Notable quotes from King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia

“Humanity is suffering today from a loss of values and from a confusion of concepts. Humanity is passing through a critical phase that, in spite of all the scientific progress, is witnessing a proliferation of crime, an increase in terrorism, the disintegration of the family, subversion of the minds of the young through drug abuse, the exploitation of the poor by the strong, and odious racist tendencies. This is all a consequence of the spiritual void from which people suffer when they forget God. There is no solution for us other than to agree on a united approach, through dialogue among religions and civilisations.”

- King Abdullah at the World Conference on Dialogue – July 2008

“You, my brothers and sisters, have rights that we strive to achieve all matters that are for your own pride, dignity and interests. It is our right to seek your opinions and advices, according to Sharia guidelines and to the fundamentals of religion. Those who keep away from these guidelines are arrogant people and they have to bear the responsibility of these actions.”

- King Abdullah addressing the Shura Council – September 2011

“I ask today that we move from a phase of cooperation to a phase of union within a single entity… You must realise that our security and stability are threatened and we need to live up to our responsibilities.”

- King Abdullah addressing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh - December 2011

“We made this decision because we refuse to marginalise women in the Saudi society in their roles that comply with the Islamic Sharia and following consultations with many of our scholars who supported it. Muslim women in our history have had stances that cannot be sidelined, be it through views or advice, since the time of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] … It is our right to receive your opinion and advice according to the fundamentals of our religion. Whoever trespasses them is arrogant and must take responsibility for those actions,” he said.

- King Abdullah announcing that women would be appointed to the Shura Council for the first time in Saudi Arabia - September 2012

“States, be what they may, can never ever rule the world. Reason rules the world; justice rules the world; ethics rules the world. These can rule the world. The world is not ruled by those who commit violent deeds.”

- King Abdullah at Al Janadriya Festival – February 2012

“The Islamic religion is the religion of unity, brotherhood and cohesion. In our world today, we have seen that some deceived people with false calls that are not ordered by Allah. They did not differentiate between reform and terrorism and do not realise that those calls aiming at disturbing communities with the different parties and also aiming to sow division among Muslims.”

- King Abdullah addressing Muslims on the eve of Ramadan – June 2014

“I call on leaders and scholars of the Islamic nation ‎to carry out their duty towards God Almighty, and to stand in the face of those trying to hijack Islam ‎and present it to the world as a religion of extremism, hatred, and terrorism, and to speak the word of truth, and not fear anybody. Our nation today is passing through a critical, historic stage, and history ‎will be witness against those who have been the tool exploited by the enemies to disperse and tear the nation and tarnish the pure image of Islam.”

- King Abdullah calling for collective action against terrorism – August 2014

— Compiled by Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief