RIYADH, 30 October — An international Islamic conference kicked off here yesterday with Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and other speakers at the opening session urging Muslim youth to embrace the true concept of moderate Islam and shun extremism.
Prince Abdullah’s speech was read out on his behalf by Riyadh Governor Prince Salman. He said: "Muslim youth should be protected against extremism and delinquency" lest they should play into the hands of the enemies of Islam. He also condemned Western media attacks against Saudi Arabia which he attributed to its unlimited support for Muslims worldwide.
Prince Abdullah stressed the need to work hard for the defense of Islam. In this context, he said the youth have a special responsibility in holding aloft the banner of Islam and refrain from doing anything that might damage its cause.
"It is now necessary to strengthen the moderate course amongst Muslim youth ... We must arrange our priorities ... and improve the Islamic discourse," Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Saleh Al-Sheikh said. Islamic Fiqh should take note of the current challenges and promote understanding of Islam, he added.
Over 1,000 delegates representing Islamic organizations from all over the world are taking part in the four-day conference titled "Muslim Youth and Globalization." This is the ninth international conference organized by WAMY for addressing the challenges facing the Muslim youth. The conference is divided into four special sessions, with their accent on the youth and economic globalization; cultural information and freedom; youth and political consciousness; cultural and educational liberalization; dawa and globalization.
Among the participants was one of the leaders of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, who was hugged and kissed by hundreds of participants.
The conference is the first of its kind since the Sept.11, 2001 attacks on the United States and the subsequent curbs on Islamic organizations accused of funding the Al-Qaeda terror network.
Sudanese Islamic Affairs Minister Issam ibn Ahmad said Islam has flourished in the past under "its moderate approach, without extremism or hardline practices, by reflecting the true face of the faith."
"There is nothing in our faith that calls for violence or terrorism," he said.
WAMY Secretary-General Saleh Al-Wohaibi lashed out at "those hatching conspiracies against Saudi Arabia to hamper its Islamic role."
Dr. Wohaibi blasted the double standard of the Western media which, while criticizing WAMY, spared the Christian missionaries, when both organizations were engaged in humanitarian and charitable activities. He declared that WAMY would continue to work for the propagation of Islam regardless of its critics.
Ahmed Al-Tuwaijri recited a poem in which he slammed Israel for its continued atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied territory. Alluding to the reign of terror and barbarism unleashed by the Israeli forces, the poet wondered when in their midst a second Salahuddin Al-Ayoubi would arise to lift the siege on Jerusalem and rescue Palestinians from their current plight.
