JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal signed a contract with the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah to set up an academic chair to conduct studies on the Saudi policy of moderation on Tuesday.
The chair to be instituted at the cost of SR5 million will be known as Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Chair on Saudi Moderation. Osama Tayeb, president of the university signed on behalf of the university.
The Prince Khaled chair basically aims at conducting advanced studies on the Saudi concept of moderation as a means to bolster national unity. The chair will also study the methods to drive deep the concept of moderation in the minds of the students on the one hand and on the other counter the challenges posed by contemporary extremist ideologies.
“Thanks to a policy of moderation in every aspect of life, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved a distinguished position in politics, economics, education and social life. Because of the same reason the country and its people have been spared wars, political unrest, social and economic turmoil. The Kingdom adopted this ideal stand because that is the stand taught by Islam,” Prince Khaled said during the signing ceremony organized at his office in Jeddah.
“While the Kingdom enjoys political and economic stability and security, several countries near to us and at far away places are engulfed in battles and other crises. I am sure that it is not impossible for our nation to be among the leading countries of the world if we have the will to do it,” the governor added.
Tayeb, president of the university, said while speaking on the occasion that the five-year long studies would include lectures, seminars and workshops besides research studies. Several awards for the best studies on the topic will also be instituted. The chair will also take steps to include the methods of moderation as a topic for studies in schools and universities, he added.
