JEDDAH: The hospitality of King Salman highlights his interest in Islam, scholars, as well as the security and stability of Islamic countries, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, said during a speech to senior guests of the Hajj and Umrah 2018 program.
Al-Asheikh conveyed the greetings of the king and the crown prince. “I welcome the guests of the program in Saudi Arabia, their second country,” he said. “I wish you all good times of faith in the holy sites, as well as easy Hajj and Umrah rituals. May you enjoy days full of faith next to the Kaaba.”
He said that the hosting program is a service for scholars, preachers, sheikhs and influential people in the Islamic world. There is no doubt that the Islamic world has many prominent elites that have great influence on education and fatwa; this is why the program stresses conveying the Saudi message of serving the Muslim world to these elites, he said.
Al-Asheikh highlighted the importance of the role played by scholars to explain the message of Islam and the moderate approach that fights radicalism and extremism. “You are the best model in your country. You carry the message of Islam and spread the truth there, explaining many crucial concepts,” he said.
He said that King Salman and the crown prince are continuously supervising work to develop the holy sites and organize the Hajj and Umrah journey for the best of the pilgrims.
The minister listened to the speeches of senior guests who noted the continuous efforts of the Kingdom under the leadership the king and the crown prince, serving Islam and Muslims and defending their causes.
The senior guests thanked the Kingdom for this program that reflects the leadership’s attention to scholars and influential figures in countries around the world.
Al-Asheikh has started his visit to the guests’ residence in Makkah, inspecting the hotel facilities, and making sure all committees are ready. During his visit to the medical committee, he checked on the guests and emphasized the need to provide medical care around the clock and ensure that there is nothing to impede Hajj rituals.
Minister of Islamic Affairs meets senior guests of Hajj and Umrah 2018 program
Minister of Islamic Affairs meets senior guests of Hajj and Umrah 2018 program
- Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said that the hosting program is a service for scholars, preachers, sheikhs and influential people in the Islamic world
- Al-Asheikh highlighted the importance of the role played by scholars to explain the message of Islam and the moderate approach that fights radicalism and extremism
Threat to Kingdom’s security is ‘red line’ that will be ‘addressed and neutralized,’ Saudi envoy says
- Abdulaziz Alwasil tells UN Security Council the situation in southern Yemen is ‘a just cause with social and historic dimensions’ that can only be resolved through dialogue
- Recent military activity in the south was unilateral, resulting in an escalation that harms the interests of Yemeni people and undermines efforts to address issues in the south, he said
NEW YORK CITY: Any attempt to threaten Saudi Arabia’s national security is a “red line” and will be met with decisive action, the Kingdom’s ambassador to the UN told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Speaking during a meeting of the council to discuss Yemen, Abdulaziz Alwasil said the situation in the south of the country is “a just cause with social and historic dimensions” that can only be resolved through dialogue.
“We stress that any attempt to threaten our national security is a red line, and we will not hesitate to take the necessary actions and steps to address it and neutralize it,” he added.
Alwasil reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemeni President Rashad Al-Alimi, the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government in their efforts to achieve security, stability, development and peace while preserving national unity.
He said military activity by Southern Transitional Council forces in Hadramout and Al-Mahra on Dec. 2, 2025, was unilateral, did not have the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council, and was not carried out in coordination with the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
It had resulted in an unjustified escalation that harmed the interests of the Yemeni people, undermined efforts to address the issues in the south, and ran counter to the coalition’s objectives, Alwasil added.
The Kingdom, working with its coalition partners, the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government, had moved to contain the situation by dispatching a military force to coordinate arrangements with the Southern Transitional Council in Aden, he said.
The aim was to ensure the return of the southern council’s forces to their previous positions outside of Hadramout and Al-Mahra, and the handover of camps to legitimate government forces and local authorities in line with agreed procedures, Alwasil added.
He expressed regret over the military operations that took place in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, close to Saudi Arabia’s southern border, which he said posed a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security, as well as the security of Yemen and regional stability. Such steps were extremely dangerous, he added, and contradicted the principles on which the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen had been founded.
Alwasil welcomed a prisoner and detainee exchange agreement signed in Muscat on Dec. 23, which he described as an important humanitarian measure to alleviate suffering and build confidence.
He praised Oman for hosting and sponsoring the consultations and supporting negotiations, and commended the efforts of UN’s special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, the International Committee of the Red Cross and all others that has played a part.
Regarding the political efforts to resolve the crisis, Alwasil said Saudi Arabia welcomed President Al-Alimi’s call for an inclusive conference in Riyadh to bring together all stakeholders to discuss just solutions to the situation in southern Yemen.
Preparations for the conference have begun, he added, in cooperation with the Yemeni government and southern representatives, reflecting the close ties between the two countries and their shared interests in stabilizing Yemen.
He urged all southern stakeholders to participate actively and constructively in the talks, to help find comprehensive and just solutions that meet the legitimate aspirations of the people of southern Yemen.
Alwasil called on all Yemeni forces and stakeholders to cooperate and intensify their efforts to reach a lasting political settlement that would ensure security and stability.
He described the southern issue as “a just cause with social and historic dimensions,” adding that “the only way to address it is through dialogue that leads to a comprehensive political solution” based on nationally and internationally agreed terms of reference.
