Muslim World League condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza, West Bank

Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinian youths who were killed during an attack by Israeli settlers in Kafr Malik, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 26, 2025. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 28 June 2025
Follow

Muslim World League condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza, West Bank

  • Organization describes actions as part of wider pattern of settler aggression

RIYADH: The Muslim World League on Saturday strongly condemned recent Israeli attacks on civilian shelters and ongoing violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The MWL has described the actions as part of a wider pattern of settler aggression carried out with impunity under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, the SPA added.

The MWL’s Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who also chairs the Organization of Muslim Scholars, denounced in a statement issued by the MWL’s General Secretariat what he called “heinous crimes” committed against unarmed civilians, including recent attacks by settlers on the village of Kafr Malik, east of Ramallah.

He added that the “brutal assaults” were a “blatant violation of all human values as well as international laws and norms.”

He urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and take decisive action against what he described as the occupation government’s ongoing disregard for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

Al-Issa also called for the immediate activation of international mechanisms to halt the violence and ensure accountability for those responsible for what he termed “horrific massacres.”

His comments came after Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday condemning the violence, denouncing “the continued violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, against Palestinian civilians, including the attacks in the village of Kafr Malik.”


UNESCO honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as thousands flock to Al-Ahsa festival

Updated 06 February 2026
Follow

UNESCO honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as thousands flock to Al-Ahsa festival

RIYADH: The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of local and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in Al-Hofuf.

Running until Feb. 7 at the historic palace, the event features a bisht exhibition, a rare bisht gallery, a handicrafts zone and workshops led by skilled artisans.

The festival showcases a convergence of cultures, with international pavilions highlighting the global appeal of this authentic Saudi heritage. 

The bisht’s allure has drawn international visitors eager to explore Al-Ahsa’s rich history and traditional crafts.

Tourists enthusiastically don the traditional robe, admiring its royal designs. Many participate in workshops with master artisans, learning the intricate art of Zari embroidery.

Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families.

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.

With UNESCO’s participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.

At the heart of the festival is the story of the “Golden Threads” (Al-Zari), intricate gold-plated silver threads that define the bisht’s character and prestige.

Visitors can discover them in the Golden Threads VIP Area, where they can watch master artisans demonstrate the full bisht-making process at the Host’s Majlis, offering insight into Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old craftsmanship.