The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved exceptional successes and distinguished steps in cutting off the roots of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stressing that the Islamic peoples today have acquired a mature awareness and intellectual immunity that protects them from attempts at systematic exploitation in the name of religion or what is known as “the trade of religiosity.”.
Community awareness and combating extremism
This came during Minister Al-Sheikh's recent meeting in Jeddah with the head of the Sunni Endowment Office of the Republic of Iraq, Amer Shaker Al-Janabi. Al-Sheikh explained that those who betray the fundamental principles of Islam by sowing discord and spreading extremist ideologies are committing acts that Islam categorically rejects. He emphasized that Islam is pure and pristine, and has no place for extremism or fanaticism.
His Excellency added that the availability of modern technology and easy access to the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah, along with the enlightening role of schools and educational institutions, have contributed to peoples reaching a stage of maturity that prevents them from being exploited by groups or individuals for worldly purposes, noting that religion is easy and does not accept tyranny or injustice.
The context of the Saudi vision and moderation
The Minister of Islamic Affairs' statements are consistent with the approach adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the launch of Vision 2030, under which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spearheaded a broad intellectual and reformist movement to combat extremism and return to a moderate, tolerant Islam open to the world. These efforts, guided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, have succeeded in drying up the intellectual and financial sources of terrorism and promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence, making the Kingdom a global model to be emulated in combating deviant ideology.
Saudi-Iraqi relations and strategic depth
For his part, the head of the Iraqi Sunni Endowment Office, Amer Shaker al-Janabi, praised the Kingdom's leading role, emphasizing that it represents the strategic Arab and Islamic depth for Iraq and the entire region. Al-Janabi also noted the tremendous development Saudi Arabia is witnessing in various fields, not only in the Hajj and Umrah sector, commending the significant facilities and high-quality services provided to pilgrims.
This meeting reflects the growing Saudi-Iraqi relations in recent years, which have witnessed remarkable development through the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, which aims to enhance joint cooperation in the political, security, economic and religious fields, in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples and achieves stability in the region.
Al-Sheikh concluded his speech by emphasizing that conscious peoples do not compromise their faith nor do they follow those who use religion for political purposes, stressing that the call of Islam is clear in urging unity and solidarity and rejecting everything that harms Muslims.
