JEDDAH, 7 September 2004 — Saudi Arabia yesterday reiterated its condemnation of terrorist attacks in various parts of the world including the killing of hundreds of women and children in a hostage-taking drama in Russia and the abduction of two French journalists in Iraq.
“Islamic principles are based on justice, mercy and tolerance. They prohibit actions harming innocent people. Islam has banned the killing, threatening and torturing of innocent people,” a statement issued after the Cabinet meeting said.
The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Abdullah, emphasized the government’s efforts to ensure the welfare, security and prosperity of present and future generations.
In this respect, Prince Abdullah referred to the new allocations worth SR41 billion made by the government from this year’s budget surplus for welfare projects, especially in areas directly benefiting citizens.
The amount will be spent on water and sewage projects, roads, primary health centers, school buildings, technical and vocational education centers, Real Estate Development Fund and the Saudi Credit Bank.
“These are in addition to the allocations made in the annual state budget for these projects,” Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy told the Saudi Press Agency. The SR41 billion will be spent on various projects within the next five years beginning next fiscal year, he added.
On the occasion of the new academic year, the Cabinet emphasized the need to achieve further improvement in the Kingdom’s standard of education. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah on Sunday met with top education officials and urged them to work for improving the educational standard and instilling the spirit of patriotism in students.
Earlier, Prince Abdullah welcomed Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, and wished him good health. Prince Sultan returned here from Morocco on Sunday night.
The Cabinet meeting decided that if a convicted person is pardoned by the king, the consequential punishment and criminal charges associated with the conviction will not be automatically dropped unless the royal pardon states otherwise.
It appointed Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Rubaiaan administrative director at the Presidency of General Intelligence and Abdul Rahman ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh director of administrative and financial affairs at the public security department.
1,000 Housing Units for the Poor
The Prince Abdullah Foundation for Housing, meanwhile, said it would establish 1,000 housing units in Tabuk, Makkah, Madinah, Jizan, Asir and the Eastern Province for distribution among needy Saudis in the first phase of a charitable project.
Dr. Yousuf Al-Othaimeen, the foundation’s secretary-general, said Prince Abdullah, the charity’s chairman, donated a piece of land in Madinah with an area of 4.8 million sq.m. This will double the foundation’s capital and help build more housing for the poor.
