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Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday vowed to restore “moderate, open” Islam in a kingdom known for its ultra-conservative rule.
“We are returning to what we were before, a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world,” he said at an economic forum in Riyadh.
“We will not spend the next 30 years of our lives dealing with destructive ideas. We will destroy them today,” he added. “We will end extremism very soon.”
The crown prince's statement is the most direct attack by a top official on the Gulf country's influential conservative religious establishment.
Since his sudden appointment on June 21, Prince Mohammed has pushed ahead with reforms.
He is widely regarded as being the force behind King Salman's decision last month to lift a long-standing ban on women driving.
Earlier on Tuesday, Riyadh announced the launch of an independent economic zone along the kingdom's northwestern coastline.
The project, dubbed NEOM, will operate under regulations separate from those that govern the rest of Saudi Arabia.
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Comments (84) Closed
Oct 24, 2017 07:20pm
Very impressive....good job
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Oct 24, 2017 07:37pm
Good effort I wish good luck
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Oct 24, 2017 07:39pm
What is moderate Islam? Started making compromises. Is this last effort to save kingdom?
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Oct 24, 2017 07:40pm
Thank you very much. It is great to hear that Mohammad bin Salman will be open to the whole world in their faith. Many people will begin to Islam with open understanding and removing ISIS from the whole world.
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Oct 24, 2017 07:47pm
Smart thinking ... I think the Saudeis have realized that with the advent of green house projects and electric cars across the globe, the demand for oil will go down. They will have to become liberal like UAE to attract other businesses and diversify their dependence on oil economy. That is the only way out for a bright future.
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Oct 24, 2017 07:49pm
“We are returning to what we were before, a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world.” When was that? 950 AD in Southern Spain? Good luck to them.
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Oct 24, 2017 07:51pm
I hope he is sincere. Stopping the funding for militant madrassas alone will solve most of the issues. But can he stop the flow?
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Oct 24, 2017 07:52pm
that rigid 'narrative' that Saudis bankrolled since the last 40 years has now infected Western and Pakistani mosques. Too little too late I think..
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Oct 24, 2017 07:54pm
Very heartening news ... !
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Oct 24, 2017 07:55pm
Only because of radicalism spread by KSA many countries have turned into fertile grounds for terrorist recrutment. If Ksa turns into morderate Islamic country world will definitely change. On this basis Atleast one can have regid argument with people inclined towards extremism to correct them.
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Oct 24, 2017 07:56pm
Sounds great for mankind
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Oct 24, 2017 08:03pm
Hope he will allow people of other religion to built places of worship and celebrate festivals . Will also allow Christian missionaries to preach
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Oct 24, 2017 08:03pm
He might be changing mindset.. Not easy.. But Not impossible..
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Oct 24, 2017 08:15pm
NEOM = Neo + M = New + Mostaqbal = New Future
Indeed Crown Prince is ushering in new future not only for Saudi Arabia, not even for Islam but for the world.
Wow!!!!
With One Master Stroke From Medieval to Modern country and the world.
It will shake many countries and ideology groups.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:15pm
Am an ordinary Hindu from India. I don't even have right to spell your name.am not even good enough to become mud under your feel. Sir but your this statement has made me love you so much. Hopefully All religion in the world will become moderate soon
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Oct 24, 2017 08:17pm
That is very encouraging and should be appreciated.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:27pm
They have realized now that oil money would not last long, and that it would be impossible to sustain their lavish spendings. Saudi society and economy needs to open up and reform, or risk being overthrown by civil unrest later on. Of course, the clerics won't be happy. Expect a backlash from them at some point.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:29pm
Pakistan need to follow the footsteps immediately.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:34pm
But no moderate humanity!!!!
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Oct 24, 2017 08:38pm
Finally, better late than never. This will help improve Islam's image globally.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:42pm
A long way to go. We Muslims desperately need enlightenment. Hope he does the needful. No religion can be as simple as Islam but look what we have made out of it ? Islam is all about tolerance,democracy and openness.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:43pm
another fraud.
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Oct 24, 2017 08:49pm
beginning of END
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Oct 24, 2017 09:02pm
Haha.. after killing and throwing from helicopter Sheikh Nimr's dead body, he expects the world to believe this. No disrespect intended.
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Oct 24, 2017 09:05pm
Oh wow, no payment for your past 'extremism' crimes?
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Oct 24, 2017 09:06pm
Good, Bye Bye Wahabism, Welcome home Sufism.
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Oct 24, 2017 09:07pm
Good job. It's good Saudi's are realizing that in the long term they cannot rely on oil and their tryst laws will not allow them to invite people of all hue and cry to invest in their country considering bad weather and regressive laws.
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Oct 24, 2017 09:09pm
Looks he is going to be ideal for all Muslims for his enlightened policies and moderate views. God bless you
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Oct 24, 2017 09:10pm
....sure...hope it doesnt turn out to be like our beloved country....
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Oct 24, 2017 09:18pm
I dont know what is modern Islam he means.. hope he dont mix Islam with western culture and call it modern Islam..
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Oct 24, 2017 09:48pm
Thank God !!!!
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Oct 24, 2017 09:49pm
"Moderate Islam" would that allow people from different sects of Islam to practice without being persecuted?
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Oct 24, 2017 10:15pm
Just need to update to 21st century and modify as per international laws n coexistence.
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Oct 24, 2017 10:22pm
He is doing a great job. Other Muslim countries should learn from him.
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Oct 24, 2017 10:40pm
Going in the right direction. Hope he succeed in his efforts
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Oct 24, 2017 10:48pm
This person is awesome. He will be remembered for a long long time even if he achieves a smaller percentage of what he has claimed.
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Oct 24, 2017 11:03pm
Better late than never, about time
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Oct 24, 2017 11:20pm
A forward thinking man. Hope he succeeds.
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Oct 24, 2017 11:20pm
Not only moderate but just also, where there is no difference between a European, Asian and Saudi worker in wages and treatment as we see in west and many eastern countries.
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Oct 24, 2017 11:30pm
A man who doesn't stand for nothing will fall for anything
Yesterday it was so called Islamic system
Today's capitalism
Tomorrow we don't what will make them change there opinion
So the time proves man that he was wrong in the past
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Oct 25, 2017 12:14am
Everyone has their own definition of term moderate. Time will only tell what this moderate means.
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Oct 25, 2017 01:19am
I seriously doubt it.
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Oct 25, 2017 01:23am
@Raj he has announced that it will be moderate Islam ..
Best example would be allow Ladis to drive, women can wear color hijab!
Travelling without mehram is most unacceptable!
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Oct 25, 2017 01:38am
@Raj people of other religion still prefer to work in this country because of money and no presence of temples.
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Oct 25, 2017 01:53am
Welcome statement,needs to carefully read the history and” re educate” his population.otherwise his reign will be very short lived.
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Oct 25, 2017 02:21am
And the credit goes to Mr. Donald Trump!!!
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Oct 25, 2017 02:41am
All countries in the world should opt for Secularism and Democracy. india is best example.In 21st century children must grow in a peaceful world free from fundamentalism and radicalism.
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Oct 25, 2017 03:23am
The Crown Prince is a true Visionary and exactly what conservative Saudi Arabia needs to get into the 21st century
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Oct 25, 2017 03:30am
Long Live Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman ! May the Almighty God bless and protect him.
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Oct 25, 2017 04:16am
these are some great things happening in KSA
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Oct 25, 2017 04:32am
You can not bring change overnight. You have to cultivate and nurture the culture of openness and moderation to see the results. But a good first step in the right direction.
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Oct 25, 2017 04:41am
Can someone ask crown Prince what he means by moderate Islam?
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Oct 25, 2017 04:53am
First define "moderate" Your Highness.
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Oct 25, 2017 05:10am
Someone in that country got wisdom.
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Oct 25, 2017 05:10am
Stop killing Yemenis then talk about moderation
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Oct 25, 2017 05:46am
Where is moderate Islam practiced? And what is it? Someone, please enlighten me.
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Oct 25, 2017 06:23am
Lip service !!!
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Oct 25, 2017 06:36am
Implementation should be of Real Islam instead of that which is told by westerners or that which is depicted by extremists
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Oct 25, 2017 06:39am
So Mr. Prince agres they are extremists at the moment?
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Oct 25, 2017 07:11am
Zara Dil Tham Ke. Let's pray his design come true. He risks being marginalized by the conservatives. Action speak louder than words. He should stop the wars imposed on neighbors right away.
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Oct 25, 2017 07:19am
What a joke
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Oct 25, 2017 07:20am
God bless him!
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Oct 25, 2017 07:25am
Good Allow Democracy and Right to choose his own Religion.. Allow other faiths to Preach .. Allow Temples, Gurudwara, Bodh Math, Church, Jew Fire temple along with Mosque..
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Oct 25, 2017 07:28am
It's better you change yourself and stop supporting the illegal organizations in Muslim world.
Don't be liberal but human beings.
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Oct 25, 2017 07:30am
A ray of hope for SA
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Oct 25, 2017 07:33am
Will he allow democracy and give the power to people. This is the only way you can progress
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Oct 25, 2017 07:42am
Do you mean 80s? Good luck. Extremism can always be outsourced.
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Oct 25, 2017 07:44am
Tsunami fighting against the sea itself?
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Oct 25, 2017 07:51am
All must appreciate Crown Prince Muhammed Bin Salman for his enlightened thoughts. A simple non- violence lead life, and timely prayers,help to needy,and truth in life, are enough to be a pious Muslim. Muslims should devote to prayers and help, for forget controversial, lengthy,sermons, and congregations, it's fact no speeches of two clerics is same, there are millions of clerics,each talking differently and misleading rather misguiding the ordinary layman. Hence only authentic mufti must be listened and whoever talk about violence be avoided. The unauthentic and misguided clerics had greatly caused injury to peaceful religion Islam.
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Oct 25, 2017 08:08am
@Raj I also hope the vatican will also allow other religious to preach in there place.
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Oct 25, 2017 08:23am
Finally better sense prevailed.
Neither Islam nor Christanity or Hinduism is the alternative for humanity.
Live and let live.
It is clear to KSA and world that because of extreme thoughts 100's of 1000's life are destroyed, families after families disappeared with ZERO gain.
If it happens then this years NOBEL should go Saudi Crown Prince.
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Oct 25, 2017 08:35am
Kindly classify yourselves not Islam...
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Oct 25, 2017 08:55am
Did Trump have something to do with the mood change?
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Oct 25, 2017 09:00am
The days of the present federal government of Pakistan seems to be numbered!
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Oct 25, 2017 10:31am
He is right, only in peace, you can flourish.
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Oct 25, 2017 06:06pm
@md haris :Just money enough for the workers' family.Temples don't matter.
If mosques can be built in non-Muslim countries, why not in KSA?
Maybe this will resolve the Indian Babari mosque brouhaha!
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Oct 25, 2017 06:17pm
@Ravian :In order to re-educate the masses, the masses will have to learn to read on their own--instead of a mullah standing on the stand and haranguing the crowd--as usual with his own ideas and peculiar interpretations!
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Oct 25, 2017 06:20pm
@Dr. Malek Towghi (Baloch) --USA :
Or the hot-headed, self-possessed zealot with a sharp sword!
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Oct 25, 2017 06:26pm
@Human : KSA has already had a mouse built in Rome, but NO church allowed in KSA!
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Oct 25, 2017 06:28pm
@Dnyaneshwar :Better sense promulgated--but yet to prevail!
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Oct 25, 2017 06:30pm
@Syed Imam :Yes, it is one thing to know how to drive, but quite another to know how to conduct yourself in traffic as a civilized, patient, and compassionate human!
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Oct 25, 2017 09:10pm
@Raj - & then convert all of them to Christianity...like they do in tribal areas & north-east of India
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Oct 25, 2017 09:48pm
@Mansur ul haque By this confession, the queer prince has poured debris on his own head.
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Oct 27, 2017 11:31am
I don't think anything will work for him. He played too much foul and spilled too much innocent blood in the near past. Now it is time to face all the side effects.
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