Ain-Al-Yaqeen - December 8, 2006

		December 8, 2006

CROWN PRINCE SULTAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ HONOURS THE WINNERS OF PRINCE NAIF INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR THE PROPHET'S SUNNAH AND CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC STUDIES.
PRINCE SULTAN PATRONIZES THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SAUDI TECHNOLOGICAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION IN RIYADH.
THE CROWN PRINCE DONATES SR ONE MILLION TO THE ORPHANS CHARITY IN RIYADH REGION.

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, opened the Saudi technological conference at four seasons hotel in Riyadh.

Addressing the gathering, Crown Prince Sultan stressed the notion of importing and finally implanting technology in the kingdom.

He highlighted the kingdom's experience in providing education and training for girls, noting that male and female training was based on a balanced policy that would not prefer any part of the country over others.

Then Crown Prince Sultan dedicated the exhibition held on the fringes of the conference.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and other princes and senior officials.

Crown Prince Sultan, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Aviation said that Saudi women are an essential part of the country's development in the technical-education sector.

"The government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has not and will not exempt Saudi women in our development plans all over the Kingdom," he said at the inauguration of the 4th Saudi Technical Symposium and Exhibition. "The government has provided this education for Saudi women and has made it accessible according to our Islamic religion and our culture."

The Crown Prince said the aim of providing education for women in the technical field was to "provide job opportunities for female graduates."

He also said the government welcomed the participation of several global technical institutes in the country's vast development in the technical field.

"This cooperation helps us to exchange technical expertise and improve the performance of our institutions according to our national plan for development," he said.

Prince Sultan said that since the Kingdom joined the World Trade Organization last year, it now faces a new challenge to compete with other institutions worldwide.

"For that reason, the government considers the quality of technical education important," he added. He stressed the importance of preparing qualified Saudi expertise "to compete with its counterparts worldwide".

Governor of Riyadh Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOVET) Ali Al-Ghafees, as well as the Minister of Labor Dr Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, also attended the event.

Speaking on behalf of the participating companies, Damian Turner, managing director of BAE Systems, said that BAE's cooperation with the Saudi government was to "estimate the skills for Saudi nationals".

He also said that the company would "provide direct support to the Kingdom's technical industrialization programs."

He mentioned that by training Saudis in the technical education sector, as many as 10,000 jobs would be waiting for them upon graduation.

BAE Systems, he said, intends to train Saudis in air traffic control programs, as well as provide training for Saudis in industrial training colleges.

"We cannot have dreamt of accomplishing these things without the support of the Saudi government," he said.

Dr Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the fact that the Crown Prince inaugurated the event was to illustrate the government's caring for the welfare of Saudi youth - both men and women - to receive proper training that would enable them to earn honest jobs.

"The government, as mentioned many times before, aims to lowering the unemployment rate in our country so it can become something of the past within a few years," he said.

The two-day seminar discussed several aspects related to technical education. In addition to the seminar, the exhibition displayed several products from 21 participating companies from all over the world.

Minister of Labor Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said that his ministry would not go easy on establishments and institutions that attempt to illegally skirt Saudization quotas.

"There are systemized penalties," he said during a graduation ceremony of Al-Rimaizan Training Center in Riyadh where a batch of newly trained Saudis received their certifications. "Penalties can go up to the person or establishment being forbidden from applying for loans or services."

Al-Gosaibi last week announced that the official unemployment rate in the Kingdom is 9 percent for men and 22 percent for women.

In an attempt to spur employment among Saudi nationals, the Kingdom in recent years required companies to reserve a percentage of their jobs for citizens. Companies routinely skirt these quotas through falsified paperwork or temporary Saudi hires.

Al-Gosaibi said insufficient training was a major factor in unemployment in the Kingdom, as well as the tendency for some companies to skirt their Saudi quotas. The minister said that Saudi youths who have not been trained should not consider applying for jobs.

"The Saudi market has no place for untrained Saudis," he said while refuting charges that his ministry has dealt with alleged lawbreaking companies in an unfair manner.

The minister said that the unemployment problem among Saudi nationals would be something of the past in the next five years.

"The General Organization for Vocational Education and Technical Training with the cooperation of the private sector has programs to train 400,000 Saudis," he said, adding that once those Saudis graduated they would fill in the gaps in the job market and replace non-Saudis in technical jobs.

On Behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, graced the closing ceremony of Prince Naif international prize for Prophet's Sunnah (sayings and deeds) and Contemporary Islamic Studies in its second version.

Upon arrival at the venue, Crown Prince Sultan, accompanied by Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region, was received by Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Saud Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy President of the Prize's Higher Commission; Prince Mohammed Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz; and senior officials.

Then Crown Prince Sultan gave away the prizes to winners. They are Dr. Basim Faisal Al-Jawayrah and Dr. Nawal Bint Abdul Aziz Al-Eid in the field of Prophet's Sunnah and Dr. Mohammed Waqeeallah Ahmed on Islam in the contemporary curricula in the west.

Addressing the gathering, Crown Prince Sultan congratulated Prince Naif on the success of the prize.

The event was attended by princes, prominent guests and dignitaries from abroad and senior officials.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was honored at the ceremony for the distribution of Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud International Prize for Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies. The king had won the prestigious award for serving the Sunnah (the sayings and life of Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him).

The Supreme Commission of the Prize chose the king as the recipient due to his many efforts to serve Islam and Muslims, such as proposing an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference last year in Makkah in light of the challenges faced by the Muslim world.

Attending the event on behalf of King Abdullah was Crown Prince Sultan, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Aviation, who distributed certificates and cash prizes to the winners. Among other dignitaries in addition to Prince Naif, Interior Minister and the President of the Supreme Commission of the Prize and Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, were the President of the Shoura Council Sheikh Saleh Bin-Humaid, ministers, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-ASheikh, the Grand Mufti of Lebanon and the Mufti of Egypt.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Prince Naif said that the members of the seven terrorist cells busted by the government plotted a number of assassinations and terrorist operations in the country. "Security officers are ready to foil any future terrorist operation."

The Interior Minister said people behind these terrorist cells "are the enemies of Islam and Muslims even if they have an Islamic mask." He said that the arrested terrorists had political and economic agendas. "Their aim is to turn Muslim against Muslim," he said, adding that this would only benefit non-Muslims.

Prince Naif said the government had no plans to increase the number of its administrative regions, adding that governors were doing their best to serve the country and notified the king of the challenges they faced in their regions.

Prince Naif said that the aim of his international prize was to "protect the image of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from all sorts of mockery," citing that in the recent past the Prophet has been a target of mockery from the enemies of Islam.

Said Al-Harthi, adviser to the interior minister and secretary-general of the Supreme Commission of the Prize, announced the winners of this year's prize. The Prophet's Sunnah Prize was awarded to Basim Al-Jawabra, a Jordanian national, for his research titled "Infidelity Charges in the Light of the Prophet's Sunnah."

In the same category, another prize was given to Saudi national Nawal Al-Eid for her research paper titled: "The Rights of Women in the Prophet's Sunnah."

Mohammad Waqiallah Ahmed, a Sudanese national, won the Contemporary Islamic Studies Prize for his research titled: "Islam in Current Western Curricula Review and Criticism."

At the ceremony, Prince Salman said the prize encouraged researchers to serve the Sunnah. "It also encourages the youth to adopt Sunnah in their lifestyle and implant the love of the Prophet in the hearts of Muslim youth."

Al-Harthi said Crown Prince Sultan's attendance on behalf of King Abdullah illustrated the keenness of the country's leadership to support Islamic research on the Qur'an and Sunnah, which is the constitution of the Kingdom.

He said 306 research papers were submitted. Seventy-nine research works were rejected in the first phase. In the second phase, an additional 112 research works were rejected after they were evaluated by a number of university professors. "The remaining 115 research papers were then scrutinized by the most qualified religious scholars in the Kingdom," he said.

Members of higher panel of International Prize Of Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud for the Prophet's Sunnah and Islamic contemporary studies have commended Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, the minister of interior and the panel's chairman for his efforts to encourage Muslim scholars and thinkers through his prize on researches in the service of the Islamic religion.

The members included Dr. Abdullah Bin Salih Al-Obaid, the minister of education; Dr. Issam Al-Bashir, former Sudanese minister of guidance and endowments and secretary general of world center for moderation; Sheikh Dr. Abdul Wahab Ibrahim Abu Sulaiman, member of senior Ulema (Muslim scholars) commission; Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashim, former director of Al-Azhar university; Prof. Mohammed Kamal Hassan, former director of Islamic university in Malaysia; Jassim Mohammed Al-Mutawe', head of Iqra satellite TV channel and former Kuwaiti judge of personal status; Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Saqr Al-Ghamdi, president of Naif Arab University of Security Sciences and Dr. Youssef Bin Mohammed Al-Ghufais, member of senior Ulema commission.

In a statement on this occasion , Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al-Mutlaq, member of senior Ulema commission said that the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of the handing ceremony of the prize indicates the Saudi leaders' keenness on encouraging and supporting religious education, Muslim scholars and researchers.

Kingdom's Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Al Shiekh, who is also chief of senior Ulema commission, religious research department and Ifta, received at his office in Riyadh invitees who attended Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud International Prize For Prophet's Sunnah (Prophet's deeds and sayings) in its second version.

During the meeting, the mufti lauded the noble goals and care of Prince Naif prize for the Prophet's Sunnah and Islamic studies. On their part, the guests thanked the mufti for his feelings.

Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior has hailed the patronage and support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-aziz to the International prize for "The Prophet's traditions and contemporary studies."

Prince Naif, who is also the Chairman of the prize, which is named after him, also thanked the King for honoring the ceremony to receive Prince Naif International Prize for Prophet's traditions and contemporary studies, at its second year presentation here last night. Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General patronized the ceremony on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. In a press statement following the ceremony to hand over the prize of this Year, Prince Naif said "Unfortunately, Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) traditions are now attacked even from some (quarters) in the Islamic world. With blessings of Allah almighty and the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Crown Prince and Muslim scholars, we will, carry on , the noble objectives of this award."

In a question-answer session that followed the presentation of the prize to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, when asked if there are any plans to be presented the prize to Arab leaders, Prince Naif said "This is a subject of evaluation by the Prize Committee. However, we have not given this award to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, just because the prize comes from Saudi Arabia. We have presented him the prize to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques because he serves the traditions of the Prophet (PBUH) which govern all things and therefore we have found that he is the prime choice to deserve the prize."

On the statement issued by the Interior Ministry yesterday on the capture of 136 persons in three months and details of external organizational elements responsible for the transfer to and from the Kingdom, Prince Naif said "The entry to the Kingdom is not difficult. The country is open to pilgrims, especially to the House of God.

"Travel is permitted for every citizen in Saudi Arabia to any country and from there some can go to places of training and bases of terrorism, when they come back, they are trained and wrongly guided to bring violence and abuse of religion and homeland."

In another question about who is behind them and whether there would be an announcement of a new list of wanted people, the Minister of the Interior replied " Whoever is behind them, there is no doubt that they are enemy of Islam and Muslims, even if they hold Islamic identity as they say. Moreover, any individual can not do these acts if he is a true Muslim."

He added that the time will show us who are behind these people and that their acts are against Islam and Muslims, which have political and economic objectives and are aimed at working against Muslims and engaging in killings of each other.

He disclosed that there is a scientific committee to select studies and researches of experts all around the world to carry out all works of the prize in conformity with its objectives.

About the media aspect of the prize to stand towards the western trends against Muslim World, specifically the Arab countries and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Naif said "It is helpful to encourage Muslim scholars to conduct more related studies and research. We have hundreds of research works in hands. We make use of them, but we reserve the prize for the most prominent ones. With the passage of time, We will cover all field of studies to present the comprehensive Islamic view of life. The prophet's (PBUH) Traditions are the second source of the Muslims to guide them in their lives."

With regard to the meeting of the Governors of the regions if there are any attention to expand the present governorates or create new ones, Prince Naif said "We discussed issues related to regions for the welfare of the Saudi citizens. We present our resolutions to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who direct us to continue or look for other options."

In reply to a question whether the Ministry of Interior will announce a new list containing names of the wanted people, Prince Naif said "We have completed our part in this matter. The security forces will carry on the responsibilities of pursuing (in this context). We will be able to foil any criminal act against Saudi Arabia. However, these groups belong to seven cells who already planned and were ready to execute criminal acts soon. With the help of Allah almighty, we were able to discover them before they could carry out their terrorist act."

With regard to the mechanism that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia follows to hand over the wanted persons through the Saudi embassies, Prince Naif said "We honestly say that we welcome those who wants to be back to the right path. We love to send a clear message to their families that they must guide their sons to follow the right path, and we also confirm their coming back is a sign of acceptance for what is really right and rejecting what is really wrong."

In an answer to another question related to the foiled terrorist act if it was in Riyadh, Prince Naif said "It was meant to be in various parts including assassinations."

Prince Naif also added that the Hajj rituals are specific and timely and that any extra deeds not related to Hajj rituals are not accepted.

Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, received here today Bahij Mullah Howaish who is in charge of European Council for Mosques in Spain; and Professor of Sunna Sciences and Post-graduate Studies at Mohammed V University in Morocco Farooq Hamada who are currently visiting the Kingdom among the gests of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Interntional Prize for Sunna and Contemporary Islamic Studies in its second version in Riyadh.

During the two separate meetings, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed a number of issues. They also discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between the Ministry on one hand and the European Council for Mosques in Spain and Mohammed V University in Morocco on the other.

Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, minister of interior and chairman of the higher commission for Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud International Prize for Prophet's Sunnah (prophet's sayings and deeds) and contemporary Islamic studies, held a dinner party in Riyadh in honor of the prize second version's guests.

Addressing the gathering, Prince Naif welcomed the guests in their second country the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing them good stay.

He said Islam's enemies were recently able to recruit some Muslim youth to work against their religion, putting great burden and responsibility on Muslim scholars to rectify the situation.

He said the aim of the prize is to serve the Sunnah and obtain updated knowledge about it.

The event was attended by Prince Saud Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, deputy chairman of the prize; Prince Mohammed Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, assistant minister of interior for security affairs; Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz; and senior officials.

On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation And Inspector General, received a group of citizens who came to greet him.

He also received representatives of the tribes of Baishah province who thanked him for supporting development in the southern region.

The Crown Prince commended them and highlighted custodian of the two holy mosques' efforts to develop all regions of the kingdom. The audience was attended by a number of princes.

On the other hand, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, donated the amount of one million riyals for the charity for the care of orphans in Riyadh, "Insan" in support of the charity in the field of service and care for orphans. The donation comes as a continuous from the Crown Prince.

Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Governor of Riyadh region, in his name and on behalf of all the members of the Governing Council and the General staff addressed thanks and appreciation to the Crown Prince for his continued support to the orphans. Prince Salman said, "This support is not surprising as the continuous efforts of the Crown Prince are widely acknowledged."

The secretary general of the General Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dr. Hamoud bin Abdul Aziz Al-Bader, noted that this support from the Crown Prince comes his amid concern to explore the needs of orphans and pointed out that the Crown Prince in one of the most prominent supporters of the charity since the beginning of its founding seven years ago.

The charity has been founded in 1419 and has currently four branches in the city of Riyadh, in addition to a public administration and branch Kharj province and seeks to open a number of branches in the governorates and centers in the near future.