Minister of Islamic Affairs: The Kingdom's position is firmly established and will not be affected
The Kingdom is facing smear campaigns
His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, affirmed in decisive statements that the attempts at distortion and defamation emanating from some mercenary pens and hired tongues of extremists and zealots against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will in no way affect the Kingdom's Islamic standing and global leadership. These statements reaffirm the Kingdom's unwavering stance in confronting the malicious campaigns targeting its pivotal role and its place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide.
Context of the statements and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program
These strong statements came during His Excellency's meeting with a number of guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation, the pioneering program implemented and supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. Al-Sheikh explained that these media and propaganda attacks are a natural consequence of the Kingdom's leading position in the Islamic world, its custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques, and its status as the birthplace of revelation and the starting point of Islam's tolerant message. He clearly indicated that the enemies always target "the head before the body," referring to the Kingdom's strategic and religious weight and its direct influence on the stability of the Muslim world.
The historical dimension of serving the Two Holy Mosques
Historically, since the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by its founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God have mercy on him – the Saudi leadership has undertaken the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah. The Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina have undergone successive historical expansions over the past decades, culminating in the largest expansions in modern history during the blessed reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. This historical commitment and tireless work have made the Kingdom the beating heart of the Islamic world and its central focus, towards which the eyes of more than one and a half billion Muslims turn daily.
Regional and international influence and the promotion of moderation
At both the regional and international levels, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays an indispensable role in unifying the Muslim world and achieving global security and stability. The importance of this role is evident in the Kingdom's leadership of numerous Islamic initiatives and its hosting of the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The Kingdom also leads significant international efforts in combating terrorism and rejecting violence and extremism, which aligns with statements by Sheikh Al-Sheikh that the Kingdom is continuously working to promote the values of moderation and tolerance. The Kingdom has established leading global centers, such as the Etidal Center for Countering Extremist Ideology, further solidifying its image as a bastion of moderate Islam and a bulwark of stability in the region.
Vision 2030 and the future of Islamic leadership
In the context of ongoing development, Saudi Vision 2030 stands out through the "Guests of God Service Program," which aims to bring about a qualitative leap in the Hajj and Umrah experience, hosting millions of Muslims annually and providing them with the highest quality technical and logistical services. Minister Al-Sheikh concluded his message by affirming that the Kingdom will remain—God willing—steadfast in its mission to serve Islam and Muslims and to address the issues of the Islamic nation, based on its approach of moderation and balance, and the keenness of its wise leadership for the good of all humanity. This makes all attempts at disruption merely a passing storm that will not affect the progress of development and giving.
