Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Saudi Arabia is committed to combat those who are politicizing religion and seeks to unify the ranks of the Muslim Ummah on the path of moderation, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh has said. "The path of moderation is away from extremism and terrorism," Al-Asheikh said during his meeting with the Acting Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs in the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office, Fawzia Bint Saleh, and her accompanying delegation. Al-Asheikh said some vested interests have greatly harmed Islam by not implementing the values and teachings of this universal religion. "They are using religion to serve their own political, religious and partisan interests," the minister said. Saudi Arabia, he said, since its inception has been following and implementing the principles of moderation, rejecting extremism and combating terrorism. "The Kingdom has been disseminating and promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence among different people. Our blessed country is upholding the message of spreading Islam in its real form, the way it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and spreading its great values of moderation. The Kingdom is adopting this path, in line with the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)," he said. Al-Asheikh reviewed some aspects of the ministry's efforts in serving pilgrims, including care for the mosques, the mawaqeet (locations where pilgrims have to don the ihram, as well as creating awareness and guiding the pilgrims. He said that the ministry is supervising the program for the Guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which is hosting some 6,500 male and female pilgrims this year from 77 countries. The acting Malaysian deputy minister lauded the efforts being exerted by Saudi Arabia in serving the pilgrims and Umrah performers and defending Muslims' causes. She said that the expansions of the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites is a great service to pilgrims and Umrah performers. Fawzia Bint Saleh expressed great appreciation for the pioneering role being carried out by the Kingdom in serving Islam and Muslims and defending their causes. This is appreciated by the Malaysian government in particular and the Muslim World in general, she said expressing her great admiration for the Makkah Route Initiative.
