Riyadh, April 27, 2024, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan formally commenced the international conference titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence” on Saturday evening. The event unfolded at the conference building within the university city of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh.
This prestigious conference, boasting a gathering of esteemed scholars, thinkers, intellectuals, and more than 38 international participants and educational entities from across the globe, aligns closely with the objectives set forth in Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Character Enrichment Program. Its primary objective is to champion the values of national belonging and peaceful coexistence across six key thematic areas: correct doctrine, national identity, peaceful coexistence, moderation and temperance, sustainable development, and mechanisms to bolster national unity.
In his address, Minister Al-Benyan expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the generous support and attention provided to the education sector by the wise leadership. He underscored that this conference embodies the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships and shared responsibilities on the global stage, extending heartfelt wishes for the success and prosperity of all participants.
The minister emphasized the pivotal role universities must play in implementing impactful programs designed to nurture informed citizenship, instill a sense of allegiance to national identity, and promote harmonious coexistence. He stressed the paramount importance of fostering principles of universal brotherhood rooted in tolerance, coexistence, and respect for diverse values and beliefs. This, he noted, is crucial for safeguarding cultural integrity, enhancing intellectual awareness, and fortifying communities while cultivating enlightened generations.
Furthermore, Minister Al-Benyan highlighted the conference's significance as a gateway to sustainable opportunities, expressing hopes that it would successfully achieve its outlined objectives in showcasing the Kingdom's initiatives toward propagating a culture of moderation and fostering enhanced cultural exchange and peaceful coexistence.
He expressed his anticipation for the conference to serve as a valuable scholarly repository for universities worldwide, fostering the exchange of ideas and experiences while facilitating opportunities for collaboration and integration in line with the conference's overarching goals.
In a parallel address, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Shanqeeti, the Mufti of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, underscored the pivotal role and esteemed status of Saudi Arabia on the global stage. He remarked, "Saudi Arabia, occupying a leading position globally, plays a pivotal role in serving Islam, Muslims, and humanity at large, bolstering values of belonging that contribute significantly to stability, development, and prosperity among nations, thus fostering people's welfare, security, and peace."
