After having been re-formed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud last week, Majlis Ashura (Consultative Council) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held its first ordinary meeting of its first year of the sixth session here today under the chairmanship of its Speaker Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Shiekh. Addressing the meeting, in which Saudi females made their debut as members of the chamber, Al Al-Shiekh forwarded thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, and Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Second Deputy Premier, Advisor to and Special Envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for their care of the Shura Council and keenness to update it and help it oversee a more brighter future. Al Al-Shiekh lauded the contents of the speech delivered by the monarch at the opening session of the first year's works, citing its in-depth and significance when it focused on the importance of moderation as a method of the Shura Council. The speaker of the Shura Council said the development of the Shura Council sought by the king is based on graduation away from any foreign influence. He stated that the development of the chamber, including the appointment of women as members in the council, is an act of sovereignty taken by the leader of the nation whenever he decides to take it and whenever the interest of the nation and nationals require it to be taken. This is the distinguishing characteristic in the approach of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz as regards moderation and development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since he ascended the throne, Al Al-Shiekh said. He concluded that the Shura Council will take the speech of the monarch as a guide, citing the valuable meanings it was embodying.
