Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's&nbsp;King&nbsp;Salman invited&nbsp;Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir's office said on Monday, the latest sign of improving relations between the former rivals.

Riyadh and allies broke off ties with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;in June 2017 over claims it was too close to Iran and backed radical Islamist groups, allegations&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;has always denied.

But in January, the boycotting countries agreed to reestablish ties with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;following a flurry of diplomatic activity by former US president Donald Trump's administration.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Ramayana, Mahabharata to become part of Saudi Arabia's school curriculum">Ramayana, Mahabharata to become part of Saudi Arabia's school curriculum</a>

The emir received a letter from&nbsp;King&nbsp;Salman "including an invitation to visit"&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, the emir's office said in a statement.

It did not say if Sheikh Tamim had accepted or when the visit would take place.

Sheikh Tamim last travelled to the kingdom in January for the summit, hosted by the&nbsp;king's son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, that led to Doha being readmitted to the regional fold.

He did not meet the&nbsp;king&nbsp;at that time.

The latest invitation was delivered by&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who is in Doha for meetings with his Qatari counterpart.

The two discussed "Gulf unity", according to&nbsp;Qatar's foreign ministry.&nbsp;

Since the reconciliation there have been cautious steps towards normality, including the resumption of air travel between the former adversaries and the reopening of&nbsp;Qatar's sole land border with&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman invited Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir's office said on Monday, the latest sign of improving relations between the former rivals.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman invited Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir's office said on Monday, the latest sign of improving relations between the former rivals. Riyadh and allies broke off ties with Qatar in June 2017 over claims it was too close to Iran and backed radical Islamist groups, allegations Qatar has always denied. But in January, the boycotting countries agreed to reestablish ties with Qatar following a flurry of diplomatic activity by former US president Donald Trump's administration. Also read: Ramayana, Mahabharata to become part of Saudi Arabia's school curriculum The emir received a letter from King Salman "including an invitation to visit" Saudi Arabia, the emir's office said in a statement. It did not say if Sheikh Tamim had accepted or when the visit would take place. Sheikh Tamim last travelled to the kingdom in January for the summit, hosted by the king's son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, that led to Doha being readmitted to the regional fold. He did not meet the king at that time. The latest invitation was delivered by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who is in Doha for meetings with his Qatari counterpart. The two discussed "Gulf unity", according to Qatar's foreign ministry. Since the reconciliation there have been cautious steps towards normality, including the resumption of air travel between the former adversaries and the reopening of Qatar's sole land border with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi King invites Qatari Emir to visit: Emir's office

Lebanon's farmers union described as 'arbitrary and unjust' the decision by Saudi Arabia to ban Lebanese produce from going through the kingdom over drug smuggling allegations, calling on Saturday for it be repealed.&nbsp;

The ban, ordered by the kingdom's Interior Ministry and due to take effect on Sunday, is a major blow to the Lebanese economy, already reeling from an unprecedented economic crisis.&nbsp;

It came after Saudi Arabia announced on Friday, it has seized over 5 million pills of an amphetamine drug known as Captagon, hidden in a shipment of pomegranate coming from Lebanon. The official Saudi Press Agency said four Saudis and one displaced it did not identify were arrested.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun called for a meeting next week with Cabinet members, security officials, farmers and exporters to discuss the Saudi decision and its implications.&nbsp;

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on Friday said smuggling of drugs is harmful to the country's reputation and economy. It called on Lebanese customs duty authorities to increase checks and inspections of shipments leaving the small Mediterranean country.&nbsp;

But in a statement on Sunday, Lebanon's Farmers Union called on the kingdom to repeal its decision. It said the mistake of one person or a criminal gang should not be the reason to punish the entire Lebanese people.&nbsp;

Agricultural exports are a major foreign currency earner for Lebanon. Arab countries are Lebanon's main export markets for agricultural products, accounting for nearly 80% of over $190 million of total exports in 2019, where Saudi Arabia had more than 20% of the share, followed by Qatar.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's decision showed 'political maliciousness’, and contradicts the kingdom's claims that it protects Lebanon's interests, the statement added. The farmers union accused Saudi Arabia of participating in a policy to besiege Lebanon and change its alliance.&nbsp;

While Saudi Arabia has been a major Lebanon supporter, the kingdom has also been locked in a regional struggle with Iran, the main ally of the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Tension between the two regional powerhouses have often spilled into a deadlock in decision-making in Lebanese politics. Saudi Arabia is among Gulf countries that imposed sanctions on Hezbollah.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, other officials denied the smuggling was done by Lebanese. The head of the farmers' union in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa valley said the pomegranate shipment was coming from Syria, passing transit through Lebanese port.&nbsp;

Lebanon's farmers union described as 'arbitrary and unjust' the decision by Saudi Arabia to ban Lebanese produce from going through the kingdom over drug smuggling allegations, calling on Saturday for it be repealed.

Lebanon's farmers union described as 'arbitrary and unjust' the decision by Saudi Arabia to ban Lebanese produce from going through the kingdom over drug smuggling allegations, calling on Saturday for it be repealed. The ban, ordered by the kingdom's Interior Ministry and due to take effect on Sunday, is a major blow to the Lebanese economy, already reeling from an unprecedented economic crisis. It came after Saudi Arabia announced on Friday, it has seized over 5 million pills of an amphetamine drug known as Captagon, hidden in a shipment of pomegranate coming from Lebanon. The official Saudi Press Agency said four Saudis and one displaced it did not identify were arrested. On Saturday, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun called for a meeting next week with Cabinet members, security officials, farmers and exporters to discuss the Saudi decision and its implications. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on Friday said smuggling of drugs is harmful to the country's reputation and economy. It called on Lebanese customs duty authorities to increase checks and inspections of shipments leaving the small Mediterranean country. But in a statement on Sunday, Lebanon's Farmers Union called on the kingdom to repeal its decision. It said the mistake of one person or a criminal gang should not be the reason to punish the entire Lebanese people. Agricultural exports are a major foreign currency earner for Lebanon. Arab countries are Lebanon's main export markets for agricultural products, accounting for nearly 80% of over $190 million of total exports in 2019, where Saudi Arabia had more than 20% of the share, followed by Qatar. Saudi Arabia's decision showed 'political maliciousness’, and contradicts the kingdom's claims that it protects Lebanon's interests, the statement added. The farmers union accused Saudi Arabia of participating in a policy to besiege Lebanon and change its alliance. While Saudi Arabia has been a major Lebanon supporter, the kingdom has also been locked in a regional struggle with Iran, the main ally of the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Tension between the two regional powerhouses have often spilled into a deadlock in decision-making in Lebanese politics. Saudi Arabia is among Gulf countries that imposed sanctions on Hezbollah. Meanwhile, other officials denied the smuggling was done by Lebanese. The head of the farmers' union in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa valley said the pomegranate shipment was coming from Syria, passing transit through Lebanese port.

Lebanon farmers union calls on Saudi to repeal produce ban 

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it had fired 17 drones and two ballistic missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Jubail and Jeddah.&nbsp;

There was no immediate Saudi confirmation. Saudi Aramco, the state oil firm, said when contacted by reporters that it would respond at the earliest opportunity.&nbsp;

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter the group's barrage included 10 Samad-3 drones fired at refineries in the Red Sea city of Jeddah and Jubail in the Eastern Province.&nbsp;

Aramco's refinery in Jeddah was decommissioned in 2017 but it has a petroleum products distribution plant there that the Houthis have previously targeted.&nbsp;

Sarea said on Monday, the movement also targeted military sites in the southern Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait and Jazan. &nbsp;

The Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015 against the Houthis said late on Sunday, it had intercepted and destroyed six armed Houthi drones. &nbsp;

The coalition entered the war after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from the capital Sanaa.&nbsp;

The movement, which holds most of north Yemen, has kept up cross border attacks on Saudi Arabia and a ground offensive in Yemen's Marib region at a time when the United States and the United Nations are pushing for a ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;

Riyadh and the Yemeni government have welcomed a truce but the Houthis want the full lifting of a sea and air blockade.&nbsp;

The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the Arabian Peninsula nation to the brink of famine.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it had fired 17 drones and two ballistic missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Jubail and Jeddah.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it had fired 17 drones and two ballistic missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Jubail and Jeddah. There was no immediate Saudi confirmation. Saudi Aramco, the state oil firm, said when contacted by reporters that it would respond at the earliest opportunity. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter the group's barrage included 10 Samad-3 drones fired at refineries in the Red Sea city of Jeddah and Jubail in the Eastern Province. Aramco's refinery in Jeddah was decommissioned in 2017 but it has a petroleum products distribution plant there that the Houthis have previously targeted. Sarea said on Monday, the movement also targeted military sites in the southern Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait and Jazan. The Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015 against the Houthis said late on Sunday, it had intercepted and destroyed six armed Houthi drones. The coalition entered the war after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from the capital Sanaa. The movement, which holds most of north Yemen, has kept up cross border attacks on Saudi Arabia and a ground offensive in Yemen's Marib region at a time when the United States and the United Nations are pushing for a ceasefire agreement. Riyadh and the Yemeni government have welcomed a truce but the Houthis want the full lifting of a sea and air blockade. The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the Arabian Peninsula nation to the brink of famine. (With inputs from agencies)

Houthis claim to attack Saudi Aramco facilities; no confirmation from Riyadh 

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait.&nbsp;

The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative.&nbsp;

US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire.&nbsp;

The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls.&nbsp;

The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday. The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait. The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative. US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire. The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls. The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi-led coalition destroys Houthi rigged boats, drones: Report 

Houthi rebels have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, aiming at oil facilities owned by state-run Saudi Aramco company and a few military sites.

The group launched attacks against King Abdulaziz military base in Dammam and military sites in Najran and Asir on Thursday. They have also targeted Aramco facilities in Ras Tanura, Rabigh, Yanbu and Jizan, the group said.

Jizan's attack on the Red Sea struck a distribution facility around 9 pm.

"The attack resulted in a fire in one of the terminal’s tanks," a statement by the Saudi Energy Ministry read. No casualties have been reported yet from these attacks.

As per local reports, Saudi Arabia's air defence intercepted a ballistic missile over the province of Najran.

For now, a specific location has not been revealed about the attacks, but Jizan is home to a new refinery and port facilities for Aramco, an energy giant.

These assaults have seen an alarming increase in Saudi Arabia and an offer of&nbsp;ceasefire has also not offered any resolve.

Houthi rebels have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, aiming at oil facilities owned by state-run Saudi Aramco company and a few military sites. The group launched attacks against King Abdulaziz military base in Dammam and military sites in Najran and Asir on Thursday.

Houthi rebels have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, aiming at oil facilities owned by state-run Saudi Aramco company and a few military sites. The group launched attacks against King Abdulaziz military base in Dammam and military sites in Najran and Asir on Thursday. They have also targeted Aramco facilities in Ras Tanura, Rabigh, Yanbu and Jizan, the group said. Jizan's attack on the Red Sea struck a distribution facility around 9 pm. "The attack resulted in a fire in one of the terminal’s tanks," a statement by the Saudi Energy Ministry read. No casualties have been reported yet from these attacks. As per local reports, Saudi Arabia's air defence intercepted a ballistic missile over the province of Najran. For now, a specific location has not been revealed about the attacks, but Jizan is home to a new refinery and port facilities for Aramco, an energy giant. These assaults have seen an alarming increase in Saudi Arabia and an offer of ceasefire has also not offered any resolve.

Houthi rebels attack Saudi oil facilities, military sites

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deterred from flying to the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabian airspace last week because of the threat of missile fire from Iranian proxies in Yemen.&nbsp;

Netanyahu, whose comments came on Saturday, had called off a visit to the Emirates last week over a spat with neighbouring Jordan, which had temporarily closed its airspace to the Israeli prime minister's flight.&nbsp;

But rather than bypass Jordanian airspace and take a more southerly route across Saudi skies, Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 13, there were also problems a week ago in the skies of Saudi Arabia, referring to recent missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.&nbsp;

Netanyahu did not elaborate, nor did he say his plane was targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis.&nbsp;

Yemen's Houthi rebels, who control the capital and much of the country's north, have escalated their cross-border attacks on critical Saudi infrastructure in recent weeks, crashing bomb-laden drones and missiles into the kingdom's Patriot missile batteries and revealing gaps in the country's defenses.&nbsp;

Last week, missiles and drones hit one of the world's largest oil shipping ports and halted air traffic toward the international airport in the port city of Jiddah. While Houthi-claimed attacks on Saudi Arabia rarely cause substantial damage, such strikes have roiled the world economy and raise the risk of a disruption in global oil supplies.&nbsp;

Netanyahu was slated to make the first official visit by an Israeli leader to the United Arab Emirates, half a year after the countries established formal relations. He had hoped to use the audience with the UAE's crown prince to boost his reelection campaign less than two weeks before Israel's March 23 parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister's Office said it had difficulties coordinating the flight over Jordanian airspace after Jordan's crown prince canceled a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a sensitive holy site under Jordanian custodianship, due to disagreements over security arrangements.&nbsp;

The prime minister insisted that relations between the two countries were positive, adding that Jordan needs good relations with us no less than we need good relations with Jordan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deterred from flying to the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabian airspace last week because of the threat of missile fire from Iranian proxies in Yemen.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deterred from flying to the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabian airspace last week because of the threat of missile fire from Iranian proxies in Yemen. Netanyahu, whose comments came on Saturday, had called off a visit to the Emirates last week over a spat with neighbouring Jordan, which had temporarily closed its airspace to the Israeli prime minister's flight. But rather than bypass Jordanian airspace and take a more southerly route across Saudi skies, Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 13, there were also problems a week ago in the skies of Saudi Arabia, referring to recent missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Netanyahu did not elaborate, nor did he say his plane was targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis. Yemen's Houthi rebels, who control the capital and much of the country's north, have escalated their cross-border attacks on critical Saudi infrastructure in recent weeks, crashing bomb-laden drones and missiles into the kingdom's Patriot missile batteries and revealing gaps in the country's defenses. Last week, missiles and drones hit one of the world's largest oil shipping ports and halted air traffic toward the international airport in the port city of Jiddah. While Houthi-claimed attacks on Saudi Arabia rarely cause substantial damage, such strikes have roiled the world economy and raise the risk of a disruption in global oil supplies. Netanyahu was slated to make the first official visit by an Israeli leader to the United Arab Emirates, half a year after the countries established formal relations. He had hoped to use the audience with the UAE's crown prince to boost his reelection campaign less than two weeks before Israel's March 23 parliamentary elections. The Prime Minister's Office said it had difficulties coordinating the flight over Jordanian airspace after Jordan's crown prince canceled a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a sensitive holy site under Jordanian custodianship, due to disagreements over security arrangements. The prime minister insisted that relations between the two countries were positive, adding that Jordan needs good relations with us no less than we need good relations with Jordan. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli PM avoided Saudi airspace due to Houthi missiles 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday defended his government's plan to halve humanitarian aid for war-torn Yemen while continuing to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, despite a US freeze on its weapons' exports.

An international aid conference on Yemen this week yielded less than half the funds needed to prevent what the UN warns is a looming famine.&nbsp;

"Cutting aid is a death sentence," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned, in remarks echoed in the UK parliament by opposition leaders grilling Johnson at weekly prime minister's questions.

Britain pledged £87 million ($122 million, 100 million euros), about half the amount it offered at last year's Yemen conference, and only 40 percent of the total funding it provided to the shattered country during 2020.&nbsp;

"How on earth can the prime minister justify selling arms to Saudi Arabia and cutting aid to people starving in Yemen?" said Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party.

He pointed to last month's decision by the new administration of President Joe Biden to pause US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which is leading a devastating conflict against Huthi rebels in Yemen, pending a review.

"It is true that current straightened circumstances, which I'm sure the people of this country understand, mean that temporarily we must reduce aid spending," Johnson replied, noting the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on UK finances.

"But that does not obscure the fact that when it comes to our duty to the people of Yemen, we continue to step up to the plate," he said, noting Britain has given about £1 billion in the past five years, since the Saudi-led bombing campaign began.

"It's a record of which this country can be proud. Given the difficulties that this country faces, I think the people of this country will think we've got our priorities right."

Johnson added that the government continues "scrupulously to follow the humanitarian guidance which are amongst the toughest measures anywhere in the world in respect of all arms sales".

Citing the pandemic, the UK government is planning to scrap a legally enshrined target for its aid budget this year, leading to accusations even from its own ranks that it is abandoning some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.

Former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, bitterly criticising the decision on Yemen, said cutting the UK's overall aid commitment was a "strategic mistake with deadly consequences".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday defended his government's plan to halve humanitarian aid for war-torn Yemen while continuing to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, despite a US freeze on its weapons' exports.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday defended his government's plan to halve humanitarian aid for war-torn Yemen while continuing to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, despite a US freeze on its weapons' exports. An international aid conference on Yemen this week yielded less than half the funds needed to prevent what the UN warns is a looming famine. "Cutting aid is a death sentence," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned, in remarks echoed in the UK parliament by opposition leaders grilling Johnson at weekly prime minister's questions. Britain pledged £87 million ($122 million, 100 million euros), about half the amount it offered at last year's Yemen conference, and only 40 percent of the total funding it provided to the shattered country during 2020. "How on earth can the prime minister justify selling arms to Saudi Arabia and cutting aid to people starving in Yemen?" said Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party. He pointed to last month's decision by the new administration of President Joe Biden to pause US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which is leading a devastating conflict against Huthi rebels in Yemen, pending a review. "It is true that current straightened circumstances, which I'm sure the people of this country understand, mean that temporarily we must reduce aid spending," Johnson replied, noting the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on UK finances. "But that does not obscure the fact that when it comes to our duty to the people of Yemen, we continue to step up to the plate," he said, noting Britain has given about £1 billion in the past five years, since the Saudi-led bombing campaign began. "It's a record of which this country can be proud. Given the difficulties that this country faces, I think the people of this country will think we've got our priorities right." Johnson added that the government continues "scrupulously to follow the humanitarian guidance which are amongst the toughest measures anywhere in the world in respect of all arms sales". Citing the pandemic, the UK government is planning to scrap a legally enshrined target for its aid budget this year, leading to accusations even from its own ranks that it is abandoning some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, bitterly criticising the decision on Yemen, said cutting the UK's overall aid commitment was a "strategic mistake with deadly consequences".

UK defends Yemen aid cuts and arms sales to Saudi

Two decades of snail pace revisions of Saudi schoolbooks aimed at removing supremacist references to Jews, Christians, and Shiites suggest a willingness to delete offensive language while keeping in place fundamental concepts of an ultra-conservative, anti-pluralistic, and intolerant interpretation of Islam.

In a break with the past, Human Rights Watch and Impact-se, an education-focused Israeli research group, reported for the first time in two decades of post-9/11 pressure on Saudi Arabia that the kingdom had made significant progress in revising textbooks.

The reports focussed on explicit references to other religions but noted that further revisions were needed to eliminate language that disparages practices associated with religious minorities, particularly Shiite Muslims and Sufis, sects viewed as heretic by ultra-conservatives.

“As long as the texts continue to disparage religious beliefs and practices of minority groups, including those of fellow Saudi citizens, it will contribute to the culture of discrimination that these groups face,” said Michael Page, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Middle East director.

“They removed some of the more offensive stuff like pictures of Shiite shrines that were called shirk (polytheistic) and they removed some offensive language, but the kernel is still there... They are trying to make the language less offensive but the whole idea is offensive,” added Human Rights Watch Middle East researcher Adam Coogle.

Implicit in the two reports’ conclusions, but at best only summarily mentioned, was the fact that the ultra-conservative interpretation of basic religious concepts as promoted by Saudi Arabia until the rise of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, remain unaltered in the schoolbooks.

These interpretations relate to the ban on bida’a or religious innovation and shirk or polytheism as well as the rejection of supplication, a thinly veiled reference to the Shia practice of intercession.

Critics, including prominent Muslim scholars, argue that Saudi Arabia’s failure to address problematic concepts of Islam, that constitute the basis for ultra-conservative rejection of religious pluralism and supremacist and intolerant interpretations of the faith, call into question the kingdom’s projection of itself as a paragon of religious moderation and leader of the Islamic world.

The critics assert that the significant progress reported by Human Rights Watch and Impact-se constitutes part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to pre-empt pressure from the Biden administration as it recalibrates its relationship with the kingdom.

They also charge that the progress is designed to make Saudi Arabia, whose image has been tarnished by human rights abuse and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, palatable to foreign direct investors as well as boost pressure on international companies to shift their regional operations from Dubai to the kingdom.

Scholars in Saudi Arabia took issue with the Human Rights Watch report. “I do not know why the world is so busy with us. Although their countries are full of things that need attention, revision, arrangement, and organization,” said political sociologist Widad al-Jarwan, adding that “even their curricula in the West are full of mistakes against” Muslims.

Indonesian Muslim scholars argue that the Saudi interpretation of ibadah, the rules governing worship, constitute an innovation by defining aspects of worship practised by a majority of Muslims in ways that are viewed by ultra-conservatives as beyond the pale.

“What matters is how the Saudis interpret the teachings related to how Muslims should treat anybody of a different sect or faith. The problem is how they believe the other should be treated. It doesn’t matter what they call me. It doesn’t matter if they call me a kafir, an infidel, as long as they truly believe that I should be treated equally. The problem is that the Saudis don’t really want to change their established system of beliefs,” said Yahya Cholil Staquf, a prominent Islamic scholar and secretary-general of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim movement.

Mr. Staquf was one of the major forces behind Nahdlatul Ulama’s charter of Humanitarian Islam that embraces the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and calls for reform of problematic or obsolete religious legal concepts that negate equal rights for all.

Ali al-Ahmad, director of the Washington-based Institute of Gulf Affairs that has long highlighted problems with Saudi textbooks, contended that “when it comes to bida’a and shirk, the Wahhabis are more guilty than other Muslims. Saudi Arabia will not be able to move forward with Wahhabism as its state religion. The concept of a state religion must be abolished before the country can move into the modern age.”

Mr Al-Ahmed’s comment goes to the core of the debate about religious reform in the Muslim world and whether states like Saudi Arabia without the lead and buy-in of civil society can achieve real and lasting change.

“There’s no civil society. There’s no dialogue. Zero,” Mr Coogle said.

Significant social reforms in recent years were primarily designed to cater to youth aspirations, enable economic diversification, attract foreign direct investment, and shore up the country’s tarnished image while ensuring state-control on the principle of absolute obedience to the ruler. They were not rooted in a recognition that the kingdom’s ultra-conservative mores were problematic in and of themselves.

Discussing the textbook revisions, Mr. Coogle noted that “it’s not like the Saudis looked at their textbooks and saw a problem. Other people didn’t like it and the Saudis are trying to quell those concerns.”

The stepped-up Saudi revision of schoolbooks was in part spurred by a draft bill in the US Congress that would require the Secretary of State to report annually “on religious intolerance in Saudi Arabian educational materials.” The draft was initially introduced in 2017 by a Republican sponsor who has since retired and reintroduced in 2019.

The Human Rights Watch report noted that although the revised schoolbooks no longer contain explicit references to Shia Islam, they still included harsh criticism of Shia practices and traditions, labelling them evidence of polytheism that threatens the existence of Islam.

A schoolbook for 4th-grade nine-year olds advised that adherence to such practices would lead to the cancellation of a person’s good deeds, God’s rejection of their repentance, and eternal damnation.

The practices include praying to saints and visiting tombs and shrines of prominent religious figures that are rejected by Wahhabism as a form of idolatry. They also involve the Shiite supplication to God via intermediaries as well as kneeling to anyone other than God, building mosques and shrines on top of graves, and wailing over the dead.

“Any Saudi who reads this will understand what it means,” Mr. Coogle said.

Saudi Shiites noted that all Muslim students, including Shiites, were required to use these textbooks even if they were perceived as offensive.

“The textbooks are written under the close supervision of leading Wahhabi clerics led by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan,” one of Saudi Arabia’s most senior ultra-conservative clerics, Mr. Al-Ahmad said.

Mr. Al-Fawzan “views Islam as a Wahhabi-only religion. This vision is what is reflected in Saudi textbooks and other religious literature. This means that Shia Muslims, Sufis, other Sunni Muslims –are polytheists and deviants,” Mr. Al-Ahmad added.

Mr. Page cautioned that “as long as disparaging references to religious minorities remain in the text it will continue to stoke controversy and condemnation.”

By the same token, Saudi Arabia’s failure to address ultra-conservative interpretations of religious concepts that justify a rejection of pluralism and religious tolerance challenge the kingdom’s claim to be a leading voice of moderation – a pillar of the country’s quest to be recognized as a, if not the leader of the Muslim world in a new world order.

(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.)

Two decades of snail pace revisions of Saudi schoolbooks aimed at removing supremacist references to Jews, Christians, and Shiites suggest a willingness to delete offensive language while keeping in place fundamental concepts of an ultra-conservative, anti-pluralistic, and intolerant interpretation of Islam.

Two decades of snail pace revisions of Saudi schoolbooks aimed at removing supremacist references to Jews, Christians, and Shiites suggest a willingness to delete offensive language while keeping in place fundamental concepts of an ultra-conservative, anti-pluralistic, and intolerant interpretation of Islam. In a break with the past, Human Rights Watch and Impact-se, an education-focused Israeli research group, reported for the first time in two decades of post-9/11 pressure on Saudi Arabia that the kingdom had made significant progress in revising textbooks. The reports focussed on explicit references to other religions but noted that further revisions were needed to eliminate language that disparages practices associated with religious minorities, particularly Shiite Muslims and Sufis, sects viewed as heretic by ultra-conservatives. “As long as the texts continue to disparage religious beliefs and practices of minority groups, including those of fellow Saudi citizens, it will contribute to the culture of discrimination that these groups face,” said Michael Page, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Middle East director. “They removed some of the more offensive stuff like pictures of Shiite shrines that were called shirk (polytheistic) and they removed some offensive language, but the kernel is still there... They are trying to make the language less offensive but the whole idea is offensive,” added Human Rights Watch Middle East researcher Adam Coogle. Implicit in the two reports’ conclusions, but at best only summarily mentioned, was the fact that the ultra-conservative interpretation of basic religious concepts as promoted by Saudi Arabia until the rise of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, remain unaltered in the schoolbooks. These interpretations relate to the ban on bida’a or religious innovation and shirk or polytheism as well as the rejection of supplication, a thinly veiled reference to the Shia practice of intercession. Critics, including prominent Muslim scholars, argue that Saudi Arabia’s failure to address problematic concepts of Islam, that constitute the basis for ultra-conservative rejection of religious pluralism and supremacist and intolerant interpretations of the faith, call into question the kingdom’s projection of itself as a paragon of religious moderation and leader of the Islamic world. The critics assert that the significant progress reported by Human Rights Watch and Impact-se constitutes part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to pre-empt pressure from the Biden administration as it recalibrates its relationship with the kingdom. They also charge that the progress is designed to make Saudi Arabia, whose image has been tarnished by human rights abuse and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, palatable to foreign direct investors as well as boost pressure on international companies to shift their regional operations from Dubai to the kingdom. Scholars in Saudi Arabia took issue with the Human Rights Watch report. “I do not know why the world is so busy with us. Although their countries are full of things that need attention, revision, arrangement, and organization,” said political sociologist Widad al-Jarwan, adding that “even their curricula in the West are full of mistakes against” Muslims. Indonesian Muslim scholars argue that the Saudi interpretation of ibadah, the rules governing worship, constitute an innovation by defining aspects of worship practised by a majority of Muslims in ways that are viewed by ultra-conservatives as beyond the pale. “What matters is how the Saudis interpret the teachings related to how Muslims should treat anybody of a different sect or faith. The problem is how they believe the other should be treated. It doesn’t matter what they call me. It doesn’t matter if they call me a kafir, an infidel, as long as they truly believe that I should be treated equally. The problem is that the Saudis don’t really want to change their established system of beliefs,” said Yahya Cholil Staquf, a prominent Islamic scholar and secretary-general of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim movement. Mr. Staquf was one of the major forces behind Nahdlatul Ulama’s charter of Humanitarian Islam that embraces the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and calls for reform of problematic or obsolete religious legal concepts that negate equal rights for all. Ali al-Ahmad, director of the Washington-based Institute of Gulf Affairs that has long highlighted problems with Saudi textbooks, contended that “when it comes to bida’a and shirk, the Wahhabis are more guilty than other Muslims. Saudi Arabia will not be able to move forward with Wahhabism as its state religion. The concept of a state religion must be abolished before the country can move into the modern age.” Mr Al-Ahmed’s comment goes to the core of the debate about religious reform in the Muslim world and whether states like Saudi Arabia without the lead and buy-in of civil society can achieve real and lasting change. “There’s no civil society. There’s no dialogue. Zero,” Mr Coogle said. Significant social reforms in recent years were primarily designed to cater to youth aspirations, enable economic diversification, attract foreign direct investment, and shore up the country’s tarnished image while ensuring state-control on the principle of absolute obedience to the ruler. They were not rooted in a recognition that the kingdom’s ultra-conservative mores were problematic in and of themselves. Discussing the textbook revisions, Mr. Coogle noted that “it’s not like the Saudis looked at their textbooks and saw a problem. Other people didn’t like it and the Saudis are trying to quell those concerns.” The stepped-up Saudi revision of schoolbooks was in part spurred by a draft bill in the US Congress that would require the Secretary of State to report annually “on religious intolerance in Saudi Arabian educational materials.” The draft was initially introduced in 2017 by a Republican sponsor who has since retired and reintroduced in 2019. The Human Rights Watch report noted that although the revised schoolbooks no longer contain explicit references to Shia Islam, they still included harsh criticism of Shia practices and traditions, labelling them evidence of polytheism that threatens the existence of Islam. A schoolbook for 4th-grade nine-year olds advised that adherence to such practices would lead to the cancellation of a person’s good deeds, God’s rejection of their repentance, and eternal damnation. The practices include praying to saints and visiting tombs and shrines of prominent religious figures that are rejected by Wahhabism as a form of idolatry. They also involve the Shiite supplication to God via intermediaries as well as kneeling to anyone other than God, building mosques and shrines on top of graves, and wailing over the dead. “Any Saudi who reads this will understand what it means,” Mr. Coogle said. Saudi Shiites noted that all Muslim students, including Shiites, were required to use these textbooks even if they were perceived as offensive. “The textbooks are written under the close supervision of leading Wahhabi clerics led by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan,” one of Saudi Arabia’s most senior ultra-conservative clerics, Mr. Al-Ahmad said. Mr. Al-Fawzan “views Islam as a Wahhabi-only religion. This vision is what is reflected in Saudi textbooks and other religious literature. This means that Shia Muslims, Sufis, other Sunni Muslims –are polytheists and deviants,” Mr. Al-Ahmad added. Mr. Page cautioned that “as long as disparaging references to religious minorities remain in the text it will continue to stoke controversy and condemnation.” By the same token, Saudi Arabia’s failure to address ultra-conservative interpretations of religious concepts that justify a rejection of pluralism and religious tolerance challenge the kingdom’s claim to be a leading voice of moderation – a pillar of the country’s quest to be recognized as a, if not the leader of the Muslim world in a new world order. (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.)

Opinion: What does it take to recontextualise Islam in Saudi schoolbooks?

Indian and Saudi armies will undertake joint bilateral exercise. According to sources the joint exercise will take place next year in Saudi Arabia. Security Cooperations and Intelligence sharing are important elements in this strategic partnership between the two nations.

Indian and Saudi armies will undertake joint bilateral exercise

The United States has imposed a temporary freeze on two big arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which were approved in the final weeks of the Trump administration, a State Department official said.

The nearly week-old administration has already signaled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-warns-china-over-expansionism-in-asia-359774">Also read | US President Joe Biden warns China over expansionism in Asia</a> 
 
A State Department spokesperson said the administration is "temporarily pausing the implementation" of a number of defense sales "to allow incoming leadership an opportunity to review."

"This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the administration's commitment to transparency and good governance," the spokesperson said. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-and-suga-vow-to-strengthen-us-japan-alliance-359772" hreflang="en">Biden and Suga vow to strengthen US-Japan alliance</a>

The move is also aimed at "ensuring US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable and more capable security partners."

The most high-profile sale is a $23 billion package of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates.

Former president Donald Trump's administration agreed to the sale -- the first of the stealth-capable planes to an Arab nation -- after the United Arab Emirates agreed to recognize Israel.

A potential halt to the sale could raise questions about whether the United Arab Emirates will continue its normalization with Israel, which Trump saw as a key foreign policy achievement.

Lawmakers of Biden's Democratic Party had voiced misgivings over the deal, fearing it would set off an arms race, but failed in the Senate to block the sale while Trump was in office.

The package to the United Arab Emirates also included unarmed drones, while the United States has been preparing major sales of munitions to Saudi Arabia.

Trump had explicitly backed arms sales on commercial grounds, saying that the Saudis were creating US jobs by buying from US manufacturers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing that the Saudi offensive against Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, has contributed to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States has imposed a temporary freeze on two big arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which were approved in the final weeks of the Trump administration, a State Department official said.

The United States has imposed a temporary freeze on two big arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which were approved in the final weeks of the Trump administration, a State Department official said. The nearly week-old administration has already signaled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Also read | US President Joe Biden warns China over expansionism in Asia A State Department spokesperson said the administration is "temporarily pausing the implementation" of a number of defense sales "to allow incoming leadership an opportunity to review." "This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the administration's commitment to transparency and good governance," the spokesperson said. Also read: Biden and Suga vow to strengthen US-Japan alliance The move is also aimed at "ensuring US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable and more capable security partners." The most high-profile sale is a $23 billion package of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates. Former president Donald Trump's administration agreed to the sale -- the first of the stealth-capable planes to an Arab nation -- after the United Arab Emirates agreed to recognize Israel. A potential halt to the sale could raise questions about whether the United Arab Emirates will continue its normalization with Israel, which Trump saw as a key foreign policy achievement. Lawmakers of Biden's Democratic Party had voiced misgivings over the deal, fearing it would set off an arms race, but failed in the Senate to block the sale while Trump was in office. The package to the United Arab Emirates also included unarmed drones, while the United States has been preparing major sales of munitions to Saudi Arabia. Trump had explicitly backed arms sales on commercial grounds, saying that the Saudis were creating US jobs by buying from US manufacturers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing that the Saudi offensive against Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, has contributed to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. (With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden freezes controversial arms deals with Saudi Arabia and UAE

Air travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia will resume on Monday, according to the countries' airlines, a major landmark as Doha's former rivals normalise ties under a landmark agreement.

Saudi Arabia and its allies the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt in June 2017 slapped a blockade on Qatar that included closing airspace to the country over claims it backed Islamist groups and was too close to Iran.

Qatar always denied the charges.

The quartet agreed to lift the restrictions at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit last week in the Saudi desert city of Al-Ula, after energetic diplomacy by outgoing US President Donald Trump's administration.

The first commercial flight between Qatar and Saudi in three and a half years, a Qatar Airways service to Riyadh, will take off from Doha at 1045 GMT and touch down at 1210 GMT, according to the airline's timetable.

Saudi Airlines will fly from Riyadh to Doha, departing the kingdom at 1340 GMT according to its online schedule, with services from Jeddah expected to start at a later date.

The New York Times had reported that Qatar has been paying in excess of $100 million annually to use Iran's airspace to bypass Saudi Arabia.

Air travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia will resume on Monday, according to the countries' airlines, a major landmark as Doha's former rivals normalise ties under a landmark agreement.

Air travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia will resume on Monday, according to the countries' airlines, a major landmark as Doha's former rivals normalise ties under a landmark agreement. Saudi Arabia and its allies the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt in June 2017 slapped a blockade on Qatar that included closing airspace to the country over claims it backed Islamist groups and was too close to Iran. Qatar always denied the charges. The quartet agreed to lift the restrictions at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit last week in the Saudi desert city of Al-Ula, after energetic diplomacy by outgoing US President Donald Trump's administration. The first commercial flight between Qatar and Saudi in three and a half years, a Qatar Airways service to Riyadh, will take off from Doha at 1045 GMT and touch down at 1210 GMT, according to the airline's timetable. Saudi Airlines will fly from Riyadh to Doha, departing the kingdom at 1340 GMT according to its online schedule, with services from Jeddah expected to start at a later date. The New York Times had reported that Qatar has been paying in excess of $100 million annually to use Iran's airspace to bypass Saudi Arabia.

First Qatar to Saudi flight to take off after thaw

As they restore ties through a landmark deal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia opened their borders on Saturday. Saudi Arabia had shut its border with Qatar in June 2017 as part of sanctions. Saudi had said the sanctions were part of response to Qatar backing radical Islamist groups and closeness to Iran. Qatar has always denied the charges.

A Qatari source told AFP that traffic at the Abu Samrah crossing, 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Doha, resumed around 0700 GMT.

Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, all of which also imposed an embargo on travel and trade, agreed to lift the restrictions at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in the kingdom on Tuesday.

The day before the summit, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah had announced on state television that a deal had been agreed to "open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar".

Only a trickle of cars arrived at the palm tree-lined, whitewashed border post to make the short crossing to the Saudi side after news broke that the frontier had reopened.

A smaller number made the journey from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, where strict measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus have been imposed.

"I'm very happy the border is open again," said Qatari Jaber al-Marri, as he approached a checkpoint in his Land Cruiser SUV, adding that he had relatives in the neighbouring kingdom.&nbsp;

"A lot of Qataris have relatives in Saudi Arabia," he said.

"The coming days will be better," added the man, holding a negative coronavirus test result in his hand.

(With AFP inputs)

As they restore ties through a landmark deal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia opened their borders on Saturday. Saudi Arabia had shut its border with Qatar in June 2017 as part of sanctions.

As they restore ties through a landmark deal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia opened their borders on Saturday. Saudi Arabia had shut its border with Qatar in June 2017 as part of sanctions. Saudi had said the sanctions were part of response to Qatar backing radical Islamist groups and closeness to Iran. Qatar has always denied the charges. A Qatari source told AFP that traffic at the Abu Samrah crossing, 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Doha, resumed around 0700 GMT. Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, all of which also imposed an embargo on travel and trade, agreed to lift the restrictions at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in the kingdom on Tuesday. The day before the summit, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah had announced on state television that a deal had been agreed to "open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar". Only a trickle of cars arrived at the palm tree-lined, whitewashed border post to make the short crossing to the Saudi side after news broke that the frontier had reopened. A smaller number made the journey from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, where strict measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus have been imposed. "I'm very happy the border is open again," said Qatari Jaber al-Marri, as he approached a checkpoint in his Land Cruiser SUV, adding that he had relatives in the neighbouring kingdom. "A lot of Qataris have relatives in Saudi Arabia," he said. "The coming days will be better," added the man, holding a negative coronavirus test result in his hand. (With AFP inputs)

Saudi Arabia-Qatar border reopens after thaw in relations

Loujain al-Hathloul, the Saudi women’s rights activist has been sentenced to five years and eight months in jail after being found guilty of spying with foreign parties and conspiring against the kingdom.

Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul jailed

A Saudi-origin women's rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, has been jailed for five years and eight months for participating in terrorism-related activities and crimes after she was arrested in May 2018.

The prominent&nbsp;activist was convicted of "various activities prohibited by the anti-terrorism law", the local media, including the pro-government media outlet&nbsp;Sabq, reported on Monday.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-gets-coronavirus-vaccine-352517">&nbsp;Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine</a>

Hathloul's jail time was ordered by a Saudi court on Monday in presence of a few selected local media outlets. The activist can have her sentence reduced by two years and ten months "if she does not commit any crime" within the next three years. However, it is not yet clear of the ruling was decided for the time she will be serving or&nbsp;when she may be released from custody.

The activist also has the option of file a&nbsp;motion to appeal within the next 30 days.

Hathloul was detained by the local authorities in May 2018 with several other women activists while she was campaigning for women's rights. Her arrest was made a few days before the Saudi court made a historic ruling of allowing Saudi women to drive.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-considering-legal-immunity-for-saudi-crown-prince-salman-in-assassination-plot-khashoggi-killing-report-351639">Trump considering legal immunity for Saudi Crown Prince Salman in assassination plot, Khashoggi killing: Report</a>

The 31-year-old was being tried&nbsp;Riyadh's criminal court. Her case was then transferred to the anti-terrorism court (Specialised Criminal Court). The supporters of&nbsp;Hathloul feel this move was a deliberate effort of the government to make sure the activist gets a confirmed jail time, and they alleged the SCC is used by the government to silence all anti-government voices.

The government, however, alleged that&nbsp;Hathloul was guilty of contacting "unfriendly" states and providing classified information to them. However, these accusations have been denied by&nbsp;Hathloul's&nbsp;family who have instead accused the government of making statements without providing any evidence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Her sentence comes almost a year after&nbsp;Hathloul started a hunger strike in the prison with the demand of being provided regular contact with her family. Her family claims she had to end the strike within two weeks due to the torture she was facing from the prison guards. "She was being woken up by the guards every two hours, day and night, as a brutal tactic to break her," her siblings said. "Yet, she is far from broken."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-activist-loujain-al-hathloul-jailed-for-five-years-352955">WATCH|</a>

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A Saudi-origin women's rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, has been jailed for five years and eight months for participating in terrorism-related activities and crimes after she was arrested in May 2018.

A Saudi-origin women's rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, has been jailed for five years and eight months for participating in terrorism-related activities and crimes after she was arrested in May 2018. The prominent activist was convicted of "various activities prohibited by the anti-terrorism law", the local media, including the pro-government media outlet Sabq, reported on Monday. Also read| Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine Hathloul's jail time was ordered by a Saudi court on Monday in presence of a few selected local media outlets. The activist can have her sentence reduced by two years and ten months "if she does not commit any crime" within the next three years. However, it is not yet clear of the ruling was decided for the time she will be serving or when she may be released from custody. The activist also has the option of file a motion to appeal within the next 30 days. Hathloul was detained by the local authorities in May 2018 with several other women activists while she was campaigning for women's rights. Her arrest was made a few days before the Saudi court made a historic ruling of allowing Saudi women to drive. Also read| Trump considering legal immunity for Saudi Crown Prince Salman in assassination plot, Khashoggi killing: Report The 31-year-old was being tried Riyadh's criminal court. Her case was then transferred to the anti-terrorism court (Specialised Criminal Court). The supporters of Hathloul feel this move was a deliberate effort of the government to make sure the activist gets a confirmed jail time, and they alleged the SCC is used by the government to silence all anti-government voices. The government, however, alleged that Hathloul was guilty of contacting "unfriendly" states and providing classified information to them. However, these accusations have been denied by Hathloul's family who have instead accused the government of making statements without providing any evidence. Her sentence comes almost a year after Hathloul started a hunger strike in the prison with the demand of being provided regular contact with her family. Her family claims she had to end the strike within two weeks due to the torture she was facing from the prison guards. "She was being woken up by the guards every two hours, day and night, as a brutal tactic to break her," her siblings said. "Yet, she is far from broken." WATCH| ×

Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul jailed for five years

Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul jailed for five years

As part of his second leg of the two-nation visit, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Sunday met top Saudi Generals and discussed issues of mutual interest and defence cooperation.

Indian Army Chief Naravane meets top Saudi Generals

Iran flatly dismissed a call by Saudi Arabia for Gulf states to be consulted on any potential negotiations with the Islamic republic on its nuclear programme.

Iran dismisses Saudi's call for inclusion in nuclear talks

Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected Israeli media reports that claimed of talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi denies reports of talks between Crown Prince Salman and Netanyahu

Saudi FM denies reports of talks between Crown Prince Salman and Netanyahu

China and Russia were elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday (Oct. 13), but support for Beijing dropped by more than 20% compared with a 2016 vote and Saudi Arabia failed in its bid to win a seat on the Geneva-based body.

UNHRC Elections 2020: China, Russia elected to U.N. rights council; Saudi Arabia fails

Watch today in 'World Business Watch': World's largest oil exporter Saudi Arabia has planned to cut spending by 7.5% in next year's budget as the country face the economic contraction.

World Business Watch: Saudi Arabia plans to cut spending next year

Saudi Arabia has planned to cut spending by 7.5 percent in next year's budget to 990 billion riyals ($263.94 billion) but expects the economy to return to growth. Watch report.

Saudi Arabia to cut spending next year by 7.5% | World News

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday (Sept. 23) called for a comprehensive solution on Iran and disarming its affiliate Hezbollah in Lebanon, and expressed support for U.S. efforts to start talks between Israel and the Palestinians during his first address to the United Nations General Assembly.

Saudi's King Salman slams Iran at the UN General Assembly 2020

Saudi Arabia's King Salman speaks at the UN General Assembly

The odds are that Saudi Arabia is not about to formalize relations with Israel. But the kingdom, its image tarnished by multiple missteps, is seeking to ensure that it is not perceived as the odd man out as smaller Gulf States establish diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.

Bahrain’s announcement that it would follow in the footsteps of the United Arab Emirates was as much a Bahraini move as it was a Saudi signal that it is not opposed to normalization with Israel.

Largely dependent on the kingdom since Saudi troops helped squash mass anti-government protests in 2011, Bahrain, a majority Shia Muslim nation, would not have agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel without Saudi consent.

The Bahraini move followed several other Saudi gestures intended to signal the kingdom’s endorsement of Arab normalization of Israel even if it was not going to lead the pack.

The gestures included the opening of Saudi air space to Israeli commercial flights, and publication of a Saudi think tank report praising Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s stewardship in modernizing the kingdom’s religious education system and encouraging the religious establishment to replace“extremist narratives” in school textbooks with “a moderate interpretation of Islamic rhetoric.”

They also involved a sermon by Abdulrahman al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca – the world’s largest mosque that surrounds the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site that highlighted Prophet Mohammed’s friendly relations with Jews.

Mr. al-Sudais noted that the prophet had “performed ablution from a polytheistic water bottle and died while his shield was mortgaged to a Jew,” forged a peace agreement with Jewish inhabitants of the Khaybar region, and dealt so well with a Jewish neighbor that he eventually converted to Islam.&nbsp;

The imam’s comments, a day before US President Donald J. Trump was believed to have failed to persuade King Salman to follow the UAE’s example, were widely seen as part of an effort to prepare Saudi public opinion for eventual recognition of Israel.

Criticism on social media of the comments constituted one indication that public opinion in Gulf states is divided.

Expression of Emirati dissent was restricted to Emirati exiles given that the UAE does not tolerate expression of dissenting views.

However, small scale protests erupted in Bahrain, another country that curtails freedom of expression and assembly. Bahraini political and civil society associations, including the Bahrain Bar Association, issued a statement rejecting the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel.

“What results from normalization will not enjoy popular backing, in line with what generations of Bahrainis have been brought up on in terms of adherence to the Palestinian cause,” the statement said.

Bahrain has long been home to a Jewish community and was the first and, so far, only Arab state to appoint a Jew as its ambassador to the United States.

The criticism echoes recent polls in various Gulf States that suggest that Palestine remains a major public foreign policy concern.

Polling by David Pollock of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy found that Palestine ranked second to Iran.

Earlier polls by James Zogby, a Washington-based pollster with a track record that goes back more than a decade, showed Palestine ranking in 2018 as the foremost foreign policy issue followed by Iran in Emirati and Saudi public opinion.

The same year’s Arab Opinion Index suggested that 80 percent of Saudis see Palestine as an Arab rather than a purely Palestinian issue.

Mr. Pollock said in an interview that with regard to Palestine, Saudi officials “believe that they have to be a little cautious. They want to move bit by bit in the direction of normalizing at least the existence of Israel or the discussion of Israel, the possibility of peace, but they don’t think that the public is ready for the full embrace or anything like that.”

Gulf scholar Giorgio Cafiero noted in a tweet that “Israel formalizing relations (with) unelected Arab (governments) is not the same as Israel making ‘peace’ (with) Arab people. Look at, for example, what Egypt’s citizenry thinks of Israel. Iran and Turkey will capitalize on this reality as more US-friendly Arab [governments] sign accords [with] Israel.”

This year’s Arab Opinion Index suggest that in Kuwait, the one country that has not engaged with Israel publicly, Turkey—the Muslim country that has taken a lead in supporting the Palestinians—ranked highest in public esteem compared to China, Russia, and Iran.

A rift in a UAE-backed Muslim group created to counter Qatari support of political Islam and promote a state-controlled version of Islam that preaches absolute obedience to the ruler serves as a further indication that Palestine remains an emotive public issue.

In Mr. Al-Sudais’ case, analysts suggest that the criticism is as much about Palestine as it is a signal that religious leaders who become subservient to the whims of government may be losing credibility.

Mr. Al-Sudais’ sermon contrasted starkly with past talks in which he described Jews as “killers of prophets and the scum of the earth” as well as “monkeys and pigs” and defended Saudi Arabia’s conflict with Iran as a war between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

The criticism coupled with indications earlier this year that Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment was not happy with Prince Mohammed’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic may be one reason why Saudi Arabia is gesturing rather than formalizing already existing relations with Israel.

Authorities reportedly arrested in March Sheikh Abdullah al-Saad, an Islamic scholar, after he posted online an audio clip criticizing the government for banning Friday prayers. Mr. al-Saad argued that worshippers should be able to ask God for mercy.

An imam in Mecca was fired shortly after he expressed concern about the spread of the coronavirus in Saudi prisons.

Scholars Genevieve Abdo and Nourhan Elnahla reported that the kingdom’s Council of Senior Clerics had initially drafted a fatwa, or religious opinion, describing the closing of mosques as a violation of Islamic principles. They said that government pressure had persuaded the council not to issue the opinion.

Concern among the kingdom’s ultra-conservative religious scholars that the ruling Al-Saud family may break the power-sharing agreement with the clergy, concluded at the birth of the kingdom, predates the rise of King Salman and Prince Mohammed.

Indeed, the clerics’ concern stretches back to the reign of King Abdullah and has focused on attitudes expressed both by senior members of the ruling family who have since been sidelined or detained by Prince Mohammed and princes that continue to wield influence.

The scholars feared that the ruling family contemplated separating state and religion. This is a concern that has likely been reinforced since Prince Mohammed whipped the kingdom’s religious establishment into submission and downplayed religion by emphasizing nationalism.

Ultra-conservative Saudi religious scholars are also certain to have taken note of post-revolt Sudan’s recent decision to legally remove religion from the realm of the state.

Ultra-conservative sentiment does not pose an imminent threat to Prince Mohammed’s iron grip rule of a country in which many welcomed social reforms that have lifted some of the debilitating restrictions on women, liberalized gender segregation, and the as yet unfulfilled promise of greater opportunity for a majority youthful population.

It does however suggest one reason why Prince Mohammed, who is believed to favor formal relations with Israel, may want to tread carefully on an issue that potentially continues to evoke passions. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The odds are that Saudi Arabia is not about to formalize relations with Israel. But the kingdom, its image tarnished by multiple missteps, is seeking to ensure that it is not perceived as the odd man out as smaller Gulf States establish diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.

The odds are that Saudi Arabia is not about to formalize relations with Israel. But the kingdom, its image tarnished by multiple missteps, is seeking to ensure that it is not perceived as the odd man out as smaller Gulf States establish diplomatic relations with the Jewish state. Bahrain’s announcement that it would follow in the footsteps of the United Arab Emirates was as much a Bahraini move as it was a Saudi signal that it is not opposed to normalization with Israel. Largely dependent on the kingdom since Saudi troops helped squash mass anti-government protests in 2011, Bahrain, a majority Shia Muslim nation, would not have agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel without Saudi consent. The Bahraini move followed several other Saudi gestures intended to signal the kingdom’s endorsement of Arab normalization of Israel even if it was not going to lead the pack. The gestures included the opening of Saudi air space to Israeli commercial flights, and publication of a Saudi think tank report praising Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s stewardship in modernizing the kingdom’s religious education system and encouraging the religious establishment to replace“extremist narratives” in school textbooks with “a moderate interpretation of Islamic rhetoric.” They also involved a sermon by Abdulrahman al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca – the world’s largest mosque that surrounds the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site that highlighted Prophet Mohammed’s friendly relations with Jews. Mr. al-Sudais noted that the prophet had “performed ablution from a polytheistic water bottle and died while his shield was mortgaged to a Jew,” forged a peace agreement with Jewish inhabitants of the Khaybar region, and dealt so well with a Jewish neighbor that he eventually converted to Islam. The imam’s comments, a day before US President Donald J. Trump was believed to have failed to persuade King Salman to follow the UAE’s example, were widely seen as part of an effort to prepare Saudi public opinion for eventual recognition of Israel. Criticism on social media of the comments constituted one indication that public opinion in Gulf states is divided. Expression of Emirati dissent was restricted to Emirati exiles given that the UAE does not tolerate expression of dissenting views. However, small scale protests erupted in Bahrain, another country that curtails freedom of expression and assembly. Bahraini political and civil society associations, including the Bahrain Bar Association, issued a statement rejecting the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel. “What results from normalization will not enjoy popular backing, in line with what generations of Bahrainis have been brought up on in terms of adherence to the Palestinian cause,” the statement said. Bahrain has long been home to a Jewish community and was the first and, so far, only Arab state to appoint a Jew as its ambassador to the United States. The criticism echoes recent polls in various Gulf States that suggest that Palestine remains a major public foreign policy concern. Polling by David Pollock of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy found that Palestine ranked second to Iran. Earlier polls by James Zogby, a Washington-based pollster with a track record that goes back more than a decade, showed Palestine ranking in 2018 as the foremost foreign policy issue followed by Iran in Emirati and Saudi public opinion. The same year’s Arab Opinion Index suggested that 80 percent of Saudis see Palestine as an Arab rather than a purely Palestinian issue. Mr. Pollock said in an interview that with regard to Palestine, Saudi officials “believe that they have to be a little cautious. They want to move bit by bit in the direction of normalizing at least the existence of Israel or the discussion of Israel, the possibility of peace, but they don’t think that the public is ready for the full embrace or anything like that.” Gulf scholar Giorgio Cafiero noted in a tweet that “Israel formalizing relations (with) unelected Arab (governments) is not the same as Israel making ‘peace’ (with) Arab people. Look at, for example, what Egypt’s citizenry thinks of Israel. Iran and Turkey will capitalize on this reality as more US-friendly Arab [governments] sign accords [with] Israel.” This year’s Arab Opinion Index suggest that in Kuwait, the one country that has not engaged with Israel publicly, Turkey—the Muslim country that has taken a lead in supporting the Palestinians—ranked highest in public esteem compared to China, Russia, and Iran. A rift in a UAE-backed Muslim group created to counter Qatari support of political Islam and promote a state-controlled version of Islam that preaches absolute obedience to the ruler serves as a further indication that Palestine remains an emotive public issue. In Mr. Al-Sudais’ case, analysts suggest that the criticism is as much about Palestine as it is a signal that religious leaders who become subservient to the whims of government may be losing credibility. Mr. Al-Sudais’ sermon contrasted starkly with past talks in which he described Jews as “killers of prophets and the scum of the earth” as well as “monkeys and pigs” and defended Saudi Arabia’s conflict with Iran as a war between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The criticism coupled with indications earlier this year that Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment was not happy with Prince Mohammed’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic may be one reason why Saudi Arabia is gesturing rather than formalizing already existing relations with Israel. Authorities reportedly arrested in March Sheikh Abdullah al-Saad, an Islamic scholar, after he posted online an audio clip criticizing the government for banning Friday prayers. Mr. al-Saad argued that worshippers should be able to ask God for mercy. An imam in Mecca was fired shortly after he expressed concern about the spread of the coronavirus in Saudi prisons. Scholars Genevieve Abdo and Nourhan Elnahla reported that the kingdom’s Council of Senior Clerics had initially drafted a fatwa, or religious opinion, describing the closing of mosques as a violation of Islamic principles. They said that government pressure had persuaded the council not to issue the opinion. Concern among the kingdom’s ultra-conservative religious scholars that the ruling Al-Saud family may break the power-sharing agreement with the clergy, concluded at the birth of the kingdom, predates the rise of King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Indeed, the clerics’ concern stretches back to the reign of King Abdullah and has focused on attitudes expressed both by senior members of the ruling family who have since been sidelined or detained by Prince Mohammed and princes that continue to wield influence. The scholars feared that the ruling family contemplated separating state and religion. This is a concern that has likely been reinforced since Prince Mohammed whipped the kingdom’s religious establishment into submission and downplayed religion by emphasizing nationalism. Ultra-conservative Saudi religious scholars are also certain to have taken note of post-revolt Sudan’s recent decision to legally remove religion from the realm of the state. Ultra-conservative sentiment does not pose an imminent threat to Prince Mohammed’s iron grip rule of a country in which many welcomed social reforms that have lifted some of the debilitating restrictions on women, liberalized gender segregation, and the as yet unfulfilled promise of greater opportunity for a majority youthful population. It does however suggest one reason why Prince Mohammed, who is believed to favor formal relations with Israel, may want to tread carefully on an issue that potentially continues to evoke passions. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Will they or won’t they? Saudi recognition of Israel is the $64,000 question

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman recently sacked two royals from positions of power as part of an anti-corruption drive.&nbsp;

Prince Fahd Bin Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the commander of Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen and&nbsp;his son, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Fahd, the deputy governor of the Al-Jauf region have been removed.

They both have been charged with suspicious financial dealings in the Ministry of Defence. Along with lieutenant general Fahd and his son, four military officers have been fired.

In 2015, Mohammed Bin Salman led Saudi Arabia and its allies into the Yemen war. Lt general Fahd became the commander in Yemen. Since then, the war has turned into a regional conflict.

Iran-backed Houthis currently hold the north, while the Saudi-led coalition operates in the south, in support of the Yemen government. But, since last year some of the allies have withdrawn. Mohammed Bin Salman is possibly looking for a replacement to Lt General Fahd.

A political move?

Many believe this is a chance for Mohammed Bin Salman to further consolidate power among the royal elite.

A similar trajectory was implied in the case of Mohammed Bin Nayef, who was the crown prince and the interior minister in 2015. He was made to give up both the positions by Salman. He was detained in march this year on charges of corruption.

Mohammed Bin Salman also expelled Bin Nayef's close aides. One of them is Saad Al-Jabri, an intelligence officer. Together they are accused of misusing 11 billion Dollars of government money.

Al-Jabri, who lives in Canada has filed a case against the Saudi crown prince in the US and claims his life is under threat after a failed assassination attempt.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman recently sacked two royals from positions of power as part of an anti-corruption drive. Prince Fahd Bin Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the commander of Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen and his son, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Fahd, the deputy governor of the Al-Jauf region have been removed.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman recently sacked two royals from positions of power as part of an anti-corruption drive. Prince Fahd Bin Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the commander of Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen and his son, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Fahd, the deputy governor of the Al-Jauf region have been removed. They both have been charged with suspicious financial dealings in the Ministry of Defence. Along with lieutenant general Fahd and his son, four military officers have been fired. In 2015, Mohammed Bin Salman led Saudi Arabia and its allies into the Yemen war. Lt general Fahd became the commander in Yemen. Since then, the war has turned into a regional conflict. Iran-backed Houthis currently hold the north, while the Saudi-led coalition operates in the south, in support of the Yemen government. But, since last year some of the allies have withdrawn. Mohammed Bin Salman is possibly looking for a replacement to Lt General Fahd. A political move? Many believe this is a chance for Mohammed Bin Salman to further consolidate power among the royal elite. A similar trajectory was implied in the case of Mohammed Bin Nayef, who was the crown prince and the interior minister in 2015. He was made to give up both the positions by Salman. He was detained in march this year on charges of corruption. Mohammed Bin Salman also expelled Bin Nayef's close aides. One of them is Saad Al-Jabri, an intelligence officer. Together they are accused of misusing 11 billion Dollars of government money. Al-Jabri, who lives in Canada has filed a case against the Saudi crown prince in the US and claims his life is under threat after a failed assassination attempt.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's favourite weapon - corruption charges!

The US court of the District of Columbia has issued summons for the Saudi Crown Prince&nbsp;Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) for a case filed against him with charges of&nbsp;attempted assassination.

An ex-Saudi intelligence official, Saad al-Jabri, has alleged that MBS sent an assassination team, also known as Tiger Squad, to kill him. He claimed the attempted assassination was a result of his awareness about MBS' activities and his relations with several organisations.

Jabri is currently in hiding somewhere in Canada with high-level security, including the local police and private bodyguards.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-did-not-break-law-by-selling-arms-to-saudi-concludes-us-ig-319593">Also read:&nbsp;Pompeo did not break law by selling arms to Saudi, concludes US IG</a>

The summons served to the Prince also name 12 other people, including&nbsp;former Saudi royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani, former deputy head of military intelligence Ahmed al-Asiri, top aide of MBS Bader al-Asaker, and two American citizens&nbsp;Layla Abuljadayel (Massachusetts)&nbsp;and Yousef al-Rajhi (Virginia).

"Few alive know more about Defendant bin Salman than Dr Saad," the lawsuit read.

"Few places hold more sensitive, humiliating, and damning information about Defendant bin Salman than the mind and memory of Dr Saad—except perhaps the recordings Dr Saad made in anticipation of his killing," the lawsuit read.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-gcc-call-for-tehran-arms-embargo-extension-is-unrealistic-319423">Also read:&nbsp;Iran says GCC call for Tehran arms embargo extension is 'unrealistic'</a>

Jabri filed the case after his two children, Sarah and Omar, were arrested, and later disappeared,&nbsp;in March, which was followed by Jabri's brother's arrest in May.

The US court has warned the prince that if he does not appear in the court at the mentioned date and time, the&nbsp;"judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint."

A State Department of thee&nbsp;US has backed Jabri saying,&nbsp;"Saad al-Jabri was a valued partner to the United States on countering terrorism. Saad's work with the United States helped save American and Saudi lives."

The US court of the District of Columbia has issued summons for the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) for a case filed against him with charges of attempted assassination.

The US court of the District of Columbia has issued summons for the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) for a case filed against him with charges of attempted assassination. An ex-Saudi intelligence official, Saad al-Jabri, has alleged that MBS sent an assassination team, also known as Tiger Squad, to kill him. He claimed the attempted assassination was a result of his awareness about MBS' activities and his relations with several organisations. Jabri is currently in hiding somewhere in Canada with high-level security, including the local police and private bodyguards. Also read: Pompeo did not break law by selling arms to Saudi, concludes US IG The summons served to the Prince also name 12 other people, including former Saudi royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani, former deputy head of military intelligence Ahmed al-Asiri, top aide of MBS Bader al-Asaker, and two American citizens Layla Abuljadayel (Massachusetts) and Yousef al-Rajhi (Virginia). "Few alive know more about Defendant bin Salman than Dr Saad," the lawsuit read. "Few places hold more sensitive, humiliating, and damning information about Defendant bin Salman than the mind and memory of Dr Saad—except perhaps the recordings Dr Saad made in anticipation of his killing," the lawsuit read. Also read: Iran says GCC call for Tehran arms embargo extension is 'unrealistic' Jabri filed the case after his two children, Sarah and Omar, were arrested, and later disappeared, in March, which was followed by Jabri's brother's arrest in May. The US court has warned the prince that if he does not appear in the court at the mentioned date and time, the "judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint." A State Department of thee US has backed Jabri saying, "Saad al-Jabri was a valued partner to the United States on countering terrorism. Saad's work with the United States helped save American and Saudi lives."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman summoned by US court for attempted assassination

Pakistan has recently paid back USD 1 billion to Saudi Arabia, reiterating the fact that Islamabad is gradually losing the support of other Muslim countries.

Citing highly placed sources, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has given back Saudi Arabia USD 1 billion out of a USD 3 billion loan that it secured one and a half year ago to avoid default on international debt obligations after the kingdom decided to reduce its financial support.

The development comes even as Pakistan has been pushing for the foreign ministers` meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since India abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-failed-judicial-system-fails-14-year-old-christian-girl-318946">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan's failed judicial system fails 14-year-old Christian girl</a>

In a report published by Dawn, a Pakistan diplomatic source confirmed that Saudi Arabia had shown reluctance to accept Islamabad`s request for an immediate meeting of OIC foreign ministers` on Kashmir.

After Pakistan failed to gather support from the OIC members on Kashmir on May 22, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, "The reason is that we have no voice and there is a total division amongst (us). We cannot even come together as a whole on the OIC meeting on Kashmir."

Though Pakistan reportedly made attempts to push its narrative of raising the issue of rising Islamophobia in India in its agenda, Maldives, an ally of India, thwarted the move and said, "Isolated statements by motivated people and disinformation campaigns on social media should not be construed as representative of the feelings of 1.3 billion."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-china-intelligence-sharing-deal-threatens-us-peace-efforts-in-afghanistan-318932">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan-China intelligence-sharing deal threatens US peace efforts in Afghanistan</a>

Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Thilmeeza Hussain, said that alleging Islamophobia in the context of India would be factually incorrect.

"It would be detrimental to the religious harmony in the South Asian region. Islam has existed in India for centuries and it is the second-largest religion in India, with 14.2 per cent of the country`s population," she said.

While Pakistan is now on the verge of losing its Muslim friends, China is taking full advantage of the situation.

Coming to the so-called rescue of Khan, Beijing has become "time-tested friend" and has given a loan of USD 1 billion to "help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline," The Express Tribune quoted sources in the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as saying.

Meanwhile, Pakistan`s top economic body has approved its costliest project to date as part of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, giving the go-ahead for a USD 6.8 billion project to upgrade its railway lines, according to a report in Khaleej Times.

The sanctioning of USD 6.8 billion for the CPEC project is almost equal to Pakistan`s entire development budget for fiscal 2020-21, which is USD 7.9 billion.&nbsp;

Pakistan has recently paid back USD 1 billion to Saudi Arabia, reiterating the fact that Islamabad is gradually losing the support of other Muslim countries. Citing highly placed sources, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has given back Saudi Arabia USD 1 billion out of a USD 3 billion loan that it secured one and a half year ago to avoid default on international debt obligations after the kingdom decided to reduce its financial support.

Pakistan has recently paid back USD 1 billion to Saudi Arabia, reiterating the fact that Islamabad is gradually losing the support of other Muslim countries. Citing highly placed sources, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has given back Saudi Arabia USD 1 billion out of a USD 3 billion loan that it secured one and a half year ago to avoid default on international debt obligations after the kingdom decided to reduce its financial support. The development comes even as Pakistan has been pushing for the foreign ministers` meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since India abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Also read: Pakistan's failed judicial system fails 14-year-old Christian girl In a report published by Dawn, a Pakistan diplomatic source confirmed that Saudi Arabia had shown reluctance to accept Islamabad`s request for an immediate meeting of OIC foreign ministers` on Kashmir. After Pakistan failed to gather support from the OIC members on Kashmir on May 22, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, "The reason is that we have no voice and there is a total division amongst (us). We cannot even come together as a whole on the OIC meeting on Kashmir." Though Pakistan reportedly made attempts to push its narrative of raising the issue of rising Islamophobia in India in its agenda, Maldives, an ally of India, thwarted the move and said, "Isolated statements by motivated people and disinformation campaigns on social media should not be construed as representative of the feelings of 1.3 billion." Also read: Pakistan-China intelligence-sharing deal threatens US peace efforts in Afghanistan Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Thilmeeza Hussain, said that alleging Islamophobia in the context of India would be factually incorrect. "It would be detrimental to the religious harmony in the South Asian region. Islam has existed in India for centuries and it is the second-largest religion in India, with 14.2 per cent of the country`s population," she said. While Pakistan is now on the verge of losing its Muslim friends, China is taking full advantage of the situation. Coming to the so-called rescue of Khan, Beijing has become "time-tested friend" and has given a loan of USD 1 billion to "help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline," The Express Tribune quoted sources in the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as saying. Meanwhile, Pakistan`s top economic body has approved its costliest project to date as part of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, giving the go-ahead for a USD 6.8 billion project to upgrade its railway lines, according to a report in Khaleej Times. The sanctioning of USD 6.8 billion for the CPEC project is almost equal to Pakistan`s entire development budget for fiscal 2020-21, which is USD 7.9 billion.

Pakistan forced to pay back Saudi USD 1 billion

A former senior Saudi intelligence official said in a US lawsuit Thursday that the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to have him assassinated in 2018, just weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Turkey.

Saad Aljabri said Prince Mohammed sent a "hit squad" to Canada, where he lives in exile, to kill and dismember him in the same way that Khashoggi was murdered allegedly by the prince's agents in Istanbul in October 2018.

"To fulfil his murderous desire, Defendant bin Salman has personally orchestrated an attempted extrajudicial killing of Dr. Saad, an attempt that remains ongoing to this day," Aljabri charged in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington.

Aljabri said that Prince Mohammed wants him dead because he is close to rival prince and former Saudi security chief Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, and because he has intimate knowledge of Prince Mohammed's activities that would sour the close relationship between Washington and Riyadh.

"Dr. Saad is uniquely positioned to existentially threaten Defendant bin Salman's standing with the US government. That is why Defendant bin Salman wants him dead," the suit said.

Aljabri was already abroad in June 2017 when Prince Mohammed seized power in the palace, removing Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince and placing him under house arrest.

After his children in Riyadh were hit with travel restrictions, Aljabri refused entreaties to return, fearing he would meet the same fate as Prince Nayef, and moved to Canada where a son lives.

Since then Riyadh tried unsuccessfully to use Interpol to gain custody of him. And he says they sent a team of agents to the United States to track him down.

Thirteen days after Khashoggi's murder on 2 October 2018, a team from what Aljabri called in the lawsuit Prince Mohammed's "personal mercenary group, the Tiger Squad," arrived in Canada.

The team, he claimed, included forensic specialists and equipment similar to the group that dismembered Khashoggi's body, which was never found.

He said Canadian security became suspicious and disrupted the plot, but that efforts to kill him continue, and that Prince Mohammed obtained a religious fatwa, or command, for his death from clerics.

In March his two children in Saudi Arabia were taken away and haven't been heard from.

The suit against Prince Mohammed plus 12 named and another 11 unidentified people was filed as a claim of attempted extrajudicial killing under the Torture Victim Protection Act.

Aljabri asked the court for unspecified damages for "severe emotional distress," anxiety and hypertension, and other ailments, and punitive damages against the defendants as well.

He also asked the court to declare that the defendants violated the "law of nations" under the Alien Tort Statute.

"This court can begin the process of holding defendant bin Salman and his agents accountable for their actions," the suit said.

Contacted by AFP, the Saudi Embassy in Washington indicated it did not have&nbsp;a comment on the suit at the moment.

A former senior Saudi intelligence official said in a US lawsuit Thursday that the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to have him assassinated in 2018, just weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Turkey.

A former senior Saudi intelligence official said in a US lawsuit Thursday that the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to have him assassinated in 2018, just weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Turkey. Saad Aljabri said Prince Mohammed sent a "hit squad" to Canada, where he lives in exile, to kill and dismember him in the same way that Khashoggi was murdered allegedly by the prince's agents in Istanbul in October 2018. "To fulfil his murderous desire, Defendant bin Salman has personally orchestrated an attempted extrajudicial killing of Dr. Saad, an attempt that remains ongoing to this day," Aljabri charged in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington. Aljabri said that Prince Mohammed wants him dead because he is close to rival prince and former Saudi security chief Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, and because he has intimate knowledge of Prince Mohammed's activities that would sour the close relationship between Washington and Riyadh. "Dr. Saad is uniquely positioned to existentially threaten Defendant bin Salman's standing with the US government. That is why Defendant bin Salman wants him dead," the suit said. Aljabri was already abroad in June 2017 when Prince Mohammed seized power in the palace, removing Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince and placing him under house arrest. After his children in Riyadh were hit with travel restrictions, Aljabri refused entreaties to return, fearing he would meet the same fate as Prince Nayef, and moved to Canada where a son lives. Since then Riyadh tried unsuccessfully to use Interpol to gain custody of him. And he says they sent a team of agents to the United States to track him down. Thirteen days after Khashoggi's murder on 2 October 2018, a team from what Aljabri called in the lawsuit Prince Mohammed's "personal mercenary group, the Tiger Squad," arrived in Canada. The team, he claimed, included forensic specialists and equipment similar to the group that dismembered Khashoggi's body, which was never found. He said Canadian security became suspicious and disrupted the plot, but that efforts to kill him continue, and that Prince Mohammed obtained a religious fatwa, or command, for his death from clerics. In March his two children in Saudi Arabia were taken away and haven't been heard from. The suit against Prince Mohammed plus 12 named and another 11 unidentified people was filed as a claim of attempted extrajudicial killing under the Torture Victim Protection Act. Aljabri asked the court for unspecified damages for "severe emotional distress," anxiety and hypertension, and other ailments, and punitive damages against the defendants as well. He also asked the court to declare that the defendants violated the "law of nations" under the Alien Tort Statute. "This court can begin the process of holding defendant bin Salman and his agents accountable for their actions," the suit said. Contacted by AFP, the Saudi Embassy in Washington indicated it did not have a comment on the suit at the moment.

Ex-Saudi spy accuses crown prince of trying to assassinate him

Ex-Saudi spy Saad Aljabri accuses crown prince of trying to assassinate him

The US special representative for Iran on Sunday sought to rally Gulf allies as Washington tried to extend an arms embargo on Tehran, warning failure would "intensify" regional conflicts.

"I've spoken with leaders here in the Gulf and around the world -- no one believes that Iran should be able to freely buy and sell conventional weapons such as fighter jets... and various kinds of missiles," Brian Hook told journalists in an online briefing while on a visit to Qatar.

The United States has urged the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran that expires in October.

The extension is opposed by veto-wielding Russia and China, which stand to gain major arms contracts from Iran.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-judiciary-says-passengers-on-harassed-airliner-can-sue-terrorist-us-military-in-iran-courts-315930">Also read:&nbsp;Iranian judiciary says passengers on 'harassed' airliner can sue 'terrorist' US military in Iran courts</a>

"If the Security Council fails to extend the arms embargo by October 18, Iran will be able to freely buy and sell these weapons," Hook said.

"Imagine what the region will look like if this happens, conflicts in places like Syria and Yemen will certainly intensify."

US arch-foe Iran is a key player on the side of the Syrian government in the country's conflict and is aligned with Huthi rebels in Yemen fighting the government, supported by a coalition led by US ally Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Washington has warned it could employ a disputed legal move to restore wide UN sanctions on Iran if the Security Council does not prolong a ban on conventional arms sales to the Islamic republic.

Iran is also at the heart of a dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led quartet of regional countries that cut diplomatic, economic and travel ties with Doha in 2017.

Hook reiterated Washington's call for a resolution to the feud that saw Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain break with Qatar over accusations Doha was too close to Iran and backing radical Islamists. Qatar denies the allegations.

"The dispute has continued for too long and it ultimately harms our shared regional interests in stability prosperity and security," Hook said.

Kuwait has long led mediation efforts between Qatar and the quartet, but the country's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, travelled to the US on Thursday for medical treatment.

"I know that Kuwait has also invested a lot of time in this I should also add that we very much hope for the improved health of the emir of Kuwait," Hook said.&nbsp;

The US envoy will visit Kuwait on the next leg of his trip, having already visited Tunisia, a current member of the Security Council.

The US special representative for Iran on Sunday sought to rally Gulf allies as Washington tried to extend an arms embargo on Tehran, warning failure would "intensify" regional conflicts.

The US special representative for Iran on Sunday sought to rally Gulf allies as Washington tried to extend an arms embargo on Tehran, warning failure would "intensify" regional conflicts. "I've spoken with leaders here in the Gulf and around the world -- no one believes that Iran should be able to freely buy and sell conventional weapons such as fighter jets... and various kinds of missiles," Brian Hook told journalists in an online briefing while on a visit to Qatar. The United States has urged the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran that expires in October. The extension is opposed by veto-wielding Russia and China, which stand to gain major arms contracts from Iran. Also read: Iranian judiciary says passengers on 'harassed' airliner can sue 'terrorist' US military in Iran courts "If the Security Council fails to extend the arms embargo by October 18, Iran will be able to freely buy and sell these weapons," Hook said. "Imagine what the region will look like if this happens, conflicts in places like Syria and Yemen will certainly intensify." US arch-foe Iran is a key player on the side of the Syrian government in the country's conflict and is aligned with Huthi rebels in Yemen fighting the government, supported by a coalition led by US ally Saudi Arabia. Washington has warned it could employ a disputed legal move to restore wide UN sanctions on Iran if the Security Council does not prolong a ban on conventional arms sales to the Islamic republic. Iran is also at the heart of a dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led quartet of regional countries that cut diplomatic, economic and travel ties with Doha in 2017. Hook reiterated Washington's call for a resolution to the feud that saw Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain break with Qatar over accusations Doha was too close to Iran and backing radical Islamists. Qatar denies the allegations. "The dispute has continued for too long and it ultimately harms our shared regional interests in stability prosperity and security," Hook said. Kuwait has long led mediation efforts between Qatar and the quartet, but the country's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, travelled to the US on Thursday for medical treatment. "I know that Kuwait has also invested a lot of time in this I should also add that we very much hope for the improved health of the emir of Kuwait," Hook said. The US envoy will visit Kuwait on the next leg of his trip, having already visited Tunisia, a current member of the Security Council.

Iran arms embargo lapse would 'intensify' regional violence: US envoy

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