NOUAKCHOTT — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has declared the Kingdom's desire to host the international conference on Women in Islam in order to demonstrate their rights guaranteed by Shariah and to affirm their active role in society. Prince Faisal participated on Thursday in the 49th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States in Mauritania, under the theme: "Centrism and moderation: The valve of security and stability". He affirmed that the attempts to attack Islamic sanctities necessitate solidarity against them. The Saudi foreign minister pointed out that Riyadh supports the developmental and social issues of the Islamic world amid its belief in the bonds that unite Muslim countries. "Our meeting comes after the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, which raises awareness of the dangers of intolerance against Islam. However, attempts to attack religious sanctities, burn the Holy Qur'an, and stir up hatred toward Muslim minorities necessitate that we assert the need to respect the values of moderation, respect for others and coexistence with them," Prince Faisal said. He added: "The Kingdom has devoted its resources to serve the causes of our Islamic world, and it believes in the importance of the Organization in consolidating Islamic solidarity and protecting common interests." Saudi minister expressed the Kingdom's solidarity and sympathy to the brothers in Syria and Turkey following the human and material losses left by the devastating earthquake. "The Kingdom has made efforts to mitigate the consequences of this affliction by sending urgent aid, and has organized a popular campaign for the benefit of those affected," he said. Prince Faisal said the Kingdom supports the Palestinian people's struggle to restore their legitimate rights. He called on the international community to play its role in putting an end to the violations of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, undermining the chances of reviving the peace process. On Yemen, the Saudi foreign minister said, "The Kingdom renews its support for peace in Yemen and the efforts of the UN envoy to Yemen aimed at reaching a complete and permanent ceasefire, and the start of the political process between the Yemeni government and the Houthis." He affirmed the support of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to implement effective policies and initiatives that will achieve security and stability in Yemen and end the crisis. The Kingdom continues its support for the humanitarian and development needs of the Islamic world, he said, citing the Saudi grant of $30 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund. The Kingdom stressed the importance of ensuring security and stability in Afghanistan, while condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the prince said. He urged the Afghan authorities to accommodate various Afghan factions, taking into account international covenants and norms, and respecting the basic rights guaranteed by the principles of Islamic law.
