MAKKAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman affirmed that Saudi Arabia denounces all forms of extremism, violence and terrorism, and confronts them with thought, determination and decisiveness.

“The Kingdom demands that the values of justice should prevail over all human societies, and hence it shoulders the work of fostering peace and co-existence among all,” the King said in a keynote speech to an international conference organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in Makkah on Monday.

Emir of Makkah and Adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Khaled Al-Faisal read out the King’s speech at the conference titled “Values of moderation in the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah”.

A large number of eminent Islamic scholars, muftis, intellectuals, thinkers, and senior officials from all parts of the world are attending the four-day event.

Welcoming the attendees to Islam’s holiest place in the holy month, the Monarch emphasized that the Kingdom was founded on values of moderation, the theme of the conference.

The King said that the values of moderation help protect the country and prevent all attempts to deviate society from this approach.

“In light of our commitment to the moderate principles of Shariah and our Islamic responsibility to safeguard the sanctity of the Qibla of Muslims, we renew the call to stop the rhetoric of racism and hate regardless of its source. We call for listening to the voice of wisdom and reason, and to activate the concepts of tolerance and moderation, while strengthening the culture of consensus and reconciliation,” the King said and emphasized that “today, the world needs the best example — that we Muslims have to spread — the good to the entire mankind so as to realize the Islamic message of mercy and compassion.

Those who addressed the opening session also included Yousef Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mohammed Al-Isa, secretary general of MWL, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, grand mufti of Lebanon, Dr. Shawki Allam, grand mufti of Egypt, and President of the United Arab Emirates Ifta Council Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah.

MWL chief Al-Isa described the conference as historic and said it will issue the Makkah Declaration on the Islamic values of moderation.

He said the delegates will discuss moderation which is the crux of Islam and its humanitarian and ethical values.

“The conference will also discuss the approach of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in moderation and will also tackle the spread of moderation among the young Muslims. The scholars will debate the common values in the contemporary international relations and the cultural communication among Muslims all over the world," he said.