RIYADH: The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) won the first annual Good Model Palm award yesterday from among 16 nominees from various parts of the Kingdom.
The most transparent and fairest of government departments, corporate entities and nongovernmental organizations, will be awarded the annual prize to encourage honesty and fair play, according to Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, who conceptualized the award.
The Islamic Development Bank and the Savola Group were among the nominees, according to Tariq Sharif Al-Safadi, secretary-general of the Good Model Palm award committe, which organized the event.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman handed the award to the CITC at a function at the Marriott Hotel. Talking on the occasion, Prince Salman thanked the companies and government agencies for their participation in the event, which reflected their corporate social responsibility.
He said that his late father, King Abdul Aziz, told his children to do their best for others, the society and Islam, and this was what the companies had been doing. “We in this country are aware of our responsibility to our faith and our religion on which the Arab renaissance is built. In the past, we were a people of feuding tribes but then we were united by the Book of Allah and His Messenger. We now live like brothers,” he said.
“This event indicates a better expression of this unity which began in the era of Imam Muhammad bin Saud when he adopted the call of Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab,” he added.
In an address entitled “Transparency and Its Value in Islam,” Saleh Bin-Humaid, president of the Shoura Council, shed light on the concept of transparency and the meaning of the word in Islam.
He highlighted numerous examples set by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that clearly demonstrated the need for justice, equality, honesty and other traits.
“Many human civilizations have known values that reflect the concept of transparency, but transparency in Islam is distinguished by its consistency and adherence to the principles of justice, equality and freedom,” he said.
Bin-Humaid added that the leaders of the Kingdom have always been reiterating the promotion of transparency and fairness, emphasizing that the ministries and other governmental agencies should comply with regulations and instructions to ensure the rights and freedoms of individuals and not taking any action that infringes upon those rights and freedoms that are legally established.
The Saudi government has enacted laws and set up departments to fight official corruption and promote transparency and integrity.
