"Saudi Arabia stands for the whole world. Our religion is Islam and we believe that other religions are revealed from God. We spread the teachings of God for the benefit of humanity," the king said, while speaking to newly accredited ambassadors.
King Abdullah wished the new ambassadors success in their new careers and a happy stay in their "second home." The new envoys presented their credentials to the king.
They included Syed Muhammad Javad Rasooli of Iran, Talmiz Ahmed of India, Ahmed Aflal Jawad of Sri Lanka, Ahmed Al-Bousaeedi of Oman, Ahmed Mukhtar Gun of Turkey, Pablo Bravo of Spain, Hasan Moulaye of Niger, Yekaterina Mayering-Mikadze of Georgia and Gatot Abdullah Mansour of Indonesia.
Other ambassadors who presented their credentials include Oleg Ozerov of Russia, Ablah Hard Omar of Tanzania, Frank Galea of Malta, Ahmed Ould Abah of Mauritania, Valentino Simonetti of Italy, Rod Harris of New Zealand, Jarno Syrjälä of Finland, Tom Phillips of the UK, Kim Jong-yong of South Korea, Sergio Cerda of Argentina and Peter Reinhardt of Switzerland.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Jawad spoke on behalf of the ambassadors and commended King Abdullah’s efforts to boost the Kingdom’s development in education and other vital sectors.
He said he was impressed by Saudi Arabia’s remarkable progress under the leadership of King Abdullah. He referred to the establishment of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal near Jeddah and Princess Nourah University in Riyadh.
“I and my fellow diplomats are confident that Saudi Arabia is moving in the right direction. We are overwhelmed by the king’s call for dialogue between the followers of different faiths and cultures in this difficult time of history,” he said and wished every success for the king’s interfaith dialogue initiative.
King Abdullah also received new Saudi ambassadors, including Abdul Baqi Ajlan in Ethiopia, Bandar Mahmoud in Tajikistan, Jamal Rafah in Uganda, Talal Sabri in Myanmar and Nahid Al-Harbi in Mali, who took the oath of office in front of the king.
King Abdullah advised the new ambassadors to work for strengthening Saudi Arabia’s relations with other countries and represent their country, people and religion in the best possible way.
The ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, intelligence chief Prince Muqrin and other senior officials.
