On the last day, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in tandem with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) has organized a symposium entitled "Raising Religious Deterrent as a Means for Protecting Integrity and Anti-Corruption" at the hall of Sheikh Abdulaziz At-Twaijri of conference bldg in the presence of pool of scholars and officials headed by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Head of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Issuing Fatwas, and Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah Hamid, Advisor at the Saudi Royal Court.
Inaugurating the symposium, Mr. Muhammad Abdullah Al-Sharif, President of the Anti-Corruption Commission, clarified that, gathering aims mainly to raise the religious deterrent as a way to combat corruption. He lauded the efforts of Al- University in collaborating with Nazaha to combat the financial and administrative corruption. He, likewise, thanked H.E. Prof. Dr. Suliman Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, for his constant efforts to cooperate with the commission to host the symposium.
He, further, explained that the government has apprehended earlier the corruption penetration and then as a result issued the national strategy for protecting integrity and anti-corruption to establish from which a unique approach, and to be considered as a responsibility and duty upon the community as whole. "The strategy basically depends on Islamic religion as the cornerstone for its mission and mechanisms. Admittedly it achieved it objectives to strengthen the cooperation between the competent authorities in a continuous manner as well as the fulfilment of the citizen to its duty to denial corruption and reject it", added he.
From his part, Sheikh Saleh Hamid stated that, the issue is worthwhile and Al-Imam University has its own initiatives and presence not only at the academic levels, but also at the communal levels. "Al-Imam University is one of the lofty edifices in Saudi Arabia, which we all pride of its contributions, and Nazaha was inspired by our wised rulers for anti-corruption activities", said he. "Recommendations of the symposium will definitely help in issuing the related suitable decisions and guiding tips", concluded he.
Addressing the audience, H.E. Prof. Dr. Suliman Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, praised the efforts of the university in disseminating the integrity culture and promote transparency and combat corruption with a target to raise the public awareness and promote the ethical behavior through strengthening the religious deterrent in the community. H.E. the university rector expressed the readiness of the university to cooperate and harness its academical and human resources to help bring the goals of Nazaha to its end. "Al-Imam University, as it often receives due cares from King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his Crown Prince H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Deputy Crown Prince H.R.H. Prince Muqren bin Abdulaziz, has succeeded in confronting extremist ideology and masters of sedition and corruption while promoting values of moderation and temperance which depends on Holy Quran and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)", added H.E. the university rector.
From his part, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, in a recorded speech, lauded the cooperation between Al-Imam University and Nazaha and he considered it blessed and emerging from the cooperation in righteousness and piety, as all Muslims are encouraged to fulfill their fidelity. "Corruption is disease in the hearts and an ugly attitude both in transactions or in worships and it does not addressed and corrected except by the power of faith that settles in the heart of Muslim and pointing out to him what's permissible and what's sinful", stated the Grand Mufti. He concluded his words by praying to Allah Almighty to bring success and determination to the symposium and its recommendations.