SARAJEVO, 16 September — Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Fahd, state minister and head of the Presidency for Cabinet Affairs, has highlighted the Saudi government’s efforts to establish Islamic centers and mosques around the world.
“These centers and mosques have helped Muslims preserve their Islamic identity and strengthen their faith,” Prince Abdul Aziz said on Friday in remarks read at a ceremony to mark the opening of a Saudi-funded mosque in Bugojno.
The mosque, which is named after Princess Al-Jowhara, wife of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, opened the mosque and the Islamic center in the densely populated central Bosnian city.
“King Fahd has left no stone unturned in the service of Islam and Muslims,” Prince Abdul Aziz said in his address, which was delivered on his behalf by Turki. He said Princess Al-Jowhara ordered the construction of the new mosque and Islamic center following in the footsteps of the king.
Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Dr. Mustafa Certic, grand mufti of Bosnia, Dr. Jaafar Abdul Salam, secretary-general of the League of Islamic Universities, and a number of Bosnian officials attended the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Fahd opened an exhibition titled “Arabian Peninsula in old European Maps,” organized by the Institute of Arab World in Paris. The exhibition, highlighting the history of Arabian Peninsula, will run until Nov. 11. Prince Abdul Aziz toured the show and was briefed on the exhibits by the institute’s officials.
The function was attended by Saudi Justice Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Sheikh, Faisal Al-Hujeilan, Saudi ambassador to Paris, Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, and Arab ambassadors to France.
