Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, the Kingdom's Grand Mufti, on Wednesday inaugurated the Prince Sultan Chair for Contemporary Islamic Studies at King Saud University. Aal Al-Sheikh underlined the pioneering role of King Saud University in establishing research chairs, and stressed the importance of making the best use of these chairs for the progress and well-being of the country. He also addressed a seminar on “Moderation and Tolerance,” in which he said Islam principally advocates tolerance, moderation, compassion and flexibility. Therefore, he said, “there is no room in this universal religion for fundamentalism and extremism, since this contradicts religion and its immortal message.” He called upon youths to strictly abide by these principles, especially the moderation advocated by the Prophet (pbuh) in all his deeds and sayings. He also called for the use of modern technology in promoting Islam and life, and urged Muslims to strive for technological advancement of their own. In a speech, Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Othman, Rector of King Saud University said “the leaders of this country, starting with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, have bestowed great honor on the university manifested in the scientific chairs they established in the university in their names” Othman stressed the keenness of professional institutions in the country to realize the aspirations of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan by making the Kingdom the center of the world in knowledge and science. __
