RIYADH, 12 November — On behalf of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman inaugurated an international conference on the life and achievements of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd here yesterday.
In his inaugural address, Prince Abdullah highlighted the development achieved by the Kingdom in various sectors during the king’s rule.
"We have achieved in decades what it took others hundreds of years to achieve," the crown prince said.
"King Fahd made history through his remarkable achievements in the areas of education, administration, health, industry, agriculture and economy," Prince Abdullah said in his speech read out by the Riyadh governor.
Crown Prince Abdullah drew particular attention to the king’s efforts to expand the two holy mosques, provide better services to pilgrims, promote world peace and mobilize support for Arab and Islamic causes.
The opening session of the conference was attended by over 400 delegates, including members of the royal family, local diplomats and several high-ranking Saudi officials.
"This is the most prestigious event of its kind, organized with the support of Prince Salman to pay tribute to the towering personality of King Fahd," said Dr. Abdullah ibn Mohammed Al-Faisal, rector of King Saud University.
Prince Salman, while opening the conference at the KSU campus, said Saudi Arabia has been promoted as a modern Islamic nation, which has thriving trade and commerce extensively supported by its booming oil resources and free market economy.
However, he called on citizens to join together to contribute to further development.
On the sidelines of the conference, an exhibition was opened on the life and works of King Fahd with special reference to his political, economic and educational achievements. A number of rare photographs, books and souvenirs featuring the life of King Fahd are being displayed at the exposition.
Referring to the conference, Dr. Al-Faisal said the event aims to provide for the first time a comprehensive overview of the king’s policy.
More than 100 delegates will be presenting their research papers in this four-day conference, which has been divided into 16 sessions.
A number of researchers, academics, scholars and men of letters from outside the Kingdom have been invited to speak about the accomplishments of the king within the framework of his foreign policy and his role in the Middle East.
