Al-Azhar University, the world’s leading center for Islamic knowledge, awarded Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah an honorary doctorate degree on Monday in appreciation of his services to Islam and Muslims and his support for Islamic causes and humanitarian programs.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal accepted the degree on behalf of the king during a colorful function held at the university.

Prince Saud expressed the king’s gratitude to Al-Azhar for the honor. He also commended Al-Azhar’s contributions to the Islamic world as a lighthouse of Islamic knowledge since it was established 1,060 years ago.

Prince Saud emphasized Al-Azhar’s role in fighting extremism and terrorism by providing intellectual guidance to young Muslims. “King Abdullah considers his services to Islam and Muslims his Islamic duty,” the prince said while highlighting the king’s love and affection for Egypt and its people and his efforts to protect its security and stability.

Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the chief of Al-Azhar, commended King Abdullah for his support to Egypt and the Arab and Islamic worlds. “Al-Azhar is happy to honor a great Arab man and an outstanding and wise ruler,” he told the gathering, attended by prominent personalities.

Al-Tayeb also noted King Abdullah’s role in confronting terrorism, which promotes violence and massacres. He referred to the king’s recent speech, urging world leaders to defeat Islamic State (IS) militants and other terrorists.

Spelling out King Abdullah’s major achievements, the Al-Azhar chief said these include the expansion of the two holy mosques, the formation of King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center, the launch of an intercultural and interreligious dialogue center in Austria and the opening of a counterterrorism center at the United Nations.

He also underscored the king’s humanitarian support for the people of Iraq, Syria and Gaza, as well as his generous contributions to fight poverty around the world.

“In light of all of the above, Al-Azhar is honored to award King Abdullah with a honorary doctorate degree in human and social sciences,” Al-Tayeb said.

Mohammed Abd El-Shafy, president of the university, also noted King Abdullah’s remarkable services to the Islamic world. “We have given an honorary doctorate to only two leading personalities in the past,” the president said, adding that the award is given based on certain rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, Prince Saud inaugurated the Kingdom’s largest embassy in Cairo and said such a move would boost cooperation between the two Arab countries.

“These headquarters do not merely house the offices of the embassy with all its branches, but all the Saudi working offices operating in Egypt; this will make it easier for citizens to contact the embassy and simplify access for their Egyptian brothers and others,” said Prince Faisal.

Assistant Foreign Minister Prince Khaled bin Saud said the embassy, which employs 250 staff members, is spread over an area of 40,000 square meters. Addressing the ceremony attended by officials and diplomats, he said the embassy sported the latest facilities and makes uses of smart technologies.