The conference on martyrs kicked off in Riyadh on Monday to highlight the role played by those who have died in service to the nation and also outline the threats facing the country. Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, opened the conference entitled: “Conference on Martyrs' Duty and the Duty of Society.” It is being held at Imam Muhammad Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. In his speech Al-Anqari said the conference signals the respect the Kingdom's leadership has for those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country. He said the conference will highlight a number of important issues to enlighten students and society about the “noble role” of martyrs and their families. It also throws the spotlight on dangers of terrorism and extremism facing the country, he added. Addressing the conference, Dr. Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail, President of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University, expressed his thanks to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for his patronage of the event. He said one of the basic objectives of the conference is to document those who sacrificed their lives for their country. It will also consider ways to help the families of the martyrs. Aba Al-Khail said the university has devoted special halls for women researchers to present research papers on martyrs and to discuss and interact with participants through a closed–circuit television network. He said the university will exempt the sons of martyrs from complying with the admission requirements of the university. The martyrs' sons who are not joining the university will have access to the university's sports facilities and central library. Muhammad Al-Mutairi, who delivered a speech on behalf of the families of the martyrs, welcomed the moral and financial support given to the relatives by the country's leadership. He said any family who lost a member was proud that it was for the sake of the defense of the country and the religion.
