“It is a joint responsibility with society and individuals,” he said.

Prince Turki, who is chairman of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, explained how King Abdul Aziz contained extremism during the formation of Saudi Arabia. He said the founder of the Kingdom had asked extremists in power to step down and select someone else from their families or tribes to replace them.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia has been negligent in realizing the importance of presenting its true face to others in the world.

“The Kingdom has been facing this problem since its formation,” he said. “There are some reasons for that. Firstly, we don’t boast before others about our achievements.”

He emphasized the need to master the art of presenting “ourselves to others.”

Prince Turki expressed his happiness over the emergence of several private media organizations in the Kingdom. “The media can play a vital role in promoting moderation inside and outside Saudi Arabia.”

He underscored the media’s courageous role in highlighting many social issues, which was hitherto considered taboo. “Our handling of those issues has given us self-confidence,” he added.

Prince Turki said the Ministry of Information used to be jokingly called the Ministry of Denial. “The main reason for this nickname is that whenever news about Saudi Arabia was reported, the ministry would deny it the following day,” he said, adding that there is good progress now in the Kingdom’s handling of news and issues.

The prince commended the initiatives taken by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to deepen the policy of moderation and openness. “The establishment of King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center is one of his major initiatives,” he pointed out. He also commended the king’s educational, economic and judicial reforms.

Prince Turki noted the king’s endeavors to silence takfiris who brand their opponents as infidels. “The moderate policies adopted by the government were instrumental in destroying those saboteurs.”

He commended the king’s call for interfaith and cultural dialogue, adding that it contributed to moderation. “King Abdullah believed that moderation begins from within and he urged Muslim brethren to agree on our message before addressing others … I also believe in the saying that people are in the religion of their kings. Here we follow the king in our daily practices, inspired by his kindness, maturity and good morals.”

Regarding educating Saudis abroad, Prince Turki urged the Higher Education Ministry to provide Saudi students with proper orientation before sending them to Western countries for higher studies.

“Our students who are sent abroad on foreign scholarship are the real ambassadors of their country as they interact directly with people,” Prince Turki added.