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Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Ƶ tells UN

Manal Radwan, counsellor at Ƶ’s foreign ministry, said this was a moment of historic urgency for the UN to reach a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. (UNTV/Screengrab)
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Updated 24 May 2025

Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Ƶ tells UN

Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Ƶ tells UN
  • The Kingdom and France prepare to co-chair conference next month designed to hasten implementation of two-state solution
  • Foreign ministry’s Manal Radwan tells preparatory meeting recognizing Palestine would mark beginning of peace in the Middle East

LONDON: Recognizing the state of Palestine is a “strategic necessity” that would mark the beginning of peace in the Middle East, Ƶ told a UN meeting on Friday.

The comments came as the Kingdom and France prepare to co-chair a global conference next month designed to hasten the implementation of a two-state solution to end decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians.

The effort has gained further support this week as the devastating toll of Israel’s resumed assault on Gaza sparked international anger.

Speaking at a UN General Assembly meeting in preparation for the conference, co-chair Manal Radwan, counsellor at Ƶ’s Foreign Ministry, said that a just solution to the Palestinian question was not only a moral and legal imperative, but “the cornerstone of a new regional order based on mutual recognition and coexistence.”

“Regional peace begins with recognizing the state of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a strategic necessity,” she said.

“It is the only way to eliminate the space exploited by non-state actors and replace despair with a political horizon, grounded in rights and sovereignty, ensuring security and dignity for all.”

The high-level conference is scheduled to begin on June 17 at the UN headquarters in New York and aims to urgently adopt concrete measures toward the implementation of the two-state solution.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said this week that the conference was meant to rally the world to recognize a Palestinian state.

Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states and has observer status at the UN but is not a full member. 

More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel unleashed its military operation in Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack killed 1,200 people.

As the death toll and suffering in Gaza has increased, more nations have moved to recognize Palestine, including Ireland, Norway and Spain last year.

President Emmanuel Macron has said that France would probably recognize Palestine at the June conference and the UK is in discussions about a similar step.

This week, France, Britain and Canada called on Israel to halt its military offensive on Gaza and a remove its restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Israel has recently launched an expanded operation in Gaza, aiming to seize full control of the territory and cut off all aid for several months.

Radwan said that the meeting on Palestine’s future came at a moment of “historic urgency” with Gaza “enduring unimaginable suffering” and civilians continuing to pay the price of a war “that must end immediately.”

“Despair grows deeper by the day, and yet, this is precisely why we must speak not only of ending the war, but of ending a conflict that has lasted for nearly eight decades,” she said.

She said that Ƶ was honored to stand with other nations committed to the diplomatic effort to bring “real, irreversible and transformative change, to ensure, once and for all, the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine.”

“The only way to prevent the reoccurrence of violence, terrorism and atrocities is to implement the two-state solution, including through the support of a robust multilateral framework,” she added.

French presidential adviser for the Middle East and North Africa, Anne-Claire Legendre, said that a political solution to the conflict was a matter of urgency.

“The June conference must mark a transformative milestone for the effective implementation of the two-state solution,” she said.

“We must move from the end of the war in Gaza to an end of the conflict. Faced with the facts on the ground, the prospects of a Palestinian state must be maintained.”


Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina
Updated 25 min ago

Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday at Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed the longstanding ties between Ƶ and Pakistan, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, SPA added. 

They also reviewed regional developments and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability in the region.

The reception was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Also in attendance were Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy; Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari; Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan; and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki.

On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar joined the meeting along with Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim, Chief of Army Staff and ambassador to Ƶ Ahmed Farooq.


The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city

The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city
Updated 56 min 49 sec ago

The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city

The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city
  • Hajj experience is pathway to lifelong transformation

RIYADH: Every year, millions of Muslims around the world take on a spiritual journey to perform the pilgrimage to Makkah. This religious obligation is only performed once in a lifetime for those who are able, and begins long before the pilgrim arrives in Makkah.

The route to the holy city begins with a deep, personal decision motivated by faith, hope for closeness to God, and the fulfilment of accomplishing one of the five pillars of Islam.

From the moment pilgrims form the intention to perform Hajj, a transformative process begins where they must secure their spot through Saudi officials in their countries.

Some countries request attending educational seminars before the Hajj to prepare them spiritually and physically for the trip.

“We have the administrative facilities that include Hajj registration, application, and all related administrative matters,” said Abdulrahman Mustafa Hamidh, a Syrian living in Turkyie, who is currently working as a religious guide for pilgrims.

“It’s simple. The process starts by applying through the Hajj offices located throughout the city, or by appointing someone for those who are far away in distance and unable to attend. They can appoint someone else, such as a brother, to do the registration process for them and pay a small registration fee,” he said.

Hamidh is currently studying for his PhD in religious studies and has been a frequent traveler to Makkah for Hajj since 2016.

After registration is completed, Hamidh explained the second step, which is the final part of the process. According to him, people take their passports to their guide or group leader to complete their registration applications for them.

“The entire process for pilgrims is very, very simple,” he said.

After this step, pilgrims wait for their applications to be accepted by Saudi officials and to receive their visa and the documents that they need for Hajj.

Once accepted, pilgrims receive the necessary tools such as Ihram, luggage, and all the belongings they will need for the journey.

“As for packing a travel bag, it’s also easy. Hajj pilgrims often receive large luggage from the organizing agency, which contains smaller bags and other Hajj supplies, such as Ihram, as well as Hajj garments for women,” Hamidh said.

When pilgrims complete the logistics, prepare their luggage and say their farewells to their families and loved ones, they leave their homes, carrying with them not only essential supplies but also hopes, prayers and hearts full of devotion.

However, while they arrive in Makkah and engage in this emotional and precious experience, others may face obstacles that hinder them from either completing the journey or arriving early.

One example is the journey of a pilgrim from Libya, Amir Qathafi, who was part of the last group of pilgrims from his country to depart for Makkah this year.

Unfortunately, before boarding, it took some time to go through security due to an issue with his passport. This resulted in the plane taking off, leaving him behind.

Surprisingly, a problem with the plane arose a few minutes after take-off, which required the pilot to return to the airport to solve the issue.

For a second time, Amir was refused permission to board the plane, and the flight took off again. Yet, miraculously, performing Hajj this year was destined for him, and the plane faced another technical issue a few minutes after the second departure.

This time, the pilgrim from Libya was allowed to board the plane to join the rest of his team on the route to Makkah.

Like Amir, millions of Muslims have genuine appreciation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The journey to Hajj is more than a physical experience. It is a deeply spiritual and emotional commitment that begins with intention and ends with lifelong transformation.


Saudi crown prince speaks with Turkish President Erdogan

Saudi crown prince speaks with Turkish President Erdogan
Updated 15 sec ago

Saudi crown prince speaks with Turkish President Erdogan

Saudi crown prince speaks with Turkish President Erdogan
  • President Erdogan began the call by commending the Kingdom for the successful organization of this year’s Hajj season

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

President Erdogan began the call by commending the Kingdom for the successful organization of this year’s Hajj season and the effective measures taken to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Turkish leader also extended Eid Al-Adha greetings to the Crown Prince, who in turn offered his congratulations on the occasion to President Erdogan.


Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 
Updated 06 June 2025

Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Health has advised pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — when temperatures at the holy sites are at their highest — to help avoid heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

The importance of following preventive measures such as using umbrellas, drinking plenty of water and complying with instructions from the authorities has also been emphasized.

The guidelines have been issued to protect pilgrims and ensure their safety during Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

So far, the ministry has reported a 90 percent reduction in the number of cases of heat exhaustion from last season.

The improvement aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, both part of Vision 2030, which aim to ensure a safer Hajj experience.

The Ministry of Health said the decrease was a result of stronger preventive measures, expanded awareness campaigns and effective coordination across relevant agencies.

These actions have included the launch of an awareness kit in eight languages to help prevent heat-related illnesses during Hajj.

The kit includes guidelines, videos, social media posts and printable materials advising pilgrims to stay hydrated and use umbrellas to avoid direct sun exposure.


Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management
Updated 06 June 2025

Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has supported government efforts for this year’s Hajj season through its Sawaher system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

Sawaher was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and uses data and AI technology to analyze broadcasts, video recordings, and images captured by smart cameras.

The initiative enhances analytical capabilities and contributes to a safer Hajj experience, the SPA reported.

The system helps manage and analyze large datasets and produces tailored analysis of pilgrims’ behavior. It “uses advanced algorithms for density and crowd counting, supporting government agencies in implementing Hajj plans and estimating pilgrim numbers.” The system also provides real-time updates.

For Hajj, more than 5,000 cameras have been integrated into the Sawaher system, covering more than 80 permanent and seasonal locations across the holy sites and key entry points.

This network supports the work of 18 government agencies and more than 600 personnel, according to the SPA.

The system offers more than 80 services and is operable on 100 workstations in operations rooms and monitoring centers, contributing to improved response efficiency during the Hajj season.