JEDDAH, 9 September — Prince Abdullah, the regent, yesterday called upon the Kingdom’s Islamic scholars to be more open. "I would request that our Islamic scholars be a little more open for the better understanding of Islam by the people," he said.

Addressing the country’s top education officials, Prince Abdullah called for developing the Kingdom’s curriculum and education system. He also favored the proposal to open a separate university for girls.

In his wide-ranging address, Prince Abdullah also called upon the world’s noble leaders to help the oppressed Palestinian people, who are being killed, humiliated and expelled by the Israeli occupation forces.

Prince Abdullah blasted the anti-Saudi campaign in certain sections of the Western media. "There will be no bargain on two things: Islamic faith and nation. Our people will remain committed to this religion."

"There will be no life and presence for us without Islam... We have many enemies. We as well as the whole world have discovered them... But the snake will die with its poison remaining in its head," he said.

Prince Abdullah reiterated that every move made by the Kingdom would be in the interest of Islamic faith. "I have strong faith in the Saudi people... Nobody will be able to change their thoughts or noble conduct," he added.

"Of course, there are shortcomings. But everything will take place at its right time but we have to be patient and rely on the Almighty, whatever happens," he stated.

Prince Abdullah said the Kingdom respects all other faiths. "But we urge the noble people of the world to support the truth and help the oppressed..."

The regent highlighted the Israeli atrocities on unarmed Palestinian people. "They kill and humiliate them every day. They destroy Palestinian houses and properties," he said. "Women give birth on streets, children do not get medicine and toil hard to get a piece of bread," he said and called for an end to Israel’s inhuman practices in the occupied territories.

"Patience is the key to success," the prince said emphasizing the significance of peace initiatives to settle the protracted Arab-Israeli conflict.

He urged education officials to make every possible efforts to promote the country’s education standard. "Our children are a trust on your shoulders. We wish you every success in your efforts in this regard."

Later in an open dialogue, Prince Abdullah answered a question on the problem being faced by the new generation to understand certain concepts of Islam.

"We expect only good things from Islamic scholars, but the problem is semi scholars... Everybody knows that this country does not want to hear more from its enemies... We request our scholars to be little more open to make people understand the religion. I am sure they would do that."

On the fears surrounding the merger of girls education with the Education Ministry, the prince said: "I am confident in our education officials. They know what to do for the welfare of their girls and protect their honor. There is no major change in our girls education system, except the change of officials."

Prince Abdullah urged the education officials to work with responsibility to allay public fears on girls education.

On early retirement of women teachers, Prince Abdullah said: "If they wish so I don’t say anything, but if they want to remain on the job it’s better."

The regent urged the Education Ministry to establish justice in the issue of teacher transfers. "Everybody should abide by the law and the system. Nobody is above the law," he stressed.

An official emphasized the need for a girls university, saying there are about 100 girls colleges with more than 200,000 students. "The deputy minister has told me about the requirements of girls schools and colleges including creation of new jobs. I told him it will be done in the near future," Prince Abdullah said.

Earlier, Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed commended the Saudi government’s support for education.

"The Kingdom spends 26 percent of its general budget on education. This is a big amount by all standards," he added. Dr. Khider Al-Qurashi, deputy minister for girls education, and regional education directors, also attended the meeting.

Al-Qurashi said the meeting with Prince Abdullah had nothing to do with the Western campaign that calls for change in the Kingdom’s educational curriculum.

"Our curriculum is based on Shariah. We will adopt all modern developments in education but there will be no change in the fundamentals," he stressed.

Prince Abdullah, meanwhile, received a message from Sudanese President Omar Bashir. The message was handed to the regent by Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr. Mustafa Othman Ismail.