JEDDAH, 3 December 2006 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday commended Saudi women for their active participation in the Kingdom’s development.
“Saudi women are playing a great role,” said Abdullah. “They make fruitful contributions toward the country’s comprehensive progress in various sectors,” he added.
Abdullah made this comment while receiving women participants of the Sixth National Dialogue Forum at his palace in Riyadh separately.
“During their meeting with the king, the women voiced their views on the forum’s topic and other issues concerning them. They thanked the king for his efforts to empower women and strengthen their role in society,” the Saudi Press Agency said.
Earlier while speaking to both men and women participants, the king urged them to provide the government with necessary advice and guidance. “Those who do not work will not make any mistakes. Those who work will make mistakes, but one should try to avoid such mistakes,” the king said about government officials.
He praised Saudis for their commitment to the nation, religion and work.
Saleh Al-Hosain, president of the forum, said Islam promotes peaceful coexistence of different communities, allowing others to protect their values and cultural identity. Some 120 verses of the Qur’an condemn bloodletting, all types of wars and subversive activities. “It has allowed only one type of war that is morally justified, stands for justice and considers human values. It is jihad,” he explained.
Al-Hosain presented a copy of the forum’s recommendations to the king and Crown Prince Sultan.
In her speech, Laila bint Abdul Kareem Al-Juhaiman, associate professor at King Saud University, said the three-day forum in Sakaka was successful in drafting a futuristic vision of education in the Kingdom. She praised Abdullah’s efforts to promote the Kingdom’s educational standard by opening new universities and colleges across the country.
