MAKKAH — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been upholding human rights in letter and spirit, Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said during the opening of the14th Makkah Al-Mukarramah Conference here on Thursday. Delivering a speech on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Prince Khaled said as per the Shariah rules human rights have always been at the core of its governance since the Kingdom was founded. The conference is titled “Human Rights in Shariah and International Conventions. Prince Khaled said Islam has granted human rights and ordered “us to uphold these rights. “The Kingdom, which applies Shariah, has also been signatory to international conventions on human rights,” he said. These rights, Prince Khaled said, were enshrined when the world witnessed destruction and chaos and global violence spread. While the Kingdom complies with international conventions on human rights, it stresses that Shariah has granted full human rights to the people, Prince Khaled said. “Human rights is not something new to the Kingdom. It has applied them according to Shariah while at the same time it has participated in all global conferences on human rights. “The Kingdom has set a shining example of a country which has complied with Shariah while at the same time benefited from positive human experiences.” Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said Islam has protected the rights of human beings, the rights which are legislated by Allah. “These rights don't change because they were made by Allah. “Around the world, many human rights have not been protected. In Islam, these human rights are protected and respected.” The Grand Mufti hoped that the conference's recommendations clearly spell out Islam's position on human rights. World Muslim League's Secretary General Dr. Abdullah Abdulmohsen Al-Turki said human rights in Islam are associated with responsibilities. For each right there is a duty and that is why Shariah transcends above all conventions. “If people fail to help and support the oppressed and respect their human rights, the global human rights conventions lose their credibility while those who claim to uphold the rights disappoint the world,” he said. He warned against extremism and terrorism because they lead to nothing but destruction. On the international level, the human rights have not been upheld and have not been applied with justice. Besides, double-standard have been the norm all for the sake of interests and religious fanaticism. He cited the recent events in Myanmar, Palestine, and Syria and said what is happening in these countries is a blot on the face of humanity.
