Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat-Terrorism represents a threat to the security and safety of the entire world, without exception, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said in a speech read out by Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, deputy premier and minister of defense, in Cairo.

King Abdullah described terrorism as a “global scourge that does not belong to any religion or nationality.” He confirmed that terrorism is a threat that undermines international peace and security, asserting that “we must confront this malignancy in order to eliminate it and save humanity from its evil.” This statement was made in front of the 12th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which began in Cairo yesterday. The Saudi delegation to the OIC is led by Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz.

King Abdullah’s speech dealt with a number of issues, most prominently the Palestinian and Syrian Causes. The King confirmed that Riyadh is exerting significant effort to deal with both issues “based on its religious and historic responsibility” adding that Saudi Arabia “will spare no effort in providing all forms of support; political, financial and moral.” The speech also addressed the intensify phenomenon of religious hatred, confirming that the Islamic world is experiencing many challenges, developments, and changes. King Abdullah called on world leaders to study these changes and their political, social and economic repercussions, emphasizing the need to follow the best approach to address these and mitigate their impact, particularly in terms of the economy and development.

Regarding the situation in Syria, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, “to take the necessary actions and decisions to deter the crimes and violence being carried out against the Syrian people and activate the transfer of power by all possible means.” The statement added that the UN Security Council was the international entity concerned with securing international peace and security.

King Abdullah highlighted, “If we fail to make it (the UN Security Council) come out to support international peace and security in Syria and Palestine, and stop the acts of violence being carried out against the people there, then we must turn our backs on it and work to build our own capabilities to resolve our problems ourselves.” The King’s statement also stressed the importance of cooperation among the Islamic countries in all fields, particularly regarding social and economic issues.

King Abdullah stressed, “We must put forward a clear methodology to enhance joint-Islamic work regarding economic and social issues between all OIC member states, stemming from the Mecca Declaration that was approved by the 4th Extraordinary session of the OIC.”