MAKKAH, 8 December — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, stated that certain sections of foreign media were carrying on a campaign against Saudi Arabia only because the Kingdom adhered to Islam and defended Muslims the world over.
He made this observation while receiving Muslim preachers from 24 African countries who visited the crown prince in the company of Prince Bandar ibn Salman ibn Muhammad Al-Saud, adviser at the crown prince’s court and chairman of the national committee for Muslim preaching in Africa.
The crown prince reiterated in the meeting at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah yesterday that Islam stood against extremism and terrorism. “Islam is a religion of love and peace, far from extremism and terrorism in all its forms,” the crown prince said.
“The Muslims everywhere are seeking truth, justice and fairness, because their religion is a religion of peace, love and fraternity,” he added. A preacher from Senegal, Dr. Khadeem Imbaki also spoke on the occasion.
In Washington, President George W. Bush met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday and thanked him for the Kingdom’s help in the US-led war on terrorism, the White House said.
“They’ve been very cooperative,” chief of staff Andrew Card told reporters. “The president expressed his appreciation. It was a very good meeting.”
