RIYADH, June 18: A select group of Saudi religious leaders and intellectuals concluded a landmark four-day meeting on Wednesday by calling for wide-ranging reforms, sources familiar with the meeting said.

The Convention for National Dialogue, called by Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, also urged widening of political participation, more judicial independence and fair distribution of wealth, among many other recommendations.

More than 50 ulema and intellectuals, representing the country’s various shades of the Sunni majority, in addition to Shias, Ismailis and some liberals and technocrats, participated in the meeting.

They discussed religious extremism, diversity of opinion, rights and duties of women and their role in society, freedom of expression and contemporary fatwas, and the impact of these issues on national unity.

The meeting also took up issues like the importance of common interests with other countries, dealing with non-Muslims from an Islamic perspective and rules governing jihad.

Prince Abdullah said in a message to the meeting that safeguarding the country and citizens against “harmful ideas” was no longer possible through banning or blocking in the face of today’s technological advances.

“I believe you all agree with me that the most efficient means to achieve this is through ... quiet dialogue that respects the other opinion and allows for free exchange of views,” Prince Abdullah said.—AFP