Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, condemned those who called for a boycott of the Riyadh International Book Fair as “malicious and envious” while visiting the Book Fair Thursday. “No cultured person, student, or a person who wants good for his nation and people would boycott this book fair, nor will he call for boycotting it,” he said. “Attempts to distort this book fair will only come from someone who wants to stop the wheel of growth, development, advancement and prosperity for Saudi nationals,” he added. Prince Khaled congratulated the leadership and the Information Ministry for the high standard for the Book Fair. “I saw joy on the faces of the visitors as they were exploring and purchasing books and publications of all fields of knowledge.” The Emir also said: “I've heard, learnt and read about the great interest of the Kingdom's people towards books and reading, to the extent that the Kingdom tops the list in the Arab world. It is also among the top Arab countries in terms of purchasing books. This is an indication of the scientific and cultural change that Saudis are witnessing in this great stage of change – from the third world to the first world.” __
