JEDDAH, 6 December 2005 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday hoped the extraordinary OIC summit, which opens in Makkah tomorrow, would strengthen Islamic unity and enable OIC countries play an effective role on world stage.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting at Al-Salam Palace here, King Abdullah welcomed leaders of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference to the two-day summit on behalf of the Saudi government and people.
“We have immense hope that the summit, which is held in the most sacred place on earth, will lead to unity of Muslims and help the Islamic Ummah regain its self- confidence and play an effective role in the world,” the king said.
King Abdullah also hoped that the conference would encourage OIC countries to work together, especially to fight disease and poverty, and enable their peoples to compete with others. He expected positive response from OIC leaders.
“The whole world is now going through a delicate phase that demands greater wisdom and futuristic vision” while dealing with vital issues, the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as telling the Cabinet.
The Cabinet expressed its hope that the summit, which is to approve a 10-year strategic plan for Muslims, would usher in a new era of Islamic unity and solidarity, realizing the hopes and aspirations of the Ummah.
The meeting reviewed the preparations for the summit, which will be held in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque. Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are among the leaders, whose attendance has been confirmed.
The summit aims to restore the true image of Islam, which has been tarnished by terrorist operations. The objective of the Dec. 7-8 summit “is to restore the image of Islam, harmed by terrorist attacks carried out in the name of this righteous religion,” Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal told a news conference.
Saudia Board Restructured
The Cabinet restructured the board of directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines. The minister of defense and aviation or his deputy will be its chairman. The board members are: Assistant defense and aviation minister for civil aviation affairs, the airline’s director general, the president of the Civil Aviation Corporation, a government representative to be appointed by the chairman, and five private sector representatives.
The Cabinet approved the appointment of Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, Abdul Rahman Al-Mushaiqeh, Osama Kurdi, Yousuf Al-Maimani and Abdullah Abu Milha on the board as private sector representatives.
The meeting reshuffled the National Commission in charge of implementing the international agreement that bans production, possession, storage and use of chemical weapons. Prince Turki ibn Muhammad, assistant undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry for political affairs, is the chairman of the 14-member commission.
The Cabinet also took a series of other important decisions. It authorized the finance minister or his deputy to sign an agreement with Pakistan to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion.
Health Service Law
It endorsed a new health service law which insists that only licensed and qualified professionals are allowed to practice. It prohibits housing patients in places that are not meant for them, and prevents using banned equipment for diagnosis.
Doctors are not allowed to perform abortion except to save the life of the mother, SPA said quoting the law. Medical practitioners who commit errors causing harm to patients must pay compensation. All doctors working in both private and public sectors must subscribe to cooperative insurance to cover medical errors, the law said.
