6. Islamic Solidarity Games (2025)

The Islamic Solidarity Games are a multi-sport international event organized to strengthen solidarity and brotherhood among countries affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) through sport. The sixth edition will be held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, from 7 to 21 November 2025. The games are organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) and are planned to feature 3,500 athletes from 57 countries.

Islamic Solidarity Games (2025) opening ceremony (AA)

Historical Background and Evolution of the Organization

The idea of the Islamic Solidarity Games emerged in the mid-1980s with the aim of harnessing the unifying power of sport within the Islamic world. The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF), established on 6 May 1985 under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, provided the institutional framework to realize this vision. Its founding sought to promote friendship, tolerance and mutual understanding among Islamic nations through sport.

The first games were held from 8 to 20 April 2005, again in Saudi Arabia, in the cities of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif. This inaugural event brought together 2,555 athletes from 57 countries across 17 disciplines. The second games, planned for Tehran in 2009, were cancelled. The third games took place in Palembang, Indonesia, in 2013, and the fourth in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2017. The fifth games were scheduled for Konya, Türkiye, but were postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Konya 2021 (2022) Games became the largest edition to date, with 3,536 athletes participating.

Key Features of Riyadh 2025

The sixth Islamic Solidarity Games are expected to hold a significant place in Saudi Arabia’s sporting history. As the second country to host the event after Mecca 2005, Saudi Arabia aims to reshape the games with a modern infrastructure and a distinct cultural identity.

The official opening ceremony will take place on 7 November 2025 at the Al-Janadriyah Hippodrome in Riyadh. The Turkish flag will be carried by national volleyball player Dilay Özdemir and national swimmer Kuzey Tunçelli.

Kuzey Tunçelli and Dilay Özdemir (AA)

Events will be held across 23 disciplines, with a total of 245 medals planned to be awarded. For the first time, camel racing and e-sports will be included as official disciplines. Additionally, athletes with disabilities will compete in para athletics, para weightlifting and para swimming.

The majority of athletes will compete at the Sands Sports Park facilities located in the northeast of Riyadh. Duathlon competitions will be held from 14 to 16 November 2025 at this venue. Women’s races are scheduled for 14 November, men’s races for 15 November, and 16 November has been designated as a “contingency day” for potential rescheduling.

Participating Countries and Athlete Numbers

A total of 57 countries affiliated with the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) are expected to participate. These include Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Jordan, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

The number of participating athletes is projected to exceed 3,000. With this level of participation, Riyadh 2025 will be the second-largest edition in the history of the games.

Türkiye’s Participation and Athlete Squad

Türkiye will participate in the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games with 212 athletes across 20 disciplines. The Turkish delegation consists of 110 female and 102 male athletes. Türkiye will compete in athletics, para athletics, basketball (3x3), boxing, fencing, e-sports, wrestling, weightlifting, para weightlifting, handball, ju-jitsu, judo, karate, table tennis, muaythai, taekwondo, duathlon, volleyball, wushu and swimming.

Among the notable athletes are Rabia Topuz and Evin Erginoğuz, who will compete in boxing. Both athletes completed their preparations at the Kastamonu National Teams Training and Education Center and have declared their goal of winning gold medals at the games.

The administrative coordination of the Turkish delegation is managed by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOC), and technical documents and competition schedules are published through TMOC’s official channels.

Athletes’ Village and Organizational Structure

Riyadh 2025 will be the first edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games to implement the “Athletes’ Village” concept. The village has been established on the campus of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. This facility brings together accommodation, training and cultural interaction spaces under one roof, aiming to foster close interaction among athletes from different countries.

On 6 November 2025, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak visited the Turkish athletes, accompanied by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Emrullah İşler and former Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu. During the visit, wishes for success were conveyed to the national athletes and information was gathered regarding their preparation processes.

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Ambassador Emrullah İşler and former Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu visited the athletes. (AA)

Official Mascot and Cultural Identity

The official mascot of Riyadh 2025 is named “Finjal”. Inspired by Saudi coffee culture, Finjal represents hospitality, warmth and energy. The mascot’s purpose is to reflect the cultural atmosphere of the games and enhance engagement with spectators. Throughout the event, Finjal will serve as a guide for visitors and feature in promotional campaigns and cultural programs.

Finjal (AA)

Sports Disciplines and Venues

A total of 24 sports disciplines will be contested at the Riyadh 2025 Games. These include athletics, basketball (3x3), equestrian, boxing, camel racing, duathlon, fencing, e-sports, futsal, wrestling, weightlifting, handball, judo, ju-jitsu, karate, table tennis, muaythai, taekwondo, volleyball, wushu and swimming. Additionally, para athletics, para weightlifting and para swimming are included in the official program.

Sands Sports Park will serve as the main competition venue, hosting athletics, triathlon and duathlon events. Other modern facilities in Riyadh will host handball, taekwondo, boxing, volleyball and wrestling competitions.

Opening Ceremony and Schedule

The opening ceremony of the games took place on 7 November 2025. Following the ceremony, competitions across 23 disciplines will be held from 8 to 21 November 2025. Duathlon events are scheduled for 14–16 November, and the closing ceremony is planned for 21 November 2025.

Islamic Solidarity Games (2025) opening ceremony (AA)

Significance and Expectations

Riyadh 2025 is regarded as both a milestone in the 20-year history of the Islamic Solidarity Games and the beginning of a new vision. The event unites traditional sports with modern disciplines and reflects the cultural diversity among Islamic nations.

The games will serve as an international showcase of Saudi Arabia’s sporting infrastructure development. The inclusion of e-sports and camel racing symbolizes the convergence of tradition and innovation within a single event.

The sixth Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled to conclude with the closing ceremony on 21 November 2025, are expected to leave lasting impacts in terms of solidarity among participating nations, cultural exchange and the development of young athletes.