RIYADH: An international book show on Islam and Saudi Arabia will start in London today to enhance understanding between the West and the Kingdom.
Ghainaa Communications and Studies is organizing the show in collaboration with Saudi student clubs and schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
"The show is designed to give a clearer view about Islam and Saudi Arabia, and will remove any misconceptions in the West," said Mohammed Al-Bishr, head of the research team overseeing the project. "This is the second show of its kind after the one held in Riyadh last year."
He added that the books to be displayed are in English and French and would tackle issues often raised in Western media about Islam and the Kingdom.
Al-Bishr noted that 77 scholars, intellectuals, politicians and media persons from the Kingdom, the rest of the Arab world, Russia, Japan, Greece, France and the United States have taken part in the project. He added that the participants expressed unbiased viewpoints on contemporary issues concerning Islam and Saudi Arabia.
A series of lectures and cultural seminars on current situations of Muslims and their future challenges will be organized on the sidelines of the show, which will take place at the Hilton Hotel in London.
"The seminar will be a good opportunity for Britons to exchange views on various issues relevant to the subject," he said.
Lecturers in this seminar include Rodney Wilson, a professor from the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University; Sir Alan Munro, former UK Ambassador to the Kingdom and executive board member of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce; and Hamad Al-Majed, deputy chairman of Saudi Arabia's official Human Rights Commission.
Al-Bishr said the seminar will discuss the bases of dialogue between civilizations and frame its future hopes.
