Saudi FM reiterates Kingdom’s rejection of Qur’an desecrating incidents in call with Danish counterpart

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen spoke on the phone on Tuesday. (File/AFP)
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Updated 01 August 2023
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Saudi FM reiterates Kingdom’s rejection of Qur’an desecrating incidents in call with Danish counterpart

  • Prince Faisal said that extremists are exploiting freedom of expression to fuel hatred, and not only aim to critisize Islam but also provoke Muslim communities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reiterated the Kingdom’s total rejection of all attempts to insult the holy Qur’an during a phone call with his Danish counterpart on Tuesday.

He also repeated the Kingdom’s demands that immediate measures are taken to stop such extremist acts that offend the feelings of Muslims around the world.

Prince Faisal also said that extremists are exploiting freedom of expression to fuel hatred, and not only aim to critisize Islam but also provoke Muslim communities. He added that this matter may not serve Denmark’s interests internationally and only extremists will benefit from such practices.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen, on his part, expressed his country’s condemnation of Qur’an burning incidents and his regret at such provocative actions. He also highlighted that his government had previously expressed its rejection of these incidents.

The Danish government said on Sunday it would seek to find a “legal tool” that could enable authorities to intervene in Qur’an desecrating protests, if deemed to entail “significant negative consequences for Denmark, not least with regard to security.”

“The fact that we are signalling both in Denmark and abroad that we are working on it will hopefully help de-escalate the problems we are facing,” Rasmussen told journalists on Monday.

“It is not because we feel pressured to do so, but it is our political analysis that it is in the best interest of all of us,” Rasmussen said. “We shouldn't just sit and wait for this to explode.”

However, a Qur’an burning took place in Denmark on Monday.


Saudi wildlife center releases 140 wild animals into royal reserve

The initiatives aim to enhance ecological balance and restore biodiversity in natural habitats. (SPA)
Updated 07 February 2026
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Saudi wildlife center releases 140 wild animals into royal reserve

  • This milestone reflects significant progress in the management and governance of wildlife across the Kingdom, supporting the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife released 140 wild animals into the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve as part of ongoing programs to reintroduce endangered species. The initiatives aim to enhance ecological balance and restore biodiversity in natural habitats.

The release, carried out in cooperation with the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, included 30 Arabian oryx, 70 reem gazelles (sand gazelles), and 40 houbara bustards, the SPA reported on Thursday. 

The initiative forms part of efforts to reintroduce species to their natural habitats and establish stable, self-sustaining wildlife populations capable of breeding, contributing to improved ecosystem functioning and sustainability.

The NCW continues to implement its strategic plans for wildlife development, with the total number of animals reintroduced through its specialized programs now exceeding 10,000.

This milestone reflects significant progress in the management and governance of wildlife across the Kingdom, supporting the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.