RIYADH, 8 February 2005 — Representatives from the international press and delegates who are participating in the Counterterrorism Conference in Riyadh met with members of the Shoura Council led by Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid during its weekly meeting yesterday.
The chairman welcomed the press and seemed comfortable fielding questions, which covered nearly every issue in the Kingdom, from upcoming elections and the role of women to domestic terrorism.
In his speech, Dr. Bin-Humaid said the conference reveals the great dangers of terrorism and its global, bloodthirsty reach.
During the session, Dr. Bin-Humaid said the council is following the terrorist attacks that struck the country. The council, he said, has created committees to observe the situation and seek solutions by conducting studies and research on terrorism.
“The committee is doing massive research on this issue, and it has questioned many people related to terrorism, including those who were taken into custody for issues related to terrorism,” said Dr. Bin-Humaid.
The council has invited ranking members of the Saudi military to learn the latest information about the terrorists and hear their opinions on the problem. The chairman then asked for an international plan involving the input of the military, Shariah and international legal experts, economists, social scientists and the media to assist international community destroy terrorism and its roots.
Members of the international press expressed their admiration about how the chairman, imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, was comfortable speaking to female delegates and answering their questions. “I was impressed with the imam, he did not give us the feeling that he was annoyed or uncomfortable with the presence of women around him,” said one Western journalist while talking with a friend in the council halls.
When asked about the planned enlargement and more empowerment of the council, Dr. Bin-Humaid said the Kingdom’s leadership wants the body’s powers expanded.
“We are seeking more prerogatives for the Shoura Council,” he said during a press conference. “We are not fighting (for more powers) because the officials themselves have declared they want to give us more prerogatives,” he said.
