RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Tuesday urged all Saudis not to describe him as “Malik Al-Qulub” (king of hearts) and “Malik Al-Insaniya” (king of humanity).
“I request you all not to use these titles. The real king is Allah the Almighty and we are His slaves,” King Abdullah said, while receiving Islamic scholars, ministers, senior officials and tribal leaders at his palace in Riyadh.
The king also told his audience that he was not able to receive them and shake hands with them standing because of his health problems.
“God willing, I will be able to do that after some days or months,” he said.
King Abdullah had earlier banned citizens from kissing his hands or that of any member of the royal family out of reverence, saying it “is something alien to our values and ethics and is refused by free and honest souls.”
Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the Kingdom’s grand mufti, commended the king for announcing a spate of welfare programs worth SR500 billion.
“It gives a message to the whole world that this country is founded on Islam and will stay firm upholding its tenets without deviation,” he said.
“It also shows that the reforms in the Kingdom are according to Islamic teachings. They are neither imported from outside nor dictated by outside forces,” the mufti said. He highlighted the cohesion between the Saudi leadership and people “who cooperate with one another and reject sedition and strife, and stand by the truth.”
Saleh Al-Asheikh, head of the Summary Court, praised the king for taking drastic measures to fight corruption. Fahd Al-Obaikan, who spoke on behalf of the Riyadh people, thanked the king for announcing the social welfare programs. Abdul Kareem Al-Harbi, who spoke for the people of Hail, underscored the unity of Saudis.
Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as representatives of different regions and groups also spoke, praising the king’s efforts for the welfare of Saudis and boosting the Kingdom’s overall development.