Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Saudi project will combat West's smear campaigns
In a move regarded by many as a response to Western campaigns targeting Islam and Saudi Arabia, a group of Saudi scholars has come up with a project aimed at defending Islam and Saudi Arabia.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 00:27 September 18, 2007
Riyadh: In a move regarded by many as a response to Western campaigns targeting Islam and Saudi Arabia, a group of Saudi scholars has come up with a project aimed at defending Islam and Saudi Arabia.
The project, the International books on Islam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is now in progress. A press conference was held in Riyadh to describe the project.
Dr Mohammad Bin Saud Al Bishr, professor of political communications and head of the project's team, told Gulf News that 73 scholars, politicians and media representatives from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, the United States, Europe, Japan and Russia have contributed to the project.
"This is a civilised, scientific and cultural initiative aimed at presenting an objective image about Islam and Saudi Arabia according to reality and not as portrayed by the Western research, strategic and media organisations," he said.
Unbiased
Dr Al Bishr said the project consists of eight books including A Letter to the West; Saudis and Terror, Religious Police in Saudi Arabia; Women in Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia as Seen by a Diplomat's Wife.
The books will be published in English and French as well as Arabic.
Asked about the objectives of the project, Dr Al Bishr said the project aims to serve a number of goals. These include clarifying the position of Saudi Arabia vis-Ã -vis the topics and issues discussed in the project, to reveal the smear campaigns adopted by Western political, intellectual and media establishments in regard to the issues covered by the project and the presentation of a fair, unbiased vision emanating from the kingdom's domestic and foreign policies. He added that the project also aimed to demonstrate the kingdom's viewpoints and stance on global terrorism as a key issue tackled by the project and to make clear the efforts taken by the kingdom in fighting terrorism in the local, regional and international arena.
Dr Al Bishr disclosed the project will be officially launched in Saudi Arabia and Europe, adding that politicians, intellectuals and media representatives will be invited for the launches.
Distribution
Asked about the distribution of the books Dr Al Bishr said the eight books will be distributed free of charge to several institutions and centres in the West, Africa and the Arab world. The distribution will cover strategic, political centres and institutions, media establishments, oriental research centres, mosques, propagation centres, churches and organisations concerned with dialogue between religions.
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