Riyadh (UNA) – At the kind invitation of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha, led a delegation from the General Secretariat of the Organization in the sixth session of the Islamic Solidarity Games, which were held in the capital, Riyadh, under the high patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
In the speech of the Secretary-General during the opening ceremony, which was delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural, Social and Family Affairs.
The Secretary-General praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting joint Islamic action under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In his speech, the Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the excellent organization, the warm welcome and hospitality extended to all delegations participating in the session, and its continuous efforts in supporting the sports movement in the Islamic and international worlds, stressing that this support reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering vision and its active role in empowering youth and developing sports as two essential pillars for achieving sustainable development.
The Secretary-General noted that the Islamic Solidarity Games are the largest sporting event within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and one of the most prominent sporting events globally, embodying the values of unity, solidarity, and Islamic brotherhood. He emphasized that the OIC gives special attention to the youth and sports sectors, based on its firm conviction that young people are the backbone of the nation and its future. He affirmed that supporting and developing sports is among the main objectives stipulated in the OIC Charter and its Ten-Year Program of Action.
It is worth noting that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games from November 7 to 21, 2025, with the participation of more than 3000 athletes representing member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), along with ministers of youth and sports, and officials from regional and international organizations working in this field. It should also be noted that the Kingdom hosted the first edition of the Games in 2005.
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