In a bid to&nbsp;compensate for the US ban on Russian oil,&nbsp;President Joe Biden has reached out to checkered oil regimes that he and former leaders of the country spectacularly snubbed or sanctioned in the past. These include United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Iran, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia.

While the Biden administration is calling it a diplomatic masterstroke and saying it is part of a larger game plan, analysts are slamming the bizarre diplomacy which they believe will backfire.

They also believe he risks accusations of propping up authoritarian leaders and undermining his own battle for democracy.

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With the rise in crude prices brought on by the Ukraine war and Washington's decision to block all imports of Russian oil and gas, there is an urgent need to find other supply sources.

The average US price for regular unleaded gasoline has hit a record $4.25 a gallon, though that is about $1 a gallon below the inflation-adjusted peak.

US Strategic Petroleum Reserve levels fell last week to their lowest since July 2002, as the Biden administration had already approved releases in November as part of a larger effort to boost the US fuel supply.

Additional supply from OPEC could compensate for some supply shortfalls created by disruption to Russia's oil sales by economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments. But not for all of it.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-troubling-new-strategic-convergence-china-plans-to-invest-more-russian-energy-commodity-firms-461231">Also read |&nbsp;A&nbsp;'troubling new strategic convergence': China plans to invest more in Russian energy, commodity firms</a>

Russia's economy faces the gravest crisis since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union after Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian companies, banks, individuals, and its central banking system, following its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

"We have an interest globally in maintaining a... steady supply of energy, including through diplomatic effort," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday on the moves toward countries that have been out of US or Biden administration's favour, and in the case of Iran an armed threat.

"We have a multiplicity of interests, and use diplomacy to try to advance them," Blinken said.

The phrasing, as Russia's war raises the stakes in many areas, was a marked change from Biden's praise at the outset of his presidency of democratic values as "America's abiding advantage" in diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia has profited richly in the past couple of years from teaming with fellow top petroleum producer Russia to keep global oil and natural gas supply modest and prices high.

And Biden came to office vowing to isolate the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and the rest of the Saudi royal family over abuses that include the 2018 killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Above all, the US government is on the back foot in its ties with oil-rich Gulf monarchies.

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The White House on Wednesday was forced to deny a Wall Street Journal report which said the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had declined to accept calls by the US president.

At the same time, news site Axios raised the prospect of a Biden trip to Riyadh in the spring in a bid to convince the kingdom to pump more oil.

"I don't know whether he's up to eating that much crow," Saudi Arabia analyst David Ottaway said of attempts now by Biden to improve his administration's relations with Prince Salman and Saudi Arabia, the country that could most easily end the global supply crunch. "He was going to make a pariah of this guy."

"Our response to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war shouldn't be to strengthen our relationship with the Saudis," tweeted Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, citing Saudi Arabia's years-long war in neighboring Yemen.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/on-the-margin-india-re-asserts-strategic-autonomy-461314">Also read |&nbsp;On the Margin | India re-asserts strategic autonomy</a>

Gulf Arab states have so far taken a neutral stance between Western allies and Russia, with which they are partners under an oil producers' alliance known as OPEC+. Saudi Arabia and the UAE also have investment and business ties with Moscow.

A Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) statement read out by Saudi Arabia at a UN General Assembly session last week had affirmed the bloc's "deep ties" with all parties involved and called for de-escalation, restraint, and diplomacy to end the conflict.

The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

Meanwhile, amid the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine, a recent American mission to energy-rich Caracas was intended to be discreet.

US government emissaries met with Venezuela's controversial leader Nicolas Maduro, a sworn enemy of Washington which disputes his legitimacy as president.

But news of the meeting leaked and the Biden administration was left scrambling to explain why it was engaging with an authoritarian regime.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-releases-two-us-citizens-as-maduro-biden-attempt-to-bridge-gap-amid-russia-crisis-460657">Also read |&nbsp;Venezuela releases two US citizens as Maduro &amp; Biden attempt to bridge gap amid Russia crisis</a>

Biden could certainly boast of success, as Caracas on Tuesday released two Americans detained in Venezuela. But the trip clearly had other motives.

"What we are doing is going all around the world, working with partners and organisations and entities, to try to increase the amount of oil on the market" and stabilise prices," said Victoria Nuland, the State Department's number three diplomat.

There are just a handful of countries that produce the "heavy fuel" that Russia was exporting, "so frankly we've got to look everywhere that we can," she said, without ruling out that Washington could buy Venezuelan crude.

The Trump Administration in early 2019 sanctioned Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA to squeeze Nicolas Maduro’s brutal regime, which has impoverished the country, persecuted political opponents, and sent millions of refugees across the region.

But Venezuela continues to pump about 800,000 barrels a day with help from Russia and Iran. Venezuela has returned the favour by supporting Putin’s war on Ukraine and denouncing the West’s “economic war” against the Russian people.

Effectively, said Richard Goldberg, a former National Security Council official under the Trump administration, the Biden administration is saying of Iran, "They will still be financing terrorism, but let's go ahead and buy their oil."

In a bid to compensate for the US ban on Russian oil, President Joe Biden has reached out to checkered oil regimes that he and former leaders of the country spectacularly snubbed or sanctioned in the past.

In a bid to compensate for the US ban on Russian oil, President Joe Biden has reached out to checkered oil regimes that he and former leaders of the country spectacularly snubbed or sanctioned in the past. These include United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Iran, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia. While the Biden administration is calling it a diplomatic masterstroke and saying it is part of a larger game plan, analysts are slamming the bizarre diplomacy which they believe will backfire. They also believe he risks accusations of propping up authoritarian leaders and undermining his own battle for democracy. With the rise in crude prices brought on by the Ukraine war and Washington's decision to block all imports of Russian oil and gas, there is an urgent need to find other supply sources. The average US price for regular unleaded gasoline has hit a record $4.25 a gallon, though that is about $1 a gallon below the inflation-adjusted peak. US Strategic Petroleum Reserve levels fell last week to their lowest since July 2002, as the Biden administration had already approved releases in November as part of a larger effort to boost the US fuel supply. Additional supply from OPEC could compensate for some supply shortfalls created by disruption to Russia's oil sales by economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments. But not for all of it. Also read | A 'troubling new strategic convergence': China plans to invest more in Russian energy, commodity firms Russia's economy faces the gravest crisis since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union after Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian companies, banks, individuals, and its central banking system, following its February 24 invasion of Ukraine. "We have an interest globally in maintaining a... steady supply of energy, including through diplomatic effort," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday on the moves toward countries that have been out of US or Biden administration's favour, and in the case of Iran an armed threat. "We have a multiplicity of interests, and use diplomacy to try to advance them," Blinken said. The phrasing, as Russia's war raises the stakes in many areas, was a marked change from Biden's praise at the outset of his presidency of democratic values as "America's abiding advantage" in diplomacy. Saudi Arabia has profited richly in the past couple of years from teaming with fellow top petroleum producer Russia to keep global oil and natural gas supply modest and prices high. And Biden came to office vowing to isolate the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and the rest of the Saudi royal family over abuses that include the 2018 killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Above all, the US government is on the back foot in its ties with oil-rich Gulf monarchies. The White House on Wednesday was forced to deny a Wall Street Journal report which said the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had declined to accept calls by the US president. At the same time, news site Axios raised the prospect of a Biden trip to Riyadh in the spring in a bid to convince the kingdom to pump more oil. "I don't know whether he's up to eating that much crow," Saudi Arabia analyst David Ottaway said of attempts now by Biden to improve his administration's relations with Prince Salman and Saudi Arabia, the country that could most easily end the global supply crunch. "He was going to make a pariah of this guy." "Our response to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war shouldn't be to strengthen our relationship with the Saudis," tweeted Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, citing Saudi Arabia's years-long war in neighboring Yemen. Also read | On the Margin | India re-asserts strategic autonomy Gulf Arab states have so far taken a neutral stance between Western allies and Russia, with which they are partners under an oil producers' alliance known as OPEC+. Saudi Arabia and the UAE also have investment and business ties with Moscow. A Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) statement read out by Saudi Arabia at a UN General Assembly session last week had affirmed the bloc's "deep ties" with all parties involved and called for de-escalation, restraint, and diplomacy to end the conflict. The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Meanwhile, amid the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine, a recent American mission to energy-rich Caracas was intended to be discreet. US government emissaries met with Venezuela's controversial leader Nicolas Maduro, a sworn enemy of Washington which disputes his legitimacy as president. But news of the meeting leaked and the Biden administration was left scrambling to explain why it was engaging with an authoritarian regime. Also read | Venezuela releases two US citizens as Maduro & Biden attempt to bridge gap amid Russia crisis Biden could certainly boast of success, as Caracas on Tuesday released two Americans detained in Venezuela. But the trip clearly had other motives. "What we are doing is going all around the world, working with partners and organisations and entities, to try to increase the amount of oil on the market" and stabilise prices," said Victoria Nuland, the State Department's number three diplomat. There are just a handful of countries that produce the "heavy fuel" that Russia was exporting, "so frankly we've got to look everywhere that we can," she said, without ruling out that Washington could buy Venezuelan crude. The Trump Administration in early 2019 sanctioned Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA to squeeze Nicolas Maduro’s brutal regime, which has impoverished the country, persecuted political opponents, and sent millions of refugees across the region. But Venezuela continues to pump about 800,000 barrels a day with help from Russia and Iran. Venezuela has returned the favour by supporting Putin’s war on Ukraine and denouncing the West’s “economic war” against the Russian people. Effectively, said Richard Goldberg, a former National Security Council official under the Trump administration, the Biden administration is saying of Iran, "They will still be financing terrorism, but let's go ahead and buy their oil."

Diplomatic masterstroke or perilous gambit? Will oil producers play hardball with Joe Biden?

The US is hoping Boris Johnson can convince Saudi Arabia to pump more oil after the kingdom's royal snub for Joe Biden. Can the west convince Arab nations to increase output? Or will the solidarity of OPEC+ prevail? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Decoding the bouncing oil prices

Leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE are reportedly ignoring phone calls from US President Joe Biden. Has Biden failed to rally US allies against Russia? Despite a 50-year career in politics, what explains Biden's foreign policy shortcomings? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Saudi Arabia, UAE ignore phone calls from Biden

Joe Biden is reportedly planning a Saudi Arabia trip to push Riyadh into producing more oil. He also dispatched officials to repair America's frayed ties with Venezuela. Will Biden's mission to tame oil prices succeed? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Joe Biden's mission to tame oil prices

Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates leaders have declined to take calls from US President Joe Biden. Biden has been trying to gather international support for Ukraine in a bid to arrest the rising oil prices. Saudi officials have been quite critical of the US and its policy in the Gulf amid the deteriorating relationship under the Biden administration.

Saudi Arabia, UAE decline calls with US amid fears of oil prices spike

President Biden’s advisers are discussing a possible visit to Saudi Arabia this spring to help repair relations and convince the Kingdom to pump more oil. WION's Susan Tehrani brings you more insights.

Reports: Biden advisers weigh Saudi Arabia trip for more oil

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has said he doesn't care what US President Joe Biden thinks about him. Is Riyadh drifting away from the United States? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Saudi Arabia is drifting away from America

Two diametrically opposed visions of moderate Islam have emerged as major Muslim powers battle to define the soul of their faith in the 21st century in a struggle that is as much about geopolitics as it is about autocratic survival and visualisations of a future civilisation and world order.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Yahya Cholil Staquf, the newly elected chairman of the central board of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim civil society movement, expressed their duelling visions in separate but almost simultaneously published interviews.

While the timing of the interviews was coincidental, they neatly laid out the parameters of a rivalry among major Middle Eastern and Asian Muslim-majority powers to dominate the discourse of Islam’s place as the world transits into an as yet undefined new world order.

Unsurprisingly, the visions expressed by the two leaders mirror the struggle epitomised by the Russian invasion of Ukraine between an autocratic, civilisationalist, and a more democratic and pluralistic vision of the world in the 21st century.

At the heart of the differences between Messrs. Bin Salman and Staquf lie questions about whether Islam needs reform or a return to basics, who has the authority to interpret or reinterpret the faith, and what constitutes proper Islamic governance.

Speaking to The Atlantic, Mr. Bin Salman left no doubt that the authority to interpret Islam was his and his alone.

A law graduate from King Saud University who prides himself as a student of Islamic jurisprudence who bent Saud Arabia’s religious establishment to his will, Mr. Bin Salman laid out the principle of the autocrats’ notion of moderate Islam: absolute obedience to the ruler.

“In Islamic law, the head of the Islamic establishment is wali al-amr, the ruler,” Mr. Bin Salman said.

For good order, Mr. Bin Salman added that “Saudi Arabia is based on pure monarchy,” and he, as crown prince, would preserve the system. To remove himself from it would amount to a betrayal of all the monarchies and Saudis beneath him. “I can’t stage a coup d’état against 14 million citizens,” Mr. Bin Salman said. He was asserting that most Saudis supported not only the monarchy but also one-man monarchical rule.

Mr. Bin Salman was also insisting that he decided what implementation of Islamic law entailed and that he had the authority and power to interpret the faith as he saw fit.

In line with accepted dogma, Mr. Bin Salman said he could not change rules enshrined in the Qur’an, viewed as God’s word, but was free to reinterpret the majority of Islamic legal provisions derived from reported sayings and deeds of the Prophet Mohammed.

“He’s short-circuiting the tradition,” Middle East scholar Bernard Haykel told The Atlantic. “But he’s doing it in an Islamic way. He’s saying that there are very few things that are fixed beyond dispute in Islam. That leaves him to determine what is in the interest of the Muslim community. If that means opening movie theatres, allowing tourists, or women on the beaches on the Red Sea, then so be it.”

Mr. Bin Salman has no doubt given tradition short shrift. He has introduced social rather than religious changes of traditions that were tribal, not religious in origin, even if they were religiously packaged.

The crown prince‘s views clashed with an opposed vision of what Indonesia's Nahdlatul Ulama calls the need to "recontextualise” Islam to bring its legal concepts and philosophy into line with the 21st century.

Recontextualisation would involve revising “obsolete” elements of Islamic jurisprudence that are supremacist or discriminatory. These include concepts such as the kafir or infidel and dhimmi or people of the book like Jews and Christians who enjoy protected but second-class status under Islamic law; and slavery which has been abolished across the Muslim world in secular law but has yet to be removed from the Sharia.

The clash of visions was evident in Mr. Bin Salman's definition of authority and his rejection of the notion of a 'moderate Islam.' Mr. Bin Salman insisted “that the term would make terrorists and extremists happy.”

In the crown prince's mind, it suggests that "we in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries are changing Islam into something new, which is not true," he said. "We are going back to the core, back to pure Islam," as practiced by the Prophet Muhammed and his four successors. “These teachings of the Prophet and the four caliphs—they were amazing. They were perfect.”

Mr. Bin Salman’s insistence that 7th century Islam was perfect explains why he has not anchored his wide-ranging social reforms that have lifted major but not all restrictions on women and modern-day entertainment in religious rather than only secular law.

Yet, it is religious, not Saudi law, that pious Muslims beyond the realm of Saudi jurisdiction will look at.

It’s a void that Nahdlatul Ulama hopes to fill. The group says it has started to do so when in 2019, a gathering of 20,000 Islamic scholars declared the legal category of the kafir or the infidel to be obsolete and no longer operable under Muslim law.

The term was replaced with the word muwathinun or citizen to emphasise that Muslims and non-Muslims were equal before the law. “The word ‘kafir’ hurts some non-Muslims and is perceived to be theologically violent,” Nahdlatul Ulama cleric Abdul Moqsith Ghazali said at the time.

The movement has since yet to tackle other legal concepts that it has identified as “obsolete.”

Nonetheless, Mr. Staquf, who was elected chairman in December noted that Nahdlatul Ulama’s founder, Haji Hasyim Asy’ari, had conceived the movement as a vehicle for “consolidating the universe.”

At the time, that meant a vehicle to fill the void created by the abolition of the caliphate by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the general-turned-statemen who carved modern Turkey out of the ruins of the Ottoman empire.

For many Muslims, the caliphate underpinned Islamic civilization. “From the existing records, Nahdlatul Ulama was established to forge a new path for future civilisation, to replace the old civilisational construct that was lost,” Mr. Staquf told Indonesia’s Kompas magazine.

Rooted in the history of Indonesian Islam and Nahdlatul Ulama, Mr. Staquf branded the group’s religious precepts as 'humanitarian Islam.' The group projects it as an alternative to state-backed, less developed, less tolerant, and less pluralistic notions of moderate Islam as propagated by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as well expressions of political Islam represented by Turkey, Iran, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr. Staquf has one advantage few other Muslim religious reformers have. Indonesia and Nahdlatul Ulama have their own religious authorities that they believe rival those of the Middle East. As a result, Nahdlatul Ulama scholars feel no need to take their cue from seats of Islamic learning like Al Azhar in Cairo or the Islamic University of Medina.

Unlike Mr. Bin Salman, Mr. Staquf sees his role as returning to the vision of Abdurrahman Wahid, a widely respected and visionary former leader of Nahdlatul Ulama and onetime Indonesian president.

Affectionately known as Gus Dur, Mr. Wahid sought to forge “a new path towards the development of a new civilization,” said Mr. Staquf, a prominent Islamic scholar in his own right and disciple of Mr. Wahid. “We must strive to establish a universal consensus that respects the equal rights and dignity of every human being.”

Mr. Bin Salman may have more drama to show in his efforts to define ‘moderate Islam’ and control its narrative than does Mr. Staquf in the opening salvos of what amounts to a battle for the soul of Islam.

However, in the ultimate analysis, it may be Mr. Staquf as part of a broader endeavour that has a more significant impact on the reform of Islam as such rather than the reform of only one Muslim-majority state.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) &nbsp;&nbsp;

Two diametrically opposed visions of moderate Islam have emerged as major Muslim powers battle to define the soul of their faith in the 21st century in a struggle that is as much about geopolitics as it is about autocratic survival and visualisations of a future civilisation and world order.

Two diametrically opposed visions of moderate Islam have emerged as major Muslim powers battle to define the soul of their faith in the 21st century in a struggle that is as much about geopolitics as it is about autocratic survival and visualisations of a future civilisation and world order. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Yahya Cholil Staquf, the newly elected chairman of the central board of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim civil society movement, expressed their duelling visions in separate but almost simultaneously published interviews. While the timing of the interviews was coincidental, they neatly laid out the parameters of a rivalry among major Middle Eastern and Asian Muslim-majority powers to dominate the discourse of Islam’s place as the world transits into an as yet undefined new world order. Unsurprisingly, the visions expressed by the two leaders mirror the struggle epitomised by the Russian invasion of Ukraine between an autocratic, civilisationalist, and a more democratic and pluralistic vision of the world in the 21st century. At the heart of the differences between Messrs. Bin Salman and Staquf lie questions about whether Islam needs reform or a return to basics, who has the authority to interpret or reinterpret the faith, and what constitutes proper Islamic governance. Speaking to The Atlantic, Mr. Bin Salman left no doubt that the authority to interpret Islam was his and his alone. A law graduate from King Saud University who prides himself as a student of Islamic jurisprudence who bent Saud Arabia’s religious establishment to his will, Mr. Bin Salman laid out the principle of the autocrats’ notion of moderate Islam: absolute obedience to the ruler. “In Islamic law, the head of the Islamic establishment is wali al-amr, the ruler,” Mr. Bin Salman said. For good order, Mr. Bin Salman added that “Saudi Arabia is based on pure monarchy,” and he, as crown prince, would preserve the system. To remove himself from it would amount to a betrayal of all the monarchies and Saudis beneath him. “I can’t stage a coup d’état against 14 million citizens,” Mr. Bin Salman said. He was asserting that most Saudis supported not only the monarchy but also one-man monarchical rule. Mr. Bin Salman was also insisting that he decided what implementation of Islamic law entailed and that he had the authority and power to interpret the faith as he saw fit. In line with accepted dogma, Mr. Bin Salman said he could not change rules enshrined in the Qur’an, viewed as God’s word, but was free to reinterpret the majority of Islamic legal provisions derived from reported sayings and deeds of the Prophet Mohammed. “He’s short-circuiting the tradition,” Middle East scholar Bernard Haykel told The Atlantic. “But he’s doing it in an Islamic way. He’s saying that there are very few things that are fixed beyond dispute in Islam. That leaves him to determine what is in the interest of the Muslim community. If that means opening movie theatres, allowing tourists, or women on the beaches on the Red Sea, then so be it.” Mr. Bin Salman has no doubt given tradition short shrift. He has introduced social rather than religious changes of traditions that were tribal, not religious in origin, even if they were religiously packaged. The crown prince‘s views clashed with an opposed vision of what Indonesia's Nahdlatul Ulama calls the need to "recontextualise” Islam to bring its legal concepts and philosophy into line with the 21st century. Recontextualisation would involve revising “obsolete” elements of Islamic jurisprudence that are supremacist or discriminatory. These include concepts such as the kafir or infidel and dhimmi or people of the book like Jews and Christians who enjoy protected but second-class status under Islamic law; and slavery which has been abolished across the Muslim world in secular law but has yet to be removed from the Sharia. The clash of visions was evident in Mr. Bin Salman's definition of authority and his rejection of the notion of a 'moderate Islam.' Mr. Bin Salman insisted “that the term would make terrorists and extremists happy.” In the crown prince's mind, it suggests that "we in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries are changing Islam into something new, which is not true," he said. "We are going back to the core, back to pure Islam," as practiced by the Prophet Muhammed and his four successors. “These teachings of the Prophet and the four caliphs—they were amazing. They were perfect.” Mr. Bin Salman’s insistence that 7th century Islam was perfect explains why he has not anchored his wide-ranging social reforms that have lifted major but not all restrictions on women and modern-day entertainment in religious rather than only secular law. Yet, it is religious, not Saudi law, that pious Muslims beyond the realm of Saudi jurisdiction will look at. It’s a void that Nahdlatul Ulama hopes to fill. The group says it has started to do so when in 2019, a gathering of 20,000 Islamic scholars declared the legal category of the kafir or the infidel to be obsolete and no longer operable under Muslim law. The term was replaced with the word muwathinun or citizen to emphasise that Muslims and non-Muslims were equal before the law. “The word ‘kafir’ hurts some non-Muslims and is perceived to be theologically violent,” Nahdlatul Ulama cleric Abdul Moqsith Ghazali said at the time. The movement has since yet to tackle other legal concepts that it has identified as “obsolete.” Nonetheless, Mr. Staquf, who was elected chairman in December noted that Nahdlatul Ulama’s founder, Haji Hasyim Asy’ari, had conceived the movement as a vehicle for “consolidating the universe.” At the time, that meant a vehicle to fill the void created by the abolition of the caliphate by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the general-turned-statemen who carved modern Turkey out of the ruins of the Ottoman empire. For many Muslims, the caliphate underpinned Islamic civilization. “From the existing records, Nahdlatul Ulama was established to forge a new path for future civilisation, to replace the old civilisational construct that was lost,” Mr. Staquf told Indonesia’s Kompas magazine. Rooted in the history of Indonesian Islam and Nahdlatul Ulama, Mr. Staquf branded the group’s religious precepts as 'humanitarian Islam.' The group projects it as an alternative to state-backed, less developed, less tolerant, and less pluralistic notions of moderate Islam as propagated by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as well expressions of political Islam represented by Turkey, Iran, and the Muslim Brotherhood. Mr. Staquf has one advantage few other Muslim religious reformers have. Indonesia and Nahdlatul Ulama have their own religious authorities that they believe rival those of the Middle East. As a result, Nahdlatul Ulama scholars feel no need to take their cue from seats of Islamic learning like Al Azhar in Cairo or the Islamic University of Medina. Unlike Mr. Bin Salman, Mr. Staquf sees his role as returning to the vision of Abdurrahman Wahid, a widely respected and visionary former leader of Nahdlatul Ulama and onetime Indonesian president. Affectionately known as Gus Dur, Mr. Wahid sought to forge “a new path towards the development of a new civilization,” said Mr. Staquf, a prominent Islamic scholar in his own right and disciple of Mr. Wahid. “We must strive to establish a universal consensus that respects the equal rights and dignity of every human being.” Mr. Bin Salman may have more drama to show in his efforts to define ‘moderate Islam’ and control its narrative than does Mr. Staquf in the opening salvos of what amounts to a battle for the soul of Islam. However, in the ultimate analysis, it may be Mr. Staquf as part of a broader endeavour that has a more significant impact on the reform of Islam as such rather than the reform of only one Muslim-majority state. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Saudi Arabia and Indonesia: Clashing visions of 'moderate Islam'

Saudi Arabia will host all five groups in the western half of the Asian Champions League, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Thursday.

Riyadh will host matches involving defending champions Al Hilal in their home city in Group A, which also features Istiklol from Turkmenistan, Qatar's Al Rayyan and a playoff winner.

Group B, which involves Mumbai City, Al Jazira from the United Arab Emirates, Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia and Iraq's Air Force Club, will also play in Riyadh.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/everton-suspends-all-commercial-sponsorships-with-russian-companies-with-immediate-effect-458227">Everton suspends all commercial sponsorships with Russian companies with immediate effect</a>

Jeddah will host Foolad from Iran, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Al Gharafa of Qatar and Turkmenistan's Ahal in Group C, while Group D, featuring Sepahan of Iran, Al Duhail from Qatar, Uzbekistan`s Pakhtakor and a playoff winner, will be held in Buraidah.

Group E will be played in Dammam and will feature Qatar's Al Sadd, Al Faisaly from Saudi Arabia, Jordanian side Al Wehdat and a playoff winner.

Matches are scheduled to begin on April 7 with the winners of each group advancing to the last 16 alongside the three clubs with the best runners-up records.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/roman-abramovich-wants-to-get-rid-of-chelsea-so-he-offered-to-sell-it-says-swiss-billionaire-hansjorg-wyss-458199">Roman Abramovich wants to get rid of Chelsea so he offered to sell it, says Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss</a>

The venues for the five groups in the eastern side of the draw were announced last month, with matches to be played in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Games in the east will kick off on April 15.

The group phase in this year's Asian Champions League is being played in centralised biosecure bubbles to limit travel due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi Arabia will host all five groups in the western half of the Asian Champions League, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Thursday. Riyadh will host matches involving defending champions Al Hilal in their home city in Group A, which also features Istiklol from Turkmenistan, Qatar's Al Rayyan and a playoff winner.

Saudi Arabia will host all five groups in the western half of the Asian Champions League, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Thursday. Riyadh will host matches involving defending champions Al Hilal in their home city in Group A, which also features Istiklol from Turkmenistan, Qatar's Al Rayyan and a playoff winner. Group B, which involves Mumbai City, Al Jazira from the United Arab Emirates, Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia and Iraq's Air Force Club, will also play in Riyadh. ALSO READ: Everton suspends all commercial sponsorships with Russian companies with immediate effect Jeddah will host Foolad from Iran, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Al Gharafa of Qatar and Turkmenistan's Ahal in Group C, while Group D, featuring Sepahan of Iran, Al Duhail from Qatar, Uzbekistan`s Pakhtakor and a playoff winner, will be held in Buraidah. Group E will be played in Dammam and will feature Qatar's Al Sadd, Al Faisaly from Saudi Arabia, Jordanian side Al Wehdat and a playoff winner. Matches are scheduled to begin on April 7 with the winners of each group advancing to the last 16 alongside the three clubs with the best runners-up records. ALSO READ: Roman Abramovich wants to get rid of Chelsea so he offered to sell it, says Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss The venues for the five groups in the eastern side of the draw were announced last month, with matches to be played in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Games in the east will kick off on April 15. The group phase in this year's Asian Champions League is being played in centralised biosecure bubbles to limit travel due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Asian Champions League: Saudi Arabia set to host group matches

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;held celebrations on Tuesday to commemorate for the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time&nbsp;its&nbsp;foundation nearly 300 years ago, choosing a date that downplays the central role played by clerics from the ultra-conservative&nbsp;Wahhabi school of Islam.

The government lined up events that include musical performances on&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;modern history, fireworks, drone shows and sound effects, with 3,500 performers taking part, state media reported.

The anniversary&nbsp;marks&nbsp;the day in 1727 when Mohammed bin Saud, founder of the&nbsp;first&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;state, took over the emirate of Diriyah - a remote town which now lies on the northwest edge of the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;capital Riyadh.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/saudi-arabia-job-ad-for-women-train-drivers-attracts-28000-applicants-for-30-posts-453973">Saudi Arabia: Job ad for women train drivers attracts 28,000 applicants for 30 posts</a>

That was about 18 years before what historians generally consider as the beginning of the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;state when bin Saud, a tribal leader, forged an alliance with Islamic preacher Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab, whose purist doctrine is often referred to as Wahhabi Islam.

The agreement with the clergy boosted the legitimacy of the Al Saud rulers in exchange for lavish funding and influence granted to the&nbsp;conservative&nbsp;religious establishment over social issues, education and public morality - powers which have recently been curbed by the country's de facto leader.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reined in the religious police, opened the country to concerts and cinemas, lifted a ban on women driving and eased the guardianship system, which gives men significant control over the lives of their female relatives.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-continuing-positive-dialogue-with-saudi-arabia-media-453778">Erdogan says Turkey continuing 'positive dialogue' with Saudi Arabia</a>

A royal decree last month declared Feb. 22 an official holiday, known as "Founding&nbsp;Day", to be commemorated every year in recognition of "the commencement of the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud" and marking the start of the&nbsp;first&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;state.

"Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab is being erased from&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;history," said Kristin Diwan, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

"This is the new&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;nationalism. It celebrates the Al Saud - tying the people directly to the royal family - and downplays the pivotal role played by religion in the&nbsp;founding&nbsp;of the state," Diwan said.&nbsp;

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's Shura Council, an influential advisory body to the government, also approved last month a proposal to amend the law regulating the national flag and anthem. It was unclear if it will alter the content of the flag which includes the profession of Islamic faith: "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the prophet of God".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabias-first-yoga-festival-organised-in-jeddah-449135">Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival organised in Jeddah</a>

The kingdom already celebrates National Day on Sept. 23, which commemorates the victory of Al Saud over rival tribes from Hejaz region and the conquest of the two holy sites of Islam, Mecca and Medina, in 1925. The kingdom was subsequently named the kingdom of&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;in 1932.

Saudi Arabia held celebrations on Tuesday to commemorate for the first time its foundation nearly 300 years ago, choosing a date that downplays the central role played by clerics from the ultra-conservative Wahhabi school of Islam.

Saudi Arabia held celebrations on Tuesday to commemorate for the first time its foundation nearly 300 years ago, choosing a date that downplays the central role played by clerics from the ultra-conservative Wahhabi school of Islam. The government lined up events that include musical performances on Saudi modern history, fireworks, drone shows and sound effects, with 3,500 performers taking part, state media reported. The anniversary marks the day in 1727 when Mohammed bin Saud, founder of the first Saudi state, took over the emirate of Diriyah - a remote town which now lies on the northwest edge of the Saudi capital Riyadh. Also read | Saudi Arabia: Job ad for women train drivers attracts 28,000 applicants for 30 posts That was about 18 years before what historians generally consider as the beginning of the Saudi state when bin Saud, a tribal leader, forged an alliance with Islamic preacher Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab, whose purist doctrine is often referred to as Wahhabi Islam. The agreement with the clergy boosted the legitimacy of the Al Saud rulers in exchange for lavish funding and influence granted to the conservative religious establishment over social issues, education and public morality - powers which have recently been curbed by the country's de facto leader. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reined in the religious police, opened the country to concerts and cinemas, lifted a ban on women driving and eased the guardianship system, which gives men significant control over the lives of their female relatives. Also read | Erdogan says Turkey continuing 'positive dialogue' with Saudi Arabia A royal decree last month declared Feb. 22 an official holiday, known as "Founding Day", to be commemorated every year in recognition of "the commencement of the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud" and marking the start of the first Saudi state. "Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab is being erased from Saudi history," said Kristin Diwan, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "This is the new Saudi nationalism. It celebrates the Al Saud - tying the people directly to the royal family - and downplays the pivotal role played by religion in the founding of the state," Diwan said. Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, an influential advisory body to the government, also approved last month a proposal to amend the law regulating the national flag and anthem. It was unclear if it will alter the content of the flag which includes the profession of Islamic faith: "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the prophet of God". Also read | Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival organised in Jeddah The kingdom already celebrates National Day on Sept. 23, which commemorates the victory of Al Saud over rival tribes from Hejaz region and the conquest of the two holy sites of Islam, Mecca and Medina, in 1925. The kingdom was subsequently named the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

Saudi Arabia for first time marks its founding, downplaying conservative roots

Football legend Pele congratulated Saudi Arabia's women's national team as they marked their international debut with a 2-0 win over Seychelles on Sunday.

On a historic day, Al Bandari Mubarak scored Saudi Arabia's first-ever international goal in the 14th minute with Maryam Al Tamimi then converting from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half to clinch the win at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives.

In a match that was widely awaited, legendary Brazilian footballer Pele was among those who hailed Saudi Arabia's international debut.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-citys-stumble-against-tottenham-hotspur-might-pave-way-for-another-epic-title-duel-455111">Manchester City's stumble against Tottenham Hotspur might pave way for another epic title duel</a>

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I want to congratulate the <a href="https://twitter.com/saudiFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saudiFF</a> and their Women's National Football Team for their first ever official <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAcom</a> match. Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football. <a href="https://twitter.com/AbdulazizTF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abdulazizTF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Yalmisehal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yalmisehal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AdwaAlArifi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adwaalarifi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ialkassim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ialkassim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LamiaBahaian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lamiabahaian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/saff_wfd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Saff_wfd</a> <a href="https://t.co/hvpIshVwkL">pic.twitter.com/hvpIshVwkL</a>
— Pelé (@Pele) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pele/status/1495468212061937664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"I want to congratulate the [Saudi Arabian Football Federation] and their Women's National Football Team for their first-ever official [FIFA] match," wrote three-time FIFA World Cup winner Pele on Twitter.

"Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football," he added.

The formation of the Saudi Arabia women's national team followed the conclusion of the first edition of the Saudi Women's League in 2021 which saw the participation of eight clubs who qualified to the topflight after competing in the regional league.

Saudi Arabia will face hosts Maldives on Thursday in the next step of their exciting journey.

Football legend Pele congratulated Saudi Arabia's women's national team as they marked their international debut with a 2-0 win over Seychelles on Sunday. On a historic day, Al Bandari Mubarak scored Saudi Arabia's first-ever international goal in the 14th minute with Maryam Al Tamimi then converting from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half to clinch the win at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives.

Football legend Pele congratulated Saudi Arabia's women's national team as they marked their international debut with a 2-0 win over Seychelles on Sunday. On a historic day, Al Bandari Mubarak scored Saudi Arabia's first-ever international goal in the 14th minute with Maryam Al Tamimi then converting from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half to clinch the win at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives. In a match that was widely awaited, legendary Brazilian footballer Pele was among those who hailed Saudi Arabia's international debut. ALSO READ: Manchester City's stumble against Tottenham Hotspur might pave way for another epic title duel I want to congratulate the @saudiFF and their Women's National Football Team for their first ever official @FIFAcom match. Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football. @abdulazizTF @yalmisehal @adwaalarifi @ialkassim @lamiabahaian @Saff_wfd pic.twitter.com/hvpIshVwkL — Pelé (@Pele) February 20, 2022 × "I want to congratulate the [Saudi Arabian Football Federation] and their Women's National Football Team for their first-ever official [FIFA] match," wrote three-time FIFA World Cup winner Pele on Twitter. "Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football," he added. The formation of the Saudi Arabia women's national team followed the conclusion of the first edition of the Saudi Women's League in 2021 which saw the participation of eight clubs who qualified to the topflight after competing in the regional league. Saudi Arabia will face hosts Maldives on Thursday in the next step of their exciting journey.

Legendary footballer Pele reacts after Saudi Arabia women's team win debut international match

Sending a ‘red heart’ emojis&nbsp;on WhatsApp can land a user in jail in Saudi Arabia, according to reports.

This was revealed when a cybercrime expert in Saudi issued a statement in a local newspaper stating that sending these ‘red hearts’ on WhatsApp amounts to ‘harassment’ in the country, Gulf News reported.

According to the Saudi law, if the sender was found to be guilty, that person could be jailed for two to five years and a fine of SR100,000 (US $26, 649 approx.) would be imposed.

Al Moataz Kutbi, who is a member of the Anti-Fraud Association in Saudi Arabia, said that the use of “some images and expressions during online chats may turn into a crime of harassment if a lawsuit is filed by the injured party.”

He warned users against engaging in a conversation with anyone without their consent, saying that “using explicit expressions or red heart emojis” can be construed as a gesture with sexual intentions.

“According to the anti-harassment system, harassment is defined as every statement, act, or gesture with a sexual connotation made by a person towards any other that touches his/her body or honour or infringes his/her modesty by any means, including modern technology. This includes (emojis) associated with the sexual connotations according to the custom of society, such as red hearts and red roses,” Kutbi said.

The expert said that in case of a repeated violation, the fine could reach SR300,000 (US $79,949 approx.) with five years in jail.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sending a ‘red heart’ emojis on WhatsApp can land a user in jail in Saudi Arabia, according to reports. This was revealed when a cybercrime expert in Saudi issued a statement in a local newspaper stating that sending these ‘red hearts’ on WhatsApp amounts to ‘harassment’ in the country, Gulf News reported.

Sending a ‘red heart’ emojis on WhatsApp can land a user in jail in Saudi Arabia, according to reports. This was revealed when a cybercrime expert in Saudi issued a statement in a local newspaper stating that sending these ‘red hearts’ on WhatsApp amounts to ‘harassment’ in the country, Gulf News reported. According to the Saudi law, if the sender was found to be guilty, that person could be jailed for two to five years and a fine of SR100,000 (US $26, 649 approx.) would be imposed. Al Moataz Kutbi, who is a member of the Anti-Fraud Association in Saudi Arabia, said that the use of “some images and expressions during online chats may turn into a crime of harassment if a lawsuit is filed by the injured party.” He warned users against engaging in a conversation with anyone without their consent, saying that “using explicit expressions or red heart emojis” can be construed as a gesture with sexual intentions. “According to the anti-harassment system, harassment is defined as every statement, act, or gesture with a sexual connotation made by a person towards any other that touches his/her body or honour or infringes his/her modesty by any means, including modern technology. This includes (emojis) associated with the sexual connotations according to the custom of society, such as red hearts and red roses,” Kutbi said. The expert said that in case of a repeated violation, the fine could reach SR300,000 (US $79,949 approx.) with five years in jail. (With inputs from agencies)

In Saudi Arabia, sending ‘red heart’ emojis can attract $26,000 fine, up to 5 years in jail

Turkey&nbsp;is&nbsp;continuing&nbsp;a "positive dialogue" with&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;and wants to take concrete steps in the coming days to improve ties, President Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;was cited as saying on Wednesday, amid a regional charm offensive by&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;to mend strained relations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/leukemia-patient-from-turkey-tests-covid-positive-78-times-in-over-a-year-453642">Leukemia patient from Turkey tests Covid positive 78 times in over a year</a>

Ties between Ankara and Riyadh have been troubled since the 2018 killing of&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;journalist Jamal Khashoggi by a&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;hit squad at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Following Turkish demands for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials to be prosecuted, Riyadh imposed an unofficial boycott on goods from&nbsp;Turkey.

In 2020,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;jailed eight people for between seven and 20 years for Khashoggi's murder. At the time Ankara said the verdict fell short of expectations, but has since softened its tone as part of a broader attempt to repair ties with the Gulf, even going as far as saying it has no problems with Riyadh.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Erdogan in the UAE, first visit since 2013

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"We are&nbsp;continuing&nbsp;our&nbsp;positive dialogue&nbsp;with&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia. We want to continue by taking concrete steps in the coming period. We want to develop the process in a positive direction,"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;told reporters on a flight back from the United Arab Emirates.

Turkey is continuing a "positive dialogue" with Saudi Arabia and wants to take concrete steps in the coming days to improve ties, President Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying on Wednesday, amid a regional charm offensive by Turkey to mend strained relations.

Turkey is continuing a "positive dialogue" with Saudi Arabia and wants to take concrete steps in the coming days to improve ties, President Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying on Wednesday, amid a regional charm offensive by Turkey to mend strained relations. Also read | Leukemia patient from Turkey tests Covid positive 78 times in over a year Ties between Ankara and Riyadh have been troubled since the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by a Saudi hit squad at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Following Turkish demands for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials to be prosecuted, Riyadh imposed an unofficial boycott on goods from Turkey. In 2020, Saudi Arabia jailed eight people for between seven and 20 years for Khashoggi's murder. At the time Ankara said the verdict fell short of expectations, but has since softened its tone as part of a broader attempt to repair ties with the Gulf, even going as far as saying it has no problems with Riyadh. Watch | Gravitas: Erdogan in the UAE, first visit since 2013 "We are continuing our positive dialogue with Saudi Arabia. We want to continue by taking concrete steps in the coming period. We want to develop the process in a positive direction," Erdogan told reporters on a flight back from the United Arab Emirates.

Erdogan says Turkey continuing 'positive dialogue' with Saudi Arabia

The symbolic green national flag of Saudi Arabia which depicts a sword and is inscribed with Islam’s creed as the birthplace of the faith is expected to undergo minor changes.

According to state media reports, the kingdom’s un-elected consultative Shura Council on Monday voted in favour of changes to the flag, emblem as well as national anthem,&nbsp;but not to their contents.

While decisions by the council are merely advisory in nature, the vote is touted to be significant because its members are appointed by the king and their decisions often move in tandem with the leadership.

Local media outlets also reported the proposed changes&nbsp;seeks to enhance the level of awareness and knowledge about the importance of the state flag, emblem and national anthem as well as to achieve more protection for the state flag from infringement or neglect.

The amendment envisages protection of the state emblem by taking regular measures to hold the person accountable for the infringement or neglect and take punitive measures against him, Saudi Gazette newspaper reported. 
 
It is being said that the proposed changes are more in line with the vision of the country’s young crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud who emphasises Saudi nationality and national pride.

The latest changes come nearly a week after the arrest of four Bangladeshi men in Saudi for violating the national flag. It was claimed that the worker dumped the flag in the garbage.

Since 1973, the green Saudi flag has featured the Islamic proclamation of faith in white Arabic calligraphy that states: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Under those words is a sword.

The kingdom hosts Muslim pilgrims from around the world&nbsp;in the birthplace of Islam in Mecca, where the Prophet Muhammad was born and received the first commandments of the Quran.

(With inputs from agencies)

The symbolic green national flag of Saudi Arabia which depicts a sword and is inscribed with Islam’s creed as the birthplace of the faith is expected to undergo minor changes.

The symbolic green national flag of Saudi Arabia which depicts a sword and is inscribed with Islam’s creed as the birthplace of the faith is expected to undergo minor changes. According to state media reports, the kingdom’s un-elected consultative Shura Council on Monday voted in favour of changes to the flag, emblem as well as national anthem, but not to their contents. While decisions by the council are merely advisory in nature, the vote is touted to be significant because its members are appointed by the king and their decisions often move in tandem with the leadership. Local media outlets also reported the proposed changes seeks to enhance the level of awareness and knowledge about the importance of the state flag, emblem and national anthem as well as to achieve more protection for the state flag from infringement or neglect. The amendment envisages protection of the state emblem by taking regular measures to hold the person accountable for the infringement or neglect and take punitive measures against him, Saudi Gazette newspaper reported. It is being said that the proposed changes are more in line with the vision of the country’s young crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud who emphasises Saudi nationality and national pride. The latest changes come nearly a week after the arrest of four Bangladeshi men in Saudi for violating the national flag. It was claimed that the worker dumped the flag in the garbage. Since 1973, the green Saudi flag has featured the Islamic proclamation of faith in white Arabic calligraphy that states: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Under those words is a sword. The kingdom hosts Muslim pilgrims from around the world in the birthplace of Islam in Mecca, where the Prophet Muhammad was born and received the first commandments of the Quran. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Shura Council proposes amendments to national flag law

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival took place on Saturday with much fanfare in the commercial center of Jeddah. The festival was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee (new Saudi Yoga Federation), a body under Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Ministry of Sports. Nouf Marwaai is president of the committee, which was formed on May 16, 2021. &nbsp;

Speaking to WION, the 2019 Padma Shri awardee said, "The idea behind holding the event was to bring yogis (yoga instructors) together. The Saudi Yoga Committee's strategy is to promote yoga in the society and encourage people to participate in yoga activity." &nbsp;

The event was organised at Juman Park, King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. It saw participation of a number of top Saudi yoga teachers including Marwa Khairudeen, Lana Nazer, etc. Nouf Marwaai lauded the leadership of Saudi Arabia, saying that they have been "very supportive on health and wellness, and sports activities. This is part of vision 2030" and "response from people is amazing and it's very popular." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-budget-2022-economic-survey-projects-8-85-gdp-growth-for-2022-23-449130" hreflang="en">India Budget 2022: Economic Survey projects 8-8.5% GDP growth for 2022-23</a>

Two famous yoga teachers, who were seen at the Yoga Festival in Jeddah, were Saudi national Dana Algosaibi and Lebanese national Natalie Kriedeih. Khaled Alzahrani, a Saudi yoga teacher, who has a yoga center in Jeddah was seen performing Sirsasans and other asanas. Irum Khan, an Indian national, who teaches yoga in Saudi Arabia since 2008 and yoga master Murali Krishna also participated. &nbsp;

Asked about yoga facing any backlash over religious connect, she said, "I don't think there is anything in yoga that conflicts with religion like some people claim. Of course, yoga’s background goes back to vedic philosophy and sanatana dharma. I don't think it conflicts because there are lot of practices in yoga that doesn't conflicts with religion like asanas..breathing techniques." &nbsp;&nbsp;

She explained, "I never seen anything that conflicts with religion or that Muslims can't practice yoga. It’s for health and well-being. Yoga is a kind of cultural exchange too.". &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-madras-hc-orders-cbi-probe-into-alleged-forced-conversion-suicide-of-minor-girl-in-tamil-nadu-449128" hreflang="en">India: Madras HC orders CBI probe into alleged 'forced-conversion', suicide of minor girl in Tamil Nadu</a>

Indian Consul General Shahid Alam, Saudi Yoga Committee CEO Ahmad Alsaady were also present at the occasion. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Remember last yoga day, Saudi Arabia had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India for the establishment of a formal "yoga protocol (standards)" for the promotion of yoga in the country. This was also the first such bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia on yoga. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Yoga has been allowed in the country since November 2017. Amid the pandemic, yoga gained popularity in the west Asian country as it was seen as a supportive practice that reduces anxiety.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival took place on Saturday with much fanfare in the commercial center of Jeddah. The festival was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee (new Saudi Yoga Federation), a body under Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Ministry of Sports.

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival took place on Saturday with much fanfare in the commercial center of Jeddah. The festival was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee (new Saudi Yoga Federation), a body under Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Ministry of Sports. Nouf Marwaai is president of the committee, which was formed on May 16, 2021. Speaking to WION, the 2019 Padma Shri awardee said, "The idea behind holding the event was to bring yogis (yoga instructors) together. The Saudi Yoga Committee's strategy is to promote yoga in the society and encourage people to participate in yoga activity." The event was organised at Juman Park, King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. It saw participation of a number of top Saudi yoga teachers including Marwa Khairudeen, Lana Nazer, etc. Nouf Marwaai lauded the leadership of Saudi Arabia, saying that they have been "very supportive on health and wellness, and sports activities. This is part of vision 2030" and "response from people is amazing and it's very popular." Also Read: India Budget 2022: Economic Survey projects 8-8.5% GDP growth for 2022-23 Two famous yoga teachers, who were seen at the Yoga Festival in Jeddah, were Saudi national Dana Algosaibi and Lebanese national Natalie Kriedeih. Khaled Alzahrani, a Saudi yoga teacher, who has a yoga center in Jeddah was seen performing Sirsasans and other asanas. Irum Khan, an Indian national, who teaches yoga in Saudi Arabia since 2008 and yoga master Murali Krishna also participated. Asked about yoga facing any backlash over religious connect, she said, "I don't think there is anything in yoga that conflicts with religion like some people claim. Of course, yoga’s background goes back to vedic philosophy and sanatana dharma. I don't think it conflicts because there are lot of practices in yoga that doesn't conflicts with religion like asanas..breathing techniques." She explained, "I never seen anything that conflicts with religion or that Muslims can't practice yoga. It’s for health and well-being. Yoga is a kind of cultural exchange too.". Also Read | India: Madras HC orders CBI probe into alleged 'forced-conversion', suicide of minor girl in Tamil Nadu Indian Consul General Shahid Alam, Saudi Yoga Committee CEO Ahmad Alsaady were also present at the occasion. Remember last yoga day, Saudi Arabia had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India for the establishment of a formal "yoga protocol (standards)" for the promotion of yoga in the country. This was also the first such bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia on yoga. Yoga has been allowed in the country since November 2017. Amid the pandemic, yoga gained popularity in the west Asian country as it was seen as a supportive practice that reduces anxiety.

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival organised in Jeddah

The first-ever yoga festival was organised on Bay La Sun Beach in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. &nbsp;

Around 1,000 yoga practitioners from the country participated at the event, which was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/oman-defence-ministrys-secretary-general-air-and-navy-chief-to-visit-india-to-strengthen-ties-448879" hreflang="en">Oman defence ministry's secretary general, air and navy chief to visit India to strengthen ties</a>

The event, which was held at Juman Park on the shores of King Abdullah Economic City, witnessed huge participation from young girls and women. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Numerous yoga enthusiasts and practitioners gathered to practice yoga and watch special performances of the sport with famous trainers in the kingdom. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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The 1st Yoga Festival in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 by <a href="https://twitter.com/yoga_ksa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yoga_ksa</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/kaec_saudi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kaec_saudi</a> today a big number of people participated in the event. We reached our capacity today 🙏🏼💚🤸🏻‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/8Ue7v5O2ql">https://t.co/8Ue7v5O2ql</a>
— Nouf Almarwaai نوف المروعي 🇸🇦 (@NoufMarwaai) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoufMarwaai/status/1487503676797341701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Many workshops and activities were organised by the yoga halls and centers, who offered services to attend and train people on yoga exercises, competition and meditation in the open air. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hails-special-friendship-with-israel-on-30th-anniversary-of-establishment-of-diplomatic-ties-448809" hreflang="en">PM Modi hails 'special friendship' with Israel on 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties</a>

In an interview with Al-Arabiya.net, Saudi Yoga Committee’s chief Nouf bint Muhammad Al-Maroui said, “The passion of this sport was the reason for its spread in various parts of the kingdom two decades ago.” &nbsp;

There seems to be a large base for amateurs and yoga practitioners in the kingdom. It has reached tens of thousands of practitioners and trainers in the country. Yoga has flourished in the kingdom after the Ministry of Sports launched a licence for such gyms. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The first-ever yoga festival was organised on Bay La Sun Beach in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Around 1,000 yoga practitioners from the country participated at the event, which was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee.

The first-ever yoga festival was organised on Bay La Sun Beach in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Around 1,000 yoga practitioners from the country participated at the event, which was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee. Also Read: Oman defence ministry's secretary general, air and navy chief to visit India to strengthen ties The event, which was held at Juman Park on the shores of King Abdullah Economic City, witnessed huge participation from young girls and women. Numerous yoga enthusiasts and practitioners gathered to practice yoga and watch special performances of the sport with famous trainers in the kingdom. The 1st Yoga Festival in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 by @yoga_ksa in @kaec_saudi today a big number of people participated in the event. We reached our capacity today 🙏🏼💚🤸🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/8Ue7v5O2ql — Nouf Almarwaai نوف المروعي 🇸🇦 (@NoufMarwaai) January 29, 2022 × Many workshops and activities were organised by the yoga halls and centers, who offered services to attend and train people on yoga exercises, competition and meditation in the open air. Also Read: PM Modi hails 'special friendship' with Israel on 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties In an interview with Al-Arabiya.net, Saudi Yoga Committee’s chief Nouf bint Muhammad Al-Maroui said, “The passion of this sport was the reason for its spread in various parts of the kingdom two decades ago.” There seems to be a large base for amateurs and yoga practitioners in the kingdom. It has reached tens of thousands of practitioners and trainers in the country. Yoga has flourished in the kingdom after the Ministry of Sports launched a licence for such gyms. (With inputs from agencies)

First-ever yoga festival held in Saudi Arabia. Find out what was special in it

The first-ever yoga festival of Saudi Arabia was held at Bay La Sun Beach in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. It was organised by Nouf Marwaai on 29th January. She is the country's first certified yoga instructor. She has been honoured with India's fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri. WION speaks to the yoga instructor Marwaai. Listen in.

WION Exclusive: Meet the woman, Nouf Marwaai, who brought yoga to Saudi Arabia

Thailand's prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Interestingly, this was the first high-level meeting between the two nations in almost about 30 years. Riyadh interestingly had downgraded its relations with Bangkok after a theft that had been dubbed as a blue diamond affair that had triggered a massive feud between the two countries.

Thailand's prime minister visits Saudi Arabia, calls it a 'new journey

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia & Iran has split the Islamic World for decades. Their proxy wars have turned West Asia into a battlefield. What is the genesis of their dispute? Why are they suddenly trying to be friends? On Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma decodes.

Gravitas Plus | Saudi Arabia Vs Iran: The Rivalry explained

A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) pilot refused to take a flight stating that his shift timings had ended, Pakistan media portals reported.&nbsp;

Working beyond the shift timings is not termed healthy as it is advised that people should maintain a work-life balance in order to stay healthy.&nbsp;

The bosses often ask to extend shifts in case needed. Mostly, the employees do it, but sometimes people even refuse to do it.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tonga-the-powerful-volcanic-eruptions-even-sent-gravity-waves-into-space-446251">Tonga: The powerful volcanic eruptions even sent 'gravity waves' into space</a>

One such case was reported recently that grabbed attention globally when a pilot refused to fly the plane because his shift was over. The plane was not in the air (Thankfully).&nbsp;&nbsp;

As per reports, flight PK 9754 was ready to board from Riyadh to Islamabad on Sunday but it was delayed by bad weather.&nbsp;

The plane had to make an emergency landing in Dammam in Saudi Arabia due to poor weather conditions but after that the captain of the flight refused to fly, saying his duty hours were over.&nbsp;

The reports have mentioned that the passengers were angry, especially irritated by the pilot's reason for not flying. They even protested by not getting off the plane.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/massive-iceberg-a68a-released-152-billion-tonnes-of-fresh-water-into-ocean-study-reveals-446241">Massive iceberg A68A released 152 billion tonnes of fresh water into ocean, study reveals</a>

&nbsp;The situation got tense as airport authorities were called in and hotel arrangements were made for the passengers at the airport.

"A pilot should rest because it is necessary for flight safety. All passengers will reach 11pm at Islamabad Airport until then all arrangements have been made in hotels," said a PIA spokesperson as quoted by Gulf News.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Pakistan's FM caught mocking Xi Jinping

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A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) pilot refused to take a flight stating that his shift timings had ended, Pakistan media portals reported. Working beyond the shift timings is not termed healthy as it is advised that people should maintain a work-life balance in order to stay healthy.

A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) pilot refused to take a flight stating that his shift timings had ended, Pakistan media portals reported. Working beyond the shift timings is not termed healthy as it is advised that people should maintain a work-life balance in order to stay healthy. The bosses often ask to extend shifts in case needed. Mostly, the employees do it, but sometimes people even refuse to do it. ALSO READ | Tonga: The powerful volcanic eruptions even sent 'gravity waves' into space One such case was reported recently that grabbed attention globally when a pilot refused to fly the plane because his shift was over. The plane was not in the air (Thankfully). As per reports, flight PK 9754 was ready to board from Riyadh to Islamabad on Sunday but it was delayed by bad weather. The plane had to make an emergency landing in Dammam in Saudi Arabia due to poor weather conditions but after that the captain of the flight refused to fly, saying his duty hours were over. The reports have mentioned that the passengers were angry, especially irritated by the pilot's reason for not flying. They even protested by not getting off the plane. ALSO READ | Massive iceberg A68A released 152 billion tonnes of fresh water into ocean, study reveals The situation got tense as airport authorities were called in and hotel arrangements were made for the passengers at the airport. "A pilot should rest because it is necessary for flight safety. All passengers will reach 11pm at Islamabad Airport until then all arrangements have been made in hotels," said a PIA spokesperson as quoted by Gulf News. WATCH | Gravitas: Pakistan's FM caught mocking Xi Jinping ×

Pakistan pilot refused to fly plane saying his shift ended. Was it necessary for safety?

The UAE and its partners struck Houthi targets in Yemen - a day after the drone attacks on Abu Dhabi. Did Iran approve this brazen attack by their proxies in Yemen? How will this impact the Yemen civil war? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: The UAE hits back after Houthi drone attack

The Saudi Arabia has launched a retaliatory airstrike on the Houthis rebels in Yemen, hours after the Houthi rebels killed three in a drone attack in Abu Dhabi.

After Abu Dhabi drone attack Saudi launches air strikes at Yemen’s Houthi rebels in retaliation

Samba dancers in traditional attire have sparked an investigation in Saudi Arabia. The Jazan province has ordered an inquest following backlash over the presence of performers at a street parade last week. Ghadi Francis tells you more about this in our report.

The West Asia Post: Saudi samba dancers spark investigation

A 4,500-year-old highway network lined with well-preserved ancient tombs has been discovered by archaeologists in Saudi Arabia. &nbsp;

After carrying out a wide-ranging investigation last year, researchers from the University of Western Australia have made the discovery. &nbsp;

The findings have been published in Holocene journal in December. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/plan-to-dim-suns-rays-gets-thumbs-down-from-experts-find-out-why-445348" hreflang="en">Plan to ‘dim sun's rays’ gets thumbs down from experts. Find out why?</a>

The team had conducted excavation, ground survey, aerial surveys with the help of helicopter and examination of satellite imagery. &nbsp;

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These archaeological pathways alongside oases and tombs point to an unfolding, hidden story of ancient kingdoms dating back over 4 millennia in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiArabia</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/RCU_SA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RCU_SA</a> ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/uwanews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uwanews</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/9i8yYm8oZ6">pic.twitter.com/9i8yYm8oZ6</a>
— Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaudiEmbassyUSA/status/1481325513973153800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"The people, who live in these areas, have known about them for thousands of years. "But I think it wasn't really known until we got satellite imagery that just how widespread they are," researcher Matthew Dalton told CNN. &nbsp;

These tombs are either in the shape of pendants or rings. The pendant tombs have 'beautiful tails’ while the ring tombs have a cairn surrounded by a wall of up to two meters in height. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-scientists-look-to-come-up-with-cheap-patent-free-covid-jab-why-is-it-special-445204" hreflang="en">US scientists look to come up with cheap, patent-free Covid jab. Why is it special?</a>

With the help of radiocarbon dating, the researchers found that a concentrated group of samples dated back to between 2600 and 2000 BC. The team observed around 18,000 tombs along the funerary avenues. &nbsp;

"These tombs are 4,500 years old, and they're still standing to their original height, which is really unheard of. So, I think that's what particularly marks Saudi Arabia out from the rest of the region -- just the level of preservation is unbelievable," researcher Melissa Kennedy. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A 4,500-year-old highway network lined with well-preserved ancient tombs has been discovered by archaeologists in Saudi Arabia. After carrying out a wide-ranging investigation last year, researchers from the University of Western Australia have made the discovery.

A 4,500-year-old highway network lined with well-preserved ancient tombs has been discovered by archaeologists in Saudi Arabia. After carrying out a wide-ranging investigation last year, researchers from the University of Western Australia have made the discovery. The findings have been published in Holocene journal in December. Also Read: Plan to ‘dim sun's rays’ gets thumbs down from experts. Find out why? The team had conducted excavation, ground survey, aerial surveys with the help of helicopter and examination of satellite imagery. These archaeological pathways alongside oases and tombs point to an unfolding, hidden story of ancient kingdoms dating back over 4 millennia in #SaudiArabia. @RCU_SA ⁦@uwanews⁩ pic.twitter.com/9i8yYm8oZ6 — Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) January 12, 2022 × "The people, who live in these areas, have known about them for thousands of years. "But I think it wasn't really known until we got satellite imagery that just how widespread they are," researcher Matthew Dalton told CNN. These tombs are either in the shape of pendants or rings. The pendant tombs have 'beautiful tails’ while the ring tombs have a cairn surrounded by a wall of up to two meters in height. Also Read: US scientists look to come up with cheap, patent-free Covid jab. Why is it special? With the help of radiocarbon dating, the researchers found that a concentrated group of samples dated back to between 2600 and 2000 BC. The team observed around 18,000 tombs along the funerary avenues. "These tombs are 4,500 years old, and they're still standing to their original height, which is really unheard of. So, I think that's what particularly marks Saudi Arabia out from the rest of the region -- just the level of preservation is unbelievable," researcher Melissa Kennedy. (With inputs from agencies)

4,500-year-old highway network lined with ancient tombs found in Saudi Arabia

Social media users in Saudi Arabia have shared videos of a rare snowfall in the Tabuk region after a huge drop in temperature overnight.

Snow is expected to cover areas of altitudes as low as 400 meters, according to the meteorological department.&nbsp;

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Snow blanketed parts of the country on Wednesday, covering areas it has not reached in years, disrupting traffic and postponing vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 and even exams at some universities.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#صور</a> من تساقط الثلوج على مرتفعات جبل اللوز بمنطقة تبوك.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B3_%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#واس_جودة_الحياة</a> <a href="https://t.co/e4A7SWq0jw">pic.twitter.com/e4A7SWq0jw</a>
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Tourists thronged to the peak of Jabal Al Lawz which is completely covered in white. It is located near the Jordanian border in the Tabuk region.

The harsh weather forced security personnel to restrict the road leading to the region.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Snow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Snow</a> Tabuk weather, if you plan today to visit Tabuk cancel your plan . It is expected that the roads will be closed due to traffic congestion ! <a href="https://t.co/MUbben7ijk">pic.twitter.com/MUbben7ijk</a>
— Farhan (@wolvestravelers) <a href="https://twitter.com/wolvestravelers/status/1477261324220567554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As per the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), Riyadh, Mecca, Medina, Eastern Province, Al Baha, Asir, Jazan, Al-Qassim, Tabuk, Al Jouf and Hail will experience moderate rainfall.

Amid low visibility, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has called on everyone “to be vigilant.” It has anticipated the likelihood of severe rain and thunder in the next 24 hours.

In 2018, the country had experienced a similar snowfall in which people had organised snow sports such as sleigh rides and snowball battles.

(With inputs from agencies)

Social media users in Saudi Arabia have shared videos of a rare snowfall in the Tabuk region after a huge drop in temperature overnight. Snow is expected to cover areas of altitudes as low as 400 meters, according to the meteorological department.

Social media users in Saudi Arabia have shared videos of a rare snowfall in the Tabuk region after a huge drop in temperature overnight. Snow is expected to cover areas of altitudes as low as 400 meters, according to the meteorological department. Snow blanketed parts of the country on Wednesday, covering areas it has not reached in years, disrupting traffic and postponing vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 and even exams at some universities. #صور من تساقط الثلوج على مرتفعات جبل اللوز بمنطقة تبوك.#واس_جودة_الحياة pic.twitter.com/e4A7SWq0jw — واس جودة الحياة (@SPAqualitylife) January 1, 2022 × Tourists thronged to the peak of Jabal Al Lawz which is completely covered in white. It is located near the Jordanian border in the Tabuk region. The harsh weather forced security personnel to restrict the road leading to the region. #Snow Tabuk weather, if you plan today to visit Tabuk cancel your plan . It is expected that the roads will be closed due to traffic congestion ! pic.twitter.com/MUbben7ijk — Farhan (@wolvestravelers) January 1, 2022 × As per the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), Riyadh, Mecca, Medina, Eastern Province, Al Baha, Asir, Jazan, Al-Qassim, Tabuk, Al Jouf and Hail will experience moderate rainfall. Amid low visibility, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has called on everyone “to be vigilant.” It has anticipated the likelihood of severe rain and thunder in the next 24 hours. In 2018, the country had experienced a similar snowfall in which people had organised snow sports such as sleigh rides and snowball battles. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia: Tabuk region experiences rare snowfall after huge drop in temperature overnight

The United Nations have found that thousands of weapons recently seized in Arabian Sea were likely to have come from Iran. This was seen as an evidence that Iran was exporting weapons to Yemen and elsewhere, said Wall Street Journal.

Yemen has been wracked by civil war since 2014, pitting Iran-backed Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government. The UN imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis in 2015.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition at war against the Houthi rebels who are backed by Iran. Saudis&nbsp;do not want arch rival Iran to gain foothold on Saudi's doorstep. The US and Saudi Arabia have long accused Iran of supplying weapons to Houthis. Iran denies the charge.

Citing a confidential report by a UN Security Council panel of experts on Yemen, the Journal wrote that boats and land transport were used to smuggle weapons made in Russia, China and Iran into Yemen.

The arms included rocket launchers, machine guns and sniper rifles, which had been seized by the US Navy in recent months.

Boats used to transport the weapons had left from the southeastern Iranian port of Jask, the UN report found, based on interviews with the boat crew and data from the onboard navigational instruments, the Journal said.

The rebel group's deputy information minister denied Iran was smuggling weapons into Yemen, according to the Journal, and Tehran said the weapons were not sold or transported to the country.

In recent months, fighting in Yemen has seen Saudi-led coalition forces carry out air strikes on the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

Riyadh has said its 2015 intervention in Yemen was aimed at preventing an Iranian ally taking power on its doorstep.

The UN estimates Yemen's war will have directly or indirectly killed 377,000 people by the end of the year.

More than 80 percent of the population of around 30 million require humanitarian assistance.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations have found that thousands of weapons recently seized in Arabian Sea were likely to have come from Iran. This was seen as an evidence that Iran was exporting weapons to Yemen and elsewhere, said Wall Street Journal.

The United Nations have found that thousands of weapons recently seized in Arabian Sea were likely to have come from Iran. This was seen as an evidence that Iran was exporting weapons to Yemen and elsewhere, said Wall Street Journal. Yemen has been wracked by civil war since 2014, pitting Iran-backed Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government. The UN imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis in 2015. Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition at war against the Houthi rebels who are backed by Iran. Saudis do not want arch rival Iran to gain foothold on Saudi's doorstep. The US and Saudi Arabia have long accused Iran of supplying weapons to Houthis. Iran denies the charge. Citing a confidential report by a UN Security Council panel of experts on Yemen, the Journal wrote that boats and land transport were used to smuggle weapons made in Russia, China and Iran into Yemen. The arms included rocket launchers, machine guns and sniper rifles, which had been seized by the US Navy in recent months. Boats used to transport the weapons had left from the southeastern Iranian port of Jask, the UN report found, based on interviews with the boat crew and data from the onboard navigational instruments, the Journal said. The rebel group's deputy information minister denied Iran was smuggling weapons into Yemen, according to the Journal, and Tehran said the weapons were not sold or transported to the country. In recent months, fighting in Yemen has seen Saudi-led coalition forces carry out air strikes on the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Riyadh has said its 2015 intervention in Yemen was aimed at preventing an Iranian ally taking power on its doorstep. The UN estimates Yemen's war will have directly or indirectly killed 377,000 people by the end of the year. More than 80 percent of the population of around 30 million require humanitarian assistance. (With inputs from agencies)

Weapons being smuggled by Iran to Yemen, says report

Iran's rivalry with Saudi Arabia is witnessing signs of thaw. Tehran says it's ready to restore relations with Riyadh. What explains the turn of events? What do both sides get by normalising ties? Palki Sharma decodes.

Gravitas: Iran ready to 'restore relations' with Saudi Arabia

The Dakar 2022 rally in Saudi Arabia is facing calls of cancellation. France is accusing Riyadh of 'covering up' a 'terror attack' in which French driver was injured. Saudi authorities say the blast was an 'accident'. Palki Sharma decodes the brewing faceoff.

Gravitas: France accuses Saudi Arabia of 'covering up' a terror attack

Iran says it is ready to restore diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. Ties between Tehran and Riyadh have been frozen since 2016.

Iran says it is ready to restore diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia

French secret service officers are looking into allegations that Saudi Arabian officials attempted to cover up a terrorist incident that put a rally driver's legs in jeopardy.

Philippe Boutron, 61, was deported to France after his car detonated ahead of the Dakar rally, a French-organized motorsport event in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

"A preliminary investigation has been opened into multiple attempted killings in connection with a terrorist group," national anti-terror prosecutors said in a statement.

The Saudi Arabian interior ministry called the explosion an accident, while Boutron's team, Sodicars Racing, claimed he was the victim of a terrorist attack.

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Very fast and very furious 💨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dakar2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dakar2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/06yaQ44KNO">pic.twitter.com/06yaQ44KNO</a>
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According to the British daily national newspaper, The Times, the French anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into suspicions that the incident was pushed under the rug to spare the Saudi leadership any embarrassment.

The legendary race, once known as the Paris-Dakar but now just known as the Dakar, was once held in Paris and followed a course to Dakar, Senegal.

However, due to security concerns along the route in North Africa, it was moved to South America in 2009 and to Saudi Arabia in 2020.

The Dakar 2022, the final stage of this year's edition, will take place on January 14.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

French secret service officers are looking into allegations that Saudi Arabian officials attempted to cover up a terrorist incident that put a rally driver's legs in jeopardy.

French secret service officers are looking into allegations that Saudi Arabian officials attempted to cover up a terrorist incident that put a rally driver's legs in jeopardy. Philippe Boutron, 61, was deported to France after his car detonated ahead of the Dakar rally, a French-organized motorsport event in Saudi Arabia. "A preliminary investigation has been opened into multiple attempted killings in connection with a terrorist group," national anti-terror prosecutors said in a statement. The Saudi Arabian interior ministry called the explosion an accident, while Boutron's team, Sodicars Racing, claimed he was the victim of a terrorist attack. Very fast and very furious 💨#Dakar2022 pic.twitter.com/06yaQ44KNO — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 4, 2022 × According to the British daily national newspaper, The Times, the French anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into suspicions that the incident was pushed under the rug to spare the Saudi leadership any embarrassment. The legendary race, once known as the Paris-Dakar but now just known as the Dakar, was once held in Paris and followed a course to Dakar, Senegal. However, due to security concerns along the route in North Africa, it was moved to South America in 2009 and to Saudi Arabia in 2020. The Dakar 2022, the final stage of this year's edition, will take place on January 14. (With inputs from agencies)

Did Saudi Arabia 'cover up' terrorist attack on Dakar rally?

Germany, which had earlier banned weapons export to Saudi Arabia after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, has now extended the arms ban by one more year.

Germany extends ban on Saudi arms export by one year

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