RIYADH, 11 November — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday described boy scouts as messengers of love and peace, and pledged all support for the movement.
Prince Abdullah made the remarks while receiving top officials of the Saudi, Arab and international scouting bodies.
The reception was attended by Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed, who is also the chairman of the Arab Scouts Society, Dr. Jack Mellon, secretary-general of the international scouts organization, Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, chairman of the 23rd Arab scouts conference, and heads of delegations taking part in the conference currently under way in Riyadh.
"People all over the world need to combat all evils including the scourge of terrorism because all religions, especially Islam, totally reject them," he said.
"The scouts play an important role. They convey a noble message through their humanitarian efforts, and therefore the Kingdom has been providing all-out support for the scout movement," the crown prince said.
The delegates also met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and praised his support for the movement. King Fahd welcomed the delegates and wished them a happy stay in the Kingdom. The king also praised the scouts society’s role in deepening noble values in the hearts of the youths.
Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, also received Al-Rasheed and the heads of delegations, and commended the humanitarian role played by scouts.
Prince Sultan also called for Arab and Muslim unity, especially in the current difficult situation. "We should stand united and you are qualified to play a significant role in strengthening Arab and Islamic solidarity," he told the delegates.
"The Arabs are now in need for a unifying force more than anytime in the past to confront the onslaught of international Zionism," Prince Sultan said.
He expressed the hope that the Arab countries that did not participate in the current conference would send delegations to future conferences "because the scouts movement is aimed at strengthening love and brotherhood, and promoting tolerance."
The conference is held in the Kingdom as part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd’s ascension to the throne.
Meanwhile, Prince Abdullah will inaugurate an international conference on King Fahd and his achievements at King Saud University here today.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Faisal, rector of the university, told Saudi Press Agency that prominent figures within and outside the Kingdom will attend the conference.
An exhibition highlighting the king’s achievements, especially in expanding the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, will be held on the sidelines of the four-day conference.
