On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques:

Second Deputy Premier Prince Naif opens 1st conference on intellectual security

Prince Naif: Intellectual security is one of nation's pillars, all dangers threatening it must be confronted by all means

Prince Naif instructs 16 relief trucks be sent to Palestinian Red Crescent

Prince Mohammed bin Naif patronizes ceremony to graduate specialized anti-terror training courses

On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, opened this evening the 1st National Conference For Intellectual Security, "Concepts and Challenges", organized by Prince Naif Chair for Intellectual Security Studies at King Saud University's Hamad Al-Jasser Hall.

Thirty Saudi and foreign bodies are participating in the four-day conference.

Upon arrival the ceremony's venue, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz was received by Prince Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, Governor of Al-Direyah Province and a number of high-ranking officials and dignitaries.

On the occasion, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz delivered a speech in which he said that this is a noble occasion, enjoying the patronage and directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Naif added that it is important that this issue of intellectual security enjoys the Kingdom's noble patronage and interest due to the strong relationship between the sound thought and the righteous way on one hand and the stability of the nation, its development and happiness of its children on the other hand.

He pointed out that in our contemporary world, the intellectual security becomes one of the key pillars of the nation which is no longer threatened by a mere expected or theoretical risks but real ones required to be countered through accurate knowledge and scientific plans and strategies in dealing with them and limiting their current effects and future impacts.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was in the forefront of countries affected by the penetration of the intellectual security's fence by some of her sons who have fallen under the influence of deviant thought contrary to the teachings of our righteous Islamic religion", Prince Naif explained.

He also said that the Kingdom was in the forefront of countries that warned of the dangers of extremism, so the Kingdom's confrontation with those adopting such these wayward thoughts is not confined only to what has been achieved and is being achieved of success in using the deterrent force to deal with these criminal acts, but it utilized the wise use of the force of deterrence by subjecting those of deviant thoughts to the study, evaluation and guidance, making the Saudi security experience in confronting this deviant thought and its people as a pioneer experience we try to develop in light of the requirements of the security work and dealing with the changes surrounding it in their national, regional and international dimensions.

Moreover, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz said that using the scientific approach is necessary in confronting the danger and challenges facing the Nation's intellectual security in order to monitor the real status of such security, define its basic components and limit the factors affecting it so that we can fortify it against any penetration, therefore the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud agreed to assign King Saud University to organize the 1st National Conference for Intellectual Security "Concepts and Challenges".

Finally, I thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his generous patronage of this important conference in its aims, objectives and direction, hoping it will contribute to forging a national strategy for the intellectual security in light of the comprehensive concept for security in Islam, Prince Naif stated.

Then, Prince Naif and the audience watched a documentary on Prince Naif Chair for Intellectual Security Studies.

Then, Prince Naif inaugurated the Board of Martyrs of Duty. Then, he honored the martyrs of duty with memorial gifts received by their families.

Then, Prince Naif handed the conference's prizes to the winners.

Then, he received a memorial gift from King Saud University.

The ceremony was attended by a number of princes, ministers, ulema and professors as well as the conference's guests.

Prince Naif said Sunday evening that the Saudi society is targeted and that those who are aiming at the nation have found readiness on the part of some of its sons to carry out their deviant ideas.

Addressing a press conference after patronizing the First National Conference on Intellectual Security on behalf of King Abdullah, Prince Naif hoped that the followers of the deviant ideas would return to their senses and reasoning and refrain from insulting their religion and country.

"The country is ready to welcome its citizens if they decide to opt for correct path and it is also ready to help them to tread on properly," he said.

As regards Prince Naif's Chair , he said this chair is important, but what is more important is its outcome.

Commenting on the role of media as regards projecting the Kingdom’s political and security efforts, Prince Naif said "Undoubtedly, the media is an important channel and it is capable of projecting matters in a proper manner and overcoming the mistakes unlike the media-hype which misleads the people".

On the efforts exerted in this respect, he said there should be additional steps than the existing efforts, taking into account the Kingdom's religious, political, geographical, economic and strategic importance.

"Every citizen should be aware of his duty towards his religion and country, and others at Arab, Islamic and international levels should also be aware of this country.

With the grace of Allah Almighty, we have nothing to be shy of and keep anything concealed, but we have facts which give us honor and dignity for announcing them."

"This country was established with the grace and help of Allah Almighty, and then integrated with the efforts if its sons under the leadership of King Abdulaziz and his companions. Subsequently, the sons of King Abdulaziz have been following the footsteps of their great father," Prince Naif noted.

"Moreover, the media should project the facts and realities. Media is not only the responsibility of the state, but it is the responsibility of all".

"However, this country should live with its past, present and future and should never be attracted to worthless matters.

What should attract us is the scientific and technological matters, including sciences, engineering, agriculture and medicine," he said, adding that as regards cultures and ideas, each nation knows its way and style of life, and we are with the grace of Allah Almighty not in need of such ideas because we follow what we have inherited from our heritage which is stemmed from our religion and country.

"Thanks to Allah Almighty, we are dependent on ourselves and we feel honored because we are Saudis and we have a homeland which we are proud of it," he said, adding that before that we have the religion which shows us the proper style and we should grasp from it what we need for confronting the present, and we should discuss with others in a rational and objective manner on all matters.

As regards the strategic security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Naif said that this strategy should be activated, adding that the field of education is one of the most important areas in this regard and the approach for this strategy will be comprehensive.

Prince Naif commended the achievements of Prince Mohammed bin Naif Center for Care and Guidance and its good results, stressing that the Center will develop for the better.

Asked about the importance of Naif Arab University and its security services, Prince Naif noted that it is an Arab university which was founded by Arab Interior Ministers, adding that it has served security and has enriched Arab library with scientific researches by proficient men from all Arab Universities.

Prince Naif added, "It is natural that Naif Arab University takes interest in the desire of ministries of the interior for the prevalence of an Arab security strategy. In 1998 Arab ministers of interior and justice reached an agreement to combat terrorism before the emergence of terrorism in the world. We, as Arabs are in advance of others.

Unfortunately, this agreement has not served in all Arab countries and its strategy has not been implemented and not marked for activation in all Arab societies. I hope there will be activation in this regard.

Prince Naif pointed out that the intellectual strategy acclaimed today belongs to Saudi Arabia as a study and as an implementation tool, noting it is good and valid for any place.

He indicated that brothers in security bodies and heads of interior ministers will be briefed on this strategy to benefit from it.

Replying to a question on what this Chair adds to the previous conferences aiming to achieve intellectual security and combat terrorism, Prince Naif said,'' For this reason, the Chair was founded and the study ended this evening in preparation of the intellectual strategy which is required now and for years to confront this intellectual abnormality which is the main reason for terrorism. I do not think that we have any honor as Saudis to find our sons abroad turning into bombers who kill innocent men, women and children that are not guilty of anything anywhere, whether in Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon or anywhere else. These individuals make bombing as their profession. This is a dishonorable act and a great sin. We should know who direct them in this direction, and how they hurt them, and how they harm Islam and sons of this country".

Prince Naif added, "The number of these individuals is meager. Those who have still survived, they should return to their country and religion. The religion of Islam has nothing to do, whatsoever with these individuals. Some people exploit these matters. Islam has been harmed and has been transformed into a religion which is not suitable for humanity for the present time. Meanwhile, the reality is that humanity, human rights and all other rights are actually derived from Islam. There is no legislation better than Islam as regards all matters because it is the divine message revealed by Allah Almighty who knows what is good for human beings."

Prince Naif concluded by saying, " We refuse to be dragged into others' thoughts or lives. We hope to share with them the right advancement; scientific, economic and knowledge-based progress. As for their culture, thought, life, we say, "No". "We totally reject them as our fundamentals and morality emanate from our religion and heritage to which we are all adhered to in the light of their goodness for us."

The prince expressed hope that the patronization of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, of the first national conference on intellectual security, would pave the away for issuing effective recommendations that protect the youth from the menace of the deviant ideas that undermine the country’s security.

In a statement to Al-Riyadh newspaper, Prince Naif said soundness of the creed is the best way of ensuring the intellectual security.

He noted that religion is deep-rooted in the Saudi society which has been adhering to the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah (the Prophet’s teachings).

Prince Naif said the Arab countries are in need of a clear strategy for intellectual security.

Prince Naif noted that the King's patronage of the conference stands as a witness for the great attention being extended by the Saudi leadership to the security of the citizens and the country as well as its readiness to cooperate with others in this respect.

"It is hoped that the conference will yield positive results and adopt recommendations which meet the aspirations," he said.

Prince Naif noted that the national strategy for intellectual security is based on the idea that any crime is preceded by a deviant idea and it is perpetrated in the light of certain economic and political circumstances.

"So it is important to work for preventing the spread of deviant ideas," he said highlighting the importance of protecting the youth from the deviant ideas through their proper upbringing and constructive dialogue.

Prince Naif noted that the security organs in the Kingdom have successfully confronted the terror cells and that work has started for the preparation of the national strategy for intellectual security though studies and clear scientific programs in addition to the role of the specialized scientific chairs in this respect.

Prince Naif said "We have preceded several countries which have been victims of terror acts in the field of giving attention to the intellectual security and we have attained good results in this respect through the guidance committees and the awareness programs and exposure of deviant ideas in addition to encouraging the repentants to become useful members of the society."

He underlined the important role of the scientific institutions in upbringing of the new generations and said these institutions have positively contributed to enhancing the values of moderation and constructive dialogue.

King Saud University is a good example for the capability of the scientific institutions as regards playing an effective role in this respect, he said.

Prince Naif underscored the importance of existence of a strategy for intellectual security at the Arab level, taking into account the fact that the challenges facing the Arab security are similar to each other.

He noted that the intellectual security is not only concerned with extremism, but it also includes other matters like drugs, money- laundering and family problems.

"Intellectual security aims at protecting youth and preventing them from becoming tools in the hands of those who work for undermining the country’s security and safety," he elaborated.

Prince Naif said "Sometimes, the technological development is accompanied by new crimes in a manner that constitutes a challenge to those concerned with crime-fighting.

"This necessitates cementing further meaningful cooperation between the security and educational institutions."

"The shortest way for realizing intellectual security in the Kingdom is the soundness of the creed and the solidity of the proper idea in the face of the deviant ideas; he said noting that 'we can correct the deviant ideas through benefiting from the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah'.

He urged the scientific institutions as well as the educationists and media men to positively contribute to realizing this important goal and protecting the youth from the strange and imported ideas that do not conform to the interests of the country.

On the other hand, in line with directives by Prince Naif, who is the General Supervisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian People in Gaza, 16 trucks loaded with food stuffs crossed into Gaza Strip through the Egyptian crossing point of Rafah. The shipment was handed to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The campaign will continue its efforts to send other relief lifelines during the coming days. The aid will consist of food stuffs, medical supplies and ambulances.

Meanwhile, Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs, patronized the graduation ceremony of specialized courses as well as inauguration of training projects at Special Security Forces Command.

Upon arrival at the venue, the Prince was received by Director General of Public Security lieutenant General Saeed Al-Qahtani and a number of commanders and senior officers.

A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. In his speech, the Commander of Special Security Forces Major General Mohammed Al-Omani expressed his thanks to Prince Mohammed bin Naif for gracing this ceremony, praying to Almighty Allah to perpetuate the Kingdom's security and stability under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Premier.