Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques graces King Faisal International Prize ceremony

Prince Naif stresses kingdom's firm course in various domains

Prince Naif approves winners of Naif International Award

Shoura Council hails Prince Naif's history, achievements

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz graced the ceremony of handing the 31st King Faisal International Prize for 2009 to the winners.

Upon arrival at the venue of the ceremony, the king was accompanied by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, and was received by Prince Khalid Alfaisal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Makkah Region, Director General of King Faisal Foundation and head of the commission of King Faisal International Prize, and other princes.

Then, the national anthem was played.

Then, the king shook hands with the princes. Afterwards, the winners of the King Faisal International Prize greeted the king.

Then, memorial pictures were taken with the king on this occasion.

After the king sat in the main podium, a recitation of the Holy Quran was delivered.

Then, Prince Khalid Alfaisal delivered a speech in which he highlighted the king's efforts in the fields of development, reform, culture, understanding, dialogue, fraternity, concord and tolerance.

Prince Khalid thanked the winners of the prize for serving humanity and the audience for coming.

Then, winners of the prize were announced. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques handed the prizes to the winners.

The prize for Islam's service was won by the Main Shariah Association for Cooperation of the Followers of the Holy Quran and Mohammad's Sunnah in Egypt. The prize for Islamic studies was won by Professor Abdulsalam Mohammad Shaddadi, a Moroccan national.

The prize for the Arabic language and literature was won by Professor Abdulaziz bin Nasir Almana'e, a Saudi national. The prize for medicine was won by Professor Ronald Levy, a US national. The prize for science was won by Professor Sir. Richard Henry Friend, a British national, and Professor Rashid Alifich Siniev, a Russian national.

Then, the king graced dinner held on this occasion and then left.

The ceremony was attended by a number of princes and senior officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal order, appointing Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as Governor of Najran Region in the rank of Minister.

The royal order was issued with immediate effect.

Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Najran Region, swore the oath of office as new Governor of Najran Region in the rank of Minister before the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

"I swear to the Almighty Allah I would be faithful to my religion, my King and my homeland, divulge no secret of the state, protect its interests and regulations, and perform my work with utmost truthfulness, honesty, sincerity and justice," he said.

The King expressed his congratulations, asking the Almighty Allah to grant him success in serving the religion and homeland.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior chaired the Cabinet's session at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

At the outset of the session, Prince Naif extended his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for gracing him with this new task as second deputy premier. He also asked Allah Al Mighty to help him meet the King's expectations as well as serve the country and its people.

Then, Prince Naif briefed the cabinet on the discussions, consultations, meetings and contacts made by the King over the past few days with leaders and envoys of friendly countries including the phone call the King received from President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt as well as the message he received from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He also briefed them on the visit paid by former US President Bill Clinton.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al Otheimin said that the Cabinet stressed the principles stated in the speech given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz at the Shoura Council last Tuesday which summed up the Kingdom's vision on what's currently going on in the Arab and Muslim arenas.

The Cabinet also asserted that such principles enhance, strength and unify Arab countries.

Dr. Al Otheimin also added that the Cabinet valued the accomplishments achieved by the Shoura Council during the past few years.

He also said that the Cabinet lauded the King's sponsorship of King Faisal International Prize last Saturday as well as his continued support for cultural, economic and scientific activities in the country.

Dr. Al Otheimin also added that Prince Naif expressed hope that the Arab Summit currently held in Doha will bring more reconciliation and enhance further inner-Arab unity. He also expressed hope that the second Arab-Latin Summit will strengthen cooperation between both sides.

Prince Naif also hoped that the coming G20 meeting to be held in London next Thursday would take all necessary actions and procedures to revive the world economy.

Dr. Al Otheimin also said that the Cabinet congratulated Prince Naif on his new appointment as second deputy premier.

Then the Cabinet took a number of measures including preventive precautions concerning the return of Rift Valley Fever as well as activating Rift Valley Fever Prevention Program supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Cabinet recommended that all necessary actions be taken in cooperation with related governmental bodies.

The Cabinet also agreed to authorize Prince Naif or his deputy to discuss the draft for an agreement of cooperation between the Kingdom and the Republic of Algeria concerning the extradition of convicted and sentenced fugitives.

The Cabinet authorized the Interior Minister - or his deputy- to discuss with the Russian side a draft agreement on extradition of people convicted of freedom-depriving sentences between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The Cabinet approved the establishment of a national committee to care for patients of psychological problems and extend the care to their families as well.

The aim is to help the patients and their families get treatment and rehabilitation services, boost programs of psychological health, and correct misconceptions about the field of psychological troubles.

The Cabinet approved the final account of the General Corporation of Grain Silos and Flour Mills for fiscal year 1426/1427 H.

The Cabinet approved appointments at the 14th ranks as follows:

1- Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Alsadhan is appointed Assistant Secretary General of the Council of Civil Service (rank 14) at the Ministry of Civil Service,

2- Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Aljrayan is appointed Director General of Legal Affairs (rank 14) at the Ministry of Civil Service,

3- Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Alkhonain is appointed Director General of the Minister's Office (rank 14) at the Ministry of Civil Service,

4- Salih bin Moussa bin Abdullah Alkhalil is appointed Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry for Consumer Affairs (rank 14) at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,

5- Dr. Solaiman bin Hamad bin Abdullah Ala'waishiq is appointed Assistant Director General of the Administration of the General Committee (rank 14) at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, received congratulations by princes, officials, ulema, sheikhs, businessmen, dignitaries and citizens on the occasion of the issuance of the order by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz appointing him as Second Deputy Premier.

Prince Naif thanked them for their sincere feelings expressing great pride and gratitude for the confidence of the king in him.

Prince Naif said, "I am honored by the confidence of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and the congratulations of my brothers and sons members of the noble royal family and the noble Saudi people on this royal confidence."

Prince Naif pledged to exert maximum efforts to carry out the duties of his post and realize the aspirations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and the Saudi people.

Prince Naif prayed for God's help and then the help of all officials and citizens in carrying out the wise leadership's directives toward the development of the country and the happiness and stability of its people and expatriates within the framework of the kingdom's serving of Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, raising the status of Islam and Muslims, supporting the brothers in "our Gulf and Arab depth", supporting their causes, boosting joint Arab work, serving the causes of international security and peace and fighting crime, extremism and terrorism.

Prince Naif highlighted the kingdom's comprehensive and great development and progress, security, stability and prosperity which he said are due to the wise policy and sound vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince Sultan.

Prince Naif said that the wise policy and sound vision of the king and the crown prince achieved the aspirations of the homeland and the citizens and gave the kingdom the respect of the world as a result of their blessed efforts to promote Islam's bright image, tolerance, justice and moderation and the kingdom's course based on these firm principles calling for concord, peace, happiness and stability of humanity.

Prince Naif stressed the firm course of the kingdom led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince Sultan and their wise dealing with all domestic and external causes and issues within the framework of the firm principles of its policy, the firmness of its Islamic bases, their suitability for all times and places, its methodology based on moderation, non-interference in others' affairs, mutual respect in its relations with others, the objective view in dealing with the requirements of development, modernization and comprehensive development called for by our sound Islamic religion which urges the adoption of means of strength, science, charity, protection of people's lives and rights and the provision of the needs for peaceful and honorable life.

In his statement, Prince Naif highlighted the kingdom's close relations with courtiers of the world and its constant aspirations to boost these relations for the benefit of all.

Prince Naif Prayed to God to protect the leader of this country's great march, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his crown prince and to maintain its security and stability.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier Minister, Minister of Interior, received commanders of the military sectors at the Ministry of Interior who came to greet him and congratulate him on his new post.

The meeting was attended by Prince Mohammad bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs.

Prince Naif thanked them for their noble feelings and urged exerting more efforts to serve the security and stability of the county.

He received also ambassador of the United States of America to the kingdom Ford Fraker who bade farewell to Prince Naif on the occasion of the end of the term of office of the US ambassador in the kingdom.

During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed greetings of US president Barack Obama to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the wise leadership.

Prince Naif sent the greetings of the king to the US president and people.

Prince Naif received at his office in Riyadh Sheikh Hamad bin Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Ambassador of Kuwait to the Kingdom.

At the outset of the meeting, the Kuwaiti ambassador congratulated Prince Naif on his new post upon a royal order appointing him as Second Deputy Premier.

Prince Naif received at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace a number of princes, ministers, senior officials of the Royal Court, the Crown Prince Court and Cabinet Presidency Court and senior commanders and officers of the Royal Guard.

Prince Naif also received a number of Ulema, sheikhs, members of the Shoura Council and a group of citizens who came to greet him and congratulate him on his new post.

Prince Naif thanked them for their noble feelings.

He received separately a number of well-wishers who congratulated him on his new post.

They were Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Homaid, Chief of Higher Judiciary Council; Prince Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz; Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Bilaihed, Advisor to the Governor of Riyadh Region; Dr. Nasser Al-Daood, Undersecretary of Riyadh Governorate; a number of senior officials of Riyadh governorate; Jordan's Chief judge Dr. Ahmed Hilayel; Mustafa Hashim Al-Sheikh Deeb, Advisor to the Palestinian President; Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Shatri, Director of the Riyadh branch of the Commission for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice; Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisi, Chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry; members of the chamber's Board of Directors; businessmen; Eng. Ali Al-Barrak, President of Saudi Electricity Company; Dr. Tawfeeq bin Abdulaziz Al-Sidairi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance for Mosques' Affairs; Dr. Salih Al-Wahibi, Secretary General of World Assembly of Muslim Youth; Chairman and members of the Saudi National Association for Human Rights; a group of people from Hail Region; a group of people from Dhahran Al-Janoob province and a number of citizens.

For his part, Prince Naif thanked them for their noble feelings.

The receptions were attended by Prince Fahd bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and senior interior ministry officials.

Meanwhile, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior and Chairman of Supreme Commission of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud International Award for Prophet's Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies chaired the Commission's meeting in Riyadh during which he approved the winners of the Award in its fourth session.

Addressing the meeting, Prince Naif expressed the pleasure of all over working in the service of the Prophet's Sunnah and the achievement of the orders of the Prophet and Caliphs.

He prayed to Almighty Allah that the Award enriches the Islamic library in researches that give replies to modern developments of the time and the viewpoints of Sunnah towards them.

The Second Deputy Premier thanked the Commission's members for their exerted efforts, wishing them all success.

Then Prince Naif announced the winner in the branch of Contemporary Islamic Studies Dr. Abdulqader Abdulkarim Gondal, Pakistani, for the first topic titled "Relief Work in Islam" (Contemporary Authenticated Study), also announcing the winner Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Bisher, Saudi, for the second topic "Freedom of Opinion in Islam".

Prince Naif also announced that Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Shaker, Egyptian, as the winner of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Award of Merit for Service of Prophet's Sunnah in its second session in the field of writing .

Then he announced the topics of the Award in its seventh session in its two branches including Fiqh (Jurisprudence)of minorities in light of Prophet's Sunnah; Prophet's sayings on discord and signs of hereafter between proper understanding and interpretation; citizenship in Islam (rights and duties); and Islam and the global economic crisis.

Then the Adviser to the Minister of Interior and the Award's Secretary General Dr. Saed Al-Orabi Al-Harthi reviewed the activities of the Secretariat General in 1429/1430H.

Then the meeting discussed topics on its agenda.

The meeting was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif; Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Naif; Prince Fahd bin Naif bin Abdulaziz; and a number of officials.

In a press statement following the meeting, Prince Naif said that the Award's Supreme Committee has been constantly seeking for selecting the best researches submitted for the award, noting that the number of researches submitted for the Award in its fourth session was 384.

He added that the Award is also given to those people who provided services for the Prophet's Sunnah even if they were dead, including Dr. Ahmed Shaker, Egyptian.

Prince Naif said that the award has achieved many of its goals, noting that the Award's Council is comprised of Prominent Scholars who expressed their satisfaction over the performance of the award and its future objectives.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier, Interior Minister, received at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace a number of princes, senior officials and a group of citizens who came to greet him.

The meeting was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Prince Fahd bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.

He received the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and Chairman of the Senior Ulema (Religious Scholars) and Scientific Research Dept., and Fatwa, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Ashaikh, who came to salute and congratulate Prince Naif following the issuance of the royal order appointing him Second Deputy Premier.

Al-Ashaikh extended congratulations to the Second Deputy Premier for the royal confidence, asking Allah Almighty to preserve the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince in serving the religion and homeland.

Meanwhile, Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh expressed great appreciation for the order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz appointing Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister, as the Second Deputy Premier.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Al-Sheikh stressed that "the achievements of Prince Naif resulted in the security and stability of the Kingdom. Prince Naif countered terrorism and the deviant group and he was appreciated by the wise leadership".

Dr. Al-Sheikh said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing great reform and development efforts exerted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

Shoura Council Chairman said "The members of Shoura Council and I congratulate Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz on his new post, praying to Allah the Almighty to grant him all success".