King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has called upon Islamic scholars to unify ranks in the service of Islam. “Cooperation among us is our duty and we must serve ... Islam and Muslims all over the world,” King Abdullah said on Monday in his address to congratulate and inspire this year's winners of the Prince Naif International Award for Islamic Studies and Sunnah (Prophet's sayings). “Thank Allah, dear brothers, no matter what others say, the Islamic World remains a strong Muslim Ummah,” the King said. However, the Monarch regretted that Islam was being misinterpreted by “some of its followers.” Islam is a religion of belief and faith, truth, justice, equity and sincerity, the King reiterated. Referring to the ongoing massive expansion of the Two Holy Mosques, the King said: “All these you witness now in Makkah and Madina, we are not to be thanked as these boons are from Allah's generosity and blessings.” The function was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior and head of the Award's Higher Commission. Prince Saud Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, member of the Higher Commission and the Award's General Supervisor; Prince Muhammad Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, award panel's Deputy General Supervisor; Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet; and a number of other princes and senior officials were also in attendance. At the outset of the reception, the Cultural and Islamic Affairs Advisor to the President of Burkina Faso, Dr. Abu Bakr Abdullah Doukari, paid tribute to the Kingdom's immense efforts in the service of Islam and the Muslim Ummah. He referred in particular the facilities and services provided for pilgrims during Haj seasons in an atmosphere of peace and security. __
