01 August 2010
Makkah -- On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, opened today the International Islamic Conference held by Muslim World League on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the league.
During the opening ceremony, Prince Naif delivered a speech on behalf of the king.
Prince Naif said, 'The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques honored me to act on his behalf and open the Muslim World League's conference, 'the Reality and Exploring the Future.' In his name, I welcome all of you. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz permitted and honored me to deliver his speech directed to you:
'In the name of God the Merciful
Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Brothers:
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you:
I welcome you as you gather near the Holy Mosque in Umm Al-Qura, the place of the revelation and the starting point of the message of Islam. I pray to God Almighty to help you in this great Islamic meeting called for by the Muslim World League, to consider its reality, consult on its programs, and explore its future after the passage of fifty years since its establishment and launch from this sincere country in the noblest endeavor to serve the message of Islam, promote its great principles and follow the affairs of Muslims everywhere.
We have been pleased with the league's work contributing to solving the problems of the Muslims, unifying their ranks, disseminating the correct image of Islam and responding to the problems that have beset some Muslim societies the most dangerous of which are extremism in religion, extremism and terrorism. In all of this, it has exerted remarkable and thankful efforts in addition to Islamic principles and concepts it has provided to humanity through dialogue to promote understanding and cooperation between the peoples of the world.
Brothers:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which welcomed the establishment of the league on its territory, is proud of the Islamic approach it follows in applying Islam and calling Muslims to solidarity, cooperation and unity and calling scholars to make the effort required to achieve the hopes of Muslims to reform their own affairs, unify their ranks and restore their dignity.
Since its establishment, the Kingdom has made the unity of Muslims one of its priorities. Its founder, our father the late King Abdulaziz, has made his memorable remark: 'I am a Muslim. I like to unify ranks. There is nothing I like more than achieving unity.'
This was his basis for calling on the nation's scholars to meet in the First Mecca Conference eighty six years ago in the year 1345 H. He addressed the scholars to explain his view of the conditions of the nation. He summed up the approach it should follow saying, 'I ask the Muslims to return to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah. This is our religion. This is our belief. Division is the beginning of decline and isolation. It is the biggest enemy of souls and human beings. Unity and solidarity are the basis. Muslims should avoid division and seek reconciliation.'
The Kingdom sticks to this approach. It is keen to apply the law of God and exert constant efforts to serve His religion, achieve cooperation and solidarity among Muslims. The Muslim World League agrees with this approach by its goals, methods, plans and actions. Therefore, it has the right to be a representative of the Islamic people, and assume a prestigious place among international organizations making the United Nations award it the Messenger of Peace certificate.
'Brothers:
As you discuss the issues of the ummah (nation), our confidence in you and the league makes us present before you three issues:
First: Lack of understanding of the reality of Islam by some people led them to deviation from its moderation. This created serious challenges to be faced with wisdom, knowledge, advising and spreading of the culture of moderation among people.
Second: Distance from the approach chosen by God for Muslims weakening the nation's resistance to the challenges, encouraging the enemies to attack its rituals and holy symbols. God has ensured victory to the Muslims if they listen to Him: in the Holy Quran, Allah says in Surah 24. An-Nur (Light), verse 55: (Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace.)
Division of the nation: this is a challenge that the scholars of the nation should participate in tackling first by unifying ranks and making people adhere to the teachings of God and His religion: in the Holy Quran, Allah says in Surah 3. Al 'Imran (The Family Of 'Imran, The House Of 'Imran), verse 103: (And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.)
Hope is pinned on you, brethren, to ponder as you discuss the future work of the league and its aspirations, flaws in the lives of Muslims, and to set a comprehensive Islamic course of reform - reforming the relationship of people to God Almighty, reforming the Muslims' affairs, treating the problems they suffer from, contributing to the reform of this world's affairs and consolidating peace and security for its people. Islam is God's message to the Worlds. Allah says in the Holy Quran: (We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin)) and (We sent thee except as a Mercy for all creatures).
Brothers:
I thank you and the Muslim World League for its Islamic and Human efforts, and I assure you that the Kingdom will continue to support the league and its programs and I pray to God for success of this conference.
May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family.
May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.'
After that, the Second Deputy Premier honored the kings of Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al Baha Region, received a memorial shield on this occasion.
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz also presented commemorative shields to a number of Islamic personalities and former secretaries of the league on this occasion.
Prince Naif also received a memorial shield on this occasion.
He then left the venue of the ceremony.
After that, the first of the conference's sessions started.
Makkah -- On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, opened today the International Islamic Conference held by Muslim World League on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the league.
During the opening ceremony, Prince Naif delivered a speech on behalf of the king.
Prince Naif said, 'The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques honored me to act on his behalf and open the Muslim World League's conference, 'the Reality and Exploring the Future.' In his name, I welcome all of you. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz permitted and honored me to deliver his speech directed to you:
'In the name of God the Merciful
Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Brothers:
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you:
I welcome you as you gather near the Holy Mosque in Umm Al-Qura, the place of the revelation and the starting point of the message of Islam. I pray to God Almighty to help you in this great Islamic meeting called for by the Muslim World League, to consider its reality, consult on its programs, and explore its future after the passage of fifty years since its establishment and launch from this sincere country in the noblest endeavor to serve the message of Islam, promote its great principles and follow the affairs of Muslims everywhere.
We have been pleased with the league's work contributing to solving the problems of the Muslims, unifying their ranks, disseminating the correct image of Islam and responding to the problems that have beset some Muslim societies the most dangerous of which are extremism in religion, extremism and terrorism. In all of this, it has exerted remarkable and thankful efforts in addition to Islamic principles and concepts it has provided to humanity through dialogue to promote understanding and cooperation between the peoples of the world.
Brothers:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which welcomed the establishment of the league on its territory, is proud of the Islamic approach it follows in applying Islam and calling Muslims to solidarity, cooperation and unity and calling scholars to make the effort required to achieve the hopes of Muslims to reform their own affairs, unify their ranks and restore their dignity.
Since its establishment, the Kingdom has made the unity of Muslims one of its priorities. Its founder, our father the late King Abdulaziz, has made his memorable remark: 'I am a Muslim. I like to unify ranks. There is nothing I like more than achieving unity.'
This was his basis for calling on the nation's scholars to meet in the First Mecca Conference eighty six years ago in the year 1345 H. He addressed the scholars to explain his view of the conditions of the nation. He summed up the approach it should follow saying, 'I ask the Muslims to return to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah. This is our religion. This is our belief. Division is the beginning of decline and isolation. It is the biggest enemy of souls and human beings. Unity and solidarity are the basis. Muslims should avoid division and seek reconciliation.'
The Kingdom sticks to this approach. It is keen to apply the law of God and exert constant efforts to serve His religion, achieve cooperation and solidarity among Muslims. The Muslim World League agrees with this approach by its goals, methods, plans and actions. Therefore, it has the right to be a representative of the Islamic people, and assume a prestigious place among international organizations making the United Nations award it the Messenger of Peace certificate.
'Brothers:
As you discuss the issues of the ummah (nation), our confidence in you and the league makes us present before you three issues:
First: Lack of understanding of the reality of Islam by some people led them to deviation from its moderation. This created serious challenges to be faced with wisdom, knowledge, advising and spreading of the culture of moderation among people.
Second: Distance from the approach chosen by God for Muslims weakening the nation's resistance to the challenges, encouraging the enemies to attack its rituals and holy symbols. God has ensured victory to the Muslims if they listen to Him: in the Holy Quran, Allah says in Surah 24. An-Nur (Light), verse 55: (Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace.)
Division of the nation: this is a challenge that the scholars of the nation should participate in tackling first by unifying ranks and making people adhere to the teachings of God and His religion: in the Holy Quran, Allah says in Surah 3. Al 'Imran (The Family Of 'Imran, The House Of 'Imran), verse 103: (And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.)
Hope is pinned on you, brethren, to ponder as you discuss the future work of the league and its aspirations, flaws in the lives of Muslims, and to set a comprehensive Islamic course of reform - reforming the relationship of people to God Almighty, reforming the Muslims' affairs, treating the problems they suffer from, contributing to the reform of this world's affairs and consolidating peace and security for its people. Islam is God's message to the Worlds. Allah says in the Holy Quran: (We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin)) and (We sent thee except as a Mercy for all creatures).
Brothers:
I thank you and the Muslim World League for its Islamic and Human efforts, and I assure you that the Kingdom will continue to support the league and its programs and I pray to God for success of this conference.
May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family.
May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.'
After that, the Second Deputy Premier honored the kings of Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al Baha Region, received a memorial shield on this occasion.
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz also presented commemorative shields to a number of Islamic personalities and former secretaries of the league on this occasion.
Prince Naif also received a memorial shield on this occasion.
He then left the venue of the ceremony.
After that, the first of the conference's sessions started.
© Saudi Press Agency 2010
