Dialogue will clear misconceptions

A senior parliamentarian from France said here that frequent dialogue with officials in the Kingdom would help clear misconceptions about Muslims being linked to terrorism.
Sen. Nathalie Meriem Goulet, chairwoman of the France-Gulf States Parliamentary Friendship Group, told Arab News that she was able to clearly understand that Saudi Arabia is also waging an unrelenting war against terrorism inside and outside the Kingdom.
Goulet, who was accompanied by Senators Leila Aichi, Christian Namy and Alain Houpert, had discussions here with the members of the Shoura Council and also held talks with Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar in Riyadh early this week.
The delegation also met Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Salem on Tuesday and discussed a number of issues of common interest, and extended her support of cooperation, friendship and partnership between the Kingdom and France in various security and economic fields.
During the talks with Shoura Council members, she said that the visiting delegation was convinced of the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and those who follow it properly march toward maintaining an environment of peace, security and love.
The meeting was attended by French Ambassador to the Kingdom Bertrand Besancenot and a number of officials of the Ministry of Interior.
Goulet said that France is also keen on fighting terrorism and is prepared to help the Kingdom in all ways to wipe it out. “We are happy that the Kingdom is transparent in all its activities. During this visit, the Kingdom allowed a French journalist to accompany us to visit the rehabilitation camp in Riyadh,” she said, adding that such openness helps both sides better understand each other.
At the Shoura Council, she said she was surprised to see highly erudite women among members in the council. “Their contribution to the council’s meetings will go a long way in projecting the concerns of women in the Kingdom.” 
During her talks with the Haj minister, she said it was interesting for France to learn about the massive operations during Haj which is being successfully conducted once a year. “Some 20,000 French Muslims come for Haj every year through a network of 47 travel agents,” she said, pointing out that the pilgrims should undergo an orientation program prior to their departure for Makkah to familiarize themselves with the local culture and climate, and the social and government regulations.
During her stay in Jeddah, she has plans to meet the key officials of the OIC and IDB to learn more about their functions. She also met with Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Wednesday.

Source: Arab News