King: Dialogue will strengthen unity
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday highlighted the
importance of dialogue in strengthening national unity and improving relations
among citizens.
“Upholding Islamic values and showing allegiance to leadership are among the
hallmarks of Saudi people,” the king said while stressing the role of national
dialogue in narrowing differences in viewpoint.
King Abdullah urged officials of the King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center to
double their efforts in organizing dialogue forums on major issues with the
participation of people from different parts of the Kingdom.
He urged Saudis to keep away from classifying people on the basis of
different schools of religious thought, ideologies and regions, saying such
a classification is inappropriate for a society that follows tolerant
Islamic teachings and values.
King Abdullah made this comment while hosting Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head
of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Omar Abdullah Naseef, deputy
chairman of the National Dialogue Forums, and Faisal bin Muammar,
secretary-general of the King Abdul Aziz Center.
King Abdullah also welcomed Prince Bandar bin Salman, adviser to the King
and chairman of the Dawa Committee in Africa, its members and 43 Islamic
propagators in the continent.
Addressing the reception, Saeed bin Muhammad Sela, secretary-general of the
Federation of Islamic Scholars in Africa, commended the King’s initiative to
hold an Islamic summit in Makkah. He also spoke about the various dawa
efforts in Africa.