King Abdulaziz International Contest for Memorization of Holy

Makkah, October 19, SPA -- On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal,
the Governor of Makkah Region patronized here today the concluding
ceremony of King Abdulaziz International 30th Contest for
Memorization of Holy Quran.

At the outset of the ceremony, one of the participants delivered a
speech on behalf of participants in which he expressed his sincere
thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
and the Crown Prince for their concern in this contest and he
commended the Kingdom's efforts in serving the Holy Quran.

During the ceremony, the Secretary General of the Contest Abdulaziz
bin Abdulrahman Al-Sbihin thanked in his speech Prince Khalid
Al-Faisal for patronizing this event as well as the Minister of
Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Sheikh Salih bin Al
Al-Sheikh.Then, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance
delivered a speech in which he said that this contest is the base of
all other contests.

He said, "We believe that Saudi Arabia and its courts led by the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the
Crown have been ruled by the teachings of the Holy Quran".

The minister noted that Saudi Arabia has faced a major challenge and
several charges of terrorism because it has ruled by the Holy Quran,
noting that the wise leadership ignored these charges because the
Holy Quran is the source of greatness and pride.

He emphasized that the patronage of Governor of Makkah Region of the
concluding ceremony on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques reflects the links between the leadership and those who study
and memorize the Holy Quran.

Following that, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal delivered a speech in which
he conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the participants in the
contest.

He said, "It is no wonder that the Kingdom pays high attention to the
Holy Quran and its sciences as it is the primary source of Islamic
legislation on which the founder late King Abdulaziz established the
foundations of this country".

The Prince emphasized that the attention of the Kingdom is not
limited to the local level, but it is extended to other countries
across the world and the best example of this is King Fahd Quran
Printing Complex and King Abdulaziz International Contest for
Memorization of Holy Quran.

The Prince added, "All Muslims have to show the realities of this
religion of moderation and values of right, justice, tolerance and
harmony among human beings in addition to other values which are
promoted by Islam, as well as to apply a good example of this
religion to correct the misleading image in some parts of the world.
Also, they have to motivate others to pursue the straight path as
calling for Islam is their original duty".

He thanked the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and
Guidance for his great efforts in this contest.

After that, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal handed over the awards to the
winners of the five branches of the contest who are from different
Arab and foreign countries.

--SPA