Al-Hasa – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman stressed the importance of security and highlighted the need for concerted efforts to preserve this blessing.

“There is no development, knowledge and culture without security. Hence it is significant to exert concerted efforts to preserve this blessing and make the people aware of its importance. We are confident in the capabilities of Saudi citizens, and are pinning great hopes on them that they would be fully aware of their responsibility toward the nation building process,” said King Salman during a reception held in his honor by the people of al-Ahsa province at Hajr Palace on Saturday.

He said Saudi Arabia has been established on solid foundations and faith based on Allah’s Holy Book and the Prophet’s Sunnah.

“Our state is honored to serve the Two Holy Mosques. We have always been keen to diligently perform our duties and responsibilities toward pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques,” the King said.

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a social and economic renaissance due to ambitious development plans, said the King.

“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims at restructuring the country’s economy, raising the performance of its institutions, diversifying sources of income and raising the productivity of the community,” added the King.

“I care about every citizen in every part of our country,” the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques explained.

Upon arrival, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was received by Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Region; Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior and Prince Bader bin Mohammed bin Jalawi, Governor of al-Ahsa Province.

Prince Saud Bin Naif, welcomed the King to al-Ahsa, describing the region as an oasis of prosperity, knowledge and culture, trade and agriculture, and a land where the first Friday prayer was performed in Islam after the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

Then citizen Sami al-Hadi delivered a speech on behalf of all residents of al-Ahsa, thanking the Custodian for his generous contributes.

The reception was attended by Prince Khaled bin Fahd bin Khaled; Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Prince Mansour bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Talal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; Prince Dr. Mansour bin Meteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the State, Member of the Cabinet and Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; Prince Meteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Minister of National Guard; and a number of princes, ministers, senior civil and military officials and a group of citizens.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Saturday laid the foundation stone for 100,000 residential units in al-Asfar district in al-Ahsa.

The projects will be implemented by a consortium of Saudi and Chinese real estate developers.

King Salman also opened residential units of the Ministry of Housing, including 116 residential villas in al-Mubarraz, 500 residential units near al-Ahsa airport, and 1.5 million square meters of developed land near King Faisal University for real estate developers.