Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, September 19, SPA -- A number of officials and scholars have emphasized the importance of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud World Award for Prophet's Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies, stressing that the Award is supported by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior, and it is one of the major specialized awards in the scientific area aiming to develop the Islamic scientific researches and having enjoyed wide Islamic repercussions in the Arab and Islamic world.

Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs, and Member of the Award's Supreme Commission said that the Award has enjoyed the kind patronage and continuous support of Prince Naif through handing over its prizes to the winners in its 3rd session, adding that the Award is a dedication of the Prince's efforts in support of all matters in the service of Islam and Muslims.

The Prince commended the kind care and support provided for the Award by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, also praising sincere intentions crowned with interest and follow-up of the Award by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz.

On his part, Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Commission and the Award's General Supervisor said that emanating from the keenness and interest of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz in all matters that serve the two sources of legislation, namely the Holy Quran and Prophet's Sunnah, Prince Naif adopted and supported this Award to achieve its noble objectives and purposes in various branches of the researches and studies concerning the Prophet's Sunnah and contemporary Islamic studies.

He noted that the Award has occupied a unique, pioneering world status achieved through its objectives, topics and the status of the city of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) as the head quarters of the Award as well as the high status of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Naif noted that the Award in its first session was proud to select the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to win the World Appreciation Award for the service of Prophet's Sunnah for the year 1427H. in recognition of his efforts in the service of Islam and Muslims.

On his part, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, the Kingdom's General Mufti, and Chairman of Senior Ulema Commission and Islamic Researches and Ifta Department said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been the first to take care of the Holy Prophet's Sunnah in the past and the present and has adopted the Holy Quran and Sunnah as a basis for life and government.

The Kingdom's General Mufti said, "This award is unique in its kind, rare in its topic, dear in its presence, and unprecedented in scope and organization."

Sheikh Abdulaziz commended the generous, strong, material and moral support provided for the Award by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior.

© Saudi Press Agency 2008