King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has directed scholarship students in Canada “not to accept anything less than to be in the forefront for the sake of our country that is generous to us and which expects from us the fruits of what it has given to us to make our country rise among nations.” The Monarch made these comments when he received Dr. Faisal Bin Mohammed Al-Muhanna, Saudi Cultural Attache in Canada, and a group of students on scholarship in Canada, here Monday. The King also received Honorary President of the University of Toronto, David Peterson; Rector Dr. David Niller and a number of officials of the university on the occasion of a Royal Decree approving the establishment of a Chair at the university named after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the field of dialogue among civilizations. Addressing the students, the King said: “My sons and daughters on scholarship everywhere in this world, there is no doubt that you will understand that nations do not rise without the hands of their people, and you know that knowledge is a broad gateway and an effective tool in the development process. So it is the responsibility that lies on every student on scholarship, male and female, to make it obligatory to seek with tireless determination to acquire knowledge and learning; you are, after all, the builders of the future era, a future that will not accept anything less than to be in the forefront for the sake of our country that is generous to us and which expects from us the fruits of what it has given to us to make our country rise among nations.” The students, the Monarch said, were “ambassadors of your country; you represent your country with your ethics and values that stem from our religion, so I advise you that you all will be up to the responsibility, in mannerism and dealings with others; and I have no doubt that you will comprehend it in its entirety, and you are the best ones to represent your country and family. I beseech Allah to grant you every success in your noble endeavor.” The King wished the students on scholarship success and hoped that they would soon return to their home-country. Dr. Al-Muhanna pointed out that the Royal Decree approving the establishment of a Chair for studies and research in the field of dialogue among civilizations at the University of Toronto confirms the King's wisdom, farsighted vision, his constant keenness on spreading the spirit of tolerance and fraternity and his continuing efforts to create the optimum level of environment to enrich scientific activities in the field of dialogue of civilizations and cultures. Rector David Niller hoped that the Chair would contribute to the promotion of knowledge and understanding about Islamic civilization and would strengthen historical relations between the peoples of Saudi Arabia and Canada. The King Abdullah Chair for Dialogue among Civilizations at the University of Toronto will work on spreading the culture of dialogue among followers of religions and cultures as well as enriching scientific activities in the field of civilization dialogue, promotion of tolerance and acceptance of others. The Chair will organize an annual international conference on dialogue among followers of religions under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. A budget of SR20 million has been allocated over five years (SR4 million per annum) for funding the Chair's research projects, scholarships, conferences and seminars.
