Speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
At the opening of the World Islamic Unity Conference
"Perils of Labeling and Exclusion”
"Promoting the concepts of the National State and its and common values"
Organized by the Muslim World League
Makkah 05/04/1440 H corresponding 12/12/2018
Delivered by
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince of Makkah Region
All praise is due to Allah and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah
His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars
His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Alissa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League
Your Highness, Eminence, and Excellences
Esteemed audience,
I am so pleased to welcome these great Muslim dignitaries at Umm Al Qura and its sacred outskirts.
It gives great honor to convey to your blessed gathering the warmest greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz; the patron of the conference, who has requested me to read his address to this valued conference:
I highly appreciate the hurried arrival of these respected elite of scholars of the nation to this conference, aware of their religious duty to heal the rift threatening their nation, renounce discord, unify the ranks, and settle on a single message to convey to the world. The hope is pinned on Allah first, then, on these incandescent torches aglow with firm knowledge to dispel the rifts of the nation and realize its all-encompassing unity, which is not directed against anyone, but seeks solidarity for the good of the entire humanity.
A quick glance at our current reality is sufficient to realize our need to overcome the negative images that have burdened our present and those historical buildups and their effects on the pathway of the Muslim Ummah. Therefore, we are called upon to spread awareness, correct misconceptions, and to embrace difference as ordained by God. This effort could be achieved through building bridges of dialogue, understanding and cooperation, towards reconciliation, harmony and hard work. We must look to the future with a promising prospect filled with a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity.
The Muslim World League has succeeded in selecting "the perils of labeling and exclusion" as a title of this conference, as well as making the "promotion of concepts of the national state and its common values" one of its topics for discussion. This attempt will lead to unite the word of the nation's scholars and preachers to build on the fixed common factors, to bring visions closer together, streamline the culture of disagreement, and work according to the moderation of Islam and its tolerance. These two elements; moderation and tolerance have been the driving force behind a civilization that covered about two thirds of the world surface.
Blessed gathering:
Today, our entire Muslim world looks forward to this blessed gathering, pins all its hopes that your distinguished conference will deal with the obstacles impeding the realization of its unity, and confirm the state of disunion, dispersal, and conflict that Almighty Allah has warned us of it in Sura Al-Anfal, verse 46 “…and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart..”
There is no doubt that you are meeting her today to tackle an uneasy mission, because it deals with many buildups, and added hostility from those who harbor innate hatred towards the Nation of Islam, and are waging a fierce campaign against its religion, morals, culture and civilization and attribute to Islam that which is not; those hatemongers are taking advantage of the deviation of ignorant on both directions. However, with your strong determination and firm knowledge, are capable, God willing, of achieving this universal Islamic unity; the dream of your nation's people throughout the globe, in order that this nation can resume its historical role as a good example to follow to the entire world.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which was based on the approach of moderation and tolerance, and is honored to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of the Merciful, will continue, God willing their commitments and initiatives to achieve the hopes of Muslims.
I supplicate God, Glory be to Him, to grant you success and gratification in your awesome mission, and to help us receive His love and pleasure.
