JEDDAH: Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa and Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam opened the second Forum of the Heads of Islamic Cultural Centers and Associations outside the Islamic world in Singapore on Saturday.
The forum was organized by Jamiyah Singapore — also known as the Muslim Missionary Society Singapore — and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
During the opening ceremony, the president of Jamiyah Singapore, Hasbi Abu Bakar, thanked the minister and the secretary-general for their patronage and explained that the fact this forum was happening reflected the success of the first forum.
ISESCO Director General Abdul Aziz Othman Al-Twaijri also extended his gratitude to the minister and the MWL chief and commended Jamiyah Singapore for organizing the event.
Al-Issa said: “It is my pleasure to be here in Singapore, whose people are an outstanding example of coexistence, tolerance and social harmony. They have actually set an example for the whole world.”
He stressed that the MWL focuses on fostering understanding and a culture of cooperation, tolerance and civilized communication.
“Everyone agrees on the concept of peace, but there is a large disparity in integrating it, which is reflected in its application model,” Al-Issa said. “This is permeated with narrow interests and horizons, which are the main hindrances in the face of achieving justice and world peace.”
Al-Issa also called for greater awareness of the dangers threatening our world today, particularly terrorism — which he described as a plague that has reached all countries through social media — and Islamophobia, which he called a phenomenon exploited by terrorists to spur emotional reactions among the youth and gain more followers due to the naivety of the people they are targeting.
Shanmugam agreed with Al-Issa on the dangers of Islamophobia in non-Muslim countries, and said he hoped more would be done to fight this phenomenon.
“The government of Singapore is working hard to combat Islamophobia and its promoters, as well as raising awareness about its dangers among non-Muslims,” he said. “Singapore’s law protects religious freedom and ensures that followers of all religions can perform their rituals without restraint.”
MWL chief calls for more awareness about dangers threatening our world
MWL chief calls for more awareness about dangers threatening our world
Greek PM visits AlUla during visit to Saudi Arabia
- Hegra features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD
RIYADH: Greek Prime Minster Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the historic Hegra region in AlUla on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Hegra Archaeological Site is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. It is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan.
Hegra features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD.
Mitsotakis visited Qasr Al-Farid, a tomb constructed around the 1st century CE, and Qasr Al-Bint, the most famous necropolis in Hegra. He also visited Mount Athlab, one of the main attractions in the AlUla region.
Fourth Hajj and Umrah conference opens in Jeddah
- Event highlights innovations in transportation, crowd management and eco-friendly solutions
- Agreements with Indonesia, Pakistan, India to welcome more than 575,000 pilgrims
JEDDAH: The fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, began on Monday in Jeddah.
Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the event, which was attended by Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Islamic ministers, ambassadors and representatives from 87 countries.
Al-Rabiah announced that the total number of pilgrims and Umrah performers visiting Makkah and Madinah in 2024 reached a historic record of 18,535,689 individuals, including 16,924,689 Umrah performers and 1,611,310 Hajj pilgrims.
The four-day event, themed “The Road to the Nusuk,” features more than 300 local and international organizations showcasing innovations and technologies to enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience.
Key topics include logistics, transportation, crowd management, housing, hospitality and catering — pillars for improving rituals and pilgrim services, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The event includes 47 discussion sessions, 50 workshops, and more than 130 local and international speakers addressing sustainability, eco-friendly technologies, AI in crowd management and digital solutions, while highlighting opportunities for startups and innovators in the Hajj sector.
Saed Al-Jahni, chairman of the Coordination Council for Domestic Pilgrims Service Facilities, told Arab News that the event reflected Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to enhance the experience of the Guests of Allah and provide top-tier services.
He added: “All relevant parties gather to showcase Saudi Arabia’s Hajj efforts, attract thought leaders and innovators to exchange knowledge, anticipate future trends, share best practices, and foster partnerships, agreements and initiatives. The event also engages researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to tackle challenges and improve services for the Guests of Allah.”
Mohammed Muajini, chairman of Ashraqat Hajj company, said that the aim was to showcase the company’s achievements and future initiatives to enhance Hajj and Umrah services through technology and artificial intelligence, in line with Vision 2030.
On the sidelines of the conference, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a agreement allowing 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj this year, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Al-Rabiah.
Saudi Arabia also signed a Hajj agreement with India, enabling 175,025 Indian pilgrims to perform the pilgrimage this year.
Indian Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju finalized the deal with Al-Rabiah. “We are committed to providing the best possible services to all our Hajj pilgrims,” Rijiju wrote on X.
Indonesia will send 221,000 pilgrims under a similar agreement signed by Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and the Saudi Hajj minister in Jeddah.
Meanwhile, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umm Al-Qura University is organizing the “Humanizing the Holy Sites” hackathon, inviting university students, entrepreneurs, engineers, designers and specialists to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that improve the pilgrim experience while reducing environmental impact.
A ministerial session will be held where key ministers and officials from government entities will discuss and present new and ongoing services, projects and initiatives designed to improve the pilgrim journey.
Coalition meeting in Riyadh discusses key initiatives to combat extremism
- Meeting was attended by the IMCTC’s Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi and representatives from member states
- Mansour Al-Qarni, director of intellectual administration, presented the Idmaj initiative, aimed at developing a model program for rehabilitating individuals affected by extremism
RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition held a meeting in Riyadh on Monday, reviewing initiatives to implement in member states.
The meeting was attended by the coalition’s Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi and representatives from member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Mansour Al-Qarni, director of intellectual administration of the coalition, presented the Idmaj (Integration) initiative, aimed at developing a model program for rehabilitating individuals affected by extremism, focusing on psychological, social, and religious support.
The initiative includes training, capacity-building, consultancy, and specialized courses for professionals in this field, SPA reported.
Abdullah Al-Doh, director of analysis and follow-up in the intellectual administration, discussed the Wa’ee (Awareness) initiative, which produces materials to combat terrorist ideologies, promote moderate Islam, and refute extremist claims.
This initiative also supports the coalition’s efforts against terrorist financing and military operations, according to SPA.
Al-Moghedi reiterated the coalition’s commitment to providing expertise and training to member states in the fight against terrorism.
Saudi rescue teams save drowning swimmer
- The Yemeni man got into trouble in the water while swimming at Al-Sadaf Beach and was rescued by a search-and-rescue team from the Saudi Border Guard
RIYADH: Rescue teams saved a man from drowning off the coast of Alkhobar in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Monday.
The Yemeni man got into trouble in the water while swimming at Al-Sadaf Beach and was rescued by a search-and-rescue team from the Saudi Border Guard.
He was rushed to hospital and is now in good health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The General Directorate of Border Guard urged members of the public to take precaution in the water and not to swim in undesignated areas, and to call 911 in the Makkah and Eastern regions or 994 in other regions in case of emergency.
Authorities bust drug smugglers across Kingdom
RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently reported multiple drug-related arrests and seizures across the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested three citizens in Jouf for selling amphetamine and a Yemeni resident in Najran for the same offense.
Border Guard patrols in Asir’s Al-Raboah sector detained five Yemenis and Ethiopians for smuggling 110 kg of qat.
In Jazan, authorities foiled the smuggling of 140 kg of qat in Al-Aridah and arrested a citizen in Al-Dayer for smuggling 59 kg of hashish.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
Security authorities urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be made to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at [email protected]. All information will remain strictly confidential.
