Sri Lanka-Saudi Arabia ties reach new highs, will expand further in the future – Saudi Arabia Islamic Affairs Minister

The Minister of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia Dr. Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh who is currently in Sri Lanka, on Monday (20) said Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia ties have reached a new high and these will expand further in the future.

The Saudi Minister who was the Chief Guest at the Awards ceremony of the Quran Memorisation Competition held in Sri Lanka, said the Sri Lanka Government has always treated all communities with equal respect and dignity.

The Minister in his speech further noted, “As a minority, Muslims in Sri Lanka are treated with respect and dignity by the Government of this friendly nation. Sri Lanka has upheld its longstanding ties with Saudi Arabia with honor and continues to foster collaboration across various fields, maintaining the mutual respect and cooperation between our two countries”.

I extend a warm welcome to all our guests on behalf of the Government of Saudi Arabia and congratulate everyone on this occasion—the second Al-Qur’an Memorisation Competition Awards Ceremony in Sri Lanka, with the participation of both men and women. This Competition was conducted with the guidance and support of the Saudi Arabian Government, particularly through the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Call to Guidance. We are also thankful for the cooperation of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka, the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, and many others who contributed to the success of this event. We celebrate this achievement with gratitude and joy.

Saudi Arabia is a nation deeply committed to the welfare of people worldwide. It consistently takes initiatives that benefit humanity, and it is within this framework that meaningful events like this Al Quran Memorisation Competition are organised. These Quranic contests are designed not only to support Muslims globally, but also to instill the profound significance of the Holy Qur’an in the hearts and minds of the people, a gift bestowed upon humanity by Allah. Saudi Arabia continues its exceptional efforts in promoting initiatives that benefit the global Muslim community and the teachings of Islam. Through such endeavours, Allah’s Qur’an is deeply engraved in the hearts of Muslims worldwide.

Dear brothers and sisters, you are the visionaries who have gathered here to participate in a ceremony that will be etched in history. This Al Quran Memorisation Competition reflects Saudi Arabia’s tireless efforts to popularise the Quran and to emphasise its teachings of Religious and Social Harmony. It represents one of the noble initiatives undertaken to spread the Book of Allah and its universal message across the world.

Our objective is to bring the Quran closer to all people, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries, and embedding its teachings into their hearts and minds. Guided by this purpose, we successfully held a Quran Memorisation competition in Sri Lanka. It was a momentous event, and today we celebrate the second edition of this prestigious competition in our Nation. In a country like Sri Lanka, where Muslims form a minority, organising such an event is both significant and inspiring.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia takes great pride in spreading the noble message of the Quran to people worldwide. This mission is carried out under the guidance and directives of our esteemed Rulers, particularly His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

This Quran Memorisation competition stands as one of the most noble initiatives in the world, bringing together distinguished individuals who dedicate themselves to preserving and reciting the Word of Allah. Such events pave the way to Divine guidance and success, fostering a stronger and more united Ummah through the teachings of the Quran.