Muslim World League chief discusses law, religion at Harvard event

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Secretary-General of the MWL Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Prof. Martha Minow, a senior member of the Faculty of Law at Harvard University, speak during the lecture. (SPA)
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Secretary-General of the MWL Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Prof. Martha Minow, a senior member of the Faculty of Law at Harvard University, speak during the lecture. (SPA)
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Updated 29 September 2024
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Muslim World League chief discusses law, religion at Harvard event

  • Al-Issa focused on the diverse interpretations of religious and legal texts and the potential contradictions that may arise, particularly in religiously diverse nations

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa has delivered the lecture “Law and Religion: Prospects for Peace and Combating Societal Divisions” at Harvard Law School.

The event was attended by faculty members, policymakers and students, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Al-Issa focused on the diverse interpretations of religious and legal texts and the potential contradictions that may arise, particularly in religiously diverse nations.

He spoke of the principles necessary to maintain social unity, and addressed various religious and legal interpretations.

A discussion facilitated by Prof. Martha Minow, a senior member of the Faculty of Law, followed the lecture. This provided an opportunity for Al-Issa to elaborate on the roles of religion and law in fostering community cohesion and addressing division.

He outlined the challenges and threats facing societies today, along with proposed solutions and the essential guidelines for effective and fruitful dialogue.

The discussion also touched on historic and contemporary conflicts, examining the religious perspective on them and the associated legal responsibilities.

Al-Issa highlighted the MWL’s contributions, including the Charter of Makkah and initiatives aimed at building bridges between Islamic sects.


Saudi entertainment expo returns to Riyadh for eighth year

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Saudi entertainment expo returns to Riyadh for eighth year

  • 500 exhibitors, 23,000 professionals attending May 19-21
  • Focus is on the Kingdom’s fast-growing cultural economy

RIYADH: The Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo returns for its eighth year from May 19 to 21, bringing together top brands and underscoring the rapid transformation of the Kingdom’s cultural economy under Vision 2030.

The SEA Expo, Saudi Light and Sound Expo, and the newly launched Middle East Museums and Heritage Expo, will take place together at Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.

A total of 500 exhibitors and 23,000 industry professionals will participate, according to organizers dmg events.

Sarkis Kahwajian, associate vice president – entertainment portfolio at dmg events, said that bringing all the main exhibitors back “reflects the scale and maturity of the sectors being built in Saudi Arabia today.”

“From entertainment destinations and live events to museums and heritage projects, the Kingdom is increasingly recognized as a global meeting point for these industries,” Kahwajian added.

He said the gathering reflects the scale of opportunity as ongoing developments, heritage developments and live event programming drive demand across the Kingdom.

The cultural sector is targeted to contribute 3 percent to the country’s gross domestic product by 2030 and create 346,000 jobs, Kahwajian added.

Visits to entertainment events in Saudi Arabia reached 76.9 million in 2024, representing 6.8 percent annual growth.

The number of businesses operating in the Kingdom’s cultural and entertainment ecosystem surpassed 51,000 in 2023, a 23.6 percent increase since 2021.

Continued strategic partnerships with the General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia have strengthened the expo’s role as an industry platform supporting investment, the organizers stated.

Responding to market demand, the light and sound expo will introduce The Event Production Show, reflecting the industry’s shift toward fully integrated ecosystems supporting concerts, festivals and touring productions.

The Kingdom's event management sector is forecast to grow from $2.6 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion by 2030, representing a 9.7 percent compound annual growth rate.

The Middle East Museums and Heritage Expo will launch as Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated platform serving the sector.