King's strenuous efforts reformed global view on Islam, says

Jeddah, May 24, SPA -- The strenuous efforts of the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz have reformed the
world's view towards Islam, a truly great religion, according to
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Sheikh
Salih bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh.

In a keynote address at the 8th conference of the Ministers of
Endowment and Islamic Affairs of the Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC) countries here yesterday, Sheikh Salih said the King
formulated strong programs for introduction of this great religion,
for elimination of doubts about it, and for promotion of a beneficial
dialogue between followers of religions and cultures with the primary
goal of
accomplishing human contacts to achieve peace and mercy for the world
and bring about glory for the Muslims.

The Conference is held under the patronage of the King and opened by
Sheikh Salih. Sixty two countries are participating in the
conference.

Sheikh Salih, who is also the President of the Executive Council of
the Conference of the Ministers of Endowments and Islamic Affairs,
conveyed to the participants of the conference the King's greetings
and his best wishes for its success.


The Minister said "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is keen on
supporting Islam and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

He expressed his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for
patronizing this conference and for the Crown Prince and Second
Deputy Premier for their efforts in disseminating the Islamic call
and maintaining its originality.

Speaking on the occasion, the Kingdom's Grand Mufti and Chairman of
Senior Scholars Council and Scholarly Research and Ifta Department
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh called on the participants
of the conference to pursue reform in their societies, to take care
of the nation's interests, to defend its causes and to maintain its
achievements and principles.

He also urged all Muslim officials and intellectuals to draft
appropriate plans to serve the nation.

Sheikh Abdulaziz called for promotion of the correct religion among
peoples to confront intellectual invasion in all its forms.

A number of speakers addressed the conference including Niger's
Minister of Religious Affairs Sheikh Ishaq Labo; Brunei's Minister of
Religious Affairs Dr Haj Mohammed Zain bin Al-Haj Sroden; Pakistan's
Minister of Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazemi; and Tunisia's
Minister of Religious Affairs Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Al-Akhzori.

They expressed their thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for
hosting this conference to deal with the important topic of
intellectual security and the role of ministries of endowments and
Islamic Affairs in its achievement.

--SPA