JEDDAH, 2 November 2005 -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday emphasized the importance of national dialogue, which he initiated two years ago, and said it would help fight extremism and intolerance.

Speaking to the chairman and members of King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center, the king said the forums organized by the center must deal with issues and thoughts, which citizens wanted to be discussed by experts.

"The forums organized by the center in different parts of the country are important as they bring together its people and build bridges of contacts and discourse between them," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying. He said the dialogue forums should be based on the Islamic faith and work for strengthening national unity. "All fruitful dialogue must set off from these two principles...and its participants must follow the etiquette of dialogue," he told the center's top executives.

King Abdullah received the annual report of the center from Saleh Al-Hussayen, chairman of the organization, which was established by the king, while he was crown prince, following the first dialogue forum held in Riyadh. The king praised the center's achievements over the past years as well as its strategic plan set out by experts. "The King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center was established for the service of all citizens in the country and realize their hopes and aspirations," he added.

The center's enlightening role would "contribute to fighting intolerance and promoting moderateness," the king told the officials, including Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former deputy chairman of the Shoura Council, and Education Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid.

Al-Hussayen said the center had organized four major dialogue forums during the past two years with the participation of 1,600 intellectuals, academics and officials, adding that they were instrumental in discussing vital issues and promoting a culture of dialogue. He said more than 900 Saudis in various parts of the Kingdom had taken part in preparatory meetings for the next dialogue "We and Others" to be held in Abha in December. He explained the achievements of the external dialogue unit at the center, which hosted a number of foreign diplomats, parliamentarians and academics.

Also yesterday, King Abdullah received a message from Niger's President Mamadou Tanja. The message was handed to the king by Tanja's special envoy Sayyedi Muhammad Humaidi during a meeting at Al-Safa Palace.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Sultan received Haj Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy, top Haj officials and heads of private Haj organizations and said the Saudi government and people considered service to pilgrims as a great honor.

Prince Sultan emphasized that the government would exert all possible efforts for the welfare and well being of pilgrims. He urged the officials and organizations involved in Haj operations to do more in the service of the millions of guests of God who come to the country.

By P.K. Abdul Ghafour

© Arab News 2005