Arabic press review: Saudi consulate in Istanbul 'to become Khashoggi museum'

Saudi consulate in Istanbul to become museum for Khashoggi

The Turkish-Arab Media Association said it was planning to buy the building that formerly served as the Saudi consulate general in Istanbul, where journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed, in order to turn it into a museum in his memory, according to the Arabi21 news website. 

Turan Kislakci, who was one of Khashoggi's close friends and heads the media association, said the memorial would be done to honour his friendship with the slain journalist. 

The well-known Turkish journalist asserted that Khashoggi introduced him to many thinkers and intellectuals in the Middle East during their friendship. 

"We have participated together in many international seminars. I had contributed in supporting the institutions he was working in, and he had contributed in supporting the media institutions I had worked for,”said Kislakci, who had known Khashoggi for nearly 15 years. 

"Khashoggi used to visit me whenever he came to Turkey. In turn, I used to visit him whenever I went to Saudi Arabia. He was a beloved journalist with comprehensive information about the Middle East. He knew the region well."

UAE foreign minister wishes happy Jewish new year

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan wished Jews around the world a happy new year on Twitter on Sunday on the occasion of the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. 

The message comes as the United Arab Emirates continues to have no formal relations with Israel and previously joined Arab League calls for Tel Aviv to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories. 

Commenting on the message, social media users were quick to pick up on bin Zayid being the first Arab minister to wish "Shana Tovah". 

Growing suspicion over killing of King Salman's bodyguard

Doubts and questions over the death of Saudi King Salman's bodyguard Major General Abdul Aziz al-Faghm continue to grow, as the official reason behind his death given by the Saudi government continues to be questioned, according to Al-Arabi al-Jadeed. 

The London-based newspaper said suspicions are growing among the al-Mutayr tribe, Faghm's clan, which is preparing to send a delegation to meet the king to find out the results of the final investigations into the bodyguard's murder. 

Opposition political activist Abdul Rahman al-Mutairi, who lives in the US and is a relative of the deceased bodyguard, likened Faghm's death to the murder of Khashoggi. 

"First they said that Khashoggi's murder was a result of a fight. They did the same with al-Faghm," Mutairi said. "Anyone believing the Saudi regime is incapable of committing such reprehensible acts is crazy."

*Arabic press review is a digest of reports that are not independently verified as accurate by Middle East Eye.