Minister of endowments thanks Saudi Arabia for caring for Syrian pilgrims
LONDON: Syrian Minister of Endowments Muhammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri praised Saudi Arabia's hospitality and care for pilgrims during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Makkah on Wednesday.
An estimated 22,500 Syrians embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, which ends on June 9.
Shukri emphasized the importance of cooperation to help pilgrims perform their rituals smoothly during Hajj, reaffirming Syrian pilgrims' commitment to following Saudi instructions and regulations.
The minister conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa's greetings to the Saudi leadership. Al-Sharaa spoke this week with Syrian pilgrims in Makkah during a video call and asked them to act as 'messengers of Syria' and show a good example during the Hajj.
Al-Rabiah expressed hope for stability and tranquility in Syria, according to the SANA news agency.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
40 minutes ago
- Arab News
UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Russia, China and Pakistan push for ceasefire
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will meet Sunday to discuss US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote. The three countries circulated the draft text, said diplomats, and asked members to share their comments by Monday evening. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to pass. The US is likely to oppose the draft resolution, seen by Reuters, which also condemns attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and facilities. The text does not name the United States or Israel. The world awaited Iran's response on Sunday after President Donald Trump said the US had 'obliterated' Tehran's key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution. Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, calling on the 15-member body 'to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.' Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel 'do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday branded the US strikes on Iran as a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.' 'At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,' Guterres said in a statement.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Says Remains of 3 Hostages Recovered from Gaza
The Israeli military said Sunday that it has recovered the remains of three hostages held in the Gaza Strip. It identified them as Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19. All three were killed during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel that ignited the ongoing war. The militant group is still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive. Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son's remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan's 23rd birthday. 'The campaign to return the hostages continues consistently and is happening alongside the campaign against Iran,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Islamic Consensus in Istanbul on Need for Solidarity Against Israeli Escalation
The 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Istanbul, witnessed a clear consensus among member states on the need for unity and solidarity in the face of Israel's ongoing escalation. This comes amid continued international silence on the violations committed in Gaza and Israel's expanding attacks into Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. In his opening speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that the world's silence on Israel's aggressive policies in Palestine has only encouraged its regional expansion. He asserted that the coming period will see a 'much greater role for the Islamic world, which must become an independent global power.' Erdogan urged Islamic nations to overcome internal disputes and unite in defending their common causes. He warned that Netanyahu's 'Zionist ambitions' could push the world into catastrophe, likening the threat to that of Adolf Hitler, whose ambitions ignited World War II. Regarding Iran, Erdogan stressed that defending oneself against Israeli attacks is a legitimate right, stating: 'There is no difference between an attack on Tehran, Istanbul, Makkah, or Madinah - they share the same fate.' He also warned against attempts to impose a 'new Sykes-Picot' agreement on the region. He added that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worse than Nazi concentration camps, with over two million Palestinians struggling to survive under siege for nearly two years. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who assumed the presidency of the session, warned that Israel is dragging the region to the brink of total catastrophe. He stressed that the core issue is not about Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, or others. It is 'an Israeli problem,' he said. He further called for a firm stance against the aggression and praised Egypt and Qatar for their ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire. Fidan criticized the failure of international mechanisms, particularly the UN Security Council, in addressing the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also condemned any targeting of nuclear facilities in Iran, warning of severe humanitarian and environmental consequences. He said that expanding the war will not bring peace and stressed the necessity of returning to diplomacy, referencing past successful negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi condemned Israel's violations of international law and sovereignty in its attacks on Iran. He called for restraint, a return to diplomacy, and praised Oman's mediation between the US and Iran. Closed sessions were held in Istanbul to discuss developments in Gaza and Iran's nuclear negotiations. A special Arab ministerial meeting also took place, denouncing the Israeli aggression against Iran and calling for urgent efforts to de-escalate.
