"Saudi Arabia Apologizes for Kippah Incident, US Delegation Cuts Trip Short"

Saudi Arabia responds to the incident involving Rabbi Abraham Cooper being asked to remove his kippah in public during a visit to Diriyah, stating that it was "unfortunate" and the result of a misunderstanding. The Saudi Embassy in the US expressed respect for Cooper's decision not to continue the tour and stated that HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud had the opportunity to speak with Cooper to resolve the matter. Cooper, co-chair of the US government delegation monitoring religious freedom worldwide, emphasized the importance of not denying access to heritage sites based on religious identity, while another member of the delegation expressed concern about the state of religious freedom in the country.