Faisal, Emir of Makkah, says that the voices of extremism in the Kingdom are louder than the voices of moderation and that the Kingdom is coming under “fierce attack” from certain “media” organizations and other “cultures” around the world. Prince Khaled made these comments while attending the signing of two memorandums of understanding between King Abdulaziz University and Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University in Jeddah Wednesday. The event was also attended by Prince Turki Al-Faisal. A memorandum was signed between the Prince Naif Chair for National Unity Studies and the Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Chair for the Authentication of the Saudi Moderation Method at King Abdulaziz University. It is aimed at strengthening the concept of national unity. The memorandums also include the creation of a joint database on national unity and studies on the authentication of the Saudi moderation method. Prince Khaled said: “The voices of extremism are loud whether the extremism is on the right or left. Regrettably, moderation has no voice as loud as that of extremism.” He said there was a great need for the agreements that were signed. “We want to advocate this trend to enlighten the youth of our country. We want to go ahead to give our sons and daughters in the Kingdom correct information – about their history, the method and policies of this country, and the values and principles laid down by our ancestors for the unification of this country.” “We have not achieved this status out of the blue. We have attained it because of the struggle of our fathers and forefathers. We need to reinforce this struggle and promote it among our sons and daughters now and into the future.” Prince Khaled emphasized the importance of protecting the youth from those who oppose the Kingdom: “We have great responsibilities towards our sons and daughters, to enlighten them and tell them the facts. This is because our country is being subjected to fierce attack from all types of media in the world and from all other cultures. They are targeting our society and youth.” “We should protect our sons. However, this protection should be through awareness and spreading of genuine culture and authentic information. By this method, we can instill in the minds of our youth confidence about themselves, their history, country and ancestors,” he said. “Academics and intellectuals should shoulder their responsibility in spreading moderation in society,” he said. He said intellectuals and academics play an important role in this process. “I believe these chairs will help to project the role of academics and intellectuals. It gives them a chance to contribute effectively so that they have no excuse to say they were not given a chance. We are expecting great work from them.” He said 17 research papers on moderation have been presented so far. Prince Khaled is scheduled to start a tour next Saturday to Taif, Al-Khurmah, Turabah and Raniah. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development and tourism projects in these governorates.
