Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, has stressed the need for moderation to contain the current crisis in the Muslim world.
“Moderation is not something that can be achieved through words. It is not a mere slogan but a total path and commitment to a principle that will achieve general welfare aimed at the goodness and growth (of the people),” Prince Salman said during a series of lectures on “moderation in the life of King Abdul Aziz” at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah on Saturday.
He said moderation encompasses all aspects of life including eating, talking, education, spending and dealings with people.
He said it was by sticking to the principle of moderation that King Abdul Aziz managed to sidestep the schemes of colonial powers who were tracking his activities and trying to foil his effort to re-establish the kingdom.
“The late king succeeded in establishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia far removed from regional calculations or foreign influence and in keeping his people and country away from woes of the world wars,” the prince said.
Prince Salman said the late king adopted a moderate policy filled with wisdom, patience and reason at a time when some citizens were skeptical about the need to adopt beneficial modern technology.
“The late king pardoned his rivals and then they became his closest men. He was patient with his opponents because their views about the future were flawed. The king explained to them and convinced them how his views were better for their welfare,” he said.
Prince Salman said the king was also moderate in his religion. “He was not extreme or negligent in religious matters.”
“A life devoid of religion but filled with various other forces is not a real life. On the other hand, real life starts with religion, adherence to it and establishing the law of Allah,” King Abdul Aziz said, according to a report published by the Umm Al-Qura daily in 1937.
The prince continued: “To learn the significance of the moderation followed by King Abdul Aziz, we should read the history of the leaders who adopted an extremist stance in their policies and decisions which exposed their countries to wars and turmoil or because of their following personal whims or fleeting man-made ideologies.”
The prince also called on students to adhere to a moderate path in their thinking and activities “because it is the right way.”
“King Abdul Aziz engaged in dialogues to convince his rivals and opponents. On such occasions the king was committed to Islam and he was content with following the ways of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He did not go to extremes or create split, nor was he harsh,” the prince said.
The path followed by the Saudi government is based on the principles of moderation adopted by King Abdul Aziz because the rulers are keen to protect citizens from any kind of injustice, Prince Salman said.
“The founder of the Kingdom used to say that every citizen who feels that he has been unjustly treated should come forward with his complaint even if it is against any of my sons or grandsons,” the prince said.
“The moderation is the principle that governs our religious and worldly matters and that is because our straightforward religion of Islam says in the Holy Qur’an “we thus established you as a nation pursuing the path of moderation,” the crown prince said.
He also quoted the saying of the Prophet (pbuh) reiterating the importance of moderation in Islam. “The Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Beware of excesses because those before you were destroyed because of their excess’,” Prince Salman quoted another authentic hadith warning against taking an extreme positions in any matter.
“The founder King Abdul Aziz implemented the path of moderation following in the footsteps of our Prophet (pbuh) and the succeeding generations. The king was moderate in his stands, views and policies. This great unity that we all enjoy today is because of that,” he said.
“The king kept to the path of moderation while re-establishing the Saudi state on the same principles upon which the first Islamic state and first Saudi state and the second state were established,” he added.
The crown prince continued: “The king never took risks or was reckless with the lives of others whether they were his companions or rivals.”
Despite his success in the unification of the country with the blessings of the Almighty, and the support of men in different parts of the country, he never took revenge or was spiteful to any one. “He was moderate and content with what he achieved, keeping himself busy with maintaining the law and order and ensuring welfare for all,” he said.
The late king also appointed people who had qualities of outstanding moderation at responsible positions. “Today, we are badly in need of moderation to withstand the floods and currents of the changes and attempts to change our concepts disfiguring facts, and influencing others with misleading and deceptive information that are in reality against the public interest and untrue,” the crown prince warned.
Prince Salman also stressed the need to apply the principles of real moderation in our culture and views and not to be overcome by emotion.
“The official gazette Umm Al-Qura quoted the late king as saying: ‘I am very much pained when I see people deviate from the straight path and listening to devil’s whispering. But no doubt the public welfare is above all other interests’,” the prince said.
“Our interests today are the same interests we had yesterday because our fundamental principles did not change even though some people’s thoughts and style of interacting with the affairs of their life have undergone changes,” he continued.
“Our moderation today is not less important than our moderation yesterday in the backdrop of increasing challenges and temptations. Some people are groping aimlessly and some are imitating other people outside our environment, society and religion,” he said.
Moderation is needed because it helps us to benefit from modern scientific advancements but within the framework of our religion and values, the crown prince said.
It is also required to preserve the country where the revelation to the Prophet (pbuh) occurred and the Qiblah (direction of prayer) of the Muslims is situated, he said.
The country is also the starting point of pan-Arabism and Islam. “The country’s constitution is the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Moderation in its path, stands and views is based on clear Islamic principles,” he said.
Prince Salman pondered the plight of Arab nationalist sentiments. “They did not survive because they were standing on false foundations and had nothing to do with Islam and its values but was contradictory to religious values.
“Our country is the starting point of pan-Arabism and Islam as the Holy Qur’an was revealed in Arabic to an Arab prophet. The country’s sons undertook to spread the Islamic message to all parts of the world at the Almighty’s orders.
“We have been honored by Allah with the opportunity to serve the Two Holy Mosques,” the crown prince said. “We have been honored by Allah with the opportunity to serve Arab and Muslim people. That service is undertaken with real moderation based on the principles of the religion and not for any personal motives.”
He said all material resources of the Kingdom are not as great as the creed of Islam that prevails in the country and also not as valuable as the devoted men and women who are sincere to their religion and their Ummah.
“Our country has been deploying its material and non-material resources to not only for the welfare of the people in the Arab and Muslim worlds but to the advantage of the world at large,” the crown prince said.
“We have been following a foreign policy of moderation since the time of King Abdul Aziz and his supporters. Our friendship with all people is moderate and our first priority is to the Arab and Islamic Ummah,” he added.
He told the audience that the prosperity, unity, stability and security of the Kingdom was a matter of envy of others. “On this occasion, I call upon students, my sons and daughters, to be committed to moderation in all their thoughts and deeds because it is the right path Allah has paved for us in the world of various ideologies,” the prince continued.
“The country has stood on the principle of moderation since its foundation more than 270 years ago,” the prince said, adding that it has been following the same principle during the reigns of King Abdul Aziz, King Saud, King Faisal, King Khaled, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The crown prince also stressed the need for the present generation to be committed to the principle of moderation.
He reminded the audience of what King Abdul Aziz had said of injustice and corruption. Any official who attempted to dissuade any citizen who had a complaint or lessen its seriousness will be severely punished, the late king had ordered.
“In my lifetime, I do not wish to hear of an injustice or for Allah to hold me responsible for an injustice or burden of another person, or for not rescuing an unjustly treated man or safeguarding the right of an oppressed man. I have delivered the message. O Allah, be my witness, we will tread on this path and safeguard it by the grace of God,” the prince concluded.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal; Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities; Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari and President of the King Abdul Aziz University Osama Taib also attended the event.
Prince Salman: Moderation is answer to current crisis
Prince Salman: Moderation is answer to current crisis
Saudi FM attends Oslo Forum in Norway
- Forum hosts global leaders and conflict mediators
- Prince Faisal bin Farhan will meet foreign officials
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the Norwegian capital on Tuesday to take part in the Oslo Forum.
The annual event, organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue in Switzerland, hosts global leaders and conflict mediators.
Prince Faisal will meet foreign officials to strengthen relations with the Kingdom and discuss various regional and international issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
What pilgrims are sharing online after their Hajj journey
- Worshippers take to social media to share profound experiences with loved ones
- Posting online becomes a way to process the weight of Hajj for many
RIYADH: For many pilgrims, the spiritual journey of Hajj does not end when they leave the holy sites. It continues — quietly, intentionally — in the days and weeks that follow.
Across Saudi Arabia, young pilgrims are using social media to process the weight of Hajj and share the experience with loved ones.
Noor Ahmad, 21, did not plan to post during her pilgrimage. But after she returned, the urge to share came naturally.
After returning from Hajj, I decided to share a few captured moments. But how can a photo truly capture the depth and majesty of the experience?
Noor Ahmad
“After returning from Hajj, I decided to share a few captured moments,” she said. “But how can a photo truly capture the depth and majesty of the experience?”
She described how people responded in varied ways. “Those who had gone before felt nostalgic and started sharing their own stories. Others — those who hadn’t been yet — expressed their longing. It became this moment of connection.”
For Noor, the decision to post was not about aesthetics. “It’s a monumental event. Maybe I could inspire someone who’s hesitant to go. Maybe they’ll see what I saw — and want to experience it for themselves.
“It was my way of saying thank you”
Shatha Al-Jadaan, 25, took a different approach to sharing, after taking a digital detox.
I enjoy sharing meaningful moments, and after seeing the tremendous effort put into Hajj on every level, I felt my post was a small, sincere gesture of appreciation.
Shatha Al-Jadaan
“During Hajj, I decided to partially fast from social media. I used only the essentials,” she said. “After I returned, I posted a thread to my close friends explaining where I’d been and shared some of the most meaningful moments.”
The response was full of prayers and warmth. “People were kind, supportive, and curious. But what mattered most to me was that I used the thread to say thank you — to the organizers, to the volunteers, and to Allah.”
She spoke about how she found value in using digital platforms to document something greater than herself.
“I enjoy sharing meaningful moments, and after seeing the tremendous effort put into Hajj on every level, I felt my post was a small, sincere gesture of appreciation.”
Salem Al-Khudair, 28, recorded a voice note to his family group chat while performing the rites.
“I just couldn’t find the words to write. So I recorded myself speaking right after standing in Arafat. I sent it to my family WhatsApp group. My mom was emotional. My dad said, ‘May God accept from you.’ That was enough.”
In an age of curated content, Hajj posts tend to stand out for their sincerity. Pilgrims often strip away the filters, metaphors and trend-driven formats, and just speak from the heart.
Noura Al-Dosari, 23, uploaded a private Instagram story highlight with no captions. “Just visuals. No filters. No hashtags,” she said. “It wasn’t for followers. It was for me. For reflection. A digital bookmark of who I became.”
Some write long captions, others simply post a photo of their ihram folded neatly back into a drawer.
But all of them carry a silent message: I went. I came back different.
Many pilgrims use their posts to recall moments of physical hardship that brought emotional breakthroughs — the heat, the long walks, the brief but powerful connections with strangers.
Others use it to highlight the seamless organization of the pilgrimage as a reminder of how far the experience has evolved.
Amani Al-Saad, 26, used X to share a short story about a volunteer who helped her carry her bag in Muzdalifah. “She didn’t speak much, but she smiled at me and said, ‘This is what we’re here for.’ That stuck with me. I wrote about it as a reminder to myself — that sometimes the smallest moments hold the most meaning.”
While digital connections are increasingly common, most pilgrims emphasize that the real processing happens offline — in quiet conversations with family, in their prayer rooms, or on long drives home.
“I didn’t post to perform,” said Al-Jadaan. “I posted to remember.”
National Water Co. ready for post-Hajj season
- The company added the plan included securing water storage and coordinating with water production and distribution systems
MADINAH: The National Water Co. has confirmed it is operationally ready for the post-Hajj season.
The company said it would distribute more than 630,000 cubic meters of potable water daily to pilgrims at the Prophet’s Mosque and throughout Madinah and said its readiness built on ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims and visitors.
The plan involves more than 1,200 employees, including technical, administrative and engineering staff, working to provide water and environmental services.
The company added the plan included securing water storage and coordinating with water production and distribution systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Water will be supplied daily during the post-Hajj season through continuous pumping to the central area and religious sites. Chemical and biological tests will be conducted to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
The company said its smart operation system continues to manage and monitor Madinah’s water network, overseeing water pressure and quality in pipelines and reservoirs.
Saudi film body joins global audiovisual group
- Through this affiliation, the commission plans to develop archiving projects and engage in knowledge exchange with international institutions
RIYADH: The Film Commission announced its membership in the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives, a step aimed at supporting its work in audiovisual archiving.
The association includes members from 70 countries and represents institutions that preserve materials such as visual content, musical works, historical and literary recordings, and oral histories.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, this membership supports the commission’s efforts to preserve Saudi Arabia’s audiovisual heritage.
Through this affiliation, the commission plans to develop archiving projects and engage in knowledge exchange with international institutions.
The move also reflects the commission’s aim to adopt recognized practices and modern technologies in film archiving, the SPA reported.
Cooperation with association members will provide access to innovations in audiovisual preservation and contribute to efforts to safeguard the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.
Founded in 1969 in Amsterdam, the association promotes collaboration among institutions focused on audiovisual preservation.
It hosts an annual conference for sharing expertise in preservation, restoration, digitization, intellectual property, and public access to archival materials.
French architect showcases AlUla’s heritage in New York exhibition
- The exhibition was opened by Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Kingdom’s consul general in New York, who spoke about the role of art in encouraging cultural exchange and international understanding
RIYADH: The Didier Aaron Gallery in New York, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, is hosting an art exhibition by French architect Jean-Pierre Heim.
The exhibition showcases AlUla’s culture and heritage through a collection of sketches depicting Saudi Arabia’s archaeological landmarks.
It runs until June 20, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
A special event at the exhibition featured Heim speaking about his visits to AlUla and the surrounding region.
It was opened by Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Kingdom’s consul general in New York, who spoke about the role of art in encouraging cultural exchange and international understanding.
He also noted the value of such exhibitions in sharing aspects of Saudi heritage with a wider audience.
Heim described his design approach as being informed by local culture and geography, emphasizing the integration of architecture with environment, history, and traditions.
The exhibition includes selected architectural drawings by Heim, inspired by his travels to more than 80 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Greece, and China.
