JEDDAH, 19 February 2006 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday emphasized the importance of Arab and Islamic unity. “It’s the cornerstone of the project for achieving progress and glory,” he told Saudi and foreign intellectuals, men of letters and media persons who came as guests to the 21st Janadriya Festival.
King Abdullah reminded the gathering that the golden era of the Islamic Ummah was when it stood united. “On the other hand, when there was division and disunity, it became weak and subject to the hegemony of enemies,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
He emphasized the need for making every effort at political, economic and intellectual levels to close Arab and Islamic ranks.
Referring to the smear campaigns against Islam and its Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), King Abdullah called for more efforts by Muslim intellectuals to project the true picture of the Ummah as a tolerant and moderate community.
“We should tell the world that the mistakes committed by a small minority of extremists and fanatics do not represent the spirit of the Ummah and its heritage,” the king said.
King Abdullah blasted the concept of clash of civilizations.
“We have to replace it with the concept of peaceful and constructive coexistence of civilizations,” he added. “I also hope that the future relations between nations will be based on true dialogue, respecting one another and their sanctities, faiths and identities.”
