Umm Al-Qura University President, Dr. Bakri bin Matouq Assas, today, inaugurated the scientific conference of Hisbah that is organized by the university's Higher Institute for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, under the theme: "National Affiliation and Intellectual Security", from Jumada 27 to 29, 1439 AH at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall at the University Campus in Abdyia. The conference will be attended by the university's deans and vice-deans, and will discuss 35 work papers with the participation of a number of specialists and researchers in the Saudi universities as well as government authorities, from the civil and military sectors.  

The ceremony was commenced with  Quranic recitation. Then, Dr. Yasser bin Ali Al-Kahtany, dean of the Higher Institute for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, delivered a speech in which he talked about the academic programs that the institute has implemented since its establishment in 1425 AH, so as to entrench the rite of promoting virtue and preventing vice. He also talked about the Hisbah issues, the institute's contributions through the training programs to qualify the workers, develop their capabilities and skills in this field, make them gain the necessary knowledge; pointing out that the institute is a training entity in religious programs that is accredited by the Ministry of Civil Service.

Al-Kahtany added that the institute is moving towards the development of its various resources, whether human or physical, and it is striving for attaining the overall quality in all its programs to conform to the Ministry of Education's directions in line with the 2030 vision of KSA. He emphasized that this scientific conference " National Affiliation and Intellectual Security", which is organized by the university's Higher Institute for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, will contribute to the entrenchment of Hisbah culture, promotion of its noble and fruitful values of the moderate thinking; referring to the great attention that the institute receives from the rulers- May All help them- and the non-stop support from the minister of education, in addition to the constant support and encouragement from UQU President. Such support has led to the success of the institute's educational and training programs.

Thereafter, all the attendees watched a documentary on the institute and its role in qualifying those work in the field of Hisbah, developing their capabilities and strengthening their field skills.

Following that, HE Dr. Assas, gave a speech on this occasion; starting by the words of Allah the Almighty: {You are the best nation ever to be brought forth for people. You order honor and forbid dishonor, and you believe in Allah}.

He said: Hisbah is pride for every Muslim that contributes to reviving this great virtue and calling for it in accordance with Islam; adding that the preachers and their use of good advice and wisdom with regard to saying and calling to worship Allah are the reason for the spread of Islam all over the world; as it is a divine approach by the order of Allah the Almighty in the Holy Quran to humans.

He added: The message of Islam started in accordance with this great approach that enabled the Islamic nation to be blessed with noble values and virtues, and its pillar is the rite of promoting virtue and preventing vice without exaggeration or negligence, and its perspective is moderation.

HE Dr. Assas emphasized that the most important pillars of this young state "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and the most important elements of the success of its leadership – May Allah help it – is the application of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of His Messenger peace be upon him as well as its interest in the rite of Hisbah, in addition to assigning a body to oversee and achieve its blessed objectives; adding that the concept of Hisbah includes all the fields related to the application of the Islamic Sharia, along with everything is for the interest of the citizens and the country as well.

He said that the organization of this scientific conference "Hisbah: National Affiliation and Intellectual Security" in Umm Al-Qura University is a proof of our blessed government's support and attention to this field; clarifying that the university is a wide field where students and researchers meet with community service people and those interested in development, studies, research, conferences and symposia as a contribution to achieve their mission and objectives.

UQU President paid his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Salman bin Abdulaziz, May Allah protect him, for his keen interest in this great rite and approval  to hold this blessed conference at Umm Al-Qura University. He also thanked Crown Prince Mohammed Salman bin Abdulaziz- May Allah help him- for his constant support to these scientific activities. Also, Dr. Assas expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Prince of Mecca for his keenness and attention to UQU and its several events, and to Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Eissa, Minister of Education, for his support, interest and follow-up to UQU and its branches, in addition to his special support to this conference. Additionally, HE thanked Dr. Yasser bin Ali Al-Kahatany, dean of the Higher Institute for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, his vice-deans and all the committees in the conference; wishing the participants success, and giving them recommendations to serve the nation and society

At the end of the ceremony, UQU President launched the Higher Institute for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice's website and the program of the higher diploma "Intellectual Security" that the institute is implementing for two semesters. He also inaugurated the exhibition accompanying the events of the conference, and then he along with the participants made a tour in the exhibition.