The Council of Ministers Monday praised the contents of the comprehensive speech made by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to the Shoura Council, at the inaugural session of its new term, in which he outlined the Kingdom's foreign and domestic policies. The ministers said the King's speech serves as a guideline for the Kingdom on several regional and international issues. They also mentioned the King's decision to grant Saudi women full membership in the Shoura Council as well as the right to vote and stand as candidates in municipal council elections. The Cabinet also praised the recommendation made by the recently-concluded International Conference on Takfeer to establish a Muslim Scholars League to be based in the Kingdom, and for its foundation to be overseen by the Prince Naif International Prize for Prophet's Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies. The International Conference on Takfeer, which took place in Madina, was attended by more than 5,000 scholars and researchers from 23 countries, who discussed 120 research papers. Referring to regional and international developments, the ministers praised the effective participation of the Kingdom's delegation in the United Nations' 66th session. It also welcomed the launch of the Anti-Terrorism Center. Prince Saud Al-Fasial signed an agreement in this regard with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The Kingdom donated $10 billion to cover the Center's budget for three years. The Center was suggested by King Abdullah when Riyadh hosted the international anti-terrorism conference in 2005. It serves as an international institution specialized in combating terrorism and tackling its causes. The Cabinet also discussed domestic issues on the agenda, and authorized the president of the Red Crescent to discuss with the Turkish side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Red Crescent and its Turkish counterpart. It also authorized the Minister of Higher Education, or whomever he authorizes, to discuss with the Hungarian side a draft scientific and educational memorandum of understanding.
