In an opening address IIROSA President Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki, who is also secretary general of the Muslim World League, welcomed the consuls and described the meeting as a very important gathering of people with similar objectives.
“The consuls are cooperating with us and facilitating our mission. We are very proud to be together with them under one roof,” he said.
Al-Turki recalled a similar party held by IIROSA honoring ambassadors in Riyadh last year and said the gathering was very fruitful. “We have the same objectives which are aimed at serving humanity and rescuing people in distress,” he added.
He described the interfaith dialogue initiative launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as an attempt to open dialogue and further cement cooperation among various religions.
“The theory about civilization conflict is a wrong one. All religions call for monotheism, honesty, cooperation and solidarity. The human family is the same anywhere in the world particularly at this time of great communications,” he said.
Al-Turki described IIROSA as the first, independent and largest organization established by the MWL and said it has maintained close ties of cooperation with a number of international organizations.
“IIROSA is working in the humanitarian field which requires support from everyone. The consuls are the keys that help us carry out this noble message,” he said.
He stressed that King Abdullah was keen on humanitarian work. “We in the Kingdom will be happy to cooperate with everyone who wants good welfare for all human beings,” he added.
Al-Turki stressed that unbiased charity work aims to maintain solidarity among people irrespective of race or creed.
“Humanitarian work must continue as long as there are widows, orphans, poor, needy, sick people, persons with special needs and victims of disasters and calamities,” he said.
Mohammed bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah province, who addressed the reception, praised IIROSA’s initiative to honor the consuls general.
“The noble initiative provides an opportunity to the consular corps to be acquainted with the organization’s humanitarian role in relieving the destitute and helping the needy around the world. It will also enable them to strengthen links of cooperation,” he said.
Tayeb noted a similarity between the work of IIROSA and that of the diplomatic and consular corps.
“Both work in the international arena, both render services to help people achieve respectable lives and both endeavor to strengthen ways of common living among people in a way that deepens and instills security, peace and prosperity across the world,” he said.
He said it was natural for the Kingdom to be a pioneer in the humanitarian work at regional and international levels as it was home to the Two Holy Mosques and the cradle of Islam. “It is not, therefore, strange for the Kingdom to come at the forefront of all countries in rendering humanitarian assistance, helping the needy and relieving the distressed around the world,” he said.
Tayeb said the Kingdom’s donations for humanitarian work constituted about 7 percent of its budget, much more than the UN which allocated less than 1 percent. He said the Kingdom’s assistance was not politicized and they target people irrespective of race, color or creed.
The director said that despite its pure nature, the Kingdom’s humanitarian work did not escape the grudge and rancor of those who used the events of September 11 to launch hostile campaigns. “However, the truth is revealed and the whole world is now aware of the humanitarian nature of the Kingdom’s assistance,” he said.
Tayeb hailed IIROSA, its Secretary General Dr. Adnan bin Khalil Basha and staff for their patience and perseverance as well as being able to deal with tough times.
“IIROSA has passed this catastrophe stronger, sturdier and more resilient to continue its charitable humanitarian work,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the consuls, Lebanese Consul General Ghassan Al-Moualem thanked IIROSA for organizing the event. He also praised IIROSA’s humanitarian work, particularly the emergency relief campaign in Somalia.
“I am quite sure that at this moment while I am talking to you, the welfare caravans of IIROSA are roaming the large areas of Asia, Africa and other places carrying the curing balsam for the poor, the needy and the destitute,” he said.
Al-Moulem noted that IIROSA’s charitable activities were not confined to rendering emergency relief or provision of health care to victims of disaster.
“IIROSA is also providing formal education to the poor students, sponsoring orphans and drilling wells to provide the poor with potable water in fulfillment of its noble objectives,” he said.
The invitees watched a documentary film featuring IIROSA’s achievements and also toured an exhibition depicting these achievements in photos and diagrams.
