Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanks Crown Prince on the issuance of annual report for supreme council of Islamic affairs

Second Deputy Premier Prince Naif presides over higher hajj committee, stresses more efforts to render next hajj season successful

Pilgrims' security and smooth performance of religious rituals is strategic goal

Dialogue culture forum held in Riyadh

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has sent a cable of thanks to Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, who is also the President of the Supreme Islamic Affairs Council, on the occasion of the issuance of the annual report of the Council.

The report included the role of the Kingdom in the service of Islam and Muslims and the achievements attained by the Council.

The Council's Secretary General Dr. Salih Al-Ayed said the report also included financial assistance exceeding SR 84 million extended to 150 Islamic parties in 55 countries.

On the other hand, King Abdullah handed over the Shield of Prize of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Sports Excellence to Al-Ahly club's president Abdulaziz Al-Anqari after Al-Ahly club succeeded in winning four international championships in only one season.

The event was attended by Prince Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, member of honor of Al-Ahly club; Prince Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, President of the members of honor of Al-Ahly club; Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, General President of Youth Welfare; Princes; members of honor of Al-Ahly club and employees of the club, including former presidents, administrators and players.

Meanwhile, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, who is also Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee, presided over a meeting of the Committee in Jeddah.

At the outset of the meeting, Prince Naif emphasized the importance of integrating the efforts of all bodies participating in this year's Hajj season and benefiting utmost from the success of Hajj season last year with a primary goal of upgrading services and facilities for the pilgrims in this year's Hajj season within the framework of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince. These directives focus on provision of the best services and facilities for pilgrims, Umrah (minor pilgrimage) performers and visitors of the Prophet's Mosque.

Prince Naif called on all bodies concerned with Hajj season this year to enable pilgrims to perform this great pillar and ritual of Islam easily and comfortably, considering this matter as a strategic objective that should be achieved with a high level of quality and top-grade performance.

The Second Deputy Premier pointed out that the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques provides advanced capabilities as well as multi-faceted facilities and recruits thousands of qualified cadres in achieving this noble goal and the Islamic message bestowed by Allah Almighty upon the Kingdom's leadership and people which enabled them to take care of the sacred places, to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers and to facilitate the performance of their rituals in an atmosphere full of faith and peace.

The meeting was attended by members of Hajj Supreme Committee including the Governor of Makkah region; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Foreign Minister; Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; the Governor of Madinah region; General President of Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque; Ministers of Finance, Hajj, Economy and Planning, Culture and Information, Health, Transport, Communications and Information Technology; President of Control and Investigation Board; President of General Authority of Civic Aviation; and a representative of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

The meeting was also attended by Advisor to the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, and Secretary General of Hajj Supreme Committee Dr. Saed Al-Orabi Al-Harithi.

Prince Naif expressed his thanks to and appreciation of Secretary General of Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki, who is also Chairman of Board of Directors of Holy Quran Memorization International Organization for the efforts exerted in the service of the Holy Quran and propagation of the Holy Quran among Muslims all over the world.

In a reply cable following receiving a copy of the 8th report of the Organization's achievements, Prince Naif said, "We have been pleased over the contents of the report on the Organization's achievements and the expansion of its activities and works covering more than 60 countries, and that the number of male and female memorizers of the Holy Quran has reached nearly 20, 683 since the Organization's establishment", wishing success for all employees of the Organization.

Prince Naif also sent a reply cable of thanks to Islamic University Director Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Uqla.

In the reply cable, Prince Naif thanked the Islamic University Director, the University's staff and the participants in the 3rd Forum of Saudi University Graduates from Asia held in the University during the period 16-18/05/1430AH for congratulating him on the recovery of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Also, Prince Naif thanked them for congratulating him on his appointment as the Second Deputy Premier, wishing them all success.

On the other hand, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Forum of Accredited Trainers for Promotion of Dialogue Culture will be launched on Saturday.

Kingdom's General Mufti, Speaker of Shoura Council, ministers, and officials will take part in the three-day forum to be organized by King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue.

The Center's Secretary General Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar pointed out this event will be held under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who patronizes and supports national dialogue as it forms the intellectual message on which the Saudi society with all its strata and groups meet.