JEDDAH, 23 January 2007 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday urged Muslim countries to continue their reform and development programs in order to promote the progress and prosperity of their citizens.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, he also expressed the hope that the Muslim Ummah would strengthen its unity in order to play a leading role in the comity of nations.
“In this new Hijrah year (which started on Jan. 20), we hope peace and security will prevail all over the Islamic world, by the Grace of the Almighty,” the king said. “We also hope that Islamic countries will continue their efforts in reform, development and constructive dialogue in order to achieve progress and prosperity for their peoples and to prevent their deviation from the noble teachings of Islam,” he said.
In his address to the Cabinet, Abdullah reminded Muslims of their role in spreading the values of justice and love all over the world. “Brotherhood, mercy and tolerance are the hallmarks of Islam,” he said, while lamenting the suffering of people in some parts of the Islamic world as a result of wars, catastrophes and internal conflicts.
“I call upon all governments and peoples to make a self-assessment in order to learn lessons from previous events that served only their enemies and the enemies of peace.”
King Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with world leaders over the past weeks. Referring to his talks with Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Sunday, the king underlined the deep-rooted relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. “The reinforcement of Saudi-Pak relations will not only benefit the two countries but the whole Ummah,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
Transport Minister and Acting Information Minister Dr. Jabara Al-Seraisry said the Cabinet meeting took a number of important decisions. It urged the international community to support efforts for reviving the Middle East peace process and find radical solutions for the conflict’s main issues.
The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call for a united Iraq, ensuring the rights of all ethnic groups in the country.
The meeting approved the memorandum of understanding with India on combating crime that was signed in New Delhi on Jan. 25, 2006. The agreement covers the illegal production, sales and distribution of drugs and narcotics and the forging of currencies, financial papers, travel documents and visas as well as smuggling of materials of historic and cultural value, precious stones and other valuables.
The Cabinet endorsed an agreement with Austria for cooperation in sports. It will encourage exchange of visits by sports delegations from the two countries.
