JEDDAH: Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa and his accompanying delegation in Rome on Tuesday.
They explored a number of topics of common interest including citizenship and positive integration with the promotion of the right of religious freedom guaranteed by law, down to the official recognition of Islam as a religion.
At the outset of the meeting, the Italian minister welcomed the MWL chief and expressed appreciation for the role undertaken by the MWL in fighting extremism, unifying Muslim communities, and promoting moderation.
The Italian official expressed hope that the visit of the MWL chief to Italy will achieve goals that serve humanity, especially after his historic meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City.
For his part, Al-Issa expressed his appreciation to the Italian minister for his concern over the MWL’s role and stressed the MWL’s keenness to spread the values of tolerance and coexistence.
The MWL chief said among the goals pursued by the MWL is the positive integration of Muslim communities into their societies and the citizenship they have recognized and committed to.
This has been disseminated through awareness messages, conferences and seminars organized by the MWL in all countries of the world that affirm Islam as the religion of honesty and loyalty, he said.
Al-Issa also held a meeting with the director of Islamic affairs in Italy. They discussed a number of issues of common interest, including the legal status of many Islamic functions in Italy, cooperation with the MWL to unify the Muslim community, and how to boost representation of Muslims in Italy’s government and private institutions.
Italian interior minister lauds Muslim World League's role in fighting extremism
Italian interior minister lauds Muslim World League's role in fighting extremism
Saudi wildlife center records rare sighting of critically endangered leatherback turtle in Red Sea
- NCW says the leatherback traveled thousands of kilometers to reach the Red Sea
- The closest known nesting grounds are located in India’s Andaman Islands, some 6,500 km distant
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has documented a rare sighting of a leatherback sea turtle in the Red Sea, marking a significant biological record for one of the planet's most critically endangered marine species.
The sighting occurred approximately 30 kilometers off the coast of Al-Qunfudhah within the Blue Holes Protected Area, a newly established marine reserve, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The NCW confirmed that the presence of a leatherback in these waters is an exceptional event. Recognized as the largest turtle species on Earth, the leatherback can weigh up to 900 kilograms. It is easily identified by its unique leathery, black carapace—distinguished by five longitudinal ridges rather than a hard bony shell—and its ability to dive to depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
Noting the species' migratory nature, the center explained that leatherbacks travel thousands of kilometers foraging for jellyfish. The specimen likely navigated through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in search of food.
This is considered a remarkable journey, the NCW said, noting that the nearest known populations reside in the Indian Ocean, spanning waters from South Africa to Sri Lanka (roughly 7,000 to 8,000 kilometers away). The closest known nesting grounds are located in India’s Andaman Islands, approximately 6,500 kilometers distant. No nesting activity has been recorded in the Red Sea.
According to the IUCN Red List, the leatherback is Critically Endangered in the Indian Ocean. While data for the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf is scarce, recent isolated sightings include a juvenile recorded in Jordan in December 2025 and another off Djibouti in 2019.
The NCW emphasized that these rare appearances highlight the ecological importance of the Kingdom's marine conservation efforts in the Red Sea. The center pointed to the Farasan Islands Marine Protected Area, along with the new Blue Holes and Ras Hatiba reserves, as critical sanctuaries that could support the potential expansion of such endangered species' ranges.
