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he King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) will promote world peace and serve the humanity, said Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. Speaking to reporters after attending the center’s opening ceremony, Prince Saud said: “This is a historic day. We hope the center would contribute to bringing people closer and settle their disputes peacefully.” The opening ceremony was attended by Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo and hundreds of religious leaders. Prince Saud said he hoped the center would “bring peace and understanding between the various religions. Religion has been the basis for many conflicts.” The center, launched by Saudi Arabia as an international organization with multifaith oversight, aims to help religions contribute to solving problems such as conflicts, prejudice and health crises rather than be misused to worsen them. “The prime purpose is to empower the active work of those in the field, whether in the field of dialogue, of social activism or of conflict resolution,” said Jerusalem-based Rabbi David Rosen, representing Judaism on the nine-seat board of directors. “We want to empower you,” he told an opening session where dialogue projects from Europe, the Middle East and Africa reported on how they worked to foster inter-faith understanding. The center plans to work first on improving how religions are presented in media and schoolbooks, involving faith
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“We hope for the center to have an effective impact to bring people together in order to resolve crises through peaceful ways,” Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs
leaders in children’s health campaigns in poor countries and hosting religious leaders for fellowships at its Vienna headquarters. Saudi officials at the Vienna conference stressed the dialogue message was being spread back home as well. “The aim is to promote acceptance of other cultures, moderation and tolerance,” said Fahad Sultan Al-Sultan, deputy head of a Saudi national dialogue effort launched in 2003. “There are problems but we have achieved some success.” Board member Reverend Toby Howarth said its international status sponsored by Austria, Saudi Arabia and Spain gave the center several advantages over non-governmental organizations or church groups working on similar issues. It would have more “pulling power” dealing with government ministers on issues such as improving the way religions are presented in a country’s schoolbooks, said Howarth, who is interfaith adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The fact that King Abdullah is the custodian of Islam’s two holiest mosques in Makkah and Madinah would “have weight in some Muslim countries”, he added. Spindelegger defended the establishment of KAICIID in Vienna, saying “it is my deep conviction that there is no alternative to this dialogue”. KAICIID officials say the center is independent and would not be promoting any one religion.
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ing Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, tops the list of “500 Most Influential Personalities in the Muslim World. The Amman-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center (RISSC) said King Abdullah topped the list because of the services he has been providing to the Two Holy Mosques with Makkah being visited every year by four million pilgrims and 10 million Umrah performers. The center selects Muslim personalities according to their influence in the Muslim World, the efforts they have exerted to serve Muslims and Islamic causes, their popularity among Muslim communities, charity activities, support of science and scientists and their contribution to educating the Muslim peoples. The RISSC said King Abdullah introduced many reforms to society, combated religious fanaticism, corruption, improved educational system, assured women’s rights, reformed the judicial system, and provided scholarships to over 130,000 male and female students to study abroad. The King is also the controller of the worlds largest oil reserves - making him a key player in the global petroleum industry. The King is also the head of the World’s Largest Da’wa Network: heading the most extensive da’wa network of missionary Muslims in the world. He also set up King Abdullah Center for Inter-religious Dialogue in Vienna and was the first Saudi monarch to have met with a pope, Pope Benedict XVI in November 2007. The King also convened a global interfaith summit in 2008 and subsequently issued the Madrid Declaration, which calls for tolerance between religions and a culture of peace. He was also the first Saudi monarch in 51 years to address the UN General Assembly. He also gave women the right to vote in the municipal elections of 2015, spent over $60 billion on housing grants for citizens, set the mini-
mum monthly salary at $800 and inaugurated the largest women’s university all over the world with a capacity of 12,000 students. The King also endowed $10 billion for King Abdullah University for Science and Technology and donated hundreds of millions of dollars in aid for many disasterstricken regions around the world. He has also pledged a $1 billion donation towards the reconstruction of the Palestinian coastal territory during the Israeli war on Gaza.
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aucity of funds particularly in the sector of education is commonplace and is felt globally. This makes choice to pursue education limited for the students in several nations. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the situation is however quite different. The late King Abdul Aziz had a vision since he had founded the Kingdom focusing on the need of education as means to development. His successive sons have well followed this tradition and pursued plans promoting education as key to the country’s development. The SR 204 billion funds allocation to the education sector in the 2013 budget reflects Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s determination toward development of the education sector as well as his care for the Kingdom’s citizens. In a country where over 50 percent of the population is below 25 years, education is a vital and strategic area. The Kingdom is truly committed toward building the nation and caring for its citizens, and education has been a top priority for the last five decades. By investing in its human capital, the Kingdom ensures lasting growth and a knowledge-based economy. The Education Ministry’s 10-year strategic plan (2004-2014) to overhaul the education system is a milestone in the sector and corresponds to King Abdullah’s vision. The amount of money allocated to the education sector has increased dramatically in the last four years. It grew from SR 105 billion in 2008, SR 122 billion in 2009, SR 137 billion in 2010, and SR 150 billion in 2011 to the highest amount ever of SR 204 billion in 2012. According to a study by Saleh Abdul Kareem of King Saud University, the budget for education in 1970
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amounted to SR 666 million, or 9.8 percent of the total budget, while the literacy rate was 15 percent for men. Currently, the spending for education occupies 25 percent of the total budget and the literacy rate is above 96.5 percent, as per Word Bank data of 2009. The allocation of nearly 25 percent for the education sector is one of the visionary and bold steps taken by the government, given that the allocation of many nations – including advanced ones – on education does not exceed 10 percent of total expenditure or 5 percent of GDP. Most advanced nations in Europe and North America spend an average of 4-5 percent of their GDP on education, whereas Saudi Arabia is spending an average of 10 percent on it – the highest in the world. The allocation of grants to the education sector is hailed by a cross section of the society. “The huge allocation indeed
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than SR 7 billion to support applicants to prestigious universities in countries such as the US, Britain, Germany, Canada, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, France, Japan, Malaysia, China, India, Singapore, and South Korea. The country has supported more than 18,000 students over the past few years, and over 7,500 students completed their course of studies under the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. Significant progress has also been achieved in the education for women. The country’s literacy rate among women was only 2 percent in 1970, while women are now competing with men. Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University for women in Riyadh was established in 2009 shapes the development of our nation,” commented Ab- and has become an icon for women education in the dul Kareem. Kingdom. “We need to focus more on higher education,” said Mo- The Ministry of Education has initiated several reforms hammed Luqman of King Saud University in Riyadh. in the education system. It introduced a revision of the There are enough Saudi students in under graduation syllabus and curriculum for mathematics and science, and courses, but the number in higher education has to be put emphasis on the English language. increased, he said, as many Saudi youth opt for studies The focus on current education is gradually shifting from abroad due to scholarships, or choose to work as a result quantitative education to qualitative knowledge, and of the job offers in the local market. strong emphasis is being laid on its implementation. King Saud University in Riyadh, with SR 9.4 billion, will There are a total of 34,749 schools with 276,400 classreceive the highest share of the latest budget, while King rooms used to teach 5,187,498 students from KG to secAbdulaziz University in Jeddah is second with SR 5.7 ondary level. This includes special and adult education, billion. Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University according to the latest statistics of the Education Minisin Riyadh will receive SR 3.8 billion, and King Fahd try. The primary and secondary education system is conUniversity of Petroleum and Minerals in Dahran SR 1.3 sidered the backbone of the country’s education. billion. There are currently 24 universities in the Kingdom. King An impressive amount will be spent on the development Saud University in Riyadh, established in 1957, is among of infrastructure in all regions of the Kingdom. The huge the oldest institutions. A total of 508 affiliated colleges spending on educational infrastructure projects will gen- and institutions are attached to these universities. Jederate massive employment opportunities. dah’s King Abdulaziz University has the largest numApart from developing high standards in education, the ber of students in the Kingdom, with 132,094 students Kingdom is encouraging its nationals to pursue studies enrolled in the previous academic year, according to the abroad by providing scholarships. statistics of the Ministry of Higher Education. In the last For the scholarship program of the Custodian of the couple of years, King Abdullah established several uniTwo Holy Mosques, the government allocated more versities in different regions of the Kingdom.
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he Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities [SCTA] has revealed its forthcoming plans for historical sites in the holy city of Mecca, pledging that these will be in line with strict Islamic laws regarding the administration of heritage sites. SCTA announced that the historical site of the Bir Tawa water well has been registered as one of its certified antiquities. According to Abdullah al-Sawat, Executive Director of Mecca’s SCTA branch, Bir Tawa has been registered in accordance with Royal Decree No. 3212, stipulating the preservation of antiquities in a manner that does not sanctify or glorify them. Responding to questions raised by Asharq al-Awsat, al-Sawat said that this move was based on directives issued by Prince Sultan Bin Salman, Chairman of SCTA. He indicated that SCTA plans to administer Islamic heritage sites in Mecca in line with Islamic Sharia law and based on a vision bestowed upon them by God Almighty and the Kingdom’s leaders, who are keen to apply this. Dr. Osama al-Bar, Secretary-General of the Holy Capital, told Asharq al-Awsat that “the Jarwal historical site is currently undergoing an expansion operation, and everyone will see it in its new guise once the renovations in the Central District as well as in the vicinity of the Holy Mosque are completed.” Meanwhile, Dr. Sa’ad al-Joudi al-Shariff, a professor of contemporary history, informed Asharq Al Awsat that the ancient well located in the Jarwal district, or the area now commonly known as Bir Tawa, has great ar-
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chaeological value and profound historical significance, and has witnessed many historical events. The well is where the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) once bathed, and lies in close proximity to Abu Lahab’s tomb and Mount Qaikaan, as well as other significant archaeological and historical sites for which Mecca is famous. Al-Shariff added that the “Jarwal” district had been previously named “Tawa”, which referred to one of Mecca’s valleys extending from the foothills of Azakher to al-Hujun in the west. Professor al-Shariff pointed out that the well has been preserved from the expansion work that centers mainly on the Central District, aiming to develop and enlarge the space
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for Muslims north of the Holy Mosque. The main objective of this project is to construct pedestrian tunnels towards the Holy Mosque and to this end, 55 houses in Jarwal are now being demolished. The total number of houses already removed for this particular project amounts to 1,400. Al-Shariff concluded by saying that “Bir Tawa is an Arabic word that means a well covered with stone. This well has particular significance after it was proven that the Prophet (pbuh) spent the eve of his conquest of Mecca there, and launched his armies into the city through various routes.” For his part, Dr. Fawaz Bin Ali al-Dahhas, a professor of Arab Peninsula history, told that Tawa is one of Mecca’s three valleys. the well commonly known as Bir Tawa is completely covered, yet it is rumored that it was originally dug by Abd Shams bin Abd Manaf, whilst the earth was extracted by Aqil bin Abu Talib.
Al-Dahhas indicated that from his base at Bir Tawa, the Prophet (pbuh) ordered Zubair bin Awam –may God be pleased with him – to enter Mecca through Kada (al-Hujun), and ordered Khaled Bin al-Walid - may God be pleased with him – to enter the city through al-Lait, below Mecca, in the company of Arab tribes from Ghaffar, Aslam, Mazina and Juhaina. The Prophet (pbuh) himself moved through Azakher district.
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ACHIEVES
PROPOSED MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by the Declaration of the Summit of the United Nations in 2000 as illustrated by the seventh national report ‘Millennium Development Goals 1433 H’ issued by the Ministry of Economy and Planning. In the national report, a copy of which was received by Saudi Press Agency, the Minister of Economy and Planning, Dr. Mohammad bin Suleiman AlJasser said the Kingdom exceeded the approved ceilings to accomplish many of the goals set out in the MDGs and it is seeking to achieve other goals before deadlines in 1436/1437 AH corresponding to 2015 G.
The Kingdom has been keen to adopt the international visions in this area in line with its constants and values.
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ustralian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bob Carr has thanked Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu for the support provided by several member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to Australia, which was elected to non-permanent seat in the Security Council of the United Nations for the period 2013-2014. In a letter to Dr. Ihsanoglu delivered by Australia’s Special Envoy to the OIC Ahmed Noor, Bob Carr said that “my government appreciates the important global role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and will remain committed to expanding cooperation with it.” He asserted his support for strengthening cooperation between Australia and the Security Council and other organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with respect to international peace and se-
curity. The Australian Foreign Minister also asserted his country’s strong support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own. Australia had abstained during the voting process that took place at the General Assembly of the United Nations on November 29, 2012 which resulted in Palestine’s winning of observer status at the United Nations.
AUSTRALIANS FOR PEACEFUL PALESTINE
Foreign Minister Bob Carr says Israel and Palestine need to make progress on a peaceful resolution, following a vote in the UN to recognise Palestine. The UN resolution was approved by a more than two-thirds majority of the 193-member world body - a vote of 138-9, with 41 abstentions including Australia. Carr said Australia had abstained as a ‘friend of Israel more than a little impatient with the settlement activity which is making the two state-solution more difficult and more complex’. ‘But we did it as a nation urges both sides not to exploit and not to overreact to this vote at the UN.’ Senator Carr said ‘Let’s allow this decision to be absorbed, for this decision to be reacted to by the Palestinian Authority going for a negotiated outcome, and Israel accepting that opportunity,’ he said. The vote had been certain to succeed, with most of the member states sympathetic to the Pales-
tinians. Several countries, including France, this week announced they would support the move to elevate the Palestinians from the status of UN observer to nonmember observer state. The vote came on the same date, November 29, that the UN General Assembly in 1947 voted to recognise a state in Palestine, with the jubilant revellers then Jews. The Palestinians rejected that partition plan, and decades of tension and violence have followed. The vote grants Abbas an overwhelming international endorsement for his key position: establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, the territories captured by Israel in the 1967 six-day war. The vote could help Abbas restore some of his standing, which has been eroded by years of standstill in peace efforts. The Palestinians now can gain access to UN agencies and international bodies, most significantly the International Criminal Court.
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