http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/kuwait/Viewdet.asp?ID=9629&cat=a
KINGDOM EMBRACES MODERATE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM; 'Won't assist anyone against Iran'; Saudi King sees GCC economic integration KUWAIT CITY: "The genuine teachings of Islam have been misunderstood and are being wrongly interpreted," says the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. "Terrorism is not a call for reform. It is a call for devastation, killing and corruption," he added in an interview with the Arab Times recently. The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques also said "the people of Saudi Arabia have positively responded to our call for abiding by the moderate teachings of Islam, which are the core of the message of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). We want to keep our society away from terrorism and other misguided ideologies." Talking about Iran, the King said that the Saudis had no interest in interfering in its internal affairs or assisting anyone against Iran. On the economic integration of GCC countries, he said "in the end we will succeed in creating a unified commercial market, providing freedom of travel and establishing strategic economic ties between members of the GCC, which will act and move forward as one economic bloc. When the strings of sectarianism are pulled the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz's words are final. The Saudi Monarch's wise words differentiate between the true and false and the right and wrong. They also differentiate between the minorities who anger the majority and try their best to rewrite history. When we listen to the words of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, comfort reigns in our hearts because we know the country which is the home of the Al-Kabah and the grave of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) will remain a strong castle against wrong doings and attempts of other sects to divert the minds of Muslims and their great culture. The following is the excerpt of the interview given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Q: Was the recent GCC summit held in Riyadh comfortable or was it dominated by disputes? A: I was happy with the summit, which was comfortable. Leaders of all the GCC states attended the summit proving they hold Saudi Arabia in high esteem and appreciate what it stands for. The discussions were transparent and dominated by understanding and honest cooperation. Our region is blessed with vast resources of oil and the annual growth rate of our economies is high. We should coordinate in integrating our economies. Saudi Arabia will a lead the GCC for one year, giving us an opportunity to achieve a lot of things. I am sure GCC citizens, who keenly follow our decisions, expect a lot from us. Our people want us to approve many decisions, which have an immediate effect on their daily lives. Allowing the use of only their civil ID cards to travel freely between GCC countries, approving a unified currency, and the right to own real estate are some such demands. Although all these issues were listed on the agenda of the summit, usually they are dealt bilaterally between the two countries before they are taken to the GCC level. We will succeed in creating a unified commercial market, providing freedom of travel and establishing strategic economic ties between members of the GCC in the end. In the future all the GCC countries will act and move forward as one economic bloc. Q: Your Highness, there are some who accuse Saudi Arabia of following the policy of establishing ties with specific countries, interfering in the internal affairs of other countries in the region, and dealing with superpowers in their affairs. A: This is only talk and illusions. Recently I advised Secretary of Iran's National Security Council Ali Larijani how to deal with the international community. Leaders of Saudi Arabia have vast experience, a great history and a huge presence among the international community since the creation of modern Saudi Arabia. Since the establishment of the Kingdom, its leaders have established wise and productive relations with the international community and we are fully aware of our limits. I explained our experience to Ali Larijani and sent a message to the Iranian government that we can succeed only if we establish comfortable ties with the rest of the world. Any risk will affect all countries in the region. I told Ali Larijani that the Iranian media has always tried to give the impression that Saudi Arabia allies with those who are against Iran. This is totally wrong and not our policy because we never interfere in the internal affairs of others. We are busy developing and building our nation, and any county, which acts unwisely, will have to take responsibility for its actions. As Iran is our neighbour and an Islamic county, we have no interest in interfering in its internal affairs or assisting anyone against Iran. We don't want anyone to be an enemy of Iran and other GCC countries, which have mutual security treaties. Q: Your Highness, recently you've raised the slogan of moderate teachings. Can this stop terrorist operations inside the Kingdom? A: The people of Saudi Arabia have positively responded to this slogan, which is the core of the message of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). We want to keep our society away from terrorism and other misguided ideologies through this slogan. Unfortunately, the genuine teachings of Islam have been misunderstood and are being wrongly interpreted. However, we have passed the critical phase as our people believe in the moderate teachings of Islam and obey their leaders who are true Muslims and belong to their people. Thanks to Almighty Allah, our security forces have been able to discover and foil terrorist plots before they were carried out. We should know that terrorism is not a call for reform. It is a call for devastation, killing and corruption. Q: Your Highness, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, how do you see the situation of Arab World? Where are we heading? A: The situation is not comfortable. Our decisions must be unanimous and we move as one, especially on important issues. We should solve our problems on our own without seeking the assistance of other countries. We don't want others to misuse our issues to support their international interests. The Palestinian issue should have been solved and dealt with only by Arabs without the interference of others. I still hope Arab nations have the power and ideology to stand as one nation. Unfortunately, our decisions are currently split, like what is happening in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq. Q: Your Highness, Saudi Arabia is passing through a phase of political and religious grouping. The emotions of Muslims are fueled against each others. Where will this take us? A: Islam and the message of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) are aimed at the entire humanity and are known to all. If you mean misusing religion to create disputes between different sects, we are concerned and cautious about this issue. However, we don't consider it dangerous. If we act wisely and succeed in taking cautious measures, this issue won't reach a dangerous level. But if we fail then only Almighty Allah can save us from this danger. Q: Your Highness, I honestly say that there is a campaign to spread Shiite ideology within Sunni countries. This has become obvious now. What is the stand of Saudi Arabia, which is a reference to all Muslims, on this phenomenon to protect our beliefs? A: We are closely monitoring this issue and know to what extent this operation has reached. But the majority of Sunnis have always succeeded in being a solid wall and having an upper hand over the influence of other sects. Several summits have been held to bring the views of both sects closer. We, as the land of Allah's message, the home of the Al-Kabah and the grave of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), are aware of our role and the changes that are taking place in the Arab and Islamic worlds. Muslims are blessed with a good sense to identify genuine teachings and discard other misguided ideologies. Q: Your Highness, don't you feel that publicity and the burden of ruling is tiring and a huge responsibility? A: I really enjoy serving my people and working on bringing their dreams come true. I love my people and my country, and I work hard with all officials to simplify the procedures in government departments. Our economy is growing and we have paid off our internal debts. What is left is a very small amount. I thank Almighty Allah for all His blessings and religious, geographic and economic responsibilities He has given to us. My joy is in serving Muslims, my country and my people. Relaxing my body is the least of my concerns. By Ahmed Al-Jarallah - Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times +++ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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