JEDDAH, 5 August 2003 — The Saudi Cabinet yesterday welcomed the establishment of the national dialogue center saying the move would provide a channel for responsible exchange of views based on Islamic teachings and national unity.
On Sunday Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd approved the establishment of King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue as a venue for the exchange and reconciliation of different views on issues facing the country. The formation of the council came in response to a recommendation by the scholars and intellectuals who met two months ago in Riyadh in the first national dialogue forum.
The Cabinet meeting reiterated the Kingdom’s firm position on terrorism and its cooperation with the international community to eradicate the menace.
Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsi was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying the king, who chaired the weekly Cabinet session, applauded the efforts of security forces and Saudi citizens in “chasing the remaining criminals who terrorize the innocent and threaten the country’s security and stability.”
Fahd called on religious scholars, educators, intellectuals and parents to educate the young in the moderation preached by Islam and explain to them the dangers resulting from extremism and intolerance.
The king stressed that those adopting subversive attitudes and poisoning the minds of young people who are unaware of the gravity of the crimes do not represent Islam.
The Cabinet also approved measures to implement the international treaty banning the production, storage and use of chemical weapons and calling for their destruction.
On regional issues the Cabinet said the security fence being built by Israel in the West Bank would not help the implementation of the road map. The Cabinet also welcomed the initiation of an inter-Arab dialogue on Iraq.
