Opening this year's sessions of the consultative Shoura Council, King Abdullah also said that Saudi Arabia would continue its efforts to promote dialogue and tolerance in order to remove the differences, hatred and enmity between followers of different faiths and cultures. "Our interfaith dialogue initiative has got international acceptance and we'll go ahead with this endeavor," the king said.
In his keynote address, King Abdullah highlighted the government's efforts to promote education. The SR540 billion current budget, the largest in the Kingdom's history, allocates SR137 billion for education, SR61 billion for health services and SR46 billion for water, industry and agriculture, he said.
King Abdullah called on Saudis to work together for the progress and prosperity of the country. Addressing members of the council, the king said: "The unity of this nation and the right to defend the country lie in the hands of its citizens." Defending one's own country is a principle laid down in Islam, he added. In the audience were members of the royal family, foreign diplomats, ministers and senior government officials.
The king highlighted the government's efforts to combat terrorism. He also commended soldiers deployed on the Kingdom's southern border. "The Kingdom is thankful to the valiant soldiers who fought this battle and it also remembers gratefully the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of their country," he said referring to the war against Yemeni infiltrators.
He said 10,000 housing units will be given to people displaced by the war.
He stressed that the Kingdom would maintain its moderate policies, which have helped limit the damage from the global financial crisis. "The Kingdom has continued to be moderate in its approach to the global oil situation ... Saudi Arabia sought in the wake of the global financial and economic crisis to minimize the impact of the crisis on the stability of oil markets and on the interests of producing and consuming countries alike," he said.
"We will continue to follow the approach of moderation and maintain the wealth God has endowed us with ... We are part of the Arab and Islamic world and we will work to promote peace and friendship in the region as well as in the entire world," he said.
Touching on the importance of the Shoura Council, the king explained that Islam is a religion of dialogue, moderation and coexistence, and that dialogue has emerged from the principle of consultation. He underscored the Shoura's achievements. "It has become an important partner in the development process."
The king said that this is underlined in the Qur'an in more than one place. "Almighty Allah has blessed this country with the presence of the two holy cities. We have started the high-speed train project between the two holy cities. We will do our best to look after pilgrims who come to the holy cities, providing them with necessary comfort and facilities."
He said the government has initiated a number of welfare projects to provide a decent livelihood to citizens. "At the social level, we have ordered an emergency aid of SR1.16 billion for distribution among social security beneficiaries including orphans and people of special needs.”
The king also referred to the government's efforts to empower women. "Saudi women have participated along with men in all development programs. "Prince Noura bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, which is fully managed by women, is an example in women's progress in the Kingdom," he said.
Shoura Speaker Abdullah Al-Asheikh delivered a welcome speech. "On this occasion, the council is pleased to meet you, listen to your directives, and be informed of your blessed efforts in the service of the Kingdom and its citizens," he said, adding that the council held 77 sessions last year.
Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation; Prince Naif, second deputy premier and interior minister and Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman attended the event.
By MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS
Published: Mar 8, 2010 1:18 AM Updated: Mar 8, 2010 2:32 AM
Today : Saturday - May 26, 2012, 04:57am (GMT+5.5)
