Prince Sultan made this comment in the forword of a book titled “Dialogue in the Thought of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud” authored by Saeed bin Nasser Abumilha. He said King Abdullah’s dialogue initiative reflects his strategic vision to realize global peace.

“King Abdullah has given the Kingdom what is required to take it to the level of advanced countries and societies while preserving its Islamic principles and values and cultural identity,” the crown prince said, underscoring the king’s important role in establishing channels of dialogue within and outside the Kingdom.

Prince Sultan said King Abdullah’s efforts in spreading a culture of dialogue at the national and international levels to promote the peaceful coexistence of nations would be recorded in world history.

The King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center, which was established by King Abdullah a few years ago, has been playing a significant role in strengthening national unity and spreading a culture of dialogue among different groups of Saudis, he said.

The center has organized a number of dialogue forums in different parts of the country to discuss topics such as education, women’s rights, unemployment and health care, realizing the hopes and aspirations of citizens and interests of the state and society.

King Abdullah made history by opening a global interfaith dialogue conference in the Spanish capital of Madrid on July 16, 2008.

An international conference in Makkah attended by nearly 500 Muslim leaders and scholars paved the way for the Madrid event.

Prince Sultan said the message given by King Abdullah from the land of the two holy mosques for the whole world opened a new chapter of constructive dialogue and mutual respect between followers of the various religious faiths and cultures.

“This is the message of all Muslims across the globe,” the crown prince said, underscoring the international support received by the king’s initiative, showing its tremendous success. The United Nations in New York hosted an interfaith conference and adopted the resolutions taken by the Madrid conference.