The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanks participants in 8th Makkah Conference

Crown Prince: establishing contemporary Islamic studies top priority for emphasizing moderation of Islam

Discussions on bilateral relations, regional and international developments between Saudi and Omani foreign ministers

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has sent a cable of thanks to the Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsin Al-Turki and the participants of the 8th Makkah Conference held recently by the MWL.

In a reply cable, the Crown Prince thanked them for their best wishes and good feelings and lauded their blessed efforts in studying Islamic doctrine.

Earlier, MWL Secretary General had sent a cable of thanks and appreciation from the MWL and all those who participated in the 8th Makkah Conference for his support to the activities of the MWL as well as his blessed efforts in serving Islam and follow-up of Muslim affairs The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has thanked the Minister of Hajj Dr. Fuad bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsi, Heads of Hajj Missions and Guests of Great Hajj Symposium for congratulating him on the success of this year's Hajj.

This came in a reply cable of thanks sent by the Monarch to the Minister of Hajj who earlier sent a cable of congratulations in his own name and on behalf of Heads of Hajj Missions and Guests of Great Hajj Symposium on blessed Eid Al-Adha and the success of this year's Hajj season. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud also has thanked Minister of Health Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Mane and all workers at health sectors for their efforts to serve pilgrims. This came in a reply cable sent by the Monarch to the Minster who earlier sent him a cable of congratulations on the high-level public health status of pilgrims, citizens and residents at the holy sites, Makkah and Madinah in addition to that Hajj was free from epidemic diseases.

"We thank all workers in health sectors for their efforts in this field. We pray to Allah Almighty to guide us to serve pilgrims and provide them with ways of comfort and security," the King said.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al -Saud sent a cable of condolences to the Indonesian president Indonesian president on the victims hit by land slides.

Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the president of the youth welfare, received Chinese ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Yang Hong Lien. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Sultan bin Fahd highlighted the existing Saudi-Chinese relations in the various domains notably in the youth and sports domains. On his part, the Chinese ambassador praised the existing strong Saudi-Chinese relations, especially in the youth and sports spheres.

He praised the big strides made by the Kingdom in the field of sports.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received here today the Kingdom's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, who is also the Chairman of Senior Muslim Scholars (Ulema) Commission and Religious Research and Ifta Department, as well as Rector of King Saud University (KSU) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Othman who earlier signed the Agreement of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Chair of Contemporary Islamic Studies.

During the audience, the Crown Prince said that the aim of establishing Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Chair of Contemporary Islamic Studies is to emphasize the moderation of Islam as well as to support relevant researches.

Following that, the Crown Prince launched the website of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Chair of Contemporary Islamic Studies.

The audience was attended by Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs.

Following the signing ceremony, the Grand Mufti commended the Crown Prince for approving the finance of a chair named "Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Chair of Contemporary Islamic Studies," noting that he was asked to supervise this chair which will strongly enhance religious research based on the Holy Quran and Sunnah (Prophet's Tradition) characterized by moderation.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh pointed out that the Chair will concern with clarifying the tolerant and moderate religion and highlighting Islam's good image. He noted that the moderate approach means commitment to religion and performance in compliance with the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, received Oman's Foreign Minister Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern.

On behalf of The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, the vice Governor of Riyadh Region, convoyed today to the Yemeni Embassy the condolences of the Saudi Government and people on the death of speaker of the Yemeni council of representatives Abdullah bin Hussein Al-Ahmar.

Prince Sattam was received by Yemeni Ambassador to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohamed bin Ali Al-Ahwal and a number of senior officials.

On his part, Al-Ahwal thanked the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his Crown Prince as well as the Government and People of Saudi Arabia for their condolence.

Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, the vice-governor of Riyadh region, conveyed today the condolences of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, as well as the condolences of the Saudi Government and people on the death of Pakistani former premier and leader of the Pakistani people party Benazir Bhutto during his visit to the Pakistani embassy.

Prince Sattam was welcomed by Pakistani ambassador Shahid Karimallah and a number of officials.

In London, a number of participants from the Saudi and British sides agreed that the Two Kingdoms Conversation Conference held in its third edition was successful. It focused mainly on the youth and their rule in society. A number of recommendations were issued which are:

- The two sides guaranteed holding a second meeting in Riyadh during the coming six months period.

- The two sides will work on developing an information network.

- The Saudi-British business council will dedicate an annual prize entitled "the young investor of the year."

- The chances of interaction between the two parliaments.

- The two sides agreed on developing an exchange program that enables the youth to spend some time at the companies working in the two countries.

- The participants show their enthusiasm towards facing the challenges of the two countries. During the conference, a lot of workshops were held and asserted that the main challenge facing the two kingdoms is providing the youth with the abilities to enter the competitive market.

The United Kingdom welcomes the visit of the Saudi professors and recommends the Saudi Public Authority to visit the United Kingdom to discuss the Saudi educational needs.

The two countries understand the need to the existence of joint research frames and the importance of participation by the industrial sector aiming at understanding the needs for such researches.

The participants affirmed the need to work together in exchanging their experiences to face the danger of extremism. They agreed on the necessity of enhancing the youth activities by developing projects in local communities.

The recommendations confirmed that the cultural cooperation is the base to develop a mutual understanding and to work harder so that both citizens will expand their perception in understanding both countries.

Dr. Jaafar Abdulsalam, a specialized professor in international relations, pointed out that the encouragement of the Kingdom leaders to hold intercultural dialogues opened a wide window for the Islamic organizations to defend the nation of Islam, appreciating that the Muslim World League had held dozens of conferences and meetings to hold a dialogue between Islam and the West.