University

Today, His Excellency the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Council of Universities Affairs, Yusuf bin Abdullah al-Bunayyan, patronized the celebration of the International Day for Tolerance and the World International Student Day at Islamic University of Madinah, with the attendance of the university’s acting president, Professor Hassan bin Abdul Mun’em al-Awfi.

In his speech at the ceremony, His Excellency the Minister expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, may Allaah protect and safeguard them, for the support and attention they give to the education sector in the Kingdom.

His Excellency stated that the Ministry of Education was keen to take advantage of international days related to education, to enhance national values in its students. He added, “We hereby celebrate the International Day for Tolerance in this holy and immaculate place, the city of the Messenger of Allaah, where the lights of Islamic civilization shone upon humanity, embodying the values of tolerance, fairness, and moderation”. He pointed out that the Kingdom had continued its ground-breaking approach to tolerance and moderation since the era of the founder, King Abdul-Aziz bin Abdurrahman Al Saud, may Allaah have mercy on him, until this propitious era, and the Makkah armistice document was the greatest testimony to the promotion of the values of tolerance and coexistence between cultures.

His Excellency further pointed out that the Kingdom’s universities today host more than 74,000 male and female international students, representing more than 170 countries and territories, who have had the opportunity to study various specialties and programs in science and humanities.

The acting president of the university also delivered a speech in which he said: “This blessed university, which has been existing for (65) years, has graduated students representing more than 170 countries, speaking 50 languages along with Arabic language, and constituting a positive global impact in contributing to building and developing their societies”.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Excellency, the Minister of Education, toured the Tolerance Exhibition, during which he viewed the Makkah Armistice Document, which represents a historic constitution for achieving peace, consolidating the values of tolerance, and highlighting the efforts of the Kingdom and the Ministry of Education in promoting the values of tolerance.

His Excellency also visited the exhibition dedicated to international students, with the participation of 23 nationalities from various countries of the world, to learn about the cultural diversity of the students and their most vibrant cultures. Having witnessed a brief introduction presented by students about their countries, His Excellency concluded the visit by immortalizing a group photo that highlights the cultural and civilizational diversity of the students at Islamic University.