Prince Khaled made the remarks while opening a workshop for mosque imams and preachers at the conference hall of Makkah Clock Tower Hotel yesterday. The workshop with the theme of “Mosque and Friday sermon: The responsibility and participation in building human beings” is organized by the Makkah branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal noted that Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that adopted the Holy Qur’an as its constitution and the Tradition of the Prophet (Sunnah) as its way of life. “The Kingdom’s system of governance is based on Islamic law, and at present, this law is facing a malicious campaign, which aims to establish that religion is unfit for governing the country and that separation of religion from state is a must. These campaigners want to assert that there is no room for progress without separating religion from state,” he said while cautioning imams and preachers to be vigilant in confronting attacks against Saudi Arabia and its government, people, laws and ideals.
While defining the meaning of development, the governor underscored the need for explaining the real values of Islam and making the younger generation known that holy war (Jihad) is neither blowing up oneself nor causing destruction on the streets or to buildings.
“Jihad must start from oneself, and if we want to do it, we have to endeavor in proving to the world that ours is the true religion — the religion of culture and progress not merely through words but through deeds. Our religion is the religion of law, cleanliness, work, sincerity, trust and honesty,” he said and asked, “How can we be Muslims as long as our streets remain untidy, and our cities and districts lying unplanned? How can we prove to the world that we are on the right path while there are people among us who give shelter to smugglers and drug traffickers? How can we be satisfied with the presence of unplanned districts in the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba with more than 60 and 50 such districts in Makkah and Jeddah respectively?”
Addressing the opening session, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Al-Asheikh spoke about various activities and programs being implemented by the ministry to develop the capabilities of mosque imams and preachers to enable them to play an effective role in enlightening the members of the society.
Sheikh Muhammad Mirza, imam of Ayesha Mosque in Taneem, delivered a speech on behalf of mosque imams and preachers attending the workshop.
