King Abdullah: We shall not rest till we eradicate terrorism

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday emphasized the importance of dialogue in combating extremism and promoting world peace. He also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s determination to root out terrorism.
“Engaging in dialogue is the only method to live in peace and harmony with other communities in the world. The dialogue will eventually prevent bloodshed and avoid disunity, ignorance and extremism,” the king said in his message to the guests of God who have to come for Haj this year.
King Abdullah stressed: “We shall not rest till we eradicate terrorism along with the misguided sect that has used Islam as bridge to achieve its vested interests and unlawfully stigmatizes the beauty of Islam with their misleading thought.”
Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, read out the king’s message during a reception in Mina, which was attended by Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and representatives of foreign Haj missions.
In his keynote address, King Abdullah emphasized the Islamic teachings and values that urge Muslims to live in peace with other sects and faith communities. “It has been reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said while circumambulating the Holy Kaaba ‘how pure and good you are! how pure and good your fragrance is! how great and exalted you are! And how great and exalted your sanctity is! But I swear by Allah that the sanctity of a believer’s blood and property in sight of Allah is greater than your sanctity,” the king said.
He noted the impact of the International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna, which is named after King Abdullah, saying its activities would contribute to eradicating terrorism and promoting a cultural dialogue in the world.
“We pray to Allah Almighty that dialogue will become a tool for debate and an essential approach of dealing between nations and peoples. However, we hereby declare that Saudi Arabia will continue its efforts in fighting terrorism and extremism.”