JEDDAH, 23 September 2006 — Saudi Arabia will promote dialogue with other religions and work for enhancing the welfare and prosperity of the humanity, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan said yesterday in a message on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Saudi leaders described Islam as a religion of love, benevolence and tolerance. “Islam was sent to the entire people as a mercy and as a road to goodness and success,” said the message, which was read out by Minister of State and Acting Information Minister Saud Al-Mutehami.
The message highlighted the significance of the fasting month of Ramadan when rewards for righteous deeds would be doubled. “The holy month begins at a time when the Islamic Ummah is facing foreign challenges. Internally we face the problem of some of our children not discerning the tolerance and simplicity of their religion,” the king said in an apparent reference to Al-Qaeda sympathizers in the Kingdom.
He said Ramadan, when the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), reminds Muslims of their commitment to the great values of peace, justice and compassion. “The Prophet used to give glad tidings to his companions on the advent of Ramadan that the doors of Paradise will be kept open and the doors of Hell will remain shut during the holy month,” the message said.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan received messages of greetings from world leaders on the advent of Ramadan. Abdullah also received calls from King Hamad of Bahrain, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and exchanged Ramadan greetings.
