MAKKAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah emphasized on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia and its people subscribe to only moderate thoughts and ideas and reject all forms of extremism.
He highlighted the important role being played by King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center in strengthening national unity and spreading love and brotherhood in society.
“The center also serves as a venue for discussing vital national issues, allowing citizens to express their views and present their constructive proposals,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
King Abdullah made the comments while receiving a copy of the center’s annual report from Saleh Al-Hosain, president of the organization, in the presence of senior officials of the center.
“King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center aims at fighting fanaticism and extremism by spreading enlightened views,” the king said.
He said the present situation required joint efforts to formulate a national strategy that would enable young men and women to understand the appropriate way of doing things and enlighten them about the Islamic values of moderation, tolerance and brotherhood and protect them from deviant thoughts and ideologies. The center’s officials briefed the king on the next dialogue forum that will focus on “Health services: Dialogue between the society and health institutions,” which will be held in the southern province of Najran.
During the meeting, Al-Hosain commended King Abdullah’s efforts to promote cultural dialogue at national and international levels. “This reflects the king’s desire to spread the noble humanitarian values of justice and tolerance all over the world,” he said.
Faisal bin Muammar, secretary-general of the center, said King Abdullah had shown great interest in promoting a culture of dialogue among Saudis. “The king wanted dialogue among all members of the society and institutions,” he added.
Last year the center trained 1,200 men and women to promote a culture of dialogue in the society, he said, adding that they had spoken to more than 160,000 people in 42 Saudi cities. The center plans to hold an intellectual forum shortly on Saudi culture.
King Abdullah also received a documentary book prepared by the center on interfaith dialogue. He urged the officials to build the center’s new headquarters as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah received a number of Muslim leaders who are currently visiting Saudi Arabia at the government’s invitation, including Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradawi, who praised the king’s efforts in the service of Islam and Muslims, especially for improving facilities for pilgrims at the Two Holy Mosques.
