Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal yesterday launched a research chair, which is named after him, at Taif University to conduct studies on promoting people’s commitment to and respect for the law.

Addressing a ceremony at the university, Prince Khaled emphasized the importance of following the country’s rules and regulations.

“The civilization of a country is determined considering how its people follow the rules and regulations,” the governor said.

“Respect for the law cannot be achieved by forcing people to follow rules and applying tough punishment; rather it should be done by creating awareness and promoting ethics and morals,” he said.

Prince Khaled said the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a good example for morals as God commended him by telling: “Truly you possess great morals.”

The governor said laws are closely linked with morals of people. “It is the sign of cultured people and we deserve to be among them, being Muslims.”

The governor urged Taif University to conduct programs for the benefit of society. “I hope that the university’s activities are not limited to its four walls and people benefit from them. The university should also encourage the youth to participate in its various projects to make use of their capabilities,” he added.

Abdul Elah Banaja, president of the university, announced that Prince Khaled Chair would conduct studies on the Kingdom’s laws and the citizens’ approach to them. “We’ll also work for improving the rules and regulations in cooperation with various ministries and government departments,” the president said.

Banaja said the chair would conduct its first studies on the problems related to the sponsorship, Saher and education laws. “The chair will work to find solutions to problems in a scientific manner.”

Businessman Misaad bin Samar Al-Otaibi has agreed to finance the chair, which will conduct seminars and conferences and make proposals on how to encourage the public to follow the law.

The chair will have a committee comprising experts from within the Kingdom and abroad to supervise its programs and activities.

Prince Khaled earlier chaired a convocation ceremony at the university to mark the graduation of 5,700 male and female students, including the first batch of the Faculty of Engineering. The governor distributed degrees to outstanding graduates.