Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques discusses with King of Spain issues of common interest

CP receives Qatari Prime Minister; discuss latest developments

Vatican describes King Abdullah's call to confer as step in right direction

Saudi Mufti: Deviant groups dare haunted by evil

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud telephoned King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and issues of common interest.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of United States of America George W. Bush on the occasion of his country's Independence Day.

In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the king wished good health and happiness to the president and constant progress and prosperity

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of United States of America George W. Bush on the occasion of his country's Independence Day.

The crown prince wished good health and happiness to the president and constant progress and prosperity to his people.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani and the accompanying delegation.

The Crown Prince held a luncheon in honor of the Qatari Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation.

The audience and luncheon were attended by Prince Mit'eb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Interior Minister; Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz; Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Khalid; Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammad, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Civil Aviation; Prince Khalid bin Saad bin Fahd; Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Musaed; Prince Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities; Prince Faisal bin Saud bin Mohammed; Prince Dr. Misha'al bin Abdullah bin Musaed, Adviser to the Crown Prince; Prince Misha'al bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Jeddah Province; Prince Turki bin Khalid bin Faisal; Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Adviser at the Court of Crown Prince; Abdullah Al-Nemr; and a number of ministers and senior civil and military officials.

The audience and luncheon were also attended by Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud and Qatari Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ali bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, analyzed the outcome of the 1st International Islamic Conference on Dialogue -- held a little over a week ago in Mecca under the patronage of the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia -- on the most recent episode of the weekly Vatican Television program "Octava Dies."

This initiative, which Abdullah already announced in his visit with the Pope at the Vatican, was presented as the preparatory phase of a major dialogue, first within Islam and then with Christianity and Judaism. The goal is to protect and promote the dignity of the human being, the family, whose identity is under threat, and peace among nations.

Abdullah explicitly said that some followers of Islam, victims of extremism, have upset Islam's nature as a religion of peace, Father Lombardi noted.

The 500 participants in the conference, who represented different currents of Islamic thought from around the world, reiterated their "no" to conflict with civilization, inviting the leaders of all nations to concord and the promotion of a culture of dialogue.

"There is still a long road ahead of us in getting to know and understand each other; the theological differences remain irreducible; the concrete situation of many Christian minorities in Muslim countries is dramatic", according to Father Lombardi.

"Nevertheless, the more the conviction is repeated and taken to heart that one cannot hate in the name of God but must meet and dialogue, the better. John Paul II had already indicated this road in Assisi."

According to the Vatican spokesman, "the road is not an easy one for Muslims, it is not easy for Jews, it is not easy for Christians. It must be followed with patience and courage."

On behalf of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Organization for Military Industries; Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, chaired in Jeddah the 25th meeting of the Board of Directors of the General Organization for Military Industries.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf; Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah bin Ahmad Zainel and a number of officials.

In a statement following the meeting, the Director General of the General Organization for Military Industries Major General Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Hadithi said that the Council discussed a number of issues on its agenda.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, received Chief of U.S. Central Command David Petraeus and the accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest.

The meeting was attended by U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ford Fraker.

The Yemeni-Omani Border Committee has met in Sana'a to discuss issues in relation to securing the border between the countries, Saba reported.

The meeting, that was chaired jointly by Yemeni deputy Interior minister Saleh Hussein al-Zauari and Omani Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs Salim bin Musallam Qatan, brought out several positive outcomes that translate the interests of the two countries in securing the joint border as well as coordinating to fight trafficking drugs, human, car and animals through this border.

Al-Zauari said the two sides had agreed on granting visas for Yemeni and Omani citizens to facilitate their travel from and to Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

He added that Yemeni and Omani citizens at border could move easily with their visas.

However, vehicles that carry large numbers of passengers would not be granted visas except by the embassies of these countries.

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh, Mufti of the Kingdom and Head of the Senior Scholars Commission, Religious Research Department and Ifta, asserted that the criminal acts being committed by the deviant group are definitely not the work of true Muslims who believe in God, the Day of Resurrection and the sanctity of innocent souls and the properties of others.

This came in a statement issued by the Kingdom's Mufti, commenting on a statement issued by the Interior Ministry about the arrest and sending into custody of a group of persons materially and/or intellectually involved in the activities of the deviant group.

Following is the Mufti's statement:

"With deep grief and sadness, we have learnt of the aggressive measures aiming at destroying the faith and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the deviant group who also plotted to undermine its people, stability and capabilities, turning themselves as obedient tools in the hands of the enemies of religion and the homeland", according to a statement issued by an official source at the Interior Ministry.

"Speaking in all honesty, taking part in giving advice to the members of the nation, thereby acquitting myself of withholding the knowledge I have, and being worried that some enthusiastic sons of the Muslim nation might become tools of corruption and subversion in the hands of those who call for sedition, division and deviancy, I confirm the following points:

"First: What is done by the deviant group is surely not the work of true Muslims who are supposed to be believers in God , the day of resurrection and the sanctity of the souls and properties of others according to a number of Quranic verses and sayings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). Whoever dares to commit such crimes is only a person completely overwhelmed by evil and aggression against others similar to fierce animals and predatory beasts.

"Second: The danger revealed by the statement of Ministry of Interior; namely, the mass of weapons and dangerous explosives designed for subversive acts, destruction of economic facilities and vital interests of the nation, and the spread of terror in Islam's castle and home of its two holy mosques, necessitate the solidarity of citizens, expatriates and other Muslims to work together to expose the scheme of the deviant group without any leniency or tolerance.

"Third: As we all know that before being united by its founder late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud several decades ago, the country was living a state of anarchy, chaos, division, poverty and poor security. Following the historic unification of the country by the founder, Saudi Arabia became the example of stability, progress and development, a grace benefiting all who live on its soil and necessitating the keenness of all of us on upholding this grace by enlisting ourselves as security men for this country and nor should we hesitate in reporting any suspects or acts of the deviant group.

"Fourth: As Islam is the religion of moderation and its followers are those who reject deviation or extremism, we have to kill whoever uses violence and thought of extremism against the state or individuals. Several verses from the holy Quran and sayings of the prophet can be cited in this regard.

"Fifth: The occurrence of such incidents confirms the necessity for Muslims to take one stand against the deviants and to obey the ruler to avoid fracture, destruction and destabilization of the nation.

"Sixth: The acts and plots of terror designed by the deviant group confirm once more their ill-will and refute their claims that they were working in support and interest of Islam. Instead, it has become obvious that they do not want any glory or victory for Islam. They want the destabilization of the security of the country, the terrifying of its people, destruction of its public and private facilities, and the aiding of the enemies to control the Muslim nations as is the case in some countries.

I warn my brothers the citizens and expatriates in this country not to provide cover ups for the members of the deviant group.

Seventh: It is the duty of Ulema, religious students, parents, teachers, instructors, callers, guides, intellectuals and thinkers to illuminate the youth against the danger of the deviant group and show them the correct path of the of the Prophet and his followers.

Eighth: The current attack by the powers of aggression against Islamic countries, including the occupation of some of them and violation of their sanctities, will not serve as an excuse by the enthusiastic youth to execute explosions and accuse others of being infidels and to show disloyalty for their rulers. Also traveling of some youth to foreign countries without permission of their rulers is contradictory to Islamic law.

Ninth: I advise Muslims to give Zakat (alms), handouts and donations and abide by paying them in their proper channels according to relevant regulations so that we could be reassured that this money did not end up in the hands of such criminals.

Finally, I thank God for his great graces on this country and I extend my thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior, Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs and all security commanders and officers for their sincere efforts that led to the arrest of the deviant group members and the success of the pre-emptive attacks against them.

I also send my appreciation of the brave security men for their well done and strenuous job of pursuing the members of the deviant group".

The Saudi Television's channel one telecast a new weekly program named "Humumana" (Our Worries). The first episode of this program was entitled 'matahat net' (The intricacies of the Web World).

This episode carried an interview with two media persons from the deviant group: namely Um-Osama, who is in charge of editing on-line "Al-Khansa" electronic magazine and she is characterized as an extremist woman. The other interview was with a person called Abu Azzam Al-Ansari, who is charge of editing on-line "Sada-Al-Jihad' extremist electronic magazine. Beside these interviews, the telecast also carried experiences of a number of young persons without enough religious knowledge who spend long hours in surfing the internet, including visits to sites of misleading ideologies that defame religion, which finally lead them to bewilderment.

One of the youth said he had been surfing these misleading web sites out of curiosity and spoke about his experiences in this respect. He described the contents of the sites as "bad and illogical," adding that they mislead the youth.

Um-Osama and Abu Azzam Al-Ansari of the deviant group spoke about their experiences in the field of deviant ideology through the internet in view of ample time at their disposal and out of curiosity to search for news items to follow up the deviant group's statements which led them into labyrinth. They pointed out that by following the footsteps of the deviant group; they gave themselves over to such misleading ideology and loosing the correct way of thinking.

The program showed an experience of a father who had a trouble with his son who was influenced by this deviant ideology and turned him into an isolated person. This ideology lured his son to opt for Jihad outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discover the fake reality of this deviant group.

"Humumana" (Our Worries) is a new weekly 30-minutes program focusing on social dialogue. The program bravely and transparently tackles the most important problems that face the Saudi society through in-depth reviews of the experiences of the youth and their personal experiences. The program hosts some of the misled youth and some of the detained persons for security matters.

Experts and specialists in Islamic, social and security sciences participate with the youth in the program.

The program is concerned with the problems of the Saudi society including topics like patriotism, citizenship, education, internet, satellite telecasting and culture of reading in addition to the security issues pertaining to participation in conflicts in some Arab and Muslim countries and other issues.

Dr Abdullah bin Abdul-Mohsin Al-Turki, the Secretary General of the MWL, has underlined the importance of the role which could be played by the media institutions in the service of inter-faith dialogue.

The international dialogue conference will be held in Madrid on July 16, 2008.

He called for cooperation between the media organs and the Muslim scholars in spreading the culture of dialogue.

Dr Al-Turki noted that the conference will discuss means of protecting mankind from conflicts.

He expected that the conference would yield positive.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi said that the commemoration of the World Petroleum Congress of its 75th anniversary coincides with the jubilee celebration of the Kingdom's establishment of Saudi Aramco, noting that 75 years ago, upon directives of King Abdulaziz Al Saud the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed concession agreement with Standard Oil Company of California, allowing the company to explore for oil in Saudi Arabia.

Then oil industry began in Saudi Arabia un-checked by outside world who could not imagine that the agreement signed on May 29, 1933 could have triggered a series of developments that would dramatically change the future of the people in the Kingdom.

In a lecture on the sidelines of the World Petroleum Congress 2008, currently ongoing in Madrid, he said that the oil industry in Saudi Arabia has become an important means through which King Abdulaziz achieved his vision of turning the Kingdom into a modern country, providing a better life for its citizens and becoming what is sometimes referred to as the "economic miracle in the desert".

He added that the era of oil coincides with the period in history of the world different from earlier periods of the 20th century as it was a period of unprecedented achievements in science and technology. The human mind was the source of innovations that changed the world in ways that would have been unimaginable before.

He noted the role played by the oil industry in the renaissance of the 20th century in the field of transport and economy, which led to rapid improvements in living standards and personal freedom of movement.

He pointed out that oil markets and energy in the early years of the 20th century witnessed significant increases in demand, and said that this century experiences political instability, harsh climatic conditions, inadequate infrastructures, fears of catastrophic climate, changes in product specifications in the global markets, inflow of speculative funds in oil future contracts and pessimism on the availability of oil resources to meet future needs leading to the a absence of confidence in the future of energy and petroleum industry and its ability to continue to provide prosperity for future generations in a safe and reliable way.

He said that studies confirm that over one billion people around the world lack access to clean drinking water and 2.4 billion live without proper sanitation facilities. Experts say that 1.5 billion people still lack access to electricity and about 3 billion people live on less than two dollars a day per person.

The United Nations estimates that 80% of the total global financial resources devoted to health are currently spent in OECD countries, a fact only shows that scope of the problem will become more extensive with the increasing population of the world. Again, the United Nations estimates over the medium term that the world will increase by 2.6 billion people in 2050, raising the total current population of 6.6 billion people to about 9.2 billion people.

The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said that population growth and the needs of peoples in both developed and developing countries for greater prosperity and personal movement are the main engine of growth for the large expected demand for energy during the coming 20-30 years.

He pointed out that the issue of climate change has received considerable attention on a large scale around the world, and that a large part of the world is facing the problem of poverty. Poverty and its negative impact on the humanitarian situation constitute a real and immediate threat for large numbers of people in developing countries.

However, climate change is just one of countless problems, the impact of which could not easily be visible in the developing world. The problem of climate change is often seen in the less developed world as one of man-made problems of the developed world, and is therefore responsible for them.

He said the challenge facing industries and markets of petroleum lies in how to get rid of carbon and how to do so safely.

He said there are no easy or quick fixes; it will take time and considerable financial resources. The fact is that fossil fuels based on carbon are still the cheapest source of energy and most effective and reliable for our societies.

He said people say nowadays that the so-called alternative fuels will be favorable because of their low carbon emissions. But they might not know that some types of bio-fuels are always subject to close scrutiny. While containing some non-carbon alternatives to the current ratio of less carbon compared to fossil fuels, we find danger with respect to cost and development which limit their contribution at the present time.

He stressed that increasing the economic prosperity in the coming decades will require the increase of production from all sources of fuel, including oil, gas and coal.

He said that no alternative currently competes with oil in terms of its ability to provide safe means of transport, and as effective and economical for the world's population.

He explained that scientific studies on the resources base indicate that there is an abundance of viable oil from the earth, estimated at 5-7 trillion barrels, including conventional and unconventional resources, pointing out that the oil industry proves once again that there are large quantities of oil still could be found.

He said he is confident that large quantities of oil are still undiscovered in the "mature and border regions" around the world. I am also confident that through the modern techniques of today the oil industry will find this oil and produce it.

He added that the limits for oil supplies are largely linked to politics rather than geology, citing the embargo imposed on oil companies to explore for oil in the flooded area, believed to be accommodating most of U.S. reserves of oil.

He pointed out that Saudi Aramco, using modern technology, has increased the production capacity to 75% in some fields.

He explained that oil industry is based on technical application to reduce environmental impacts of its work and products. Modern techniques being developed today and in the future aimed at the possibility of improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts of global energy use.

He said carbon separation process is one that attaches great importance to the petroleum industry. For this reason, Saudi Arabia participated in the Leading Forum for Carbon Distillation, which includes a group of more than 20 nations.

He says large sums of investment in developing the technologies are required.

The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources recalled that during the Summit of OPEC last year, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud announced an initiative for protecting the environment, where the kingdom has allocated 300 million dollars for exploring the possibility of reducing environmental impacts of fossil fuels, an initiative attracted global appreciation, with the State of Kuwait, UAE and Qatar pouring in an additional $ 450 million.

He said that Saudi Arabia is currently working on building two scientific institutions aiming at promoting the know-how in the field of energy, environment and the training of scientists and technicians needed for future energy industry. The first of the two institutions is King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the second is King Abdullah Centre for Petroleum Research and Studies, which will begin work before the end of this year.