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KUALA LUMPUR: Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Budair, the imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, met Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

This visit was part of the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques program, which is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

Hamidi praised the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, and expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its support in facilitating the performance of Hajj and Umrah rituals for Muslims.

Al-Budair stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening ties with Muslim communities worldwide, promoting moderation and balance, and reinforcing the positive image of Islam.

RIYADH: The 45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the �ϳܰ�’a�� will start on Saturday, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The competition is organized and supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, and will be held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Contestants from 128 countries around the world will participate, the largest number of participating countries since the competition was established more than 45 years ago. 

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, extended his gratitude and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continuous support for the Holy �ϳܰ�’a��.

“The Ministry is honored to organize this prestigious competition, which is considered one of the most prominent international �ϳܰ�’a�� competitions. It enjoys a high status, highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in caring for the Holy Quran,” Sheikh Abdullatif said.

“It brings together an elite group of memorizers of the book of God from various countries around the world in the holiest place on earth annually, in an honorable manner that reflects the Kingdom’s mission to serve Islam and spread the values of moderation and balance,” he added.