The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da`wah and Guidance, represented by the Knowledge Exchange Program, in cooperation with the Charity Fund for Supporting Scholarship Students at Umm Al-Qura University organized the "Moderation in Islam Forum" for the UQU scholarship students in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The event took place yesterday, Sunday, 21 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1440 A.H., at the university headquarter, with the participation of the Dean of the UQU Institute of Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers, Dr. Hasan bin Abdul-Hamid Bukhari, the Deputy Head of the Charity Fund for Scholarship Students at the University, Dr. Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, and a number of specialists.

The Adviser to His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Da`wah and Guidance, and the Supervisor of the Knowledge Exchange Program, Dr. Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Luhaidan, delivered a speech in which he conveyed the greetings of His Excellency the Minister, Sheikh Dr. Abdul-Latif bin Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh, and his directions to the students to adhere to moderation, which is a characteristic of the creed and Shari`ah of Islam. He pointed out that moderation is an inherent basic feature of the religion, and not a compromise between two extremes. He advised the students to avoid deviant trends and politicized groups.

Dr. Al-Luhaidan asserted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince (may Allah safeguard them), has dedicated a great deal of effort to support Islam and Muslims. This includes the program of student scholarship in this secure country. The Saudi universities receive thousands of students to teach them Shari`ah sciences so that they can return to their countries and spread the correct message of Islamic, which calls for moderation, love and peace.

He urged the students to be good ambassadors between their countries and the Saudi Kingdom, and to convey the good and tolerance they have experienced in this country to the whole world. He pointed out that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da`wah and Guidance welcomes to continue to cooperate with them after their return to their country, support them with books and Mus-haf [copies of the Holy Qur'an], and organize courses in Islamic legal studies as well as courses in other Islamic sciences with a view to contributing to the advancement and progress of their countries, spreading the true creed, combating extremism and hatred, and spreading love and peace.

It is noteworthy that the forum was attended by more than sixty students from the continents of Asia and Africa, as it is part of the programs organized by the Ministry in the framework of the exchange of knowledge program, under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdul-Latif bin Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh.