Media personnel covering this year's Haj were on Thursday night urged to exert more efforts to reflect Islam's true and correct image. Addressing media personnel here covering this year's Haj, Farah Al-Attasi, head of the US Arab Center for Translation, Research and Information, lauded the efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information, for facilitating the Haj coverage. She was speaking at a reception given to media personnel. On behalf of Iyad Bin Amin Madani, Minister of Culture and Information, Prince Turki Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister and Supervisor of ministry's Haj activities, attended the reception, SPA reported. Al-Attasi said the initiative of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures, has become a basis for the principles of frank dialogue and openness towards other cultures, rejection of violence, hatred and fanaticism and a call for tolerance, goodwill and compassion. Abdullah Sik, information adviser to the president of Senegal, praised the leading role of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in serving pilgrims in various domains during their journey of faith to the holy sites. Sik said catering for the needs of a growing number of pilgrims clearly indicates the huge efforts that are being exerted by the Saudi government. Speaking on behalf of the delegations of the European continent, Dr. Hassan Mansour, said the dissemination of information has now become a vital resource and a channel for an effective role in shaping public opinion and formulating a course of action towards any issue or topic. Prof. Mansour called on the media channels to seize the opportunity to convey the true image of Islam's tolerance and to counter people trying denigrate the noble values of Islam. The media delegate of the Doha-based Al-Jazeera TV channel, Okil Al-Janahi, highlighted the main task of the Muslim media in the portrayal of the true image of Islam and noted its noble principles which represent cooperation, tolerance and selflessness, pointing out that a large part of this image was reflected in the coverage of this year's Haj. Prince Turki complimented the participants on performing the Haj rituals, praying to Allah Almighty to accept their Haj and to ensure their safe return to their countries and to enable them to start a new life with a sincere mission and an enlightened thought for the renaissance of the Muslim World The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he said, is pleased to see the guests of Allah Almighty, completing their Haj rituals, realizing the greatness of this religious responsibility and acknowledging the unique bounty of Allah Almighty who honored the Kingdom to serve the Two Holy Mosques and their guests. He said the Kingdom has been doing its best to provide all possible facilities to the pilgrims. The general supervisor of the Australian Center for Arab Media, Muhammad Abdel-Hamid Zakariya, read out a cable of thanks and appreciation sent by the guests of the Ministry of Culture and Information to King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz. __
