JEDDAH: Religious and intellectual extremism will be tackled in a conference being organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in New York starting today.
Representatives of Islamic institutions, as well as scientific, intellectual and political participants from around the world have been invited to attend the two-day international conference, the MWL said in a statement on Friday.
“Religious and intellectual extremism is an abnormal and isolated context, which the Islamic world fought before it fought others and harmed it before and more than others,” MWL Secretary-General Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa was quoted as saying in the statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Also to be discussed in the conference are the cultural contributions of the Islamic world, Islamic contribution to the promotion of world peace, the integration of Muslims in the US, the interrelationship between the US and the Islamic world, among other topics.
Al-Issa said the MWL aims to “recall the civilization of Islam and its pioneering historical experience in opening up to other civilizations, which emphasizes the concepts of cultural exchange, inculcating the view of Islam based on righteousness, justice, charity, good dealing and good exchange.”
Religious and intellectual extremism has little foothold in the Muslim world, according to the latest estimates, Al-Issa said, adding that “its popularity rate is only one to two hundred thousand.”
He said “extremism will bet on anything in order to regain its strength and attract new elements such as betting on the provocations of counter-extremism or Islamophobia.”
Muslim World League hosting conference in New York
Muslim World League hosting conference in New York
Al-Manshiyah carnival in AlUla invites families to enjoy winter weather
- Open-air celebration welcomes visitors of all ages
ALULA: As part of the Winter at Tantora festival, which runs until Jan. 10, families in AlUla can enjoy moonlit fun at the Al-Manshiyah Plaza Winter Carnival.
The open-air celebration welcomes visitors of all ages with games, mini parades, live concerts and hands-on workshops, including hat-making and wool crafts. Guests can also browse and purchase handmade goods from local vendors.
Open on weekends from 6 p.m. until midnight for the duration of the festival, the carnival blends AlUla’s rich heritage with contemporary entertainment.
Arab News spoke to Yorgo Saade, a Lebanese national who has lived in AlUla for the past five years and is manager of Lapain Coffee & Bakery.
On the night of the visit, Saade was serving hot drinks and cakes, sharing his trademark energy as a chilly breeze swept through the plaza.
He told Arab News: “Because it’s winter season now, we have winter drinks — hot chocolate, and we have French hazelnut. In Saudi Arabia, people (also) love the hot coffee of the day.
“This is a great carnival. All the families come here for amusement because there is a clown, entertainment, music, and everything. There’s a lot of seating areas.”
Saade is impressed by the historic and geographic significance of the event.
He added: “This park is next to an old, ancient train station, which is no longer in operation. It’s a heritage area — as you can see with all the old houses.”
The nearby train station, built in the early 20th century, now stands abandoned. It once formed part of the Hejaz Railway, which briefly connected AlUla to a vast regional network of pilgrimage, trade and empire.
Although its use was short-lived, the railway marked AlUla’s first encounter with large-scale modern transportation and industrial architecture.
Decades later, Al-Manshiyah Plaza emerged as the area’s social and administrative center, as residents moved from the Old Town into organized neighborhoods.
While the railway symbolized movement through AlUla, the plaza came to represent the life within it — schools, services, markets and everyday gatherings that shaped a settled community.
Today, Al-Manshiyah Plaza’s atmosphere helps to keep families engaged with activities, and snacks are available throughout the evening.
No ticket is required to enter, and free parking is available. The site is wheelchair accessible, although visitors are advised that the festivities offered include loud noises and flashing lights.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
For Saade, the carnival has breathed new life into the historic space, and he added: “There’s a lot of food corners here. As you can see, there’s a lot of children and this is an ancient area. It’s new and old — with food.”
