"This is good work documenting the ideas and thoughts presented by citizens during their weekly meetings with you at your home with the aim of involving them in the process of development and nation-building," he told Prince Khaled in a letter.
The crown prince said these weekly meetings had resulted in a number of development projects. "We thank you for this effort while wishing you all success," he added.
The governor had sent a copy of the publication titled: "Council's Weeklies" which was issued by the governorate's Department of Studies and Public Relations. The publication contained ideas for about 100 projects proposed by the citizens during their weekly meetings with the governor.
Since he took over as governor of Makkah over four years ago, Prince Khaled continued the practice of holding regular weekly gatherings at his home, a custom he introduced when he was governor of Asir Province.
On successive weeks Prince Khaled would meet judges and Islamic scholars, the next with businessmen, the third with educationalists, university professors and academicians, the fourth with men of letters and journalists, the fifth with tribal chiefs, and the sixth with young people.
Introducing the publication, Prince Khaled said the idea of the public meetings with the citizens was initiated by King Abdul Aziz as a channel of direct communications between the ruler and his subjects. "This has become a distinctive feature of the country and its leaders," he added.
He pointed out that all governors of the regions follow this pattern of ruling set out by King Abdul Aziz. "During these gatherings, the governors listen to the complaints of their citizens, hear their suggestions and communicate directly with them," he added.
The development projects contained in the Council's Weeklies included ideas ranging from thoughts about basic infrastructure, business, charity, social services, and sport.
The suggestions also included the setting up of a SR100 million fund for social responsibility in Makkah, the construction of more cultural, literary, entertainment and sports clubs in various districts of Jeddah and the building of youth centers in the suburbs of Makkah.
The ideas presented by the citizens to the prince also included the establishment of a think-tank in Makkah, the formulation of a program to protect youth from crime, and the transfer of social experiments of other countries in various fields to the government departments in the Kingdom.
