing options and cooperating with the private sector to provide social housing.

She highlighted the efforts that have been implemented r
ecently in Bahrain to provide housing services to citizens, through housing financing programme, the government land development rights programme, and completing the implementation of housing city projects.

The meeting approved the joint gulf housing plan 2024-2030, the adoption of the sustainability guide for housing in the GCC countries, the guide to modern building technologies, the real estate stimulus guide to link landowners with developers and financing bodies, the guide to evaluating cities’ housing flexibility and adopting an economic framework for partnership with private institutions to encourage investment in the real estate sector.

The meeting also discussed the housing database and the unified rules for real estate owners in the GCC countries, organising of the Gulf Housing Week, the third edition of the Gulf Housing Week in Kuwait in 2025 and of the 6th session of the GCC Award for Housing Work of 2024-2025, under the theme “(Digital/Smart) Applications and Technologies in Housing Projects an
d Programs.”

Furthermore, Al Romaihi toured the Gulf Housing Exhibition held at the on the sidelines of the Gulf Housing Week, where she was briefed on the key programmes and projects showcased at GCC pavilions.

Bahrain’s pavilion at the exhibition showcased the Bayti Real Estate platform, which was launched last February in conjunction with the third edition of the Housing Financing Exhibition.

The pavilion also had an interactive platform highlighting key projects included within the government land development rights programme in partnership with the private sector, and the options offered by the housing financing program.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Today, Saturday, the Israeli occupation army confiscated a concrete pump during work in Qarat Bani Hassan, west of Salfit.

The mayor of Qarawat Bani Hassan, Ibrahim Assi, said: ‘The occupation army stormed the western area of the town and confiscated a concrete pump belonging to the Ceramics company while working on pouring the columns of the home of citizen Waseem Anwar Rayan under the pretext of working in an area classified as ‘C.’

Assi added that the occupation army is pursuing citizens and confiscating his property under the pretext of working in areas classified as ‘C,’ according to his claims

Source: Maan News Agency

Taiz, Supported by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the project for operating the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in the Yemeni Taiz Governorate provided its diverse medical services to 329 beneficiaries who lost their limbs among the Yemeni people during April 2024.

During the month, 821 services were provided, with males accounting for 69% and females for 31%. Displaced individuals constituted 14% while residents made up 86% of the total beneficiaries.

The services they received included prosthetic delivery, limb measurements, and maintenance, along with physical therapy services and specialized consultations.

This comes within the framework of relief and humanitarian efforts provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, the KSrelief, to enhance the capabilities of the health sector and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Surabaya, Indonesia’s Minister of Transport Budi Karya Sumadi commended the strong collaboration between his country and Saudi Arabia, and the success of the Makkah Route Initiative, which makes Indonesian pilgrims’ Hajj experience seamless, not least by carrying out their travel procedures before departure.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Sumadi praised the initiative for shortening processing times and lauded the professionalism and organizational skills of the Saudi staff involved in the process.

Sumadi emphasized Saudi Arabia’s long-standing commitment to serve pilgrims, which dates back to the Kingdom’s founding. He also acknowledged the positive impact of the initiative under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The initiative expanded this year beyond Jakarta, to Surabaya and Solo, and the minister lauded the initiative’s goals and
its success at all levels.

Source: Saudi Press Agency