Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman receives Muslim leaders who came to attend the counterterrorism conference in Makkah. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has called on Muslims to shun intolerance and extremism, work to unify their ranks and seek international cooperation.

King Salman made these comments during a reception at his palace in Riyadh for the scholars and experts who participated in the international counterterrorism conference organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in Makkah earlier this week.

King Salman also said that Saudi Arabia “is the land of Islam that implements the Shariah in all walks of life.” He said Saudi kings have been proud of having the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. “We ask the Almighty to guide us so that we can serve our religion of tolerance.”

He said Islam is a religion of moderation. “We have to follow what is stated in the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and his followers. We should not alienate people. There are people who abuse Islam and drive people away from it. We beseech Allah to return them to their senses.”

King Salman highlighted the government’s efforts to develop Makkah and Madinah and expand the two holy mosques. “I tell you frankly that Makkah and Madinah are the most important for us, before anything else in this country.”

In his speech, King Salman told Muslim leaders: “Your country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, enjoys security and prosperity as a result of the application of the Shariah and you also know that the Constitution of the Kingdom is the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.”

King Salman said all Saudi kings over the years had prioritized the Kingdom’s security and worked to enhance services for Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

During the event, King Salman received an honorary doctorate from the Islamic University of Europe in the Netherlands, given to King Abdullah for his efforts to combat terrorism. King Salman also received an honorary doctorate from the university for his aid to Muslim minorities.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh hailed the king’s efforts to strengthen Muslim unity. MWL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki presented a copy of the conference’s final communiqué to the king.

Meanwhile, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi said, quoting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, that King Salman had done in 10 days what new rulers would take 100 days to accomplish. Al-Naimi said this during an address at the Jazan Economic Forum on Wednesday.

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