Saudi Arabia is tackling terrorism with all its might and authorities have so far been successful in foiling 230 of the 240 terrorist attempts, Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, said Sunday. Inaugurating the two-day symposium on “The Saudi Moderate Approach” at King Abdulaziz University here, Prince Naif said by their deviant thoughts the terrorists are maligning the name of Islam which stands for peace and moderation. The symposium is being organized by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Chair for Instilling the Saudi Moderate Approach. Several Ulema and academics are participating in the symposium. Prince Naif blasted some quarters from within who are out to demolish the Saudi social values and constants. He said these attempts are an abominable form of terrorism. These nefarious activities, he said, are being carried out in the name of Jihad and they are bringing disrepute to Islam and Muslims. Prince Naif said that by holding such symposiums, awareness against terrorism will be increased and the people all over the world will come to know that Islam is the religion of peace. The Second Deputy Premier also criticized those outside the Kingdom who are sowing deviant thoughts in the minds of young Saudis. “They are claiming to provide the youth a short cut to heaven,” he said. Talking about setting up special clubs for youths in all the regions of the Kingdom, Prince Naif said the proposal to that effect has been forwarded for royal approval. Prince Naif also said Islam does respect women, who have roles and responsibilities in building and developing the Islamic nation. Earlier, Osama Tayeb, President of King Abdulaziz University, announced that Prince Naif will adopt the Prince Naif Chair for Moral Values. “The Chair of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal will play a vital role to instill the Saudi moderate approach scientifically, culturally and educationally,” he said. He added that Kingdom deals with terrorism through a moderate approach based on Islamic guidelines. During the open discussion with students, academics and media members, he said universities are considered the best places to teach the moderate Islamic approach. “Some people pretend that criticism through the media is considered a part of Jihad, which is totally wrong,” he said. “Unfortunately, this behavior has created a bad image of Islam.” The symposium will comprise three sessions. The first session, chaired by Dr. Muhammad S. Al-Ghamdi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, will discuss the issue of how the Saudi moderate approach has handled social issues such as extremism and violence in the society. Chaired by Prof. Husam A. Al-Anqari, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administration, the second session will deal with the role of the Saudi leadership in consolidating the moderate approach and the relationship between the Basic System of Governance in the Kingdom and the moderate approach. It will also analyze economic policies and attitudes adopted by the Kingdom internally and externally in light of the Saudi moderate approach. The third session, to be chaired by Dr. Yousuf A. Al-Turki, Dean of Scientific Research, will address the effect of the Saudi moderate approach on cultural thinking in the Kingdom.
