JEDDAH: The Secretary-General of the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar, affirmed the center’s commitment to enhancing the role of dialogue in combating violence in the name of religion.
Muammar was addressing an audience at the International Conference on “Tackling Violence in the Name of Religion” held in Rome on Saturday, in the presence of a number of religious, political and intellectual leaders from around the world to discuss best practices to activate the role of individuals, leaders and religious institutions in this field.
He pointed to the importance of the Vienna Conference, which was organized by the center under the title “United against violence in the name of religion,” explaining that the outcomes of that conference were the basis of the center’s future strategy and played an important role in the formulation of the United Nations Plan of Action for the year 2015 to combat violent extremism leading to genocide.
Mummar added that the center’s strategy of activating the role of religious individuals, leaders and institutions is based on making them key partners, working side by side with policy makers in effectively addressing the multiple threats to peaceful coexistence and tolerance that extremist groups are involved in.
“If we are to seek positive and sustainable change, I think we need to deal with individuals, leaders and religious institutions to support policy makers in this area, and religious institutions should contribute to the implementation of results on the ground in their local communities,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of promoting a culture of shared citizenship, regardless of religious or ethnic origins, pointing out that the center has spent a great deal of time and effort in combating extremism and terrorism.
At the same time, the world has not made the most from the silent majority among moderates who have huge capabilities in the fight against the discourse of violent extremism, under the umbrella of joint citizenship.
Mummar pointed out that the center has completed preparations to launch a permanent platform for dialogue between Muslims and Christians in the Arab world at the end of February.
He reviewed the center’s recent efforts and activities, noting that it is working intensively with Muslim and Christian religious leaders in Nigeria and the Central African Republic to establish platforms for dialogue to combat extremism and promote social cohesion.
KAICIID dedicated to enhancing role of dialogue to combat violence in name of religion
KAICIID dedicated to enhancing role of dialogue to combat violence in name of religion
Saudi Arabia launches key projects at World Defense Show in Riyadh
- Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveils initiatives
- New firms set up and deals inked at event running to Feb. 12
RIYADH: Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveiled new initiatives and signed several agreements on the opening of the third World Defense Show in Riyadh on Sunday.
Prince Khalid opened the show on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, the five-day event will run until Feb. 12, showcasing the Kingdom’s rapid strides toward strategic independence and technological leadership in the defense sector.
The 2026 edition features a purpose-built venue with a 2,700-meter runway for live air and land demonstrations, underscoring the show’s status as a premier global defense event.
The GAMI’s Gov. Ahmad Al-Ohali said the show reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to localizing over 50 percent of military spending in line with Vision 2030, and fostering an integrated ecosystem where government bodies and international partners collaborate on innovation.
Strategic agreements and major launches
At the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Group pavilion, Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives.
- New entities: The inauguration of the SAMI Land Co., SAMI Autonomous Co., and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex.
- Supply chain: The unveiling of the SAMI Local Content Program and the HEET Program.
- International cooperation: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development on advanced military research.
- Defense deals: The minister signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.
Technological debuts and innovations
The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors.
- AI-Powered Lucid Gravity: Public Security debuted its advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion.
The vehicle integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and specialized security equipment designed to accelerate emergency response times and support field operations.
By leveraging predictive intelligence and advanced command-and-control systems, the Lucid Gravity exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom.
- Smart helmet: Also at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion, the General Directorate of Civil Defense unveiled its smart helmet.
Designed to revolutionize public safety and emergency response, the helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations.
The device serves as a mobile command node, delivering live video feeds directly to command-and-control centers. By enabling real-time data analysis and faster decision-making, the helmet reduces response times and enhances personnel safety in high-risk environments.
- Border security: The General Directorate of the Border Guard showcased an integrated security system featuring radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure.
It also functions as an early warning system for critical facilities and border areas and is fully integrated with command-and-control systems.
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Counter-terrorism: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition presented a comprehensive framework integrating intellectual, media, and military domains to combat extremism and terror financing.
Visitors were briefed on specialized programs designed to raise the readiness of national personnel and foster sustainable institutional cooperation among member states to combat extremism.
On the event’s opening day, the pavilion hosted high-level delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and ambassadors who reviewed and praised the coalition’s pivotal role in coordinating local and international security efforts.
A view of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition pavilion. (SPA) -
Meteorology: The National Center for Meteorology displayed advanced weather systems essential for ensuring the safety of the event’s air shows and military operations.
At its dedicated pavilion, the NCM is showcasing its latest advanced meteorological technologies and systems. These solutions serve both the military and civilian sectors, providing accurate data to support beneficiary entities’ operational processes.
World Defense Show CEO Andrew Pearcey said that participation is expected to surpass previous records, reflecting the event’s growing importance on the international stage.
