The Governor of Asir Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, said that the concept of reform is not a new to the Saudi people and government.
”Do not forget the fact that the movement led by Imam Mohammed bin Saud and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul-Wahab two centuries ago was called a reform movement,” Prince Khalid Al-Faisal said during a speech at the meeting organized by King Khalid University on Saturday. He noted that the unification of the Kingdom under the leadership of King Abdul Aziz was part of the reform movement initiated previously.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal denounced those who advocate reform via westernization, saying that they want us to imitate westerners not only in clothes and language, but also in values and traditions.
“These people allege that we cannot deploy western technology whilst maintaining our own cultural values and traditions. They want us to abandon our Islamic religion and heritage in order to follow the beliefs and social values of westerners,” he said.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal criticized those who maintain hostile attitudes towards the peoples of other religions and cultures, and want to isolate Muslims from the rest of the world, saying that such an attitude is “illogical and irrational”.
He praised the Kingdom’s leadership, the majority of Ulema (Muslim scholars), intellectuals and citizens, who call for development of the country on the basis of Islam, in accordance with deep-rooted Saudi values and principles. “These people call for the acceptance of all development that does not conflict with the values of our religion, values and beliefs,” he said.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal said that Islam was not propagated in the world by sword or by force, but rather by the good behaviour of Muslims who set good examples for others.
”We should realize that reform, progress and prosperity will not be achieved by adopting slogans, but by hard, sincere work,” he concluded.
Source: SPA
