"You scholars should uphold the basic principles of Islam which are principles of love, principles of loyalty and principles of sincerity and faith," he told a reception for the leading scholars of the Muslim world at the king's palace in Jeddah.

The scholars included participants of a conference organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in Makkah earlier this week.

Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Asheikh and MWL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki accompanied the scholars, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

King Abdullah asked Al-Turki to make the conference of Muslims scholars an annual event.

Also present during the reception were Prince Muqrin, chief of General Intelligence; Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, deputy foreign minister; Saleh bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, minister of Islamic affairs, endowment, call and guidance; and Abdul Aziz Khoja, minister of culture and information.