Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal receives a memento at the opening of the Global Islamic Conference organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in Makkah on Sunday. — SPA Badea Abu Al-Naja Saudi Gazette
MAKKAH — Terrorism is not only a threat to our nation but to the entire world, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman said here on Sunday. In a speech at the Global Islamic Conference, read out on his behalf by his adviser and Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the King said the entire world is threatened by the “Islamized terrorism” which kills, destroys and commits all kinds of vices under the name of Islam. A number of renowned scholars from the Kingdom and abroad are taking part in the conference titled “Countering Terrorism” organized by the Muslim World League (MWL). The conference will debate the best methods of fighting terrorism and extremism at its very embryo with a view to protecting the youth against its evil. King Salman asked the MWL to formulate a comprehensive strategy to eradicate terrorism which is a natural child of extremism. He expressed confidence that the recommendations of the conference will boost the efforts to combat terrorism. The King said terrorists, who are alleging to be Muslims, have divided nations, dispersed and killed a large number of people. “Terrorists have given the enemies of Islam the opportunity to malign its more than 1.5 billion followers,” King Salman said. “Terrorists do not at all represent Islam,” the King added. He said the detestable crimes of terrorists were the root cause of the hostile campaigns against Islam and Muslims. “Many people have the misconception that terrorism is the main feature of Islam and Muslims,” the King said, adding that many people fear Islam and Muslims and that “they are skeptical of us and our religion.” The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not leave any stone unturned in its fight against terrorism as an ideology and practice. “Our security agencies have fought terrorists with determination and zeal. They dismantled terrorist cells and networks. Many of the security men have been martyred in these operations. Our Air Forces are part of the international alliance against terrorism,” he said. The King recalled that Saudi scholars have also combatted terrorists by falsifying their invalid religious justifications. Saudi ulema have made it clear to the world that violence and extremism have nothing to do with Islam which is a religion of moderation and tolerance, the King reiterated. “Whoever dares to venture out of Islam's noble tenets will cause misery, dissension, disunity and hatred among nations,” he said. The King also said Saudi universities, research centers and media have unveiled the machinations of terrorists and exposed their dangers against the international community.
