Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh stressed that Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, is fully aware of the importance of calls to peaceful coexistence, and has been characterized by being a land of tolerance and coexistence for members of its society. He added that Saudi Arabia, since the reign of its founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud, has always sought to spread the culture of tolerance and coexistence that Islam calls for, and plays a pivotal role in establishing the concept of dialogue at the international level with the aim of contributing to reaching the true Islamic discourse based on moderation through constructive dialogue. The Kingdom believes that the next stage requires a serious stance from all to consider the past experience in dialogue and coexistence and the anticipation of future aspects to draw its features to lay the foundations of dialogue with others, deepen understandings among peoples and enhance global cooperation and coexistence. The minister noted that one of the priorities of the ministry is to spread tolerant Islamic principles, such as moderation, and to call for dignified Islamic morals, such as tolerance, compassion and coexistence. The ministry, in addition, warns against the exploitation of terrorist organizations and groups, to engage young people in violence, extremism and terrorism, and calls to cooperate with all sides in promoting tolerant Islamic principles. It urges the need to protect young people from fundamentally anti-Islam distractions and intellectual currents through exerting efforts towards achieving the strategic objective of the Saudi Vision 2030, which includes promoting the values of centrality and tolerance. Dr. Al-Sheikh added that the ministry's efforts in spreading the principles of tolerance and its reform efforts are consistent with the objectives of this vision with regard to platforms in mosques and their role in the fight against hate speech. It also highlighted the ministry's achievement of numerous prizes and medals in its efforts in the service of Islam and Muslims and the spread of the principles of tolerance, centrality and moderation. The minister pointed out that the ministry has made many efforts to instill the principles of tolerance and moderation through lectures, symposiums and conferences, and external exhibitions in which it participates. Its programs, offered through its Islamic attaches and centers around the world, reflects its active role in spreading centrality, moderation and the culture of tolerance, and to renounce hegemony and extremism, he added. The ministry translated these efforts by establishing the principles of coexistence and dialogue, and framed this by affirming those principles of tolerance and moderation through the terms of memorandums of understanding and executive programs signed with many Islamic and non-Islamic countries in the field of Islamic action. Saudi support an affirmation of its role in serving Muslims Dr. Al-Sheikh had earlier said that the announcement of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman that Saudi Arabia will sponsor the restoration of the Islamic Center in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, is an extension of the Kingdom's interest in serving Islam and Muslims, based on its leadership in the Islamic world. In a press statement, the minister said the announcement of the Crown Prince confirms his constant keenness and interest in Islamic centers in all brotherly and friendly countries, for their great role in educating young generations and spreading Islam's tolerance and message of peace, moderation, and dialogue. He stressedg that the Kingdom's leadership is keen to support centers and initiatives that establish the concept of moderation and tolerance. — SPA
