Saudi King Salman calls for intensified efforts to root out terrorism

King Salman on Thursday called for an intensified and united fight against terrorism. The call came in his speech to Indonesia’s parliament during the second day of his landmark state visit to the world’s most populous Muslim country.

“We have to stand united in confronting the challenges, faced by the world in general and the Muslim Ummah in particular. The foremost of these challenges include the phenomenon of extremism, terrorism, clash of cultures, non-respect of the sovereignty of nations, and interference in internal affairs,” he said while calling for “closing ranks and exerting coordinated efforts to serve our common interests and bring global peace and security for the benefit of all of us.”

Earlier on arrival at the parliament house, the King was received by House Speaker Setya Novanto and other senior deputies and officials. Novanto described the King’s visit as historic, saying that this would further bolster the fraternal relations between the two countries. He also lauded the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its future ambitious goals. The speaker also stressed the need for enhanced cooperation in achieving peace and security as well as to confront challenges.

King Salman prays at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia March 2, 2017. (Reuters)

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In his speech, King Salman thanked the government and people of Indonesia for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation. He also lauded the significant role being played by the parliament in strengthening the bilateral relations in all fields. The King also presented a memento to the speaker.

In the presence of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, King Salman later met with a number of Islamic leaders and scholars at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Addressing the gathering, Widodo expressed his immense pride over the presence of the King who has been rendering immense contributions in serving Islam and Muslims.

King Salman is scheduled to meet a number of interfaith leaders in Jakarta on Friday, Religious Affairs Minister Saifuddin said. “The King will meet interfaith leaders after Friday prayers. The meeting will be held the State Palace or at Raffles Hotel,” the minister said. The King will leave for a vacation to the Indonesian tourist resort island of Bali Saturday to stay there until March 9.

This article was first published in the Saudi Gazette on March 3, 2017.