Jeddah, August 29: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was given a presentation on the new project to expand the mataf (the circumambulation areas around the Holy Kaaba).
The project, which will be completed in three years, will enable 130,000 pilgrims to perform tawaf (circumambulation) at a time.
Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari presented the project to the king during a reception at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah on Sunday in presence of Bakri Assas, president Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, and a team of engineers who designed the project.
Also on Sunday, King Abdullah received the annual report of King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center and emphasized the importance of dialogue. “It is the best means to achieve unity and cohesion among members of the Saudi society,” the king said.
King Abdullah said the dialogue should be conducted following its rules and principles. “Differences will be there. It’s the nature of human beings. If we conduct any dialogue without following its principles it would lead to chaos and confusion,” the king pointed out.
He expressed his confidence in the unity of Saudi people. “Our country is strong because of the faith of its people in the Almighty, the national unity and the strong bond between its people,” he said.
He commended the role played by the dialogue center in promoting the values of moderation and tolerance among the Saudi people. He urged the public and private sectors to cooperate with the center to promote a culture of dialogue and respecting the views of others.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah met with Iraqi Vice President Tariq Al-Hashmi and Parliament Speaker Osama Al-Nujaifi. He also met with Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy and heads of Tawafa organizations. Al-Farsy praised the king for implementing the largest expansion of the Grand Mosque in history at a total cost of SR80 billion
—-Arabnews