The Islamic Values Forum kicks off in Riyadh to promote moderation and tolerance
The Saudi capital, Riyadh, witnessed the launch of the first edition of the "Islamic Values Forum" on Monday at the InterContinental Hotel, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, and under the direct supervision of His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh. This important event underscores the Kingdom's leading role in serving Islam and Muslims.
A strategic context for strengthening Islamic identity
This gathering is not a fleeting event, but rather part of a cultural and religious movement underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aligned with the goals of Vision 2030, which focuses on promoting tolerant Islamic values and building a vibrant society rooted in its heritage yet open to the world in a balanced way. Through these platforms, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs seeks to translate the leadership's directives into practical action plans that resonate with people's lives and strengthen national unity.
Working sessions to chart the roadmap
The first session of the forum, titled "The Ministry of Islamic Affairs' Efforts in Promoting Islamic Values Internally and Externally," opened with the participation of a select group of ministry leaders, including the Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs, Dr. Awad bin Sabti Al-Anzi, and the Undersecretary for Da'wah and Guidance, Dr. Saud bin Alibi Al-Ghamdi. The session highlighted the ministry's impactful initiatives aimed at translating values from theory into tangible, practical application.
Digital transformation and the development of religious discourse
In his address, Dr. Saud bin Alibi Al-Ghamdi emphasized that the Ministry has made significant strides in instilling Islamic values, establishing a moderate approach, and combating extremism and fanaticism. He noted that the Ministry has not limited itself to traditional methods but has embraced the modern era through digital transformation to promote a moderate and balanced discourse through the General Directorate of Digital Da'wah. He explained that the Ministry has worked diligently to empower preachers and develop the skills of imams and orators through specialized training courses, which has directly contributed to raising the quality of religious discourse and making it more impactful and relevant to contemporary societal issues.
The Kingdom's global message: moderation and peace
For his part, Dr. Awad bin Sabti Al-Anzi reviewed the historical and international dimensions of the Kingdom's efforts, emphasizing that since its founding by King Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – and continuing through the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia has shouldered the responsibility of serving Islam. He explained that the Ministry plays a pivotal role in conveying the Kingdom's message of tolerance and moderation to the entire world through the construction of mosques, the support of Islamic centers, active participation in international conferences, and cultural exchange with diverse cultures and peoples in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Numbers reflect the scale of the achievement
At the conclusion of the session, detailed statistics reflecting the scale of the tireless work were revealed. Dr. Al-Ghamdi noted that the Ministry conducted over 1,049,000 outreach activities in 2025 alone. These impressive figures underscore the Ministry's ongoing commitment to promoting the values of moderation and centrism, and protecting society from extremist ideologies, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a bastion of moderate Islam and a beacon of global peace.
