Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives King Faisal International Prize for Service of Islam

King Abdullah: Muslims can serve their religion in any position

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz graced here today in presence of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, the handing-over ceremony to the winners of King Faisal International 30th Prize for the year 2008.

Upon arrival at the venue, the King was received by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Makkah region, Director General of King Faisal Charitable Foundation, Chairman of King Faisal International Prize Panel; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; and a number of princes.

A speech ceremony was held on this occasion.

In a speech introducing the winners of the Prize to the King, the Secretary General of King Faisal International Prize Dr. Abdullah Salih Al-Othaimeen announced that The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz won King Faisal International Prize for Islam Service, noting that the King has been nominated for the Prize by Dammam-based King Faisal University and Abha-based King Khalid University.

He added that the King was awarded the Prize in recognition of his great accomplishments in the Kingdom including many great pioneering projects economically, socially, intellectually, and educationally as well as in the field of construction.

He added that these achievements included the establishment of King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdullah Financial Center; Investment Fund for low-income persons; a number of universities; accomplishments at the Two Holy Mosques and the holy places to facilitate the movement of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors and building houses for low-income people through King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Foundation for his Parents For Developmental Housing.

Dr. Al-Othaimeen added that the King's achievements abroad included standing firmly by the right regarding the issues of the Arab nation and the Islamic world particularly the Palestinian cause; reconciliation of Arab brothers and Muslims; generously assisting the needy Muslims and others; achievement of a just peace; dialogue between religions and civilizations; inviting Muslim scholars for a meeting in Makkah to put a plan for the renaissance of Muslims and standing against terrorism regardless of perpetrators.

Then the King received King Faisal International Prize for Islam Service from Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

In his speech the King said that when he heard about his nomination for King Faisal International Prize for Islam Service, he thought to apologize as there are Muslims having works and sacrifices that make them worthier of this honoring.

The Monarch added," Fortunately, my confidence in the impartiality of members of the prize committee made me hesitate and think. Then I saw to accept the Prize not in recognition of myself, but on behalf of every Muslim man and woman who served Islam in silence, out of the limelight and without waiting for rewards."

The King addressed them saying,'' The Muslim scientist in his laboratory, the soldier defending his homeland, the preacher calling for moderation, the impartial employee who refuses inducements, the fair and equitable judge, the worker who works with his hands and masters his work and the student who perseveres in his study, all those are serving Islam. In their names everywhere in Muslim lands, I am pleased to accept this honor and present it to all of them.

In conclusion, I thank the brothers in the Foundation for selecting me, praying to Almighty Allah to help me in shouldering the responsibility for the service of my religion, homeland and people of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia''.

The King handed over the prize of medicine to Donald Dean Trunkey, and Professor Basil Arthur Pruitt.

Meanwhile the King handed over the prize of sciences to Professor Rudiger Wehner.

On behalf of the winners Carole Hillenbrand, the Head of the department of Islamic studies at Edinburgh University, who won King Faisal International Prize to the Islamic Studies in 2005, highlighted the significance of the prize, and said the prize would positively contribute to narrowing the gap between the East and the West.

She said this prestigious prize is awarded to the persons who attain great achievements in the various domains irrespective of their religion or race. Later the King graced the dinner party held on the occasion.

The dinner party was attended by Prince Metib bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister, as well as princes and senior officials.

Prince Abdullah bin Musaed al-Saud, the Governor of the Northern Borders, said awarding King Faisal International Prize to the service of Islam to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is not a strange matter because King Abdullah is the King of humanity and the leader of this blessed country.

In a press statement, he noted that King Abdullah has been dedicating his efforts for the service of the two Holy Mosques, and added that the expansion projects implemented in Makkah and Madinah provide a clear evidence for the great attention being given by King Abdullah to the pilgrims and Umrah (minor Hajj) performers.

Prince Abdullah bin Musaed lauded the significant role of King Abdullah in the service of the Arab and Muslim causes.