For the first time in the history of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Holy See, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh on 18 April 2018 a high level delegation from the Holy See, led by Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran. Saudi Arabia is one of the founding member states of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) and the Holy See is the Founding Observer of the Centre.

Cardinal Tauran is the President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and was accompanied by Bishop Miguel Ayuso, the Secretary of the Pontifical Council, who also serves as the Holy See’s representative on KAICIID’s Council of Parties and Board of Directors, as well as Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and member of KAICIID’s Advisory Forum.

In their meeting, King Salman and Cardinal Tauran discussed the importance of the role of religious communities in renouncing violence, extremism, terrorism and achieving security and stability in the world.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabian Minister of the Interior, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr. Mohammad Ibn Abdulkarim Alissa, and the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir participated in the meeting.

High Level Engagement

During his official visit to Saudi Arabia, Cardinal Tauran also addressed the Muslim World League, emphasizing that religion must never be misused to justify any violence or terrorism because it destroys lives, both the victims and the perpetrators. He also stated that all religions must be treated the same way, without discrimination, because their followers, together with citizens who do not profess any religion, must be treated equally. The Vatican delegation also received a briefing at Saudi Arabia's Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, Etidal.

Gratitude for Commitment

Cardinal Tauran, Bishop Ayuso and Monsignor Akasheh met KAICIID Secretary General Faisal Bin Muaammar in Riyadh. Cardinal Tauran emphasized that “with KAICIID the Vatican has a long and deep relationship. We are all more than friends; we are brothers and sisters. In the world in which we live, I believe it is important to show that it is possible to live, to work and to build between Christians and Muslims. If you look at history, when Muslims and Christians have been in harmony, the world changed and it created great civilizations. Now we have to show and teach the young generation that plurality is not a threat it is richness.”

In recalling the Vatican’s five years of collaboration with KAICIID, Bishop Ayuso said “ I have seen how through different activities at different levels and in different continents that KAICIID has activated meaningful activities and initiatives, such as fellowship programmes for peace and reconciliation that has allowed the Centre to be a reference, a promoter of intercultural and interreligious dialogue in the world. I encourage everyone that we may together create a network of collaboration through KAICIID through the Muslim World League, and through the National Dialogue Centre so that altogether we may create a better world.”

 Secretary General Bin Muaammar commended the Holy See and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their historic step in the promotion of interreligious dialogue and also thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Holy See for their long-standing cooperation and commitment to the Centre, stating, “the Centre is truly privileged to count among its founding States the Holy See, the Founding Observer State, and in particular to be able to draw upon the support provided by Pope Francis, Pope-Emeritus Benedict, Cardinal Tauran and Bishop Ayuso”.

Bin Muaammar also congratulated the Muslim World League and Dr. Alissa for his initiative and the central role he played in the Vatican’s historic visit to Saudi Arabia.

Historic First Meeting

On 8 May 2017, Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting of the Council of Parties of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), including Austria, Spain and the Holy See as the Founding Observer.  That meeting marked the very first time in Saudi Arabia’s history when representatives of the Holy See officially visited the Kingdom. The Holy See’s delegation at that time included Bishop Ayuso and Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, the Holy See’s Under-Secretary for Relations with States.