Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday highlighted the importance of dialogue in strengthening national unity and improving relations among citizens.

“Upholding Islamic values and showing allegiance to leadership are among the hallmarks of Saudi people,” the king said while stressing the role of national dialogue in narrowing differences in viewpoint.

King Abdullah urged officials of the King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center to double their efforts in organizing dialogue forums on major issues with the participation of people from different parts of the Kingdom.

He urged Saudis to keep away from classifying people on the basis of different schools of religious thought, ideologies and regions, saying such a classification is inappropriate for a society that follows tolerant Islamic teachings and values.

King Abdullah made this comment while hosting Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Omar Abdullah Naseef, deputy chairman of the National Dialogue Forums, and Faisal bin Muammar, secretary-general of the King Abdul Aziz Center.

King Abdullah also welcomed Prince Bandar bin Salman, adviser to the King and chairman of the Dawa Committee in Africa, its members and 43 Islamic propagators in the continent.

Addressing the reception, Saeed bin Muhammad Sela, secretary-general of the Federation of Islamic Scholars in Africa, commended the King’s initiative to hold an Islamic summit in Makkah. He also spoke about the various dawa efforts in Africa.