Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Kingdom pursues moderation in all matters of religion, and that the mosque pulpits are purged from those advocating anything that is contrary to the approach of moderation.

Attending the weekly program on MBC television channel, Al-Sheikh said that the National Day was not celebrated as a festival day because people assumed only the two Eids had to be marked as festivals and some people in the past forbid the celebrations of the day. But, today, rather it is a day when people of Saudi Arabia remember what God has bestowed upon them in terms of unification and gathering together of those citizens living outside the country.

“What we are doing now is a reminder to the generations about the great blessings that God has bestowed upon them — the blessing of security and stability, service to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites in the best way possible,” he said while emphasizing that what the ministry is doing is derived from the Book of God and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

He noted the role of the people of Saudi Arabia in maintaining these blessings intact and enjoying them. “They are living in the country of pure monotheism and the country that houses the Two Holy Mosques. We are at our best and we must be united around our wise leadership, which is rendering the most precious service for the country and the citizens.

“The target now is the citizen with his religion, security and stability, and in this blessing that we live in, we have to defend this country, and to defend our true religion and the doctrine of monotheism that commands us to listen and obey our rulers and to safeguard our homeland.”

Al-Sheikh said that all imams and preachers are currently cooperating with the ministry and are keen to implement what is issued by it. Al-Sheikh called on everyone to rally behind their leadership while serving the homeland and the citizens.

“The Kingdom is now enjoying goodness, security, stability and faith, and as such extremism is nothing to do with religion of Islam and the calls for extremism came from outside the Kingdom. Extremism is nothing but a storm in a tea cup, and the enemies use this as an attempt to spread sedition,” he said.

Al-Sheikh emphasized that the regulations are strictly applied, and no one is exempted from this and no one is above the law. “In the past, some imams and preachers violated the directives in simple proportions, but now everyone is cooperating and keen to implement all that comes to them from the ministry, and they have a religious and patriotic sense, loyalty to the leadership and love for the country,” he added.