The first edition of the “Islamic Values Forum,” organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, kicked off in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Monday. The forum is being held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, and under the direct supervision of His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, reflecting the great importance the Saudi leadership places on consolidating the tolerant values of Islam.
Steadfast efforts to consolidate the values of moderation
The forum commenced with a panel discussion entitled “The Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ Efforts in Promoting Islamic Values Internally and Externally.” The session featured the Deputy Minister for Islamic Affairs, Dr. Awad bin Sabti Al-Anzi, and the Deputy Minister for Da’wah and Guidance, Dr. Saud bin Alibi Al-Ghamdi. The speakers reviewed the Ministry’s initiatives and programs aimed at consolidating and disseminating the values of moderation and balance, both locally and internationally. They emphasized that the Ministry’s efforts, under the leadership of His Excellency the Minister, have successfully translated these values from theory into tangible practice, the impact of which is clearly evident in contemporary religious discourse, whether in lectures, scholarly lessons, or Friday sermons, with a focus on digital transformation to broaden the reach of the moderate message.
National context and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The organization of this forum comes within the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historical and pioneering role as the heart of the Islamic world and the cradle of revelation. Since its founding, the Kingdom has shouldered the responsibility of serving Islam and Muslims and spreading its tolerant message. These efforts align directly with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes the importance of building a vibrant society that cherishes its Islamic identity and deeply rooted values, while simultaneously embracing the values of moderation, tolerance, and openness to diverse cultures. The forum serves as a vital platform for fostering intellectual dialogue and unifying efforts to counter extremist ideologies that seek to distort the image of Islam.
The importance and expected impact of the forum
The forum is of great importance on several levels:
- At the local level: It contributes to fortifying society, especially the youth, against extremist ideas and fanaticism, and strengthens national unity by adhering to authentic Islamic values that call for compassion and coexistence.
- At the regional level: It presents a pioneering model in how to manage and direct religious discourse towards construction and development, inspiring countries in the region to adopt similar approaches to confront common intellectual challenges.
- At the international level, the forum serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, highlighting the Kingdom's efforts to convey the true message of Islam, based on peace and justice, to the entire world. Speakers noted that the Ministry's outreach activities have reached millions of beneficiaries across Asia, Africa, and South America, contributing to correcting misconceptions about Islam and combating Islamophobia.
At the conclusion of the session, it was emphasized that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs had implemented more than 1.9 million advocacy activities during one year, the impact of which was tangibly reflected in the development of religious discourse and the promotion of the values of moderation in society, continuing the Kingdom’s firm approach to serving Islam since the era of the founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud, up to the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Highness the Crown Prince, may God protect them.
