Islamic coalition an extension of Saudi role

RIYADH: The newly formed Islamic Forces Coalition led by Saudi Arabia is an extension of the Kingdom's role in projecting the bright image of Islam in the world, said the secretary-general of the King Abdullah International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Faisal Al-Muammar.
Al-Muammar, who is also the head of the Riyadh-based King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND), said here recently that the formation of the coalition against terrorism and eradication of extremism by Saudi Arabia represents a practical solution to the current situation in the Arab and Islamic world.
It reflects the position of the Kingdom and its leading role in the Muslim world to promote the "Islamic objectives of mercy, moderation and tolerance,” he observed.
According to him, the events that beset the region show a poor image of the destiny of the people and their security, and create chaos in some Islamic societies in the world to disrupt development projects.
"The situation calls for unity and alignment to resist terrorist phenomena and work to weed them out and dry up their sources,” he said.
He pointed out that they endanger the lives of young people by putting them in the maze of radical and hopeless future, and blocking the way for the prospects of national experience in education, development and construction.
They are actually working against history and against the values of science and undermining tolerance in Islam. They distort the bright image of Islam by undermining the principles of tolerance. Accordingly, they serve the interest of the enemies of Islam by projecting a negative stereotype in the media.
He said the formation of pan-Islamic alliance sends a clear message to the world that Islam stands for peace and justice in the world. It also extends its hand to the peace-loving countries through this alliance to eliminate the threat to global peace and security.
He added: "This coalition under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman is an extension of the cultural and historical role, which began with the unification of the country during the reign of founder King Abdul Aziz."