Saudi Arabia affirms support to values of peace, justice

Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday reaffirmed the Kingdom's support to the principles of peace, justice and equality as well as all humanitarian values. Addressing the first session of the international conference titled "Image of the Other in Joint Education among Followers of Culture," Prince Abdulaziz voiced hope that the global dialogue is to be a bridge for this respect and coexistence. "The Kingdom's initiatives aim to achieve this kind of respect, coexistence and goodness for the humanity through clear and systematic strategy and realistic mechanisms," Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Prinice Abdulaziz as saying. He conveyed greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the participants in the conference. He added that religions and cultures called for tolerance and virtues, stressing that the religion is innocent of all conflicts and disputes being practiced in its name. "We should not overlook the negative role of what have been written or transmitted on the negative images of the followers of religions and cultures, especially those in the curriculum studied by young children in history books, stressing the need for non-acceptance of these negative practices," Prince Abdulaziz pointed out. He noted that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Translation Award which is one of the initiatives of King Abdullah for dialogue among followers of religions are part of working to create new horizons for cooperation and building to bridge the gap between concepts and religious and cultural values. "This initiative aims to take advantage of the capacities of researchers and specialists in the field of education and culture in the discussion of the pros and cons in relation to the image of the other and discuss the best ways to correct shortcomings in a way that enriches the dialogue among different cultures. "It aims to achieve convergence on common denominators and noble human values and to establish the values of justice and peace. "It was launched from the Kingdom on behalf of all Muslims, promotes moderate culture that rejects extremism and believes in moderation," he went on. "It also refuses decay and achieves balance between the aspects of material progress and human spiritual needs and uphold the values of tolerance and brotherhood and strengthens respect and maintains the sanctity of religious sites and symbols and morality and opens avenues for cooperation in the face of poverty and optimal use of natural resources, Prince Abdulaziz added. Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah noted that this initiative culminated in the opening of King Abdullah International Center for Dialogue among Followers of Religions and Cultures last year to promote such human leading initiatives which confirm the constant presence of the Kingdom at the regional and international arenas and its belief in the cultural diversity of humanity so that the Kingdom leads the Arab region - known for its diversity of religions, doctrines and ethnicities - in the course of dialogue and stresses the vital need of the region and the world for deep understanding and formulate new strategies to deal with cultural diversity and promote a culture of dialogue on the basis of the principles of human rights approved by the international community before more than 60 years as well as strengthening values of religious tolerance. He cast light on a number of initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to bolster the principles of moderation, tolerance and rejection of hatred and provide support for the international efforts aiming to combat terrorism, the establishment of the UN Center for Fighting Terror, emanating from its Islamic teachings and humanitarian values which embargo attacking innocents and properties of others and confirm the importance of respecting promises and charters