Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The secretary-general of Makkah-based Muslim World League has been presented with this year’s Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Award for Moderation in recognition of his efforts to moderate thinking among Muslims.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Isa, a top academic and one of the foremost intellectuals in Saudi Arabia, is a member of the Senior Ulema Commission, consultant at the Royal Court and supervisor of the Intellectual War Center at the Ministry of Defense.

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and emir of Makkah, bestowed the award to Al-Isa during a special ceremony at King Abdulaziz University Wednesday night.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Al-Isa expressed his gratitude to Prince Khaled Institute for Moderation for recognizing people who make efforts to promote moderation especially among the youths through the areas of digital and intellectual content as well as community partnership.

Congratulating the awardee, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Youbi, president of King Abdulaziz University, said Saudi Arabia is foremost among countries that emphasized moderate thinking.

Dr. Isa deserved the award for his constant efforts across the globe in the field, he said.

Dr. Hassan Al-Manakhra, executive director of the Institute, has given a presentation on the center’s role in combatting extremist ideologies.

Prince Khaled also laid the foundation stone for the building of the Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Institute for Moderation, which will soon launch its first master’s program in moderation besides other orientation programs.

Prince Khalid also witnessed signing ceremonies between the institute and Makkah Police and other agencies for bilateral working cooperation.

The chair of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal for Moderation at King Abdulaziz University was transformed in 2017 into Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Institute for Moderation to devote all its activities and efforts to the institutionalization of Saudi Arabia’s moderate approach to religion in order to prove to the world that Islam is a religion for all times and places, as it preaches moderation and rejects terrorism, tyranny and despotism.

The institute also promotes national unity and safeguards the Kingdom’s social fabric at a time when the youth all over the world are being exposed over the Internet to numerous attempts by terrorists and extremists to recruit them, gain their support, and incite them to violence.

The institute has often received visiting diplomatic and international delegations.