RIYADH, 27 April 2008 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday welcomed the different viewpoints and ideas of Saudis, but insisted that they should be based on the Islamic faith and morality.
Addressing a reception at his Riyadh palace for participants of the national dialogue in Buraidah last week, the king emphasized that dialogue would promote peace and humanity.
“I have great hope on the sons of this nation with all their good intellectual directions based on Islamic principles, morals and human feelings, despite the differences in thought,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
King Abdullah emphasized the need for Muslims taking part in interfaith dialogue to be confident. “We have to exercise our historic right with the confidence of a strong believer by participating in every dialogue that serves our Islamic faith, and the principles of peace and humanity.”
King Abdullah also stated that Muslims should, inspired by the vastness of their universal religion, evolve their vision. He said every dialogue should be based on tolerance, freedom and openness.
Earlier, Sheikh Saleh Al-Hosain, chairman of the National Dialogue Forum, briefed the king on the outcome of the Buraidah dialogue that focused on labor issues and workingwomen. “The call to establish equality among men and women has weakened women’s role as mothers and home managers, creating a lot of social problems,” he said.
He said a recent study in the US showed that most educated women preferred to work at home, adding that modern experiments that violated the natural law are doomed to fail. He also referred to the dominant role played by the media in changing people’s perceptions and presented the king with a report of the last dialogue and its recommendations.
Dr. Yousuf Al-Shubaili, a member of the Fiqh Council in the US and a member of the Saudi Fiqh Society, commended Saudi leaders for promoting dialogue among citizens. He also emphasized the need to create a suitable environment for workingwomen.
Dr. Sameera Ibrahim Islam, from the King Fahd Medical Research Center at King Abdulaziz University, spoke on behalf of women participants. She said the dialogue forums were instrumental in bridging the gap between different viewpoints.
Salman Al-Jeshi, a member of Asharqia Chamber’s board of directors, thanked King Abdullah for generously supporting the dialogue forum since its founding. “All of us will work together to strengthen the nation’s glory and make it a light house for civilizations,” he said. He emphasized the role of King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center in promoting tolerance and moderation.
Dr. Hissa bint Saif Al-Saif of King Saud University said the dialogue forums were instrumental in removing negative stereotypes about the Kingdom.
Saleh Al-Hosaini, a member of the Shoura Council, commended the king for taking the initiative for interfaith dialogue.
The king later met women participants separately and heard their views on various topics discussed at the forum. He commended Saudi women for their effective participation in the nation’s development.
