His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, today launched the activities of the 19th Scientific Forum organized by Umm Al-Qura University in collaboration with the Saudi Historical Society, under the slogan, "The History and Civilization of Makkah Throughout Time", at King Abdulaziz Historical Hall in Al-Abdiyyah. The ceremony was held in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Hind bint Abdul-Rahman Al Saud, a number of their excellencies from among the former presidents of the university, and senior researchers and leaders from various Saudi universities and sectors.

The General Supervisor of the Historical Society in Makkah, Dr. Fahd bin Atiq Al-Maliki, started his speech saying that the idea of the 19th scientific forum, under the slogan of "The History and Civilization of Makkah Throughout Time", is based on the common vision of Umm Al-Qura University and the Saudi Historical Society. It is also one of the noble objectives of the society to organize scientific forums, enriching knowledge and giving the needed care to national history. He added that the number of participations reached more than 120 abstracts, which were presented before committees who approved 39 research papers from them. He then praised the boundless support of His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, to the activities of the society's branch in Makkah, and extended his thanks to the chairman and members of the board of directors of the society as well as the sponsors.

After that, the audience watched a film on the 19th Scientific Forum. This was followed by the speech of Prof. Yusuf bin Ali Rabigh Al-Thaqafi on behalf of the male and female researchers in which he lauded the role of the society and its objectives, mission, and research projects. Next, the audience listened to a chant presented by Adham University College.

The Chairperson of the Saudi Historical Society, Prof. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Zaidan, in his speech, stressed that the scientific forum of the Saudi Historical Society in Makkah has its own special features that are seldom if ever found elsewhere: that is, the unique aspect and sacredness of the location. He said that the majority of the research papers were by female researchers, who submitted 23 research papers out of a total of 44. Such a statistic indicates the Saudi women's vital role in the development and progress of the homeland, in line with the vision of the wise leadership (may Allah support it) to give women their deserved role in development, along with men. He then praised the efforts exerted by the President of Umm Al-Qura University and all its departments in organizing this forum.

After that, Dr. Abdullah bin Sakkat Al-Rashidi recited a poem, which gained the satisfaction of the audience.

His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, highlighted in his speech that the forum comes in conjunction with the comprehensive civilizational and developmental renaissance currently witnessed in our beloved country under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his personal attention given to the history and historians. This includes the special attention given to the history of this blessed country, which was established on the rule of Allah's Shari`ah and the guidelines of the holy Qur’an and the purified Sunnah.

He expressed his hope that the participants in the forum would come with recommendations which will contribute to supporting the national history in general and the studies of Makkah history and civilization in particular. He extended his thanks to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Historical Society, Prof. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Zaidan, the Supervisor General of the society's branch in Makkah, Dr. Fahd bin Atiq Al-Malki, and his team, for the coordination and preparation made in cooperation with different university sectors to make this forum a success and achieve the objectives, which will serve the nation and result in many benefits.

Wrapping up the forum, His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, honored the sponsors and the male and female participants in the activities of the forum.